UPDATE: GLAAD Speaks with KRXQ Management
June 8, 2009 by Andy Marra, Senior Media Strategist @ GLAAD
For those just now learning about this issue, please go here to read more about this evolving controversy.
At 11:45am EST, Cindi Creager, GLAAD’s Director of National News, and I spoke with the station manager at KRXQ. GLAAD successfully made the case for a transgender person and a parent of a transgender child to appear on the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show. We are right now in the process of securing Trans Youth Family Allies Executive Director Kim Pearson and Pam’s House Blend contributor and transgender advocate Autumn Sandeen for the broadcast.
As yesterday’s statement noted, KRXQ will be airing a special show on Thursday, June 11 at 7:30am PST.
It should be noted that Autumn was one of the very first reporters to shine attention on the May 28th segment alongside Huffington Post blogger Michael Rowe.
KRXQ has assured us that the June 11th follow-up show will be conducted in a “frank and positive manner.” It was explicitly stated to us that we will hear an apology from the radio hosts and listeners will be able to call in. As always, we remind everyone to be respectful and civil when calling into the show.
GLAAD has additionally suggested a transgender media training with our community partners. KRXQ was receptive to the suggestion and we will further discuss this following Thursday’s radio broadcast.
Media have been continuing to follow the story, garnering national coverage. Local media outlets in Sacramento have been especially helpful in covering this story – including The Sacramento Press, FOX40 and The Sacramento Bee. Community blogs have also been extremely effective in sharing updates on this issue and mobilizing readers to take action.
Finally, it should be noted that yet another advertiser has dropped their contract with the station. Guitar Center Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Norman Hajjar, directly reached out to GLAAD following emails from concerned community members.
Norman has provided us with this statement to share with our readers:
Last Thursday, I asked our media agency to speak to KRXQ about the outrageous comments made by their morning on-air team. I wasn’t satisfied with the station’s response. So we decided to pull our dollars from the station.
It’s simple: wrong is wrong. We don’t want our brand associated with such epic insensitivity.
Guitar Center now becomes the 11th confirmed advertiser to pull their contract from KRXQ. You can read more about the others here and here.
Please stay tuned for more details. Please check back with us for updates on this developing story.
Have an update to share with GLAAD? Send us a tweet on our Twitter account @glaad.
[...] More at the GLAAD blog [...]
I worry that GLAAD is being played by KRXQ. They schedule this during the biggest day of the week for Arbitron ratings as if it’s just a publicity stunt.
They’ve been featuring obscene content involving children for a while and even got an FCC fine for their trouble. All they did is squeeze out a few tears and go back to their old tricks – which brings us to where we are now.
Don’t get used! I don’t know what the best course of action is, but these people are cynical opportunists. If they’re on the air after Thursday, their supporters are right. GLAAD just gave them a national advertising campaign they could never have been able to afford on their own.
[...] For the full update go to GLAAD [...]
This is all fun, I enjoy the idea that you really think this is going to harm them in any way, first off, they have never advocated harming children, secondly, they spend 29 hours to raise money (more than millions so far) to help children at UC davis hospital every year.
Secondly, you think what they said ON THE AIR is bad? They have a members site with loads more they would just do if they quit (being they make more money that way) and can say what they want because there is no FCC regulations and can’t be displayed unless you pay to hear it. I for one would have no problem listening to them for 50 a year, they are great hosts, funnier than anything I’ve ever heard in my life.
I am just sad people take things so seriously and need to lighten up, this is turning into a whole ‘if you don’t like it we will make you like it’ idea which scares me to think you are forcing your lifestyle on others, like Arnie said “I tolerate gays and freaks, I just don’t accept them”. Congrats RAD, keep up the good work, and I am thrilled with the idea that they will submit and apology to get you to shut up so they can go back to their old ways, I miss not having them on the air.
Wells Fargo, Nissan, Carl’s Jr., B of A, Guitar Center, McDonald’s, Verizon, AT&T, Sonic, Chipotle, Snapple – all businesses I will no longer support. I will not listen to KRXQ until the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show returns. I’m so tired of the politically correct garbage. This country is going to hell in a hand basket on a rocket ship when someone can’t use farce, satire, or exaggeration to get an opinion across. EVERYBODY is going to be offended by something, sometime in this country as long as we have freedom of speech. I have been offended by Rob, Arnie and Dawn before and have just TURNED OFF THE RADIO!
