KQER 98.5 Press Release (August 13, 2004)

This new FM station is catering to the Gay & Lesbian community. Our goal is to give our community a powerful voice in the San Diego competitive media market other than local gay news magazines.

KQER contacted the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with regards to receiving a broadcasting license for our station. When we applied for the license to broadcast we let the FCC know that we were going to be a voice focusing on & educating the gay community.

We would be having local personalities on nightly talk shows. Discussing issues that face our community on a dally basis. Other topics would include community events, crimes against our community, non-stop dance on the weekends and political issues that may arise. Receiving a broadcaster’s license would benefit gay & other surrounding communities. Our main objective would be to unite & not divide communities with regard to gay issues.

We are America’s Finest City and we would be the first city in America that that has a 24/7 station catering to gay and lesbian issues. We were also hoping that other cities would catch on and broaden there horizons and not just be stuck on gay magazines as a resource to benefit there local gay communities.

We also contacted our elected official Tony Atkins. She’s a San Diego City Counsel Member. She never responded to our letter regarding KQER and our need for her help. This meant a lot to us, especially after we let her know that the objective was to speak out positively for our community. The same community which elected her for the position she holds today.

The FCC also never responded. We tried on many different occasions to get a response & this is where we are today. We have come to the conclusion that they never intended to approve a broadcasting license for an openly gay station.

We would assume the FCC thinks that we are promoting a sinful lifestyle and are trying to turn our society gay.

That’s why the people at KQER 98.5 FM have fully endorsed John Kerry and John Edwards for President and Vice President. We believe that these candidates will not push their religious beliefs on others.

KQER has a goal and but it cannot only be our goal. We need community support and all of us at KQER are asking that on August 20th, 2004 you listen to our station and tell your friends so they can tell their friends and so on.

KQER has never supported Pirate Radio. But as they always say, you learn something new everyday . Since the FCC never responded to our request to obtain a broadcasting license, we have no alternative but to inquire about becoming a Pirate station or close the doors of KQER altogether. All of us have such hopes for this FM station that we decided to go pirate. KQER and staff are still not giving up on a legal broadcasting license offered by the FCC.

The reason Pirate Broadcasting was founded was just for this reason. If the FCC doesn’t agree with your radio format they will try to silence you. Well I have a word or two for the FCC. They need to look out their window and understand that America is the land of the free. This is the foundation of our country.

The constitution says that as Americans we have the freedom of speech as long as it doesn't harm our fellow citizens. So we’re not only a pirate radio station, we’re are also following our constitution. The land of the FREE. So KQER will be broadcasting 24/7 as of Aug. 20th 2004 and keep your ears open for the new exciting things KQER and staff have planed for the future.

So get the word out about your new station KQER 98.5 FM. On the freedom issue, keep in mind that our family members are fighting and dying for Iraqis to have freedom. While back in this country our President is trying to change the constitution to take our freedom away. What is wrong with this picture?

This has been a special message from the founder and co-owner of KQER Queer 98.5 FM. Our motto is: The Station that Unites San Diegans. Enjoy your new exciting radio station KQER 98.5 FM and be safe. Our station is sponsored by our members. If you want to get on board something exciting and rewarding just email us at kqer985@msn.com. We are looking forward to having an awesome relationship with our powerful community. A big Thank You to the residents of the city and county of San Diego!!!

Your Friend!
Founder and owner
KQER 98.5 fm