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Pol. Goes After Antigay Host, Sponsors

Pol. Goes After Antigay Host, Sponsors

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Iowa state senator Matt McCoy is heading up a boycott of local businesses that sponsor a radio show after the host made homophobic statements in August.

Jan Mickelson of WHO-AM said AIDS education destigmatizes the "stupid behavior" of homosexuality, likening AIDS to lung disease, cirrhosis, or heart disease, according to the Des Moines Register. The station quickly distanced itself from Mickelson's statements and ran a clarification stating that his assertions were factually incorrect.

McCoy, who is gay, said he will first go after Toyota of Des Moines, despite his purchasing his car from that dealership.

"It's the last one I'm ever going to own, that's for sure," he said in the article. McCoy added that he plans to launch a website to coordinate boycott efforts and to encourage boycotts of other businesses that sponsor Mickelson or other programs that spout homophobic language.

WHO vice president Joel McCrea said he was not aware of the boycott and that none of the station's advertisers have requested to have their spots pulled.

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