Gay Men's Chorus Plead for ‘Second Chance' for DJ

The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus has asked the San Diego Padres to reinstate a DJ who mixed up the audio while the chorus was supposed to perform the National Anthem, saying in a Facebook post: “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

In the message posted to the chorus’ Facebook page at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the chorus said members were pleased that the Padres were taking the matter seriously.

They want the Padres to take it a step further, though.

“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," the post said. "We do not wish to see him lose his job with the San Diego Padres and kindly ask the Padres to reinstate him.”

The chorus was silenced during the Saturday night game between the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. The group was set to sing along to a pre-recorded track of the national anthem when a recording of a woman singing played instead.

The moment was captured on cellphone video by a fan attending the game and posted to Facebook. It went viral shortly thereafter.

On Sunday, the team announced the firing of an outside vendor — the DJ hired to play music — and disciplined a team employee.

The DJ, Art Romero, made a heartfelt apology to the chorus on social media.

“It was a very unfortunate mistake but it was just that, an error. I in no way, shape or form directed any type of hate, bad intent or discrimination towards the chorus or anyone involved,” he said in a statement.

The Padres have publicly apologized and announced that Major League Baseball also is conducting an investigation.

Bob Lehman of the chorus group said Romero reached out to him and the chorus with his apology and he was struck by his support for the gay community.

Lehman said he plans to continue conversations with the Padres, city officials and other community members.

Romero said he has been humbled by the chorus' response, as well as the support from the larger community.

"I couldn't be more humble and appreciative to have a community supporting me through a very tough time and through a very large mistake I made unfortunately," he said.

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