US: Axed radio hosts ‘deeply sorry’ for transphobic rant
Two New York radio hosts who were fired after labelling transgender people “nut jobs” have said they “deeply apologise” for the incident.
In the segment, they questioned the need for transgender health care and played Aerosmith’s Dude Looks Like A Lady.
The two accused a high school athlete of having an unfair advantage over her opponents and compared gender reassignment surgery to a woman who wants a “boob job” for her mental health.
When a female listener phoned in to complain, the pair called her “sir”.
They wrote in a statement: “We are very sorry for the hurt and pain we have caused anyone, especially those in the Transgender community and their friends and families.
“What we said and the manner in which we handled ourselves was wrong; we take full responsibility and we deeply apologize to any and all that we offended.
“Our attempt was to discuss a controversial healthcare issue; however our lack of sensitivity and understanding of the Transgender people and their plight created 12 minutes of radio we that wish we could take back.
“It is our hope that this situation can be a time of learning and understanding about the Transgender community and not a time for additional anger and insensitivity.
“This is a community of individuals who struggle painfully to be themselves and find the support and comfort they deserve. We believe that this can be a chance for all of us to stop the ignorance and find our humanity.”
