Station Masters’ owner caught up in homophobic row
Homophobia is never pretty, a local artist was recently subjected to it while performing in a popular venue on the upper highway.
THE band, Medicine Dolls’ lead singer, Gregory Allen, was allegedly subject to homophobic abuse at the hands of Station Masters’ owner, Tom Harper, in an incident captured on video footage which has been widely shared online.
The incident, which allegedly took place during Allen’s performance at the local pub on a Friday evening was recorded by a member of the audience, Layla Fehr, who’s partner, Barron Harley was also performing at Stations that evening.
https://www.facebook.com/themedicinedolls/posts/1184660311727436?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAzGCw6aiEsPeu3-4o6wtNOV8TDcaqkYsHXNztePwaDG7mLpU8Q-BY0VEqq4nqklhCXUPNj5QFMBh3jXENbxjg8mCwRr-0yLV5zxc68r66wkuzVMHmul-NplH5g-wht2nSwtITCYOtQ9BVQ2BuKTo8meShH1ooiWllnrcJX_2OhmPohNHl56hy6iNpcQn0HKqBbAY0dB75RqeGTD0A6DY5r5oQB6jBXeZ40EWlnrPIJBLDRBeJ_3rVC2YRK-BUgqL552ZtzHk5098EGkpXMcP3yfbybhuBxhe4Fajk0N9O3EGZVurwSPaN9UjGHcAni6Tuh4XLPqNTZZTWPpSe0kiqzNDOVZA0FU9Emk7v5Jm2y21zxLI_y7M3NtYFT12Y_wvmT1KjJGSlqu5D-S2jybDtqiiNE6JJORoc5hx2E6ihCwHbBk7-_pDwmIg&__tn__=-R
Layla explained the incident and said: “When we got there, Tom (Harper, the owner) approached us and he was already heavily intoxicated; the way he spoke to Greg and Barron instantly gave me a bad vibe. When he randomly stumbled away we all thought he was a random local because you’d assume the owner of the venue would be polite,” said Layla.
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“When Greg was getting ready for his set, Tom approached Barron and said his set was horrible, which isn’t normal behaviour for anyone let alone the owner of the venue. When Greg started, Tom just shouted “ahh gay” and “Gay.”
Layla added: “Even though Greg fully embraced what was happening it seemed clear that Tom takes offence to gay people. Tom’s behaviour went on throughout the night.”
According to Layla, who started recording the incident early in Allen’s set, Harper was also making inappropriate sexual remarks, involving a waitress by saying: “She’ll give you a blowjob for free.” Layla concluded by saying: “I can only imagine what his staff have to go through on a daily basis.”
Apology?
Although Harper and Station Masters haven’t issued a public apology to Allen and the audience that witnessed the incident, Harper did send Allen a message on Facebook that read: “I would like to convey my sincerest apologies for my behaviour last night. As mentioned on the phone when I chatted to you earlier. An awful combination of medication and alcohol lead to a terrible lapse of character and judgement for which I cannot excuse. You played a fantastic set and did not deserve my heckling. I wish you all the best for your tour and hope that you can accept my apology.”
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Harper told the Highway Mail that: “It is a most unfortunate situation and I am sorry it has happened. However, the events alleged are not entirely accurate at all. I can honestly say that I am not homophobic at all. It has upset me immensely that this incident has caused so much hurt among the LGBT community especially to those nearest and dearest to me,” said Harper.
Allen, who’s currently on his local tour said: “Over the years I’ve gotten used to being called homophobic slurs, being punched in the face by a guy twice my size and then having my neck and chest stoop upon by another for no reason other than my choice of clothing and hairstyle, is much rarer. It’s pretty revolting thinking about last night, great gig though.”
Allen’s Facebook post received plenty of sympathy and support from his friends and fans alike.
Regarding Harper’s apology, Allen said: “I did receive a very half-hearted phone-call the following morning, with an apology that I couldn’t really accept.” Allen also expressed his disappointment over Station Masters’ lack of accountability on the issue: “It’s pretty unbelievable that nobody at Station Masters has made a public apology, not just to me but everyone affected by that kind of disgusting behaviour.”
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