Transgender radio DJ quits on air from Virginia station

A transgender radio DJ quit on air, alleging a hostile work environment at their Virginia radio station and claiming that they were censored from speaking on political issues.

Fievel Crane, previously host of the Morning Mixtape on 106.1 FM The Corner in Charlottesville, announced their departure from the airwaves earlier this month.

“Normally, this is where the one-second music quiz would be, but there will not be a quiz today because I'm quitting,” Crane said during the broadcast in a clip later shared to Instagram on Sept. 4.

The host discussed transitioning as a public personality, and said the listenership of the show had always been welcoming. But they did not feel the same about the ownership of the radio station.

“I wanted to thank you for welcoming me to this town and to the corner over the past three years. you've been really amazing, particularly when I came out and changed my name,” they told viewers.

“But sadly, that level of acceptance has been in very short supply here at this company. It has been the most traumatic work experience I've ever had, and that is saying something.”

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The station is owned by the Saga Communications’ subsidiary Charlottesville Media Group, which did not immediately respond to The Advocate’s request for comment.

Crane’s official website says they are a “queer, trans, anarchist, non-binary, radio host, podcaster, poet, and fomenter of unrest. In addition to working on radio, Crane hosts two podcasts, The Jazz Station and A Brief Chat. Crane has also released an album of radical political poetry accompanied by music, and said that proceeds would support Ele Elna Elak, an organization addressing water scarcity in Gaza.

Crane also alleged their personal social media was being monitored by radio station management.

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“I've also had to become less and less of my authentic self over these three years, as I've been repeatedly silenced and kept from talking about things that matter, whether that's the genocide in Palestine, the war on our town's homeless folks, ICE raids in our community-you name it,” Crane said. “The company even monitors my personal social media, which is why I've had to stop using it or risk being fired, and that is not a good way to live.”

While Crane said they would miss the audience of the show, they also were looking forward to a “happier life now that I can put this company behind me.” After calling for a “Free Palestine,” Crane put on “my last ever play list,” one including protest songs including Billy Bragg’s “All You Fascists” and Easterhouse’s “Come Out Fighting,” and signed off.