Melissa Carter of Q100 gets emotional over gay man’s story
If you listen to the Bert Show regularly, you know Melissa Carter is gay. In fact, she was one of the first openly gay on-air personalities in Atlanta and has remained an integral part of the show since 2001.
She is also considered the level headed cast member who seldom gets emotional. But a seemingly too-nutty-to-be-true story from one of Q100’s listeners changed that.
Jeremy, in the closet, dated a dude while at Emory and they broke up after he moved to Los Angeles for a residency. Years later, he finds out the same guy is about to marry his sister in Atlanta. He decides to tell his sister. She doesn’t believe him and it gets ugly. She tells her family, who are Mormon. His dad gets so angry, he punches Jeremy. Jeremy flies back to Los Angeles, expecting his family may just cut him off forever.
You can listen to the entire Jeremy story here.
Melissa went on a four-minute monologue that became deeply emotional.
“Let’s stop the cycle,” she said. “What more do we have to say? What more do we have to show? We don’t need to treat each other this way. So if you’re at church, reach out and tell people we are gay friendly and you are welcome here and your whole congregation will teach you that God is about love. If you’re straight, then you love your children.”
Then her voice breaks.
“I’m happy for Jenn [Hobby, her co-host] to be engaged and marry Grant. But I’ve been with my girlfriend nearly five years and I cannot get married because of the same crap that Jeremy is going through. It makes me sad. And gay people, we’re sad so much of the time and we’re unhappy and we’re in hiding. [Her girlfriend Katie has never come out on the radio.] When someone makes a stupid comment about gay people or a gay joke, we just laugh and smile. But it’s not funny. This is not funny. This is our life.
“Sometimes you get so tired. I’m so sorry for Jeremy and people like this. I rarely cry but I’m so tired of hearing these stories and see people hate each other. Just stop! If you’re at church, stop it! If you’re a parent who is embarrassed because your child is gay, stop it. It just makes me so mad. I’m sorry to get so emotional.
“Let me get married! Let me have a child! I don’t know what to do anymore. I feel bad for Jeremy because he doesn’t know what to do anymore. Yes, he did the right thing but he has to spend the rest of his life without his family.
“Why? Because you think you read something in the Bible that says to hate us. Then you’re the one that is going to be judged, not me. I can tell you not me. Because I have lived my life honestly and I have lived my life in love and I have loved the people I’m with honestly. It makes me so mad. When are we going to stop this?
“A grandmother ripping a child out of his arms? Every gay person listening right now crying who’s living in the closet understands this. There are times when I’m tired. People say it’s so important for you to be on the Bert Show. When we’re not on the air, what’s left? There are no other gay DJs coming on being proud of themselves. They’re all in hiding. It’s because hate them and people do this to people like Jeremy.
“Katie and I are still trying to find a church that accepts us as a family. We want to be part of a church that loves us and makes us feel self conscious. It’s so frustrating to hear these stories. I’m proud of the people in the room because they’ve always felt me feel just like them… I wish everybody could work with people I work with and are surrounded by family I’m surrounded by but they’re not. It’s up to us to make sure they can be.”
In an interview today, Bert Weiss said he recalls Melissa getting close to this emotional only twice before: talking about her kidney transplant and another gay person’s sad story. Weiss was proud of her for going as deep as she did. “It takes a lot to be that vulnerable on the air,” he said. “In the heterosexual world, you don’t understand that depth of pain. You may see it in a miniseries or movie but when it plays out with someone you know, that’s pretty shocking.”
I’m awaiting to hear back from Melissa. On her Facebook page, one fan wrote: “Thanks for being you! It takes so much courage to just wake up,love who you love and be loved by those around you. I definitely broke down crying when I heard your passion and I hope this resonated for some people that are struggling with hate in their heart.”
UPDATE: Producer Jeff Dauler said he is aware that cynics out there believe this is pure hokum, manufactured for our entertainment. But he insists this person Jeremy is 100 percent legit. He’d even willing to give me Jeremy’s email address though he is now checking with Bert to see if it’s okay.
“We have enough crazy people who listen to the show so we don’t have to manufacture them,” he said.
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80 comments Add your comment
JTesla
June 28th, 2010
1:43 pm
“the same guy is about to marry his sister”
I know that there is a far bigger issue… but I can’t get over how creepy that is. I’m not creeped out that a man who had a relationship with another man is marrying a woman, but that it’s the sister of the guy he had a relationship with. That’s horror-movie-stalker creepy.
Michael
June 28th, 2010
1:58 pm
Has she tried the Episcopal church? They seem to be one of the more tolerant denominations, even here in the South.
