Johannesburg - Joburg Pride says Jacaranda FM’s excuses for not partnering with the event this year are too little, too late.
A furore erupted on Monday after the Joburg Pride board revealed that Jacaranda FM’s station manager, Kevin Fine, had broken their partnership in July, allegedly saying that the event was no longer a “brand fit”.
Joburg Pride chairwoman Tanya Harford said she felt this statement was a slap in the face for the gay community.
Jacaranda FM defended its decision to pull out of Gay Pride, with Fine saying a decision was made last year to give airtime instead to two other Pretoria events.
Fine said his words had been taken out of context and were not a reflection on the lifestyle or sexual preference of their community.
“They are spinning the issue,” said Harford. “They have realised that a hot potato has landed in their lap.”
Harford asked why Fine had not informed them sooner than July if the station had decided simply to partner with other events.
“Between July and September we could not get a meeting with them,” said Harford.
She said that in saying the event was not a brand fit, Fine had made a “discriminatory statement”, which she predicted would not go down well with the station’s listeners.
She said the controversy the spat had caused might even unite the gay community in making the march, under the banner “protect our rights”, even more successful.
On Jacaranda FM’s Facebook page, Harford’s prediction appears to be coming true, with many listeners furious at the station over its decision.
Kevin Barrie Levy wrote: “Shame on you Jacaranda. Shame on you.”
Lilith Seaborne said the station had hurt its reputation: “I hope you guys are happy with losing so many listeners.”
Liezl-ann Warneke wrote: “Since I no longer fit your brand, Jacaranda, I will tune out, as you no longer fit mine.”
Gay pride events and festivities will take place all week, culminating in the 22nd Joburg Pride parade on Saturday, starting at the Zoo Lake Sports Club.
On Monday, Wits University launched Wits Pride 2012, with students taking part in a pride march across the two campuses, which ended with students signing a pledge to stop homophobia.
The rest of the week will see numerous festivities taking place at the university, ending with a street party on Friday. - The Star