Dump Dobson coalition Ad Campaign to Address Radio Hall of Fame’s Planned Induction of James Dobson

Posted on October 14, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized

CHICAGO, IL — The Dump Dobson coalition, a partnership of local and national gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organizations, is holding a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 16 (11AM) to denounce the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) for its plan to honor James Dobson in its Radio Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony is planned for Nov. 8, and the Dump Dobson Coalition is strongly urging MBC Founder Bruce DuMont to rescind the award or face a protest outside of the dinner.

The Coalition has launched a website, http://www.dumpdobson.com/, and will unveil a new ad campaign at the press conference, which will debut with a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, Oct. 17. This will be followed by a robust “signature ad” campaign in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media. The Dump Dobson Coalition is headed by the Gay Liberation Network and Truth Wins Out and has so far been joined by Equality Illinois, SoulForce and the National Youth Advocacy Coalition.

“Bruce DuMont would never honor a Don Imus, disgraced for his anti-African American remarks,” said Bob Schwartz of the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network. “Nor would 1930s radio icon Father Charles Caughlin — the widely syndicated pro-Nazi and anti-Semite — be feted. Yet, in honoring James Dobson, Mr. DuMont appears to promote a ‘gay exception’ to the standards of public civility and decency rightly accorded other groups of people.”

“There is still time to reverse the reckless and irresponsible decision to honor James Dobson in the Radio Hall of Fame,” said Truth Wins Out’s executive director, Wayne Besen. “It is unconscionable that the Museum is giving its imprimatur to a demagogue who has profited from divisive and discriminatory rhetoric. If the museum wants to regain its respect and credibility, it will dump Dobson.”