This blogger at the Huffington Post and GLAAD are merely advocating shutting off opinions that aren’t similar to their own. They are going about it by constructing a lie that some on the show advocate child abuse. It makes me sick. Anyone who supports freedom of speech in this country, please write to the companies above and let them know they will no longer get your consumer dollars. As a business in the U.S., they have the complete freedom to bend to special interest groups. As a citizen of a country that is, at the moment, still somewhat free – I have the right not to use their establishments/products.
I agree, NaklsonofNakkl. I’m surprised glaad wants to be seen this way. They’ve changed nothing. The listeners aren’t fooled. Rob and Arnie will make veiled remarks if nothing else, in the future.
Are you kidding me? This is the definition of forcing their lifestyle on others, and not only that, but controlling the media to bend to their exact tastes (special broadcast on ‘transgender issues’). Control freaks make me sick.
RAD fans should be happy, this publicity stunt, and GLAADs participation in it, will only increase the amount of money Rob Williams Broadcasting gets in their next contract negotiation.
meko, it’s not all about Rob Arnie and Dawn getting the most ratings and money. I know it’s hard to believe, but there are a number of us, their loyal listers, who actually believe that integrity is important, and GLAAD is not really ensuring integrity.
Child misbehaves, babysitter takes toys/ice cream away and demands an apology. “No treat until you apologize! And tell me why what you did was wrong.” Child glares at the treat being held back and drags out an “I’m sorry! ok?!” from the kid.
This is not “changing hearts & changing minds”. This is “strong arming until you get lip service”. I’m appalled to discover that this is your preferred M.O. I’d have SO MUCH more respect for your organization if your operated from a place of *real* integrity.
Thursday’s show will be spiffed up, clean and an educational breath of fresh air to those listening in who never have before. Personally I love learning about this kind of thing; people and their differences, their struggles, and what we can do to help.
But Thursday’s RAD isn’t the place for it. Not because positive messages don’t belong on their program or the radio waves in general, but because the regular listeners will know it’s all a lie. (The regular listeners, let’s all remember, are the ones GLAAD hoped to reach and educate in the first place, because the offensive comments could affect their behavior towards and interaction with transgender people). Rob and Arnie will be pod people, mouthing platitudes not for the sake of transgender children and their hard won battles, their small victories everyday, but for Nissan and McDonalds.
How can all of you really not see this?
[...] This update comes after GLAAD speaking with KRXQ yesterday, which you can read about here. [...]
Everyone sees this, but given the choice between people stopping the public broadcast of hate speech for ratings, and having them shut up only because it’s socially unacceptable, I’ll take the latter.
I think it would be best for them to go syndicated, as the person above suggested, and work without limits.
The advertisers don’t owe them anything. If they went on the air and said McDonald’s smeared feces on their burgers, the show would be pulled immediately. Putting hate speech next to their commercials does just as much damage to the brand.
Oops, in previous post I meant, “given the choice between NOT stopping the broadcast of hate speech and having them shut up only because it’s socially unacceptable, I choose the latter.”
I mean, these are guys who make jokes about child molestation in order to improve their negotiating position at contract talks. I don’t really expect much of a shift in their values.
Personally, I’m sickened with the actions that GLAAD took against KRXQ and their advertisements. I no longer support any of the retailers who have pulled their advertisement from KRXQ.
While I do not believe in what Rob and Arnie promoted, as an adult, I realize they are entitled to their own opinions. I have been a loyal listener for years. Never once, being a Lesbian, have I ever been offended by what they have said. I take it with a grain of salt. They are not child abusers, they are not monsters, they are talk show hosts who sometimes say things that are taken out of context or (in this matter) offensive for sensitive people.
Sacramento and its surrounding areas have already lost 1 rock radio station, leaving KRXQ the only strong station standing. Going after their advertisers was not only wrong, it was just as childish as what was said on the show. All I can do now, is pray that this does not become the end of the only radio station that I truly enjoy listening to.
Its one thing to stand up for what you believe in. Its another to completely ruin something that brings joy and happiness to so many people.
You’re making my point. I don’t expect a shift in their values either.
At least someone’s admitting the strong arming observation is a reality, but no I don’t believe “everyone sees this”. I won’t hold my breath for the big, bright “changing hearts and minds” banner to be taken down. Unfortunately, they do no such thing; they just engage in charade.
I’m almost tempted to start a similar organization for the community, but one with integrity …just to show them how it’s done.
Garnet, I don’t think Glaad can insure integrity, but your point is a good one. I think they are doing all they can, and hopefully, the advertisers will stay OFF the air for 6 months or more. THAT will make a huge point!
