Content warning: This story includes references to sexual abuse that might be disturbing for some readers
Reports of Derrick May‘s prolonged pattern of sexual assault surfaced in September of 2020, followed by four individuals coming forward with their own accounts in November of last year. The once revered Detroit techno icon has publicly denied the allegations against him, with reports of May even filing a defamation suit against a former associate and one of May’s first accusers, Michael James. Now, seven more individuals have come forward with accusations of sexual assault and harassment against May in a new report from Annabel Ross for Resident Advisor.
Six women and one man have come forward recounting instances of sexual misconduct involving the DJ and producer. One of the accusers is UK house mainstay DJ Paulette, telling Ross that May made inappropriate comments to her in 2004 at a boat party in London. Says DJ Paulette,
“To me, he’s one of the gods of music, a founding father representing everything, a Black man in the music industry who’s created this body of music that is just incredible. He’s been part of creating this scene of which I have become a part of, you know, as many reasons as I could have for revering that person. And then when you get that moment where you meet that person and the first words out of their mouth are, ‘So when are we going to fuck then?’ Those were the first words out of his mouth and he didn’t say anything else after that because I said, ‘You know what, not interested.’ It’s just wrong, it’s just icky and wrong. He has absolutely zero respect for women. Zero.”
The male accuser, who spoke to Ross on the condition of anonymity, states that he even tried to confront May on one occasion after May hit on one of his friends.
“I said, ‘You’re one of my favorite DJs and what you do behind the turntables is great but could you just leave her alone. Because she’s here to enjoy herself and she’s not here to look over her shoulder.’”
“At the end of the day, that God complex comes in… I have the feeling that he doesn’t even know that he’s doing something wrong. He thinks that it’s normal.”
Last year following the initial reports of May’s misconduct, he was removed as a featured speaker at Paris Electronic Week 2020.
Via: Resident Advisor
If you are victim of sexual assault or harassment, the organizations detailed below may be able to provide help (assistive resources are not limited to the following organizations):
RAINN (North America)
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, offers a National Sexual Assault Hotline that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Phone free: 800.656.HOPE (4673), or visit RAINN’s official website.
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (United Kingdom)
This resource provides support and information for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused at any point in their lives. The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre’s hotline is open seven days a week. Phone 0845 1221 331 or visit the organization’s official website.
Source: dancingastronaut.com
