Joel Burns, attacked for message to bullied teens
As we discussed here a few weeks ago, Fort Worth City Council Member Joel Burns has been called a hero for making a brave and impassioned speech at a meeting last month.
Joel has since appeared on talk shows and news programs around the country, introducing his husband to the world and telling his story. He’s inspired thousands by sharing what happened to him and encouraging young people with his own personal “It Gets Better” message.
Today, the Dallas Voice shares with us the backlash that Joel is receiving in
Chris Krok made bigoted attacks against Joel Burns
the form of a hateful, bigoted radio host on KLIF. Chris Krok expounds about how Joel should not have told his story because it was about “me, me, me.” Using a fake lisp, Krok mocks Joel saying “Look at me! I Thuffered!” He goes on to argue that Joel doesn’t have a husband because it’s not legal in Texas. “You’re a man. You do not have a husband” he says.
Krok personifies the intolerance and ignorance that LGBT kids face on a daily basis. Please call and email KLIF and tell them that Chris Krok’s attack on LGBT people was harmful and ignorant and that Krok must answer for his public bigotry. We will be investigating this further and finding out the advertisers associated with this show and asking people to make calls to the show’s supporters as well. If anyone here listens to KLIF from 4-7pm and recognizes the numbers or names of any of the show’s advertisers, please reply here.
214-526-2400 Is the Main Office number of KLIF
or email the Operations Director, Jeff Catlin at jeff.catlin@cumulus.com
Catlin said in an email to TAE reader, Bob Witeck:
It is corporate policy that we do not share internal disciplinary matters with the general public. I wouldn’t expect your boss to share with me when you get in trouble at work.
I would say I would challenge you or any other complainants to find another incident of Chris Krok addressing this topic or issue after the original airing. It didn’t happen.
Catlin fails to explain whether Krok was dealt with in any way, just notes that he only made the diatribe once and not a second time. He also fails to mention if he or the station believed what their on-air representative said about Joel and the LGBT community.
WARNING: This audio is rather upsetting.
Thanks TAE Reader Jason Kane for the heads-up!
Closet case. Enough said.
If he’s not one, he’s the gayest sounding conservative bigot radio personality I have ever heard.
I think Chris Krok has serious mental issues/anger issues that he needs to work out. How disgusting.
How rude.
The station is KLIF not KILF! Please correct this in the entire article. The proper station needs to be accused of this hatred!
Hey there, Thanks for the heads-up. That was actually fixed about an hour ago.
I live in the DFW area. He is very angry all the time. He went on a campaign about a local mayor who killed herself and her daughter, and would not let it go. He came on the air almost every day talking about how she was a murderer and did not deserve sympathy from anyone. I am surprised he is still on the air.
Kick this bigoted buffoon of the air. Boycot his advertisers and he’ll be out of a job. There is no cause for this type of hatred on the airwaves or anywhere.
Tom Emmott
I’m tired of hearing this idiot spew his hatred out over OUR airwaves. I’ve already diverted a few thousand bucks to his advertiser’s competitors. Here’s the list of DFW advertisers who have spots on KLIF from 4-7.
99cent Only Store
Advanced Auto Parts
All Pro Foundation
Allay Bank
American Leak Detection
ATT
Autozone
Avery A/C
Boothe Eye Care
CC Carpet
Competitive Camera
Dart.org/statefair
Efficient Attic Systems
Fort Worth Gun Show
Geico
Granbury Dental
Greatcreditforlife.com
John Eagle Honda
Joseph A Bank
Just Brakes
Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center (lasersurgery.com)
Martin Birnbach: mb@executiverecruiter.com
McShan Floriist
Meador Dodge
NTAA (Toll Tag)
One Hour Heating & A/C
Regius Financial
Reliant A/C
Shamonique
Showtime Exteriors
Slickting Group
Slim4Life http://www.slimdfw.com
Statewide Remodeling
Sweet Tomatoes
Take 5 Birkenstock
Target
Texaslending.com
Titan Fence
Tom Thumb
Toyota
Here is a copy of the email I sent to Jeff Catlin:
From: Terry Adcock
To: Jeff Catlin
Subject: Chris Krok’s Homophobic Attack on Fort Worth City Council Member Joel Burns
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 00:10:22 +0000
Dear Mr. Catlin:
The management of KLIF has been irresponsible and arrogant in its handling of Chris Krok’s bigoted, homophobic, bully-encouraging, cowardly attack on Fort Worth City Council Member Joel Burns.
Your email response to Bob Witeck stating:
It is corporate policy that we do not share internal disciplinary matters with the general public. I wouldn’t expect your boss to share with me when you get in trouble at work.
I would say I would challenge you or any other complainants to find another incident of Chris Krok addressing this topic or issue after the original airing. It didn’t happen.
…was not only inadequate, but insulting, and you are smart enough to know it.
Nothing less than a public apology to Councilman Burns and an invitation to allow Burns to offer a rebuttal would have been adequate and you know it.
Your response did not indicate that KLIF policy does not allow for such homophobic attacks on public figures. The management of KLIF needs to make this clear, or KLIF’s broadcasting license needs to be revoked.