Brigham H. Young
June 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
Don’t know where to begin, maybe a “gay joke”. First I would encourage Melissa and other same sex couples to stay the course. As we saw with today’s Supreme Court ruling re: 2nd Amendment, these things take time. It would appear this is a 14th Amendment /”equal protection” issue and even the most conservative of courts cannot ignore “the law”. Number 2: Jeremy’s story is sad, but he’s all growed up and at some point he needs to make a very painful decision. It’s not fair for children to have to hide from parents, or for parents to judge children, but who said life is fair? See: first paragraph. And finally, all jokes are merely jokes. To distinguish between “gay jokes” and “blond jokes” and “Helen Keller jokes” and “Polish jokes” is itself a form of intollerance and discrimination. If a humorist or joke teller wants to parody homophobes, racists or bigots; he is protected by the same First Amendment that allows people to tell any joke they please – often on the very same airwaves Melissa Carter and her Bert Show co-workers call the office. Jeremy’s story is compelling and worth mentioning, but I fail to see the benefit ot need to try to parlay his situation into a political rally for same-sex marriage, hate crime legislation, or censorship of humor anyone may find “offensive”.
kelly&carriefan
June 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
I only have a minor correction, Jeremy met the ex while he was attending Emory. He was not aware of the ex dating his sister since he’s moved CA for a residency with UCLA and hadn’t really been home.
As far as Melissa goes, My heart broke for her and us this morning. I came out right at the time that The Bert Show was beginning to get noticed. I dodn’t know anyone else who was gay. And, as cheesy as it might sound, the fact that she was openly gay on air gave me hope.
The truth is that losing your family because you’re gay happens every day. It’s not that surprising. But I do commend the Bert Show for talking about this.
To those who say that being gay is a choice (something that I struggled with myself), who would choose something like this? I didn’t choose for my family to disown me. THEY choose it. We’re the same brothers, sisters, sons and daughters we were before you knew.
I'm confused (and not about my sexuality)...
June 28th, 2010
2:23 pm
…”Years later, he finds out the same guy is about to marry his sister in Atlanta.”
YEARS later? – Either the sister is much younger and about to marry a very old dude, or this story does not add up to being legit…
As for Melissa – put on the big girl panties and deal with it – or continue to cry me a river and feel bad for yourself! It’s your choice (about how to deal with it)…
Lucia723
June 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
“Why? Because you think you read something in the Bible that says to hate us.
The Bible no where says to hate gays. The Bible doesn’t condone the lifestyle you chose. God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Why did he do it that way? So a MALE and a FEMALE could bear children. So a MALE and FEMALE could get married. You chose to live the lifestyle you have. Your Mom and Dad didn’t tell you or force you to be gay. Deal with the cards you chose to play with. God will always love you and everyone else. God, most real christians and I don’t have to agree with your lifestyle. I have gay friends and I have told them that I don’t agree with their lifestyle. That hasn’t changed our friendship at all. In fact, they respect me for saying it.” Yourself and your partner. Remember God doesn’t judge. We, You and I judge people. God will decide if you have lived your life honestly, not you or I.
jeff
June 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
let the attack on me begin…
I hear that the sex attraction is not a choice, but what’s with the guy dating a guy and then marrying a girl/woman? Seems like he’s making a choice of convienence to be bi- . That’s great, until he climbs on his soapbox and screams “unfair” hetro-guy. Let’s just scrap the whole sanctity of Marriage. Divorce is rampent anyway.
Marsha
June 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
Oh, come on. I listened to this audio. Doesn’t anyone else realize that they are paid actors to call in with such outlandish stories? You are all so gullible. Email Melissa, and she’ll just respone, “too good to be true?” Seriously. They PAY actors to call in with such far-fetched tales.
kelly&carriefan
June 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
I’m confused, Jeremy and the ex broke up in 2008. So, it’s been a couple of years.
And while I feel for Jeremy, we do not know for sure the ex’s story. He could be bi for all we know. Either way, that’s something that Jeremy’s sister should’ve been aware of before marrying him. Hiding it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
JTesla
June 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
jeff… not trying to attack, but you’ve bought into the false concept propagated by both straight and gay that when it comes to human sexuality people fall neatly into two boxes. They don’t. Sexuality can be viewed as more of a line or perhaps one big sphere, than one big box and one little box.
Oh and there never was sanctity in marriage unless the individuals brought it into the relationship themselves.
"So, it’s been a couple of years"...
June 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
…does not equate to “years later”. Sounds like Rodney’s been had, but then, he is a “Ho”.
carmen
June 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
Was I supposed to shed a tear regarding the plight of the gay? I agree; this was either a paid actor or an intern. On the “voice disguiser,” of course.
