Queer Out West off the air?

Queer Out West off the air?

The fate of a western Sydney gay institution is hanging in the balance after a complaint was made about the Queer Out West program hosted by Beverly Buttercup on 2GLF 89.3FM.

Buttercup received an email from 2GLF secretary Ian Becker on Saturday informing her the station had received a “serious complaint” about the program and it would be immediately suspended.

“Due to the serious nature of the complaint, Queer Out West is to be suspended immediately from transmission pending an inquiry into the allegations,” Becker wrote.

“Complaints made to the board of 2GLF are taken seriously and will be investigated fully in accordance with the Community Broadcasting Code of Practice.

“At the completion of the investigation the future of Queer Out West will be reconsidered.”

Buttercup has not been told the nature of the complaint and on Monday music was played during her slot.

The Community Radio Broadcasting Code of Practice does not require a show to be immediately suspended and stations have up to 60 days to respond to a complaint.

Buttercup has received legal advice that, as the show’s producer, the station should have provided her with a copy of the complaint before any review of the complaint or action being taken.

The Star Observer spoke to 2GLF chairman Eddie Diwakar briefly yesterday, but he was going into a meeting and could not speak.

It is understood the 2GLF board will meet tonight to review the complaint, and Buttercup will attend with her co-presenters and legal representation.

“It’s a very sad day for me,” Buttercup told the Star Observer. “It’s only the second time in nine years the program has not been broadcast to the community and the only time we’ve been suspended.

“I was under the impression the show was not supposed to be suspended until it was investigated, but it’s been done the opposite way around. We did not go into the station on Monday as they told us not to … as the program has been suspended until further notice.”

The program was due to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in December.

The Star Observer will report the outcome of the review of the complaint as soon as it becomes available.

info: Visit www.queeroutwest.com

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4 responses to “Queer Out West off the air?”

  1. Dear listeners, I just wanted to update you all on tonight’s meeting with the board of 2GLF.

    First of all it was a very positive meeting (11.05.11)and we received a lot of good feedback in regards to the content of the show. Obviously there were a few points from the complaint that needed to be addressed and we were able to do so in a very rational way. It’s important to both the board of 2GLF as well as ourselves, if a listener has something they need to say that they have the formal avenue to do so and this is what the person has done.

    We would like to thank the members of the board who were at tonight’s meeting, they made it very clear to us that they wanted to address this matter as fairly as possible and make sure that all the issues were addressed and responded to.

    The board is meeting this weekend and we are sure that they will also talk about the complaint. We will then be told the outcome of the investigation.

    It is our hope that we are able to continue to proceed with our show on Monday night, but we will let you all know as soon as we are told.

    Thank you to everyone for your support this week and your well wishes.
    Fingers crossed for good news By 16.05.11.

    Matthew Vaughan & Beverly Buttercup (On behalf of the QOW Team)

  2. Fingers crossed for you Beverly and all the girls (and boys)…
    we all love you and are praying for you.