A longtime Seattle talk show host was suspended after he tweeted transphobic comments during a gubernatorial debate. Dori Monson hosts a daily show on Bonneville’s News/Talk 97.3 KIRO-FM Tacoma/Seattle. He is also a vital part of the Seahawks broadcast team.
Monson was suspended by both parties on Friday.
Monson was live tweeting the debate between Gov. Jay Inslee and Republican challenger Loren Culp when he wrote “Inslee: we follow science in WA. The state where I could go to Olympia tomorrow and change my birth cert to say I was a girl on 10/2/61 HAHAHAHAHA.”
Monson faced a crushing wave of criticism from the public. Several people tweeted to the Seahawks and asked them how they could allow him to represent the team’s community-minded messaging.
One of the leading voices in the Seattle LGBTQ community spoke out against Monson and thanked Bonneville for taking quick action. She sent her response to the Seattle Times.
“We appreciate the actions taken today by KIRO 97.3 FM and the Seattle Seahawks and believe that suspending Dori Monson is a good first step,” said Seattle Pride executive director Krystal Marx. We also ask Mr. Monson to issue a sincere apology and take actions to build empathy and understanding toward our transgender community.”
KIRO Radio program director Bryan Buckalew told the paper that the station does not comment on personnel matters.
