Global News Calgary traffic reporter @global_leslie responds to an email criticising her choice of clothes. #yyc pic.twitter.com/r9Od0hKbn0
— Global Calgary (@GlobalCalgary) December 5, 2023
The internet has brought a lot of good things into our lives. But sadly, it has also allowed people to hide behind a faceless avatar to make comments they wouldn't say out loud. Leslie Horton, a Canadian news anchor, has been a victim of this. But not willing to take it anymore, she decided to speak up on air about a harmful message that she had gotten earlier that day.
Horton, a 59-year old reporter for Global TV Calgary, got an email after one of her morning traffic updates. It read, “Congratulations on your pregnancy. If you’re going to wear old bus driver pants, you can expect emails like this.” While hosts are not supposed to address the mean comments they get, this wasn't the first time this person had body shamed Horton. And so, she chose to bring attention to the subject during her following segment.
“He’s reached out several times over the years, and his intent is always to humiliate and hurt me,” Horton told Today. “We’re not supposed to respond to trolls—so I had no plans to address it, but then the words just came out of my mouth. I had this visceral reaction.”
After relaying the message to the viewers, she said, “No, I’m not pregnant. I actually lost my uterus to cancer last year, and this is what women my age look like,” the reporter said while speaking directly into the camera. “So, if it’s offensive to you, that is unfortunate. Think about the emails you send.”
Horton identified the sender as a regular viewer. This means that they must be aware that she fought endometrial cancer, which resulted in a radical hysterectomy, since she informed her audience back in 2020 and had regular health updates on the show. In the end, Horton’s defying moment was met with an outpouring of support, with many reaching out on Twitter to praise her for her speaking up and delivering such a powerful response in a matter of seconds.
“Maybe I was responding to the pregnancy, no uterus, cancer thing,” Horton said. “Or maybe it’s just the fact that I’m tired female broadcasters—and women in general—are being treated this way. And I would say it hit a nerve because I’ve received thousands of messages from people—men and women—saying, ‘Good for you. This is not right and it needs to stop.’ ”
During a live broadcast, Canadian news anchor Leslie Horton addressed a body shaming message she had gotten earlier that day.
Global News Calgary traffic reporter @global_leslie responds to an email criticising her choice of clothes. #yyc pic.twitter.com/r9Od0hKbn0
— Global Calgary (@GlobalCalgary) December 5, 2023
“This is what women my age look like,” the reporter said. “So, if it’s offensive to you, that is unfortunate. Think about the emails you send.”
This was possibly the most classy response to a classless email. I don't know how you kept your composure but we all benefit from taking this in. You're in a league of your own
— Mike Gentile (@mikegentile590) December 5, 2023
In the end, Horton’s defying moment was met with an outpouring of support, with many reaching out on Twitter to praise her for her speaking up.
You're a cancer warrior and a champion for women everywhere! Keep doing what you're doing!
— Canadian Cancer Society (@cancersociety) December 7, 2023
Leslie Horton: Twitter
h/t: [Today]
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