Mother Nature
June 28th, 2010
2:54 pm
Lucia723 – “God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.” Really? According to whom? And please do not speak for God (me). Only God knows why he (I) created males and females. And if this is true, how do you explain the rare, but very real occurance when a child is born with genetalia for both Adam and Eve (I belive this is called unisex). But, assuming you have God’s ear, and are authorized to speak for Him, and you have read the Bible and find it to be accurate, please ask God to explain how Adam and Eve became grandparents? I know about Cain and Abel, but I don’t recall Cain and Mabel. So, if Adam and Eve produced female offspring… ewwwwwwwwwwww. The truth is, neither you, nor Melissa, nor Jeremy, nor I know “why” God does anything. Here’s what I believe. I believe there is not God and that Bible you cite as His word, was written by men – in order to control others. It’s just a theory (like creationism). What is the difference between your arrogant pronouncement that your God “doesn’t judge” and your false humility or compassion toward homosexuals. Here’s some free advice; let God speak for himself via floods, burning bushes, and resurrections; and you speak for yourself. If you think it is “wrong” to be gay, don’t date/marry a person of the same sex, and do not engage in same sex boot knocking. Oh, and you might want to check the judgmental, smug “Christian” lifestyle you’ve chosen for yourself and stop proselytizing.
Sal
June 28th, 2010
3:01 pm
I am going to be respectful, but the dissertation from Lucia has me totally steamed.
The only way people like you Lucia will ever “get it” is when you realize that gay people do not CHOOSE to be gay, and CHOOSE a “lifestyle.” We are born gay, just like you were born straight,. You didn’t wake up one day and think, “Oh today is the day when I decide if I want to be straight or gay.” Neither did we wake up one day and say, “Hey, from now I I’m going to be gay.”
You are so “tolerant” of your gay friends but tell themyou don’t like their ‘lifestyle.’ First, it is not a “lifestyle,” it is who we are. We don’t change lifestyles every couple years.. A lifestyle is a CHOICE, but THIS is not. Frankly, think about the shoe on the other foot: what if any friend of yours, gay or not, told you that they really hate your “lifestyle” with your boyfriend/husband/live-in. How would YOU feel about people judging you on that alone. It is singleminded, and without being crass, it is also simpleminded. If your line is to be taken as you say it, “God doesn’t judge.” Well if He/She doesn’t judge, who gave you the right, or need, to do so? You’re better than Him/Her?
Last, we know when we are living our lives honestly. It is those who hide from others that are not. When I talk to people, I tell them my husband does this or that for work or my husband is great at electrical work. I’m open and honest about who I am and who is special in my life, and he’s not my “roomate”.
And do us all one more favor, drop the whole Adam and Steve thing, it was old years ago and it’s just a worn out cliche comeback comment from people who don’t have any other rationale.
JTesla
June 28th, 2010
3:01 pm
You’d make a great Bible thumper Mother Nature. BTW: stop proselytizing.
For others: why do they need paid actors to call in? With the vast number of people living in this country, and listening to that station, events will happen to people that might seem slightly inconceivable to you. Just because it is strange to you, does not indicate that actors were involved.
Phil T
June 28th, 2010
3:19 pm
Nobody is better than the Bert Show when it comes to this: Manufacturing stories that will get this type of response. The whole thing is made up, but kudos to them for making many believe it is real.
kelly&carriefan
June 28th, 2010
3:33 pm
Phil T. = Mark Owens or the Real Phil (aka. Steve McCoy)?
Lydnsey
June 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
Regardless of whether or not this story is true, this sort of discrimination and hate DOES happen every single day. I’ll never understand why anyone cares who someone else loves, be it a man or a woman. Alas, I doubt this will ever go away… it’s reality.
Jim
June 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
“Nobody is better than the Bert Show when it comes to this: Manufacturing stories that will get this type of response. The whole thing is made up, but kudos to them for making many believe it is real.”
The fact that Rodney felt like this deserved a story, my gosh, these kind of bits go on every day at every station, but don’t get written up here. Why just this morning on 94.9/The Bull, Jason & Kristen opened up the “Monday Morning Confessional” and took a call from a woman (who’s voice was of course disguised) who said she was a racist, but one of her best friends is black. Brought a tear to my eye, but nothing about it here.
Shar
June 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
Liberal Melissa Carter’s “best thing Obama has done for the U.S.” was that he allowed gay partners to visit people in the hospital. Seriously? Hey, Melissa: there are more pressing things going on in the U.S. Have you noticed the Gulf spill? Unemployment? You are not as deep as you think you are.
