A nationally-syndicated radio host has reportedly apologized after allegedly promising to "change" any "hot lesbians" willing to go out on a date with him.
Among those offended by the offer was Elizabeth Lessner, a Ohio-based restauranteur who helped circulate the news of the WNCI Morning Zoo host Jimmy Jam's broadcast on various social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, Jezebel reports.
On Twitter, Lessner wrote:
@lizlessner
Elizabeth Lessner
An official for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment told Jezebel that the Jimmy Jam's statement was meant to be "instructional and educational" rather than a contest per se. "Nobody on the show thinks that Jimmy can "turn" a lesbian straight," Michael McCoy is quoted as saying. "The joke in this bit is not on the lesbian or the GBLT community, it's on Jimmy."
McCoy also noted that the radio host's commentary was actually based on a now-viral news report about Cecil Chao Sze-tsung, a Hong Kong billionaire tycoon who publicly offered up a $65 million "marriage bounty" to any man who could woo his 33-year-old bisexual daughter Gigi Chao, who had recently eloped with her long-term female partner.
Jezebel also pointed out that the radio host had since apologized:
@lizlessner
Elizabeth Lessner
Meanwhile, both the broadcast and subsequent apology have drawn a mixed response from listeners. "I am a gay man and I listened to this yesterday and it never even occurred to me that this was in any way homophobic or sexist," one user wrote. "They are always doing bits that make Jimmy look like a chump for cheap laughs."
On the flip side, another wrote: "The ability to even SAY something this stupid is an epic piece of straight male privilege, and frankly the only reason you're allowed to get away with it is because you're still the big group that people are scared of."
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Posted: 09/28/2012 11:07 am Updated: 09/28/2012 5:13 pm