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rfmcdonaldRecently, British gay-rights activist Peter Tatchell has played a prominent role in leading a campaign against many Jamaican dancehall singers because of the violent homophobia frequently inserted in their lyrics.
Buju Banton, known for his violently homophobic lyrics as far back as 1993 and the release of his song "Boom Bye Bye," has come under particular pressure, as concert organizers have cancelled many of his planned appearances in Europe and North America. Recently, Tatchell and Amnesty International have publicized the fact that Banton is being sought for questioning in connection with a homophobic attack on a group of gay men on the morning of June 24.
In an apparent effort to try to prevent the meltdown of Banton's overseas career, an apology was released. It turns out that it was issued by Virgin Records without his involvement or that of Banton's management company, not that it was an apology in any case. The Jamaica Gleaner now reports that Banton would like to sue Tatchell and his organization, Outrage!:
The anonymous source appears to be conflating the concept of exhibitionism with that of existence. He isn't alone in Jamaica in doing this, as The Guardian reports:
Xtra's coverage is equally depressing:
Jamaica's leading gay-rights activist, Brian Williamson, found out the truth of this last sentence very recently when he was brutally murdered. Writing a memorial for his friend, one Jamaican expatriate suggested that this homophobia is seriously hurting Jamaica's reputation:
One can only hope that the bulk of Jamaicans still living in their country would come to agree. In the meantime, I think that Jamaica's potential attractiveness as a vacation destination has just dropped off catastrophically for me.
Buju Banton, known for his violently homophobic lyrics as far back as 1993 and the release of his song "Boom Bye Bye," has come under particular pressure, as concert organizers have cancelled many of his planned appearances in Europe and North America. Recently, Tatchell and Amnesty International have publicized the fact that Banton is being sought for questioning in connection with a homophobic attack on a group of gay men on the morning of June 24.
In an apparent effort to try to prevent the meltdown of Banton's overseas career, an apology was released. It turns out that it was issued by Virgin Records without his involvement or that of Banton's management company, not that it was an apology in any case. The Jamaica Gleaner now reports that Banton would like to sue Tatchell and his organization, Outrage!:
Tatchell's cash-strapped two-man outfit could have a fight on their hands. A source close to Buju Banton told The Voice that the artiste was contemplating legal action against Outrage! following the circulation of an email that Buju was wanted in Jamaica for beating gay men. The source said: "It is time to go on the offensive. This group has had a free run at trying wreck people's careers for too long. It is time they were taught a lesson."
Clyde McKenzie, a member of Beenie Man's management team said: "If a man says he abhors violence against all human beings why do gays need to be singled out? Such a statement covers all human beings. Gays and straight people have been existing harmoniously in Jamaica for decades. It is this alien intervention from people like Outrage! that is causing problems." In a direct swipe at Amnesty International, he said: "I am concerned that entities that are thought to be reputable are being hijacked by nefarious characters like Tatchell."
[. . .]
A Jamaican music industry chief, who refused to be named, said he is putting together a plan to go on the offensive against Outrage!. "I am of the opinion that these people are unemployed and have too much time on their hands. We are going to be hitting them with actions from all corners. They are maligning the name of our country. Let Peter Tatchell come to Jamaica and see for himself that no one is murdering gays. There are gay people at the various levels of Jamaican society who are recognised by the contributions they have made. They are not exhibitionists wearing their sexuality on their sleeves," he said.
The anonymous source appears to be conflating the concept of exhibitionism with that of existence. He isn't alone in Jamaica in doing this, as The Guardian reports:
In the heat of January in Jamaica 30,000 people came to the Rebel Salute concert in St. Elizabeth to hear some of the nation's most popular singers deliver a chilling call. With Capleton and Sizzla singing almost exclusively about gay men, the call went out from the stadium:
"Kill dem battybwoys haffi dead, gun shots pon dem ... who want to see dem dead put up his hand" (Kill them, the queers have to die, gun shots in their head ... put up your hand if you want to see them dead.)
[. . .]
A recent poll showed 96% of Jamaicans were opposed to any move to legalise homosexual relations. And while the police do not condone homophobic violence, they are often unsympathetic to the victims.
One man described to J-FLAG how six men blocked a road in order to beat up a local gay man. "The crowd stood around watching, chanting 'Battyman, battyman, battyman', before gathering around him as he lay on the sidewalk. The crowd punched and kicked him. They threw garbage on him, all the while shouting 'Battyman, battyman'. They then dragged him down the road for half a kilometre ... The crowd was saying 'Give him to us! Let us kill him! He's a battyman'."
At least five gay Jamaicans have successfully claimed asylum in Britain on grounds of homophobia. "I had to leave because of the pressure," said one 26-year-old Jamaican who settled in Britain in 2000 and asked to remain anonymous. "I had been beaten up and chased and the police would not help you. Once I went to hospital after I was badly beaten up and they refused to treat me."
Xtra's coverage is equally depressing:
In Jamaica, a gay man or lesbian faces terror on a daily basis. Survival depends on how well you camouflage yourself and hide your identity. Every day you face potential violence by doing things that would normally be considered routine activities. A visit to the supermarket could result in serious injury or death for a gay person. Anyone who suspects a person of being a homosexual can at any time publicly denounce them, causing a mob to gather and beat him or her. It is literally terrifying just to exist in Jamaica as a gay person.
There is absolutely no relief from the onslaught of negativity that surrounds you. This negativity is experienced through popular songs on the radio and television and screamed from church pulpits. A gay person is considered a more heinous offender than a rapist. The sexual act between people of the same sex is illegal and attracts a penalty of 10 years hard labour in prison. Jamaica’s poor human rights record is reflected in the fact that on numerous occasions people suspected of being gay have had their homes invaded by the police. Not even in your home can you feel safe.
Jamaica's leading gay-rights activist, Brian Williamson, found out the truth of this last sentence very recently when he was brutally murdered. Writing a memorial for his friend, one Jamaican expatriate suggested that this homophobia is seriously hurting Jamaica's reputation:
Make no mistake years from now, the world will look at Jamaica the way we do at Nazis today. Jamaica's hatred of homosexuals is the equal of Nazis' hatred of Jews. It is the equal of racist whites' hatred of blacks, is the equal of all hatred everywhere just as ugly, just as destructive and self-destructive, just as ignorant and narrow. Just as evil.
One can only hope that the bulk of Jamaicans still living in their country would come to agree. In the meantime, I think that Jamaica's potential attractiveness as a vacation destination has just dropped off catastrophically for me.
