While the idea of a strictly gay radio station might once have been dismissed as chasing rainbows, Pretoria-based Gay SA radio has turned that notion on its head.
Not only has the online station caught the rainbow, it is now flying the symbolic flag high across the continent with 24 hours of content and music focused on the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) community.
Operating as Gay SA Radio since January, with a full programming schedule that unpacks issues affecting the community, the online station is available for streaming all week, with the breakfast show, titled Eggs and Sausage, with operations manager Hendrik Baird kick-starting programming at 6am.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch on Monday, Baird said: “We’re saying we’re the only gay radio station on the continent and we want to shine a true light into the LGBTI community.”
Despite being an online station, Baird says there is a full programming schedule, as is the case with any other station.
The line-up includes shows such as Workday Jive from 9am to 12 noon, which looks at the corporate space as experienced by LGBTI members, Rainbow Talk from 12 noon to 3pm, which covers a wide range of lifestyle topics including parenting and travel, and The Gay Agenda, which looks at topical LGBTI news, starting at 3pm.
“We also want to spread the discussion across the continent, so we have connections and contributors in Nigeria, Uganda, as well as the US and are currently setting up in the Seychelles,” Baird said.
He cautions, however, that children aged under 16 avoid the station as the information shared is often of a sensitive nature.
Cocktail Hour, which looks at the arts, takes over at 6pm until 8pm when the formal shows end and music is then played until the next day.
Wednesdays see an extra two hours added to the lineup (8pm-10pm) for adult talk show Steam Room, hosted by Baird, which unpacks all things sexual.
The 30-member staff is comprised predominantly of people aligned to the LGBTI community.
“Primarily, our doors are open to LGBTI people and those who identify as friends of LGBTI are also welcome,” Baird said.
First gay radio station hits air
Not only has the online station caught the rainbow, it is now flying the symbolic flag high across the continent with 24 hours of content and music focused on the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) community.
Operating as Gay SA Radio since January, with a full programming schedule that unpacks issues affecting the community, the online station is available for streaming all week, with the breakfast show, titled Eggs and Sausage, with operations manager Hendrik Baird kick-starting programming at 6am.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch on Monday, Baird said: “We’re saying we’re the only gay radio station on the continent and we want to shine a true light into the LGBTI community.”
Despite being an online station, Baird says there is a full programming schedule, as is the case with any other station.
The line-up includes shows such as Workday Jive from 9am to 12 noon, which looks at the corporate space as experienced by LGBTI members, Rainbow Talk from 12 noon to 3pm, which covers a wide range of lifestyle topics including parenting and travel, and The Gay Agenda, which looks at topical LGBTI news, starting at 3pm.
“We also want to spread the discussion across the continent, so we have connections and contributors in Nigeria, Uganda, as well as the US and are currently setting up in the Seychelles,” Baird said.
He cautions, however, that children aged under 16 avoid the station as the information shared is often of a sensitive nature.
Cocktail Hour, which looks at the arts, takes over at 6pm until 8pm when the formal shows end and music is then played until the next day.
Wednesdays see an extra two hours added to the lineup (8pm-10pm) for adult talk show Steam Room, hosted by Baird, which unpacks all things sexual.
The 30-member staff is comprised predominantly of people aligned to the LGBTI community.
“Primarily, our doors are open to LGBTI people and those who identify as friends of LGBTI are also welcome,” Baird said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos