The Twitter account for Entercom’s WWL in New Orleans, posted a homophobic slur in reference to one of their own hosts on Tuesday. The offensive tweet directed at WWL radio host Seth Dunlap was deleted, but not before it was already seen, shared and screengrabbed by many.
Dunlap is a longtime sports broadcaster from Washington State. The NOLA transplant hosts The Last Lap on WWL, Monday – Friday from 8 – 11pm. In addition to his weeknight show, Dunlap also hosts pregame for the Saints Radio Network. WWL is the flagship radio network of the New Orleans Saints.
Tuesday afternoon, Dunlap tweeted , “Which of these 5 “overreactions” isn’t actually an overreaction? You tell me…” while sharing an article he wrote for WWL’s website, presenting “overreactions” from the Saints week 1 victory.
Soon after, the radio station Dunlap works for shockingly responded with a homophobic slur that would be offensive when directed toward anyone, let alone an openly gay employee.
LGBT equality was a topic highlighted in New Orleans recently after Saints quarterback Drew Brees partnered with Focus on the Family and released a video to promote “Bring Your Bible to School Day.” Brees received backlash over the video as Focus on the Family is a fundamentalist Christian organization that has historically opposed LGBT rights. Brees then posted a second video in response to the criticism he received.
Dunlap, an openly gay man, wrote a public letter to Brees in response to the quarterback’s second video and his partnership with Focus on the Family.
“I am a gay man who has worked nearly two decades in the sports media industry. My personal experience, not headlines or Twitter innuendo, caused me to recoil at your initial video, and become even further flummoxed at your response today,” Dunlap wrote.
Dunlap’s full letter to Brees can be read via his Facebook page.
According to WWLTV.com, Dunlap did not directly respond to the offensive tweet during his Tuesday evening radio show, but the host did open the program with a message of unity.
“White, black, Latino, men, women, straight, gay, nobody cared,” Dunlap said referring to the Superdome’s Monday Night Football crowd. “That camaraderie, that togetherness, it what makes sports so special. To me, it’s what makes sports so important to modern society. We can set everything aside and just be ourselves.”
The Entercom owned radio station acknowledged they were aware of the offensive tweet that was sent from the WWL social media account and were investigating the incident.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
