Here is the latest reminder that nothing you see on the internet is real: earlier this week, radio station K-98.3 posted photos of a 7-year-old's birthday invitation, upon which one mother declined to let her son attend citing her disapproval of the “lifestyle” of the birthday girl's gay parents. Well, the whole thing was a hoax by DJs Steve Harper and Leeana Karlson, who finally copped to the whole thing in an apology letter to listeners: "We were attempting to spur a healthy discourse on a highly passionate topic, but we made a mistake by misleading our listeners into thinking that this specific situation actually existed."

"Tommy will NOT attend," the fake mom wrote on the fake birthday invitation to the fake gay dads who had invited her fake son to a fake "tie dye party." The fake mother explained the rationale behind her fake decision: "I do not believe in what you do and will not subject my innocent son to your ‘lifestyle.' I’m sorry Sophia has to grow up this way. If you have an issue or need to speak to me [redacted]."

But none of this was real, rather a way for some wannabe Long Island shock jocks to spark a national conversation about same-sex households and gay parenting and tie dye party etiquette, because radio is at the cutting edge of social media discourse these days. The last time a radio prank was cutting edge was circa 1938.

Here's their full apology:

Dear K-98.3 Listeners,

On Wednesday, we told you the story of Sophia's birthday party, and one parent's objection to the same-sex household of Sophia's parents. We also posted the invitation on our Facebook page, and invited comments from our followers.

This story was, in fact, totally fictitious, and created by the two of us. This was done without the knowledge of K-98.3 management or ownership.

We were attempting to spur a healthy discourse on a highly passionate topic, but we made a mistake by misleading our listeners into thinking that this specific situation actually existed.

We are very sorry that we perpetuated this falsehood, even after it was clear that it had taken on a 'life of its own.' We deeply apologize for violating your trust, and we will work hard to regain that trust.

Sincerely,

Steve & Leeana

The original Facebook posts have since been deleted, and Steven and Leeana's individual Facebook page seems to have disappeared completely. So let this be a lesson: never trust a radio personality unless they work for an NPR affiliate.