But, you guys are getting the idea! This is more publicity stunt to the RAD show than anything. Ratings and attention gathering. Any press is good press–so the saying goes.
It would truly be beautiful and sincere if they continued this “work” for the gay/TG community throughout the year. They really do nothing within the Sac community–save a few days for Davis Childrens Hosp–that supports ANY cause. And Arnie continually has made anti-gay comments thru out the year, and am sure this will continue.
I think if the GLAAD guests/speakers are presented well, and present well, then some of the message will get through to some of the listenership. They are not all rednecks! (Note I say “they” and not “we” as I stopped listening long ago, and only heard about this debaucle thru a friend).
All this, and the producer of their show (mostly off air, except for her weekend on air show) is a lesbian! sheesh.
See, I just enjoy the idea that you think these companies really care about you, they are just following suite to one advertising company and jumped onto the bandwagon to get more media coverage. If an Ad company had taken their ads off KRXQ and no news stations covered it, you really think anyone else would do it? No. This is just a giant marketing stunt and the joke is on GLAAD. I mean, look, you yourself are posing all the companies who are revoking their ads and they know you get hundreds if not millions of views a day, what better way to get business then let a popular group display their logo for FREE and get them heard?
Also, like stated before, I was pointing out that they make worse comments about gays and freaks off the air that others listen to so don’t think they are going to sway their views just because of this. If they were taken off the air because of this you would be bankrupting a radio station (it has been well known KRXQ is lifted solely by the RAD show) and doing nothing but making more people resent your lifestyle. Just accept people will not agree with your views and stop taking jokes out of proportions. I mean, look at the Onion, they just recently put a baby into a ball and started throwing the ball around the studio to show off an anti-shaking baby device. Isn’t that offensive? And it is public to boot.
I hate to bring out this idea (because the two struggles are no where close) but when blacks got their freedom (even still today) people still are racist and hate them. However, blacks don’t care because they have their freedom. And it was never like the RAD show sponsored any propositions against gay marriage or go around saying “hey listeners, go molest, kill, tease, punch, or abuse your children.” it was simply a joke Arnie made about what he would do to his child (Which he has every right to do as an American behind closed doors, IF he even HAD A CHILD) and Rob never said they weren’t people, he just said they need therapy and are freaks. Which btw is the viewpoint that MEDICAL DOCTORS have on transsexuals.
You are simply trying to attack what you know you could win to feel better about yourselves. If you really cared Prop 8 would’ve never been a problem for you and transsexuals wouldn’t have such a high suicide rate. Apparently you need to devote your resources to something other than petty fights with radio shows.
Whats next?
Also, Rockfairy, Cristi is not a lesbian, she is a well known straight FEMALE. Contrary to popular beliefs, she is actually a girl aside from her interests in beating up people and being called a man on the air
(Some would call that slander on your part)
This is a great OpEd piece. One more piece of evidence to convince me that this is a ratings stunt by Ron, Arnie and Dawn to keep them on the air.
http://www.sacbee.com/breton/story/1933429.html
Evidently they were number three. Scheduling this meeting on a Thursday morning is all about getting to #1. So now when radio shock jocks want to get a boost in their contract negotiations what do they do? Go after the transgender kids.
Backing you up, NaklsonofNakkl: Those advertisers are not “standing up for the transgender” community. They’re doing it because it’s what you do. Because if you don’t, you’ll earn a place on the Jump to Conclusions mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor… and would have different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO. ” http://openletterstokrxq.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/krxq-sponsors-who-mysteriously-arent-sponsors-who-have-no-opinion/
And, Cristi is most definitely not a lesbian. LOL
UC Davis Medical Center just announced they are canceling their advertising and discontinuing their relationship with KRXQ.
Somehow, Naklson…. I think you are Rob, Arnie, or Dawn. Funny.
Just to clear up Nakl..I get the Christi info from writings on her Facebook. No slander intended…myself being a lesbian and all.
In the end, props to GLAAD, Meko and all for the point they have made, the good they have done!
[...] many know already from reading our previous update, the “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” show will begin re-airing on Thursday, June [...]
rockfairy: you mean the facebook account where Cristi announces on the front page that she’s in a relationship with a man?
And no slander intended? You say that like that would be a bad thing. You know, like the backhanded remark you made about Mormons in the comments section of “Tomorrow’s Show and More Advertiser Statements”.
I’ve been listening to the show here in Sacramento this morning it has been one of the most educational and powerful radio programs ever broadcast on the issue of transgender.