Chris
June 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
Its sad to see even more ignorant people commenting on this story. I’m gay and I have been out for many years. After my parents confronted me on who I am as a person we didn’t talk for 5 years. They told me people would think I was a pedophile and that I’d catch AIDS and die. I never woke up one day and said I want to be with men. I have known that I was attracted to the same sex ever since I was a small child. I hope that people actually learn from the story that this man went through instead of putting up more walls about the vast differences of people in their community. The bible says you are not to judge and that it is a sin. The only one being in this universe that can make any judgement will be God and no one else.
John Dickey
June 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
The “Jeremy Story” is NOT true. Paid intern or actor “ON THE VOICE DISGUISER.” The Bert Show” appeals to the dumb masses.
Amanda
June 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
The Bert Show PAYS people (actors) to call in with the voice disguiser!!!!!!!!!!!!! This story is NOT real.
If they could JUST get rid of Wendy, the drunken Passat-driver wench.
Bobby
June 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
Rodney, just curious . . . do you think that the Bert Show manufactures all of these wild stories or do you think they naturally attract these stories from listeners?
Michael
June 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
Yes, the minor detail was left out that most of these “crazy call in stories” that seem outlandish are just that.
There are services/actors in LA that you can pay to contract these things out and just run with it. Radio fact.
Yes, I understand how it’s upsetting as a gay man with the whole hatred, nonacceptance etc., BUT the story itself is hard to “buy.” Haha pun.
Rodney Ho
June 28th, 2010
4:33 pm
I hear that in the early days, the Bert Show “manufactured” stories, esp. those War of the Roses set ups. But I’m not sure they do so anymore given the huge size of their audience. Feel free to be cynical but even if many of the stories are pure fiction, they are entertaining and that’s the ultimate goal of a morning show. It’s possible Jeff, the producer, may set up some of the situations but never tell the others so they can elicit a natural reaction.
A Bert Show Listener
June 28th, 2010
4:46 pm
I can verify that these call ins are accurate. I wrote to the show once and was put on air with a voice disguiser for an issue that I was having in my life. They didn’t spin my story or ask me to change anything; we discussed exactly what I e-mailed to them.Granted it was one of their more tame calls, but every bit of that conversation was real and authentic.
And anyway, that’s really sidestepping the issue. The point is that gay rights are today’s civil rights issues. Whereas segregation was once caused by skin color, today’s discrimination is caused by sexual preference. It’s not fair. Whether it goes against your moral beliefs or not, there should be a separation of church and state. Sure, fine, let each church decide on an individual basis (in the same way that it does with heterosexual couples) whether they’ll marry gay couples within their parishes, but to take away an individual’s rights based on his or her sexuality is a violation of everything we’ve built this country upon.
The bottom line is that gay people are people and should have every single right that other American citizens have. Otherwise, these laws are being crafted through religion, which is completely and totally wrong.
I support Melissa and her crusade to bring more awareness to this issue. I’ve known several gay couples with amazing, loving relationships and cannot understand how people can be so quick to judge. I think our children and grandchildren will be horrified by the way we’ve treated gay people.
Big Jim
June 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Here’s another “ignorant” comment. Anyone with alternative lifestyles should
always advertise there whereabouts to prevent disgusting situations like this!
I would be disappointed if my woman cheated with a guy. But if this guy were
bi, it wouldn’t be good people!!!
If I ever come across a situation as messed up as this, I don’t know
how I would handle it. If you are a gay/bi man, stay the hell away
from the women. Don’t run the risk of infecting their minds and bodies
anymore than the straight crowd does.
Don’t put Liberals in the same boat as gays/lesbians. There are plenty
of Conservatives who are gay/lesbian.
I agree that marraige is a joke.Not an absolute idea,not better for str8,gay,
Baptists,Mormons,etc. Marraige doesn’t make the world better,doesn’t
make fidelity an absolute truth. God doesn’t protect married people,
or condemn the unmarried.
Parents should have never put this institution in the minds of
their children. That’s why gays want to be “normal”, like everyone else.
Just let people be what they are, no need for Gov’t intervention. But again,
don’t mess with unsuspecting women and further damage the fragile dynamics
of relationships!
Jason
June 28th, 2010
5:58 pm
Didn’t they just syndicate to Nashville? They probably aren’t making much of a dent in the ratings are so they feel the need to stir up some controversy. I didn’t believe the story for the length of time it took me to read it….
