Cowell falls foul of gay rights group

America’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation reacted angrily after American Idol judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson made what the group said were homophobic comments on the premiere episode.

On last Tuesday’s Fox TV show, Cowell told one male contestant to “wear a dress” and Jackson asked another: “Are you a girl?”

“The real offence here was in the producer’s decision to add insult to injury by turning a contestant’s gender expression into the butt of a joke,” said Damon Ramine, a spokesman for Glaad, in a statement posted on the group’s website.

“We’ve spoken with Fox and have entered into what we hope will be a productive, ongoing conversation about the show’s representation and discussion of sexual orientation and gender expression.”

A spokesman for American Idol said Fox had no comment.

The popular talent show is now in its fifth season.