10/9/20
Seattle, WA
Seattle Pride petitions for a popular radio hosts job terminated resulting in a suspension by the Seattle Seahawks after he posted a tweet about the irony of Gov. Inslees appeal to science in the debates and in a state where someone can legally change their birth gender.
By Bob Condotta/Seattle Times
Dori Monson has been suspended indefinitely by Bonneville Seattle from hosting the Seahawks’ pregame and postgame radio shows after a tweet he sent mocking transgender people, The Seattle Times has confirmed.
Monson sent the tweet Wednesday night during the Washington gubernatorial debate between Gov. Jay Inslee and Republican challenger Loren Culp.
Monson, who also hosts a daily show on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM from noon to 3 p.m., tweeted: “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.”
KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and 710 AM ESPN, the Seahawks’ flagship station, are owned by Bonneville Seattle.
Monson, who declined to comment Friday when reached by The Times, has been part of the Seahawks’ game-day coverage since 2002 and has hosted a Friday segment on 97.3 FM with coach Pete Carroll.
Monson was not on the air Friday, and the tweet has been deleted.
KIRO Radio program director Bryan Buckalew declined to comment Friday, adding that the company does not comment on personnel matters.
Monson’s tweet Wednesday drew immediate criticism on social media, with many directing comments to the Seahawks, who have recently taken public stances denouncing racism and police violence against Black people.
The Seahawks, who declined to comment, suspended Monson, 59, on Friday, and Bonneville followed suit.
Among those calling for action against Monson was Seattle Pride, which tweeted Friday that Monson should be terminated.
Seattle Pride executive director Krystal Marx released a statement Friday to The 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, though we also ask Mr. Monson to issue a sincere apology and take actions to build empathy and understanding toward our transgender community — and that he realizes the harmful impact of his words by taking actionable steps towards addressing his history of homophobic and transphobic remarks. If he is unwilling to take these important actions, Seattle Pride will continue to call for his immediate termination.
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-suspend-radio-host-dori-monson-after-transphobic-tweet/
Oct 09, 2020 | Seattle Pride
Dori Monson’s blatant transphobic remarks in his Tweet during the gubernatorial debate mocking the very real issue of gender identity are insensitive, irresponsible and unacceptable for anyone – and especially inappropriate for the public face of KIRO 97.3 FM and the Seattle Seahawks, whose own value statements herald “integrity in word & action” as well as “weaving diversity, equity and inclusion into the fabric of everything we do.”
Numerous studies have shown that trans people are at a significantly greater risk of suicide, largely due to ridicule, discrimination and violence. Seeing gender identity openly mocked in public only increases that stigmatization and puts transgender lives at further risk.
In response, Seattle Pride has reached out to KIRO 97.3 FM and the Seattle Seahawks demanding Mr. Monson’s immediate termination.
Krystal Marx
Executive Director
Seattle Pride
https://www.seattlepride.org/news/seattle-pride-speaks-out-against-transphobic-comments
https://www.seattlepride.org/news/gender-marker-changes-resource-for-our-transgender-community