From Baltimore Out Loud

On-air Comments Prompt Removal of WEAA's Gospel Director

October 28, 2005

On-air comments by Duane Johnson, a WEAA radio personality, encouraging listeners to attend an anti-gay rally at Pikesville High School has led university officials to remove the popular minister and gospel director from the air until a decision regarding his show is made, according to Morgan State University (MSU) spokesperson Clint Coleman.

MSU owns the public radio station, which aired Johnson's comments during his weekly Sunday morning show "Gospel Grace." Johnson was a leader of the anti-gay rally staged outside the high school on Monday, October 17 at which a crowd of 20-30 people gathered to protest the gay-straight alliance's planned Coming Out Day events.

University officials acted promptly after learning of Johnson's comments on Monday morning. A memo was distributed reiterating the radio station's policy which bans such activity on the air.

"Mr. Johnson's views are not representative of the university or the radio station," Coleman said. "[He] clearly violated that policy. Johnson's future at the radio station is unclear." A decision whether to allow him back on the air had not been made as Baltimore OUTloud went to press on Wednesday.

"He has been the subject of a lot of criticism not only from the [gay] community, but also from the university, the staff and alumni." Coleman said the school has received a lot of email criticizing Johnson's promotion of the anti-gay rally on a public radio station.