Yo Yo Ma
June 28th, 2010
6:12 pm
Yes please get rid of Wendy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Word Up
June 28th, 2010
7:52 pm
Name ONE humanoid who can accurately evaluate what we call “God”. IF there is what we call “God”, then He/She/It is so far above and beyond anything we can conceive, that any human-originated image of God is not much beyond a feeble attempt at a joke. I especially love the clowns who “speak for God”, from the Pope on down to the lowliest manmade organized religion. Just who the hell are we to have the audacity to pretend to define “God”?? As for gay marriage, why not let them be as miserable as we heteros? And speaking as a strict hetero myself, I can assure you it’s NOT a matter of choice, but of birth chemistry. I know at age 3, I kept getting in trouble running up under the dress of the cashier at the Winn-Dixie, which I did strictly to view her gorgeous ass. I had no such similar interest in any male, and was certainly only following my native instincts, as opposed to any cultural influences whatsoever. As usual, the fundamentalists are full of $#$%&@!
TheTruthHurts
June 28th, 2010
9:06 pm
Anyone notice this guys nonchalant attitude? I mean come on…if this really happened would he not sound just a little upset? Another scam by the Bert show to drum up ratings!! Ear Candy for the Stupid and Uninformed….bet most of their listeners voted for Obama cause the Bert Show told them it was cool to do so. That says it all right there!!!!!
Nia
June 29th, 2010
12:39 am
This story could be made up. It could be real. Does it matter? Perhaps it’s a dramatization, but it doesn’t change the central point. Somewhere in America, right now, a child is losing his parents/family/friends simply because of who he chooses to sleep with in the privacy of his own home. Since when did parents become so invested in their children’s sex lives? I am straight, but I do not invite my parents into my bedroom. We don’t discuss sexual events, it’s not appropriate.
I don’t think it is a choice, but just suppose for a moment it is. So what? It’s their choice, not yours. If it is against God, they are going to hell, not you. Do you regularly stop folks in the street and ask them if they are shoplifters? Drug users? Drug dealers? No, you don’t. But those things are illegal and immoral. Those folks, if they don’t repent, are headed straight to “hell”. Does this upset you? Are you mortified? Do you hate them?
Ask yourselves this – even if it is against your Bible, your God, still, why does it generate so much hate in you? Let’s say it’s a sin, didn’t Jesus die on the cross for sinners? So in a religion that teaches love and forgiveness, why the difficulty loving and forgiving?
Gay people aren’t making passes at you. They don’t want to marry you. They aren’t molesting your kids, they are attracted to grown men/women, not kids (it’s a researchable fact, look it up. THere are no more gay pedophiles than there are heterosexual pedophiles). So what on earth business is it of yours? Don’t believe in gay marriages? Don’t attend one.
And stop getting caught up in whether this story is “real” or if Jeremy is a paid actor, because they are not mutually exclusive. Instead, use this as an opportunity to reevaluate yourself. Your morals. What you teach your kids.
Questioning
June 29th, 2010
4:31 am
“Katie Jo” is not Melissa’s girlfriend’s real name. She said that on-air long ago. I don’t understand why she calls her girlfriend a fake name. What’s the big deal about marriage? Nobody gets married anymore! Half end in divorce anyway.
Jeff
June 29th, 2010
7:28 am
The story seemed fake. Who doesn’t see’s a picture of your sister and her boyfriend in two years? Also, Melissa’s cry-o-pocalypse was pretty pathetic.
lori
June 29th, 2010
7:52 am
So, is Jen marrying the guy she cheated with? Seems quick to get remarried.
lori
June 29th, 2010
8:01 am
Jason, they won’t have a read on ratings yet. But controversy does equal ratings. Jeff, I don’t see pictures of my sister and her boyfriends…because I expect those relationships to crash and burn like they always do.
Annie
June 29th, 2010
8:05 am
Jen didn’t cheat with Grant. I think his name was Ben Rose… but who is to say she cheated?? Anyway this story is heartbreaking but when I found out that guy’s parents was Morman then I thought he should run not walk. Mormans are nothing but a cult…and he has no chance of having a relationship with his family. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise….
Garrett
June 29th, 2010
8:26 am
ever wonder why everything is “voice disguised?”
Vikki
June 29th, 2010
8:45 am
Jenn didn’t cheat on her husband with Grant. Both Jenn & Wendy thought he was “cute” and Melissa asked him as he was leaving the studio whether he was single. Jeremy seemed like he was Mexican/Spanish/Latino. How many Mormons are Latino?
Lurkinator
June 29th, 2010
9:54 am
As a happily married hetero, I proudly support HUMAN rights. Melissa, her g/f, “Jeremy,” Bert, Jeff, and EVERYONE out there deserves the right to marry whom they please! I don’t believe being gay is a choice or a lifestyle – God made you that way. Melissa’s struggle to find a church that is accepting of that is something I know well, because I don’t want anyone teaching my daughters that hate is okay, and I don’t want anyone corrupting Jesus’ message of unconditional love into something that makes it okay to discriminate with that love. As I recall, several cultures have used religion to keep others down (Jim Crow, Apartheid, New World Colonization, etc), adn this is just the latest tragic example.
