Late last year, Deminski & Doyle producer Joe Votruba made the decision announce to the New Jersey 101.5 audience for the first time that he’s gay.

His announcement was met with an overwhelming show of support from our listeners via social media. He also promised to bring insight regarding issues affecting the LGBT community into New Jersey 101.5’s discussions, and to help people who may be uncomfortable with LGBT identities get to know him via his on-air appearances and social media.

Sunday morning, Joe, like many members of the LGBT community in New Jersey, awoke to news of the deadly mass shooting at a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. that left 50 people dead and 53 others hospitalized. The stories prompted the producer take to social media with a call for unity.

"This hateful act of domestic terrorism is now the worst mass shooting in our nation's history, as well as a direct attack on the LGBTQ community and its allies," Joe said in a Facebook post. "Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ culture and history, often serving as the only safe gathering place for members of the community - free of fear of violence, bigotry and judgement."

"Before this horrific tragedy gets warped and politicized by network news and social media, let us remember that we as Americans will not stand for tragedies like this taking place on our soil. We will not allow the mass bloodshed of our fellow citizens - gay or straight, black or white, man or woman - to become the norm," Joe said in his post Sunday. "As we mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters and send thoughts and prayers to the families of those affected, let us remain united as one."

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

Joe Votruba can be followed on Twitter @JoeVotruba.

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