San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus denied chance to sing anthem

Bob Lehman, the executive director of the chorus, had called for an investigation by Major League Baseball and the San Diego Padres after a woman’s voice singing the “Star Spangled Banner” was played over the public address system while members of the chorus were on the field to sing the national anthem Saturday at Petco Park.

Lehman called on the San Diego City Attorney’s Office and San Diego Human Relations Commission to look into the incident.

“What should have been a night of joy and celebration at Petco Park last night instead turned into a nightmare, raising serious questions about homophobia within the San Diego Padres organisation and its relationship with the LGBT community,” Lehman said in the lengthy statement Sunday.

Lehman said that no attempts were made to stop the recording and allow the 100 volunteers from the chorus to sing the anthem. When the recording ended, the chorus members were escorted off the field to heckling from some “fans shouting homophobic taunts, including ‘You sing like a girl,'” he said.

Read more at espn.go.com

Padres discipline employee after gay men’s chorus is drowned out singing national anthem

The San Diego Padres said late Sunday that it had disciplined an employee and stopped working with a contractor who was responsible for marring the performance of the national anthem by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. Read more at  www.readingeagle.com

DJ apologises for botched anthem for San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus

The DJ at Petco Park who accidentally played the wrong music before Saturday’s game between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers has apologised.

“My deepest apologies and sincere regret toward the entire San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus & the LGBT community for the incident that occurred during the National Anthem. It was a very unfortunate mistake but it was just that, an error. I in no way, shape or form directed any type of hate, bad intent or discrimination towards the chorus or anyone involved. The incident was not a representation of myself, San Diego, & it’s amazing Baseball fans. I have felt the consequences of my mistake as a dream job has dissolved before my eyes which does not take away that I am extremely sorry for the horrible mistake that occurred. I have family members & friends that are a part of the LGBT community and I have always been a supporter of Equal Human Rights, so it pains me greatly to see that I am being accused of acting intentionally. As a former high school and college baseball player, I understand the importance of ensuring equality for all in sports and am appalled by some of the negative, homophobic comments made by fans related to the National Anthem incident. I have reached out to LGBT leaders in San Diego and am currently in discussion regarding a meeting with the Chorus and LGBT leaders personally in order to be as constructive as possible about the error. I’ve let down my city, my family and everyone who had faith in me. Once again, I’m truly sorry for this entire ordeal.” – DJ ARTFORM

Read more at www.azcentral.com