WCPT comes out with gay programming

Scott Duff

Scott Duff

Chicago’s progressive talk radio station is about to add a variety of programming elements geared to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Centerpiece of the initiative is “Out Chicago,” a two-hour weekly talk show airing at 11 a.m. Sundays on WCPT AM 820 (simulcast on WCPY FM 92.5, WCPT FM 92.7 and WCPQ FM 99.9), starting Jan 5.

In addition, the Newsweb Radio station will air a series of one-minute vignettes culled from "Out Chicago" hourly from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Each segment will spotlight a gay angle on topics ranging from health, legal, real estate and personal finance matters to music and club events and theater.

“Out Chicago” will be hosted by Chicago actor Scott Duff, who’ll be joined by a weekly guest co-host. Together they’ll cover news and issues related to Chicago’s LGBT community.

“It’s an ideal content and branding overlay for WCPT’s progressive talk format,” said Michael Damsky, a consultant for Newsweb Radio. A former general manager of WLS AM 890, WLS FM 94.7 and WXRT FM 93.1, the veteran Chicago radio executive created the programming initiative with Windy City Media Group.

“WCPT is the only radio station serving the needs of Chicago’s vibrant LGBT community and the only broadcast outlet allowing advertisers to directly target this important market segment,” Damsky said.

As part of what it labels its “Pride Radio Project,” WCPT also boasts an openly gay morning personality, Stephanie Miller, whose syndicated show air from 8 to 11 a.m. weekdays.

Duff, a founding member of About Face Theatre who's appeared at Steppenwolf and the Goodman, recently launched an LGBT-themed showcase at the Laugh Factory.