SF Reggae Fest Drops Anti-Gay Singer

SF Reggae Fest Drops Anti-Gay Singer
by Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter
San Francisco Bureau
Posted: September 13, 2004 8:14 pm ET

(San Francisco, California) Organizers of San Francisco's Reggae In The Park have dropped a controversial Jamaican singer following complaints from the city's LGBT community.

Capleton, one of a growing number of reggae singers linked to homophobic music, was scheduled to be one of the headline acts at the festival at Sharon Meadow on October 2 and 3.

Last May, Amnesty International reported that in a reggae concert in Jamaica, Capleton and other performers "sang almost exclusively about gay men. Using the derogatory terms for gay men - "chi chi men" or ‘battybwoys’ - they urged the audience to ‘kill dem, battybwoys haffi dead, gun shots pon dem. Who want to see dem dead, put up his hand’".

Capleton issued an apology to San Franciso gays in an effort to head off a threatened demonstration.

"I do not advocate violence or abuse against anyone, nor do I support prejudice, bigotry or discrimination," he said in a statement.

"It bothers me deeply to hear that some of my past lyrics, which I no longer perform in concert, have been interpreted as offensive to gay and lesbian communities."

Gay community leaders called it insufficient and too late. Organizers of the event apparently agreed, decided that he would be disinvited to perform.

Capleton, and two reggae singers who advocate violence against gays, will however play in New Jersey on Sunday. (story)

Capleton, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel will perform at an outdoor concert in Newark. Organizers of the Reggae Festival say they aware of the nature of the music and the public outrage over it and have required the three sign contracts stipulating they will not perform songs which promote hatred toward gays.

Another reggae singer associated with anti-gay lyrics, Beenie Man, is currently on a US tour that has been marked by almost daily announcements of cancellations after concert halls and organizers were made aware of the nature of the singer's lyrics. (story)

Earlier this month the organizers of the MOBOs, Britain's urban music awards, announced that they are canceling the nominations of reggae superstars Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, after they refused to apologize for their lyrics inciting the murder of lesbian and gay people. (story)

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