The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists’ Association (NLGJA) annual conference blew up last Saturday night after the emcee of the organizations closing dinner Marshall McPeek, a meteorologist at a Sinclair-owned ABC affiliate station in Ohio called some attendees “things and its.”

McPeek during the final event of the conference, which was hosted by Fox News, began his remarks by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, things and its.” The comment was widely regarded as offensive to trans and nonbinary reporters in attendance, with several taking to social media to express their concern.

McPeek returned to the stage to apologize and has since voluntarily resigned from the organization.

The NLGJA noted in a statement that McReak was a “volunteer emcee” at the event.

“We’ve worked hard for many years to make NLGJA an inclusive organization for transgender and nonbinary journalists,” the NLGJA wrote in the statement. “People were understandably hurt and offended by last night’s remarks. As journalists, we understand uniquely that words matter.”

“We apologize and are committed to working to make NLGJA more inclusive and diverse,” the group added.

Full disclosure:  I was once involved with the NLGJA and Fox News is a major contributor to the organization thanks to Adam K. Pawlus, NLGJA’s executive director and resident republican.