This is a public service announcement.
The title story, “broken” by Long Island radio station K-98.3 on Wednesday this week, claimed that a mother whose child was invited to the birthday party of a school friend, being given by her “two dads,” responded with disapproving comments in her written RSVP. The tale quickly went viral, exciting some very natural attention right here at LU.
The story’s gist included debate-bait comments supposedly made by the mother:
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
“Tommy will NOT be attending,” wrote Beth on the invitation. “I do not believe in what you do and will not subject my innocent son to your ‘lifestyle’. I’m sorry Sophia has to grow up this way. If you have an issue or need to speak to me: [phone number].”
The narrative then purported to recount the anger felt by the “two dads,” followed by an escalating feud in which the mother authorized her phone number to be released by the radio station, and dared people to contact her.
Now it turns out that none of this ever happened. Steve [Harper] and Leana, co-hosts of the radio station’s “Morning Show,” made the whole thing up. Just after 7:00 PM Eastern on Friday, they posted an apology on the station’s website, stating the following:
On Wednesday, we told you the story of Sophia’s birthday party, and one parent’s objection to the same-sex household of Sophia’s parents. We also posted the invitation on our Facebook page, and invited comments from our followers.
This story was, in fact, totally fictitious, and created by the two of us. This was done without the knowledge of K-98.3 management or ownership.
We were attempting to spur a healthy discourse on a highly passionate topic, but we made a mistake by misleading our listeners into thinking that this specific situation actually existed.
(H/t: HuffPo)
This isn’t the first time a gay-themed cause-célèbre turned out to be a hoax. At least this time, no one is claiming to have given donated money to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Long Islanders can let us know if Steve and Leana earn their trust back. But it’s OK with us if you never mention them around here again.
