Fired for Playing Wrong Music When Gay Men’s Chorus Was Supposed to Sing, Humiliating Them
DJ ArtForm may get his dream job back.
Saturday night he pushed play on an audio recording of a woman singing the National Anthem. It was the wrong recording, but standing on the field at Petco Park was a group of 100 gay men, invited to sing the National Anthem. Amid taunts of “You sing like a girl,” they were humiliated, and walked off the field after the entire song played.
The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus issued a statement alleging homophobia and even a possible hate crime, and demanded an investigation.
The San Diego Padres issued a lukewarm statement apologizing, and later, after some fact-finding, another statement with a more sincere apology, and an announcement they had fired DJ ArtForm.
DJ Artform issued a humbling and heart-felt apology, and took to a local radio station to explain what happened. He accepted full responsibility, made no excuses, admitted it was his mistake, and assured everyone there was not malice of homophobia.
EARLIER:Â DJ Takes Blame for Padres’ National Anthem ‘Unfortunate Mistake,’ Apologizes to Gay Men’s Chorus
“I have felt the consequences of my mistake as my dream job has dissolved before my eyes which does not take away that I am extremely sorry for the horrible mistake that occurred,” he told fans on his Facebook page. “I’ve let down my City, my family & everyone who had faith in me. Once again, I’m truly sorry for this entire ordeal.”
The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus has now responded.
“We also would like to publicly accept the sincere apology of DJ ARTFORM and recognize his support for the LGBT community and equality for all people,” the Gay Men’s Chorus says. “We do not wish to see him lose his job with the San Diego Padres and kindly ask the Padres to reinstate him. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
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EARLIER:
Major League Baseball Will Be Investigating Gay Men’s Chorus Complaint Against San Diego Padres
Padres Say ‘No Evidence of Malicious Intent’ Against Gay Men’s Chorus, Apologize, Fire Contractor
Honest Error or Homophobic Humiliation? What Really Happened to the Gay Men’s Chorus at Petco Park?
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Image by DJ ArtForm via Facebook
Hat tip: Joe.My.God.