Updated: 6.45pm AEST
Australian YouTube personality and EDM musician Pogo, also known as Nick Bertke, has spoken out about a leaked video that has emerged claiming he hates gay people.
Speaking with Gay Nation, Bertke has stated that the video, which was actually created in 2016 and not published on his channel, was a satirical piece made in very bad taste.
“No, none of my words in that video are genuine,” Bertke explained to Gay Nation.
“It’s an irresponsible shitpost and it’s not the first time I’ve done this to my own detriment.
“I don’t recall even publishing that video and I’m not sure how it has surfaced.”
Pogo, who has become famous for combining mini-clips from classic Disney movie soundtracks into electronic mixes, has racked up 200 million views on his channel, 709,000 subscribers and is named “Fagottron.”
The video in question was unlisted, but shared by other online users on Reddit, where it went viral.
In the video, titled, “Why I called my channel Fagottron,” Bertke explains that he’s “always had a very thorough dislike of homosexuals.”
“I’ve never liked a grown man acting like a 12-year-old girl. I’ve always found that to be quite disgusting,” he says in the 2 minute and 42-second-long clip.
“And so I thought to myself, how best can I express to the world that gays are just an abomination?
“I think nothing encapsulates the sissiness of a guy quite like the word ‘faggot,’” he said.
Bertke was adamant he has no hate for the gay community.
“I’m actually bicurious myself and have been for many years, and it’s not been easy within the culture I have been raised,” Bertke continued.
“I have Asperger’s and Bipolar disorder so my sense of humour and empathy for people is often very muddled. It’s a condition I’ve struggled with for many years as an artist who feels passionately about things who is in the public eye 24/7.
Most of the commenters on Pogo’s video and on social media did not condone his comments.
“Cool. 2018 gonna ruin anyone else for me?” wrote one user.
“Jesus Christ just come out of the closet already,” added another.
“Shit stain of a human being. Gotcha,” wrote a third.
“In a few months TMZ will publish he was found kissing a guy,” concludes a fourth.
Bertke said he has received a few emails already from gay people who feel confused and hurt by the video.
“The internet has taken the video very far out of context and proportion, but I am very sorry to the people who I may have offended.
“It has never been my intention to hurt people with my remarks.”
Last Updated on Jun 1, 2018
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