This is an example of the reason GLAAD was created and the good that can come from attention being put on ignorance and defamation.
It is my hope that the advertisers take today’s show into account and that we support them if they choose to return their ad dollars to this station and this show.
The hosts are truly sorry. Their eyes have been opened and something remarkably good has come out of something so ugly.
yea, well, rockfairy I am just giving you a bad time, it is obvious Cristi is not a man, especially since on the Rob Arnie and Dawn site you can see her with her boyfriend in most of her pictures.
Secondly, RickReynolds the ad companies are going back because they want business. Like I stated, this was all just a publicity stunt, even if they were offended there is no way they could NOT advertise with the cities most popular radio station without taking a hit from that. Also, I am sure it was nice to listen to but JESUS was their show boring today. It was like eating a bowl of egg shells. I am sure you are all happy now, can they please go back to how they were? I miss the fun segments, the crude comments and of course, the lack of human compassion they express in their OWN OPINIONS!
finally, meko U.C. Davis did NOT pull their advertising or their relationship with the RAD show. Rob is good friends with them and got everything settled before the advertisers even pulled. Rob would not have let something as important to the RAD show as the UC Davis RAD-a-thon mainly because as much as you guys want to believe it is true, Rob and Arnie don’t actually HATE children as much as they say, again, they are trying to be funny. Sure you take offense to some things, but if you are letting your child listen to the show in the first place you are a terrible parent being that the show is specifically made to point out three different viewpoints on life that could easily cause a child to take one and go by it so if you child listens to the RAD show with you, and your child takes offense and kills themselves. That is your fault, not RAD’s.
Hopefully this opens your minds to point out, good god, maybe those two HAVE human compassion. I mean, just because they have a somewhat exaggerated ‘radio’ persona doesn’t mean that they can’t sometimes push lines, if they stayed within socially accepted bounds, they would not be even close to as popular as they are. Controversy is what gets the truth out, and they were just pointing out a reality in that the world finds transgenders to be freaks of nature because they are, it is not a normal thing for people to get a sex change unless you have something wrong in your brain. If that offends you, then turn them off. If your child hears that, and kills themselves, blame yourself. Also, those two were worse downers than Dawn is on a regular basis. Thank god this whole thing is done.
A publicly distributed letter from Clair Pomeroy the Vice Chancellor and Dean of U.C. Davis directed to the station manager on June 8 included the following:
“After careful consideration of the longstanding partnership with KRXQ 98 Rock, we have decided to cancel
our advertising on the station and to discontinue our partnership with KRXQ for Children’s Miracle
Network fundraising.
We will reassess our relationship at the end of the year, with the hope that KRXQ 98 Rock will at that time
prove to be an organization with whom we can partner to advance health for all.”
Full text:
Dear Mr. Geary,
The statements made by Rob Williams and Arnie States on the May 28 broadcast of “Rob, Arnie and Dawn in the Morning” – and the subsequent response by the show’s hosts and the station’s leadership – have caused DC Davis Health System to re-examine its relationship with KRXQ 98 Rock.
We are grateful for the fundraising support KRXQ has provided over the last several years to DC Davis
Children’s Hospital. This fundraising has been valuable in raising awareness about our children’s hospital
and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of children’s services.
Nevertheless, the events of May 28 and the station’s lack of a publicly articulated response to those events are inconsistent with DC Davis’ values and mission. We are first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to advancing health and well-being for all. We are deeply committed to our DC Davis Principles of Community, a commitment that affirms the inherent dignity in all of us, fosters mutual understanding, and strives to maintain a climate of social justice.
We affirm the right of freedom of expression, within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect. The statements made by Rob Williams and Arnie States were outside those bounds. We reject their statements of intolerance, which were all the more alarming because they were directed at a population – children who express transgender feelings – who are especially vulnerable to the prejudice, violence and harm such statements engender. We are disappointed that KRXQ did not reject those statements as well.
After careful consideration of the longstanding partnership with KRXQ 98 Rock, we have decided to cancel our advertising on the station and to discontinue our partnership with KRXQ for Children’s Miracle Network fundraising.
We will reassess our relationship at the end of the year, with the hope that KRXQ 98 Rock will at that time prove to be an organization with whom we can partner to advance health for all.
Sincerely,
Claire Pomeroy, M.D., M.B.A.
Vice Chancellor, Human Health Sciences
Dean, DC Davis School of Medicine
[...] Read more… [...]