Longtime News4JAX reporter Jim Piggott was known for covering Jacksonville’s City Hall with detail, precision and accuracy. He wanted to get all sides of the story for you -- the viewer.
He retired last year, and during Pride Month, we’re sharing a more personal side of the journalist who provided thorough news coverage, no matter the topic, for decades to our Channel 4 audience.
Piggott (he/him) comes from a big family in Indianapolis, Indiana. One of nine children, his mother was a nurse and his father was a newsman.
Piggott’s debut on television came early in life. He and his siblings were sometimes featured in the commercials and ads for the station where his father worked.
Piggott officially started his broadcast career in radio with his father in Indianapolis.
In 1985, he moved to Jacksonville, and in 1996, he joined WJXT, where he spent the remainder of his lengthy career -- mostly covering local police and city politics.
“I focused a lot of attention because I always felt everything starts there,” Piggott explained in a recent sit-down chat with News4JAX reporter Jenese Harris. “Whatever happens, it affects everybody that lives in that community.”
Memorable moment
On Piggott’s final day at work, unplanned, a moment happened that gave him an opportunity to say something on air that he had never said before.
“As a gay man... ”
Piggott being gay was never a secret in his private life or with his co-workers. He doesn’t necessarily broadcast it; it’s just a part of who he is to those who know him personally.
But Piggott had never said it on-air because he never let his personal life impact how he worked.
“I only did that once,” Piggott said, recalling the moment when he made the statement on air. “That’s the last story at Channel 4 that I did, when I said I was a gay man and felt proud when they flew the (Pride) flag in front of City Hall and on top of City Hall.”
‘I always knew’
Piggott was born at a time in the 1950s when being gay was far less socially acceptable and could cost you your job.
But he said he always knew who he was.
“Even (at) 6 years old, I always knew I was different,” Piggott said. “I didn’t know it was ‘gay,’ but I always knew I was attracted to men and not women. I knew in high school. I knew, and definitely in college because that’s when I came out, in college. But I always knew.”
Piggott said one of his brothers is also gay, so when he told his parents as an adult, they took it in stride.
“I just said, ‘You know I’m gay.’ And they go, ‘Yeah.’ And it was no problem,” Piggott said.
He said it was during the time of the AIDS epidemic, and his significant other at the time was HIV positive.
His mom, the nurse, said she would support Jim and his partner if they ever needed her.
“I will be right there by your side and take care of him,” she told Jim.
Thankfully, he said that never had to happen, but knowing he had his family’s support, especially at a time when being a part of the LGBTQ community carried such a stigma, meant the world to him.
“My family is important to me,” he said. “There are nine kids in our family and we’re all like a year apart, and we’re all so close. I love that. It’s very important to me.”
A life of stories
Piggott has been a journalist his entire life, and he’s always been honest and open about his own journey of life stories along the way.
A car crash almost took his life. He has been sober for 29 years. And most recently, he overcame a brief battle with prostate cancer.
At the youthful age of 68, he still works out at the gym and has a love for his LEGO collection, saltwater fishing, his dog, plants and traveling.
“I still feel like I’m 30,” Piggott said.
And he’s found love with his partner, John, who will soon meet Piggott’s family.
“I’m going to go up and see them all next week because they’re all still in Indianapolis, and I’m going up and then taking my partner,” said Piggott. “They’ve not met my partner. We’ve been together two years, and I’m taking him, and I’m so excited about that.”
Piggott is very comfortable in who he is as a gay man, but for those who are not there yet, he shared some encouragement.
“Now, being gay is not an issue, where before maybe it was. And that’s what’s important. And you know, I don’t care what other people think anymore,” Piggott said, acknowledging that it wasn’t always that way. “That was an issue at one time that I did care, but now that’s not an issue for me.”
Jim says he has signed up to be a part of the city of Jacksonville’s advisory board for the LGBTQ+ community. He’s waiting to hear back if he has been selected, but honestly, who could serve the city better?
If you or someone you know needs support, click here to find our series of stories about local organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in the Jacksonville area.