Whether “Jeremy’s” story is real or not, it reinforces the fact that we need to focus on our own country and our own problems before trying to save the rest of the world. It’s good to give aid and send peacekeeping troops, but let’s get back to cleaning our own house for a while.
Also, I love the Bert Show – including Wendy! Much better than all the rest of the drivel out there!
johnny boy
June 29th, 2010
10:34 am
As far as gay DJs go, I’m partial to Yvonne Monet. I’m pretty sure she was actually the first “out” DJ here in Atlanta and she goes as far as using her girlfriend’s real name on air. Keep it up Monet-changing hearts and minds through actions not theatrics.
Mark
June 29th, 2010
11:55 am
Who cares about Melissa Carter? I don’t. I am a gay male and during the gay marriage debate in GA, she was absent from all discussions. She wasn’t at the rallies and she never spoke out in opposition of the marriage ban. Melissa – It’s too little too late.
Lucia723
June 29th, 2010
11:59 am
I realize now that I am a USELESS TOOL and have no idea what I am talking about.
JTesla
June 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
Mark, got an ax to grind or what? It’s nice to know that you kept track of ALL people at the rallies.
DFH
June 29th, 2010
1:15 pm
I like that Jeff Dollar just grouped this gay guy in the crazy category. I guess Jeff didn’t get the point of the story.
not katie joe
June 29th, 2010
1:17 pm
Johnny boy is right. Yvonne was the first out DJ in atlanta in the early 90’s. Rodney-your article is wrong as Melissa states she’s the only out DJ. Isn’t Yvonne on the morning show at DAVE?
Bored
June 29th, 2010
1:22 pm
Ever since they syndicated to Nashville (or wherever), the show’s really changed. It’s not as loose as it once was, and mentions of Atlanta or anything local are few and far between. They said it would “still be an Atlanta show,” but you’d never know it. They used to mention local restaurants, sights, etc they they frequented but now it’s just very stiff and unidentified. Are they trying to fool Nashville listeners into thinking they are local to them, or are those listeners aware that it’s a show based out of ATL? Either way, it’s not the same and it’s not nearly as fun as it used to be.
Mark
June 29th, 2010
1:23 pm
JTelsa – Yes, I do. Maybe Melissa will open her eyes and be an active advocate and not sit silent on these issues. She has been silent for far too long. She wants to carry the local gay celebrity status and not fight for rights like the rest of us.
JTesla
June 29th, 2010
2:29 pm
Mark: you realize that the whole point of this blog entry is that she wasn’t silent right? She’s fighting for rights, using her position and celebrity status to do so. Maybe you should go back and read the blog.
Silent… if she were silent we wouldn’t be here discussing it.
Chuck
June 29th, 2010
2:52 pm
Like a few others said, real or not, Jeremy’s story happens everyday. I applaud Melissa.
Mark
June 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
Too little too late. Poor little Melissa.
Yes
June 29th, 2010
4:02 pm
Thanks to all of you for reminding how small minded Atlanta is. You might want to get out into the world. This kind of story happens all the time so whether you doubt this one or not – it does happen. But you know – you just stay in your nice little hole where everyone thinks and acts like you do and the rest of us will live in the real world.
I hear the accusations that gays are “shoving” their agenda down straight peole’s throats. Well…the straight “lifestyle” has been shoved down their throat, thrown at them, etc. for years. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to be vocal?
And exactly when did everyone “choose” to be straight?
Frankly, if the guy you’re about to marry had dated a relative or a friend – I’d like to know regardless of the gender!
Every UU reading this should listen to this. « Spirituality and Sunflowers
June 29th, 2010
6:15 pm
[...] Listen to parts 4 and 5. Parts 1-3 are from him calling in Friday, 4 and 5 are from Monday about what happened. Part 6 is just the clip of co-host Melissa’s emotional plea. This was even written up in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. [...]
Chris barfield
June 29th, 2010
6:55 pm
savedandgay.com check it out!! A great loving church family in Atlanta.
SorryButThisIs
June 29th, 2010
7:36 pm
FAAAAAAAAKE. This is the kind of stuff they make up for daytime soap operas. Wow. Cannot believe people fall for this crap. But hey- if it gets people to listen! Eventually, they’ll get some intern to “phone in as Jeremy” and attest that this story is real. And yet, some people out there will actually buy it. Radio is entertainment- like tv- Not all of it is real folks. Wow!
