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Why we should all mourn the loss of Gaydar Radio Why we should all mourn the loss of Gaydar Radio
(35 minutes later)
I am dismayed and saddened to learn of the demise of my former station, Gaydar Radio. Its impending removal from the airwaves is a huge loss to the radio industry and also the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community.I am dismayed and saddened to learn of the demise of my former station, Gaydar Radio. Its impending removal from the airwaves is a huge loss to the radio industry and also the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender community.
Before I crossed over the fence to edit Pink News – a publication that took me on because of my time at Gaydar – I had worked at eight different radio stations. Gaydar, where I was news editor until July 2012, will always be the favourite, and taught me a lot about myself as a gay man.Before I crossed over the fence to edit Pink News – a publication that took me on because of my time at Gaydar – I had worked at eight different radio stations. Gaydar, where I was news editor until July 2012, will always be the favourite, and taught me a lot about myself as a gay man.
When I left, I always knew that no other commercial station in Britain would be such a creative and vibrant place to work. The most amazing thing I learned during my time at the station is that you should never assume who your target audience is.When I left, I always knew that no other commercial station in Britain would be such a creative and vibrant place to work. The most amazing thing I learned during my time at the station is that you should never assume who your target audience is.
During the early days, I had in mind that the typical Gaydar listener was a young, twinkish, gay teenybopper, who probably wasn't that much interested in hearing a two- or three-minute LGBT news bulletin.During the early days, I had in mind that the typical Gaydar listener was a young, twinkish, gay teenybopper, who probably wasn't that much interested in hearing a two- or three-minute LGBT news bulletin.
However, I soon realised this stereotype was completely wrong. Gaydar listeners, I discovered, could be civil servants, lawyers or politicians, a pop icon such as George Michael, and yes even our most highly-revered and cerebral broadcasting stars at the mighty Beeb.However, I soon realised this stereotype was completely wrong. Gaydar listeners, I discovered, could be civil servants, lawyers or politicians, a pop icon such as George Michael, and yes even our most highly-revered and cerebral broadcasting stars at the mighty Beeb.
I'll never forget meeting my journalistic hero, BBC News presenter Jane Hill at a Downing Street reception, and learning that she was a fan of the station. Jane will always be a news icon; etched in my memory as a college student, due to the way she anchored BBC News 24's coverage of 9/11.I'll never forget meeting my journalistic hero, BBC News presenter Jane Hill at a Downing Street reception, and learning that she was a fan of the station. Jane will always be a news icon; etched in my memory as a college student, due to the way she anchored BBC News 24's coverage of 9/11.
Gaydar represented a DAB jewel in a frequently sparse and autonomous radio sector. Content-heavy, with generous links that were actually live; freedom for presenters to have personality and a rant – doing so out of the news was a much-loved feature of lunchtime presenter Simon Le Vans.Gaydar represented a DAB jewel in a frequently sparse and autonomous radio sector. Content-heavy, with generous links that were actually live; freedom for presenters to have personality and a rant – doing so out of the news was a much-loved feature of lunchtime presenter Simon Le Vans.
The station had an unshockable audience; not surprising when you consider the daily trials and tribulations LGBT people face in the fight to secure equality, or just to walk down a street with their partner and not get assaulted – Gaydar really was unique, which is why I will miss it terribly.The station had an unshockable audience; not surprising when you consider the daily trials and tribulations LGBT people face in the fight to secure equality, or just to walk down a street with their partner and not get assaulted – Gaydar really was unique, which is why I will miss it terribly.
People also listened into the station from all over the world and especially in the US, where Phil Marriott's evening show was their "morning" show. But I often saw emails from people listening in from countries with appalling LGBT rights records, even one in Kazakhstan. Gaydar truly was an international station.People also listened into the station from all over the world and especially in the US, where Phil Marriott's evening show was their "morning" show. But I often saw emails from people listening in from countries with appalling LGBT rights records, even one in Kazakhstan. Gaydar truly was an international station.
For me, it remained a family. Even after I left, I was still a big listener. Hearing breakfast show presenter Neil Sexton (the "sensible" half to the mad-hatter that is Debbie Ryan), attempt to read the news as she battled with her pet dog in the studio, or hearing Phil, the evening presenter, confess that he's been to his 7,000th Toyah Wilcox concert – small inconsequential things like that – always seemed like they would remain part of my daily radio routine, except they will no longer will.For me, it remained a family. Even after I left, I was still a big listener. Hearing breakfast show presenter Neil Sexton (the "sensible" half to the mad-hatter that is Debbie Ryan), attempt to read the news as she battled with her pet dog in the studio, or hearing Phil, the evening presenter, confess that he's been to his 7,000th Toyah Wilcox concert – small inconsequential things like that – always seemed like they would remain part of my daily radio routine, except they will no longer will.
My former boss, Robin Crowley, once told me that radio would always survive because it was a valued "friend" for the listener – well I have lost a great bunch of friends on the airwaves.My former boss, Robin Crowley, once told me that radio would always survive because it was a valued "friend" for the listener – well I have lost a great bunch of friends on the airwaves.
Scott Roberts in the editor of PinkNews.co.uk and a former Gaydar Radio news editor Scott Roberts is the editor of PinkNews.co.uk and a former Gaydar Radio news editor