LESBIAN RAPE DJ APOLOGISES

An American radio DJ who told the father of a possibly lesbian girl to have one of his friends “screw her straight” has apologised.

Last week, a listener e-mailed the popular ‘Rover’s Morning Glory’ show on Cleveland’s 100.7 FM station revealing that he had seen his daughter kissing another girl.

In response, DJ Dominic Dieter suggested on air: “You should get one of your friends to screw your daughter straight.”

The comments were met with outrage and led to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) intervening.

“While many might find it ridiculous to suggest that one could rape a young woman who is gay and turn her straight, this is not an uncommon occurrence in many parts of the world, and is in fact referred to as ‘corrective rape,'” commented Aaron McQuade, Director of News and Field Media at GLAAD.

On Monday, a pre-recorded apology from Dieter was aired on the station, in which he told listeners:

“I just wanted to say that, I know on the show this past Friday I made some comments that people found… considered to be offensive. And I just wanted to say, I understand why people are angry. I want to genuinely apologise to anyone who may have been offended by what I said. I regret what I did say. My comments were inappropriate. They were inexcusable, and just downright stupid.

“And I want to make it clear; there was absolutely no intention to promote physical or sexual violence. And I’m truly; truly sorry by my poor choice of words that led people to believe otherwise. Again, Rover… I just want to apologise for any pain I might have caused. I ask people to find it in their hearts to forgive me. I am sorry for the words that I did say.”

The station also announced that it would take disciplinary action against Dieter, although it did not specify what this would be. He was not present during Monday’s broadcast of the show.

The station further promised to run public service announcements about the dangers of parental rejection, and the importance of giving young LGBT people a safe environment.

“It is crucial that parents know that LGBT young people who are rejected by their parents are almost six times more likely to report high levels of depression, and more than eight times more likely to attempt suicide as LGBT young people who feel accepted by their parents,” said McQuade, who welcomed the action taken by the station.