Joint Statement from Kerri Wynne MacLeod, Pride PEI, and Stingray Radio
“We encourage good and healthy conversations and invite all our listeners to work together as we will build a much stronger inclusive community and a better Prince Edward Island.”
– Kerri Wynne MacLeod, Pride PEI, and Stingray Radio
Thursday August 19, 2021 • FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Throughout this pandemic we have been reminded to be kind to one another. However, over the past week we have watched so much of that kindness evaporate in the fallout of a social media meme posted by Kerri Wynne MacLeod that shared transphobic and homophobic content.
Ocean 100, Kerri Wynne, and Stingray Radio are deeply sorry for the damage caused and consequential hate that has been circulating. We all agree there is no humour in content that denigrates or marginalizes any group of people. Kerri Wynne recognized this was happening and removed the post, acknowledging it was wrong, and she issued a heartfelt apology for her mistake. Simply put, Kerri Wynne is human, she made a mistake, and she understands the harm that can be caused without hurtful intent.
Ocean 100 and Pride PEI support Kerri Wynne as the loving, kind, generous person that we know her to be. Kerri Wynne loves her Island and is heartbroken about the way this has played out. While she appreciates the support she has received, she is extremely hurt that some of support has come at the expense of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We all know that this is not acceptable.
From the moment this controversy began, Pride PEI and Stingray have had nothing but positive rapport and constructive dialogue, and this discussion continues today. We have always been on the same page. At no point did Pride PEI call for Kerri Wynne’s termination, and she remains an integral part of the Ocean 100 team. Kerri Wynne and co-host Kirk MacKinnon are both on a previously planned vacation and will be returning to the Ocean 100 morning show on Monday, August 30.
In the meantime, Pride PEI, Ocean 100, and Kerri Wynne are all asking the community to please show kindness and respect to one another. We encourage good and healthy conversations and invite all our listeners to work together as we will build a much stronger inclusive community and a better Prince Edward Island.
We know that some in the community may still be hurt by the acts of the past week, and that your personal feelings are valid. If you or someone you know on PEI is experiencing trauma, call the Island Helpline at 1-800-218-2885, 24/7/365, or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. If you are a Pride PEI Member and would like to contact the Pride Board to discuss this situation further, you can email the Executive Officers at exec@pridepei.ca to connect directly and confidentially.
Jointly:
Kerri Wynne MacLeod
The Board of Directors of Pride PEI
Stingray Radio
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Media Contacts:
Pride PEI
John Kimmel (he/him/il/lui)
Chair and Director, Pride PEI
media@pridepei.ca
Stingray Radio
Jennifer Evans
General Manager, Stingray PEI
jevans@stingray.com
Kerri Wynne MacLeod
Ocean 100 Morning Show Host
kmacleod@stingray.com
