The San Diego Gay Men's Chorus wants the DJ fired by the Padres in the wake of Saturday's national anthem incident to get his job back.
Art Romero, known professionally as DJ ArtForm, lost his job at Petco Park after playing a recording of a woman singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the Padres-Dodgers game as the 100-member chorus stood helplessly on the field. The chorus released a statement on its Facebook page saying its members were "heckled with homophobic taunts" as they were led off the field and questioning the Padres' relationship with the LGBT community.
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Romero apologized Monday on Facebook, saying it was all simply a "horrible mistake" and no offense was intended. The chorus responded in kind Tuesday by applauding the Padres organization for its "ongoing efforts to make something good come out of unfortunate recent events" and asking that Romero be reinstated.
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We also would like to publicly accept the sincere apology of DJ ARTFORM and recognize his support for the LGBT community and equality for all people. We do not wish to see him lose his job with the San Diego Padres and kindly ask the Padres to reinstate him. Everyone deserves a second chance.
There was no immediate response from the Padres to the chorus' appeal.
