Regarding the anti-gay incident at Fort Lauderdale Airport on Tuesday,the mayor held a news conference today and announced that the police identified the person who made the anti-gay rant.
I talked with the police yesterday, and they told me that after focusing on where the announcement was made, a fellow employee told the police who did it. The person has been identified as Jethro Monestine of Superior Aircraft Services. He was a sky cap, and admitted to playing the message on the PA system. He had downloaded the statement on his phone and then played it twice on the terminal's intercom.
I just received a phone call from the president and CEO of Superior Aircraft Services, and he apologized for the incident. He met with Mr. Monestine earlier today, and the employee admitted again that he played the announcement over the intercom. The employee was them immediately fired.
I am currently angry with the characterization that this was a prank. As I have told several reporters today, I found the announcement a threat. Hearing that I "shall be subject to death" over an airport intercom does not sound like a prank. I am also not convinced that it was not specifically targeted at me and Waymon. It was 1 am, there were few people in the terminal, and we were together helping each other with our luggage. It was not hard to figure out that we were together. Someone who would take the time to download an anti-gay statement on their phone is likely to target gay men, I think.
I am also upset at the Sun-Sentinel's coverage of the story to date. First, the initial story they did on Friday/Saturday quoted us, but we were never contacted. Second, today's headline online is quite inflammatory: "Broward officials blame 'prankster' for Bible verse that offended gays." We were not complaining because we were offended by a bible verse. We were frightened because someone said that we were subject to death over the airport's intercom at a place we should all feel secure. The fact that it comes from the Bible is not material. How would others feel if someone said that those Americans or Christians shall be subject to death?
On a final note, I have been contacted by a couple of media outlets that are not very friendly to gay people and are known to slant stories in particular ways. We all know who they are. A producer from WFTL (changed to show correct station, sorry), a local radio station, asked if we could come on the morning show tomorrow. I said that I needed to check with my partner. After some investigation, this particular station hosts Bill O'Reilly, Dr. Laura, Laura Ingraham, and Michael Savage. To say that these people have scorned gay people and have slanted their stories is an understatement. I have never heard of the morning show or the people who do the show, so I had no idea what type of show I would be doing. Based on the rest of the programming, I was obviously nervous about how I would be treated. I have had enough hostility thrown my way this week! I decided against doing the show and explained to the producer why. She yelled at me and threatened that they would turn the story against me now.
My hunch proved right. One of the hosts of the show called me and called me a hypocrite because I am "singling them out like [I was] singled out." I can't believe the logic-- equating a death threat with not appearing on a talk show. It reaffirmed my decision not to go on the show. They told me that they would now do a segment on how much of a hypocrite I am instead of covering the incident.
In addition to this hate, you should check out the hate-filled comments that follow the Sun-Sentinel story.
I would like to thank everyone who has called county, airport, tourism, etc. officials. This was my first time using DKos and working with the media, and your help was so appreciated.