Thu 12 Nov 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
While Big Day Out's Kiwi promoter says he's contacting controversial reggae artist Beenie Man to confirm he will not perform homophobic songs on stage, a gay MP is calling for the performer to be dumped from the concert. Questioned: Beenie Man A new statement sent to GayNZ.com by Auckland Big Day Out promoter Campbell Smith says the festival's Australian management booked the Jamaican Dancehall artist for the 2010 tour in the knowledge that he "has a controversial past." "In response to the concerns that Beenie Man may perform homophobic material from his youth, the Big Day Out promoters say that as far as they could ascertain, that since signing the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007, Beenie Man has stayed true to his word in not performing the offending songs," says the statement. Beenie Man, among several other top reggae stars, was reported in 2007 to have signed the 'Reggae Compassionate Act' to renounce homophobia and 'Stop Murder Music'. But he subsequently told the Jamaica Observer that he had not signed the deal, and could not promise to abide by it. It has also been speculated by northern hemisphere gay rights groups that if he did sign it was a cynical attempt to shore up his career. "The Big Day Out has today contacted Beenie Man to seek confirmation that [he] stands by the Reggae Compassionate Act," says Smith. The promoter adds that The Big Day Out's core values include those of tolerance and understanding. "We are responding to concerns that Beenie Man's presence at the event may compromise those values and are directly investigating fears that he will perform material conflicting with our philosophy and his own undertakings pursuant to the RCA... It may take us up to a week to resolve this matter." "SHAMEFUL" Offended: Kevin Hague Meanwhile, Green MP Kevin Hague has voiced his objection to Beenie Man's anti-gay lyrics, saying hatemongering is not welcome in New Zealand, and urging the Big Day Out to withdraw its invitation to the performer. "Music is a powerful shaper of culture, values, attitudes and behaviour," says Hague. "Music that denigrates gay men and lesbians in the most extreme way imaginable sends some very powerful signals both to young gay and lesbian people but also to their peers. It is not true that 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me'. "Hate speech like that of Beenie Man gives permission to prejudice and discrimination and creates it where it didn't previously exist. It blights and diminishes the lives of all who are exposed to it, most particularly young lesbian and gay people who suffer violence, harassment, lowered self-esteem and all the consequent health and social problems." "Big Day Out must withdraw its invitation," he concludes. "If it does not then both musicians and fans will be called upon to declare which side they are on."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Thursday, 12th November 2009 - 4:42pm