Aaron McCorkle, a junior at the Winston-Salem State University, is being condemned for his participation in the Mr. WSSU contest (school's equivalent of a homecoming king) after photos of him dressed in women's clothes were posted online
The openly gay student is being particularly targeted by Brian "B-DAHT" McLaughlin, a prominent morning radio show host for WJMH-FM's 102 Jamz in Greensboro and a 2006 WSSU graduate. The alumnus claims that he will submit his resignation if McCorkle is chosen as Mr. WSSU.
"I will relieve myself of my PA duties if a drag queen is appointed the position of Mr. WSSU. I won't be affiliated. No way," McLauglin, a sports announcer for WSSU's football and basketball games, tweeted, the Piedmont News Station reports.
The 102 JAMZ DJ used racial and gay slurs in his tweets about McCorkle. Another tweet read:
"If y'all let a drag Queen be Mr. WSSU, I quit. Straight up. #WSSU, y'all really letting a dude, (which) goes out in drag...run for Mr. Ram? Have y'all lost y'all...minds?" Winston Salem Journal reports.
McCorkle said that the tweets are upsetting, disappointing, rude and nasty. He further said that it is really surprising and hurting to learn that a WSSU alum is against a student running for a position that represents his university.
The smear campaign began last week after two students leaked pictures online of McCorkle dressed in drag. McCorkle said that the pictures in question were taken two years ago when he was feeling insecure about himself and unsure of his sexuality. He said that he no longer wears women's clothes.
Donald Reaves, WSSU Chancellor, said that WSSU encourages diversity on campus. Reeves said that words or actions that aim to discriminate a person or a group constitute offensive behavior and are not tolerated on campus.
"We believe strongly that the educational environment is enriched by the unique attributes, perspectives and outlooks embodied in the people who make up our university family and community," Reaves said in a statement.
Mr. WSSU will be elected April 3.
McCorkle is now considering filing a sexual harassment complaint against McLaughlin because of his hate crime actions.
