Responding to Monday’s apology from the DJ who mistakenly played the wrong national anthem tape at Saturday’s Padres game, the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus has called on the Padres to reinstate the performer known as DJ ArtForm.

The chorus on Tuesday issued the following statement on its Facebook page:

“As a community outreach organization dedicated to bringing positive change to the world through music, we applaud the San Diego Padres organization and its chief executive Mike Dee for its ongoing efforts to make something good come out of unfortunate recent events. We have met with Mr. Dee and he has agreed to meet with and work closely with the LGBT community to bring our communities together with constructive, positive change.

“We also would like to publicly accept the sincere apology of DJ ARTFORM and recognize his support for the LGBT community and equality for all people. We do not wish to see him lose his job with the San Diego Padres and kindly ask the Padres to reinstate him. Everyone deserves a second chance.


“We have been overwhelmed by the positive support from people around the world and would like to thank Mayor Kevin Faulconer, City Councilman Todd Gloria and many other community leaders for helpings us turn this into something positive for the City of San Diego.”

A Padres spokesperson said that due to the MLB investigation that is currently underway, the team won’t have any comment until after the investigation concludes.

Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Councilmemner who is now a KOGO radio host, has started a petition to have DJ ArtForm reinstated.

On the station’s website, DeMaio wrote:


“You have no doubt heard the story about the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus being snubbed on the field at Saturday’s San Diego Padres game. Instead of hearing the Gay Men’s Chorus, everyone heard a woman singing when the wrong national anthem soundtrack was played. At first everyone suspected the worst – homophobia. Now we know the truth – it was an unintentional mistake!!

“Unfortunately, this simple unintentional mistake cost DJ ARTFORM (Art Romero) his job as the sound technician for the San Diego Padres games.

“DJ ARTFORM has issued a genuine apology and has made it clear absolutely no discrimination motivated this mistake. Even the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus has now confirmed no homophobia was involved in this mistake.

“We agree - and urge the Padres to rehire and reinstate DJ ARTFORM!”


The petition can be found right HERE.