The following is a message that TEP Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties Committee Chair Gwen Schablik sent to Scripps media about transphobia at Star 102.1, one of their stations:
Dear Scripps Media,
I am reaching out to your company because yesterday I was informed about transphobic comments that were made on one of your stations, Star 102.1 in Knoxville, Tennessee. On Monday, Caitlyn Jenner introduced herself via a preview of the July edition of Vanity Fair magazine. She had recently advised in an interview with Diane Sawyer that she would introduce herself when she was ready. Now that she has introduced herself, we should be respectful to her and use her preferred pronouns. However, on Tuesday’s Star 102.1 morning show with Marc, Kim & Tyrone, they refused to address by her preferred pronouns, made jokes about her country club membership and also joked about how she will use the bathroom in the woods. These comments are not only transphobic but also sexist. It is extremely disrespectful and insensitive.
I contacted your station via email and Facebook to discuss how disrespectful and insensitive those comments were. I also asked my friends to contact the station and voice this disapproval. Star 102.1 is deleting any post to their Facebook page associated to this topic. They have not apologized. However, again this morning (6/3/2015) on the Marc and Kim show, they revisited the subject and continued to make insensitive comments about Caitlyn Jenner. Just because she isn't local and can’t hear the show does not make it okay to make jokes about her. I completely understand wanting to stay relevant about celebrity news and wanting to maintain the attention of the audience by being funny but there are NUMEROUS other topics that could be talked about. We don't need to be concerned with what is in between everyone's legs. We need to be focused on caring about people's feelings and showing respect to all. In fact, another morning radio show - Mike and Mike on ESPN - was able to discuss the news of Caitlyn Jenner, show respect towards her and even educated their listeners.
I am sure that a company as big as Scripps Media, has been made aware of the media reference guide from GLAAD that helps with being inclusive to all. http://www.glaad.org/publications/reference I ask that you pass it along to all your stations. In fact, just this week, GLAAD released an updated tip sheet for anyone covering Jenner and transgender issues. http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-responds-vanity-fair-cover-featuring-caitlyn-jenner-releases-updated-tip-sheet
Although, this happened in Tennessee, I am sure similar issues have happened at other stations you own across the US, I assure that transphobia is a very real and relevant issue. One that can be addressed by educating your listeners by using preferred pronouns and not making jokes about it. A recent Pew poll stated nearly 90% of Americans personally know someone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual, however only 8% of Americans personally know someone who is transgender. Given this reality, most Americans learn about transgender people through the media. So when the media talks about transgender issues - it is imperative that they get it right, especially in places like Tennessee were there are listeners in rural areas.
We must remember that language is everything and we should be respectful towards everyone. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24. LGBT youth suicide is very high. Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives, and one quarter report having made a suicide attempt. It is summertime so that means young people are on summer break and they're listening to Star 102.1 all day. Young people don't need to hear this bullying on the airwaves or watch it on television, they experience it enough in school. We must do better and we can do better!
I call on Scripps Media to address this issue and I ask that Marc, Kim & Tyrone issue an apology. Please feel free to contact me with further questions or to discuss how Tennessee Equality Project can work with Star 102.1. Although, I recognize that words can never be unsaid, I hope that going forward changes will be made and we can show that Star 102.1 & all Scripps Media outlets are welcoming and inclusive to all listeners & viewers.
Sincerely,
Gwen Castro Schablik
Tennessee Equality Project
Committee Chair - Knox, Blount & Anderson Counties
I am reaching out to your company because yesterday I was informed about transphobic comments that were made on one of your stations, Star 102.1 in Knoxville, Tennessee. On Monday, Caitlyn Jenner introduced herself via a preview of the July edition of Vanity Fair magazine. She had recently advised in an interview with Diane Sawyer that she would introduce herself when she was ready. Now that she has introduced herself, we should be respectful to her and use her preferred pronouns. However, on Tuesday’s Star 102.1 morning show with Marc, Kim & Tyrone, they refused to address by her preferred pronouns, made jokes about her country club membership and also joked about how she will use the bathroom in the woods. These comments are not only transphobic but also sexist. It is extremely disrespectful and insensitive.
I contacted your station via email and Facebook to discuss how disrespectful and insensitive those comments were. I also asked my friends to contact the station and voice this disapproval. Star 102.1 is deleting any post to their Facebook page associated to this topic. They have not apologized. However, again this morning (6/3/2015) on the Marc and Kim show, they revisited the subject and continued to make insensitive comments about Caitlyn Jenner. Just because she isn't local and can’t hear the show does not make it okay to make jokes about her. I completely understand wanting to stay relevant about celebrity news and wanting to maintain the attention of the audience by being funny but there are NUMEROUS other topics that could be talked about. We don't need to be concerned with what is in between everyone's legs. We need to be focused on caring about people's feelings and showing respect to all. In fact, another morning radio show - Mike and Mike on ESPN - was able to discuss the news of Caitlyn Jenner, show respect towards her and even educated their listeners.
I am sure that a company as big as Scripps Media, has been made aware of the media reference guide from GLAAD that helps with being inclusive to all. http://www.glaad.org/publications/reference I ask that you pass it along to all your stations. In fact, just this week, GLAAD released an updated tip sheet for anyone covering Jenner and transgender issues. http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-responds-vanity-fair-cover-featuring-caitlyn-jenner-releases-updated-tip-sheet
Although, this happened in Tennessee, I am sure similar issues have happened at other stations you own across the US, I assure that transphobia is a very real and relevant issue. One that can be addressed by educating your listeners by using preferred pronouns and not making jokes about it. A recent Pew poll stated nearly 90% of Americans personally know someone who is lesbian, gay or bisexual, however only 8% of Americans personally know someone who is transgender. Given this reality, most Americans learn about transgender people through the media. So when the media talks about transgender issues - it is imperative that they get it right, especially in places like Tennessee were there are listeners in rural areas.
We must remember that language is everything and we should be respectful towards everyone. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24. LGBT youth suicide is very high. Nearly half of young transgender people have seriously thought about taking their lives, and one quarter report having made a suicide attempt. It is summertime so that means young people are on summer break and they're listening to Star 102.1 all day. Young people don't need to hear this bullying on the airwaves or watch it on television, they experience it enough in school. We must do better and we can do better!
I call on Scripps Media to address this issue and I ask that Marc, Kim & Tyrone issue an apology. Please feel free to contact me with further questions or to discuss how Tennessee Equality Project can work with Star 102.1. Although, I recognize that words can never be unsaid, I hope that going forward changes will be made and we can show that Star 102.1 & all Scripps Media outlets are welcoming and inclusive to all listeners & viewers.
Sincerely,
Gwen Castro Schablik
Tennessee Equality Project
Committee Chair - Knox, Blount & Anderson Counties
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