Tired Of It
June 29th, 2010
7:39 pm
Gay people have every right that a straight person has! where’s the double standard? gays can’t marry gay men or straight men, lesbians can’t marry other lesbians or straight women, straight women can’t marry straight women or gay women, straight men can’t marry gay men or straight men. men can’t marry men, or women can’t marry women. any man, gay or straight, can marry any woman gay or straight, who accepts them! where’s the double standard? whatever law stops a gay man or woman from doing something, that same law stops the straight people from doing it also. it seems that gay people are asking to be allowed to do something, straight people can’t do. if a law stops a gay man from visiting his lover in the hospital, that same law prevents a straight person from doing the same thing. i agree that every person has to lead their lives in ways that are best for them, but they shouldn’t be able to do things that the average person can’t do, whether they want to do those things , or not.
Geegs
June 29th, 2010
11:24 pm
To the previous posters, you are WRONG!!! Melissa was the first person to ever come out on the radio. Yvonne is older but never came out on the radio. I have met Yvonne and she will tell you that Melissa was first. Say what you want but get your facts straight. Any advances made by the gay community in Atlanta has Melissa Carter to thank first and foremost.
Geegs
June 29th, 2010
11:27 pm
And Mark, You are an idiot. I was at an event at the Capital for Gay marriage where Melissa spoke two years ago. Gay men need to think about why there are no out gay men in atlanta media instead of criticizing the only advocate and voice you have. More straight people listen to Melissa in an hour than most gay advocates reach in a lifetime.
not katie joe
June 29th, 2010
11:34 pm
Actually Geegs, it’s you that’s wrong. Ask them both, Melissa and Yvonne. They’ll both tell you Yvonne was first. Check in with Rodney too, his fact check will also show the earlier posts are correct.
And ” Any advances made by the gay community in Atlanta has Melissa Carter to thank first and foremost”// Please. There are many, many more people in this town that have done wonderful things for the community. To give Melissa all the credit is totally short sighted.
Geegs
June 29th, 2010
11:40 pm
I have been a fan of Melissa for years. As far as I am concerned, she is the smartest woman on radio. And Just to prove what an idiot you are Mark, Youtube even has a speech of Melissa during a gay marriage rally at the capitol in Atlanta. People like you who are gay and criticize her are like the Jews who helped the Nazis in World War 2. You disgust me. Go to You Tube and Search Join the Impact: Melissa Carter @ Atlanta/GA Capitol. Mark is an idiot.
Geegs
June 29th, 2010
11:44 pm
Email her and ask her. She will tell you that she worked with Yvonne at 99x and Yvonne never discussed her sexuality on air. First person to do that was Melissa. Ask Jimmy Baron. Ask Barnes. Ask Bert.
on my mind… « gypsy rose…
June 30th, 2010
12:30 am
[...] OK. Deep Breath kids. There ya go…in and out. The article I read is this article. The radio feeds (broken down by sections…it’s a long story) can be found [...]
Vicki
June 30th, 2010
7:55 am
Joanna rocks! She has a great voice for radio. She is so funny and honest. I wonder if Cumulus will EVER put her on the air much, much more! (I really, really, really am annoyed whenever Wendy talks.)
Teri
June 30th, 2010
8:24 am
I’ve listened to the Bert show for years. Trust me, they don’t need any of this type stuff to “boost” ratings. They do just fine being themselves. I think most of these comments must be made by jealous djs who don’t have the ratings or the following that the Bert Show does. Go Bert Show – LOVE YOU!!
Denise White
June 30th, 2010
11:17 am
Pitiful for people to say they were BORN GAY. God is not stupid. He made Adam and Eve and NOT Adam and Steve. That is why he destroyed Sodom and Gommorrah because of this sick and wicked way of living. So we should also be subjected to being destroyed because of you nasty and filthy people that CHOOSE TO BE GAY. T
JTesla
June 30th, 2010
2:28 pm
Denise White: “He made Adam and Eve and NOT Adam and Steve” you get an F for originality. Perhaps Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the residents had usurped Gods authority and attempted to pass judgment on others. Thanks for damning us all Denise.
Elliot Garcia
June 30th, 2010
2:43 pm
It’s about JOBS, Obama!
Wired76
June 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
Too bad for Jeremy, Melissa should check out St. Marks on Peachtree if she wants an open church. I’ve seen them do baptisms for adopted children of gay couples.
Sasha923
June 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
Amen Denise White! To JTesla- She gets an A for the Truth and the Truth hurts for you. The anatomy of a man and a woman was created by God for a very good reason. We, Christians still love you, JTesla!
To Denise White and Lucia
June 30th, 2010
4:12 pm
Seems like you both made reference to the Bible without giving me a Bible Scripture to consider.
Denise you do mention Sodom and Gomorrah. Now, if you are practicing Hebrew Law outlined in the Hebrew texts, there may some talking points about Sodom and Gomorrah. There is mention that the men of the city gathered around Lot’s home demanding the Angels be sent out for them to rape them and absorb their power. However, if you could point me to the scripture where in God’s communications with Lot, they discuss homosexuality as being the cause for the cities demise, please quote it to me. It also bears mention that in the same Scriptures of Genesis 19, that Lot, the protagonist, and his daughters have sex.
Unless you are visiting the Red Tent once a month for menstruation cleansing, I assume you are a servant to the Christian Scriptures and not to Hebrew Scriptures.
That being said, lets discuss 1 Corinthians 6:9, one of the most popularly used anti-homosexual Scriptures. First lets make an important acknowledgment, that this letter sent to the Corinth congregation was written by the apostle Paul of Tarsus. Not Christ.
In the scripture the literal verse, in its original Greek language, uses the word “malakoi” in the section that is commonly translated to mean “men who lie with men.” What’s puzzling about this word “malakoi” is that it also is used in the Scriptures Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25. These near identical passages are not in any translation of the Bible describing homosexuality, but clothing. Its very perplexing considering if Paul had wanted to be clear about homosexuality he could have used the word “paiderasste,” commonly used by the Greeks at the time to describe homosexuality. Why didn’t he?
I encourage you to examine these points yourself, by reading the literal texts so that you are able to note the use of these words instead of simply using the Translations that we’re not inspired or channeled by God.
JTesla
June 30th, 2010
4:12 pm
Sasha923: I’m glad that you still love me and as a fellow Christian I still love you, even if you jumped to an incorrect conclusion about me (read: judged). For me, I do not see ‘truth’ in calling people “nasty and filthy” so Denise get’s a F for ‘truth.’
james
June 30th, 2010
5:59 pm
Wendy has atrocious grammar. “Me and (whoever)” did “whatever.” I learned in FIRST GRADE that it’s (whoever) and I. Lew, John, and David Dickey: seriously, do you want someone this DUMB and SHALLOW on your station? Lew, she ain’t no Playboy Vanessa or Kimberley Kennedy. Wendy brags about having sex with American Idol David Cook’s brother. What a sleaze. PLEASE consider replacing Wendy with Joanna!! ~ Have you not noticed how much everyone is annoyed by Wendy? She is Jenn’s little protege. And nothing more. Please get rid of Wendy!
The Big Ticket
June 30th, 2010
8:06 pm
yea Wendy is as dumb as a brick and HORRIBLE on the radio
war eagle
July 1st, 2010
1:46 pm
It is time to focus people. Obama is turning us into a socialist nanny state and all you can think about is gay rights? won’t be any rights if he enacts muslim sharia law. And under that-any gay activity is met with death. Is that all Gay’s think about is the rights aspect? Focus people.
JTesla
July 1st, 2010
4:26 pm
Obama is as much of a socialist as Bush was. So… no.
karma
July 1st, 2010
6:48 pm
Melissa, Jenn, Grant Rivera (her fiance), Wendy, and Bert all voted for Obama. They drank the “change we can believe in” kool-aid. Interestingly, you don’t hear them talking about Obama much any more. Hey, Bert, if you’re so excited about wealth distribution, why not donate 9/10 of your salary to people who don’t work? (Crickets chirping.)
james
July 1st, 2010
10:57 pm
Bush was NOT a socialist. He was a capitalist. If you want to live in a socialist society, please move to Russia. Please do not try to change the U.S. Interesting that liberals are either 1) so rich that they feel guilty about it and want to make middle-America pay for the poor or 2) will never make any money, so they want a re-distribution of wealth. In any event, Wendy sucks. I change the channel every time I hear her terrible voice. I like the others, but not Wendy. I would be embarrassed if I had graduated from Kennesaw. (I graduated from a Big 10 university.)
james
July 1st, 2010
10:58 pm
PS Meaning that I’d be embarrassed to graduate from the same school that Wendy did. There’s nothing wrong with Kennesaw (except that it accepted & graduated Wendy). Wendy has clearly never taken a grammar or English class in her life.
JTesla
July 2nd, 2010
10:51 am
“Bush was NOT a socialist…” and neither is Obama. Unless you classify prescription drug overhaul, nationalized education, massive bailouts, etc. as socialist… in which case you define Bush as being a socialist.
I don’t know where you were going with that talk about liberals, since I am not one.