Homophobic reggaeton: Mr. Fox and the "afeminaos"

A while back, when reggaeton was breaking through as the next big thing in Latino music and before it's bubble burst as many of the top acts failed to build on their initial success, I remember reading an article that said that one of the things that distinguished the raunchy lyrics of reggaeton acts from those of hip-hop and rap was its comparative lack of homophobia.

I'm not a reggaeton music fan so I couldn't say whether this is true or not but when I saw this article in a Panamanian newspaper last week about a performance by Panamanian reggaeton singer Mr. Fox (pictured), it made me do a doubletake.

Franklyn Robinson writing for Critica says:

"Artists have yet to realize the power and influence that they have among their fans and it's not fair that they use it for evil purposes. For example, Mr. Fox, while singing [on the stage], shouted all around that he didn't want homosexuals at the event and that they had to leave. This provoked disorder and a lack of respect for the homosexuals that were present, and who had paid for a ticket to be entertained. We have to remember that many eat off the money that the homosexuals paid."

Doing a search for Mr. Fox online I found out that no one should have been surprised by his homophobic outburst. After all, he released a single called "Afeminaos" ("Effeminate Ones") which he also released as a single.

The lyrics? Well, in the song Mr. Fox calls a rival singer a fag who prostitutes himself to other men in order to sustain a wealthy life instead of earning his money with sweat and effort. Here are a few choice excerpts:

I know that there are lots of rappers
That wear condoms
What does it matter to me if I do it bareback

What are you laughing at, asshole
At my faded pants
What the f*ck - What the f*ck
This is mine, not borrowed
This was worth lots of sweat and lots of work
Throwing bags at the [Panama Canal] like a disgraced one
And you... are well dressed
Thanks to the fags that have f*cked you
Those who have you screwed
They have you mounted
It's noon and you haven't even gotten up

CHORUS:
What luck you have, friend
That AIDS has not been detected on you
If in every car I've seen you getting inside the drivers have all been faggots and effeminates
[...]
You like anal
Mentally ill you
That's why you sleep with what's his name
I already see your funeral
Or you laying in a hospital... and that's going to be very lethal

Yes, you read right. Mr. Fox thinks he doesn't have to worry about wearing condoms or AIDS just because he doesn't sleep with other men (and promotes the idea in his music). He thinks that gays are mentally ill and seems to believe the worst way to denigrate a rival is to call him homosexual. Nope, no surprise about his onstage antics.

What's interesting is that in other songs, the singer actually riles against drug use and how it has destroyed his neighborhood, the poverty of those he grew up with, corruption in politics and the way other reggaeton singers and rap artists seem to jump over each other to show their wealthy lifestyles in their videos. He actually comes off as extremely charismatic and sincere and in touch with young disaffected black Panamanian men which, of course, makes his homophobic boasts that much more dangerous (he is also unabashedly religious in his music, despite the many guns shown in his videos, so I guess his particular form of rabid homophobia comes from the spread of conservative evangelical ministries that have taken over huge swaths of Central America).

I'm not sure if Mr. Fox is the exception to the rule when it comes to homophobia in reggaeton but let's hope it's not a trend that spreads to other singers.

Update: Clear Channel has dropped sponsorship of Carifest

[NOTE: Newsday has a poll on Power 105/Clear Channel's decision here] One of the biggest sponsors of this weekend's Carifest music festival has dropped their sponsorship:

Clear Channel, which owns Power 105 (WWPR/105.1 FM), quietly withdrew its support from the festival on Wednesday after receiving a call from The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (Glaad). Clear Channel did not issue a statement, but on Thursday a spokeswoman noted that Power 105 does not play Bounty Killer or Buju Banton. She declined to say, however, whether that's because of their lyrics or because reggae artists are not regularly featured on the hip-hop station.

- from "Power 105 pulls Carifest sponsorship" (Newsday, August 23, 2007)

Also:

• Today's Gay City News has an extensive article on the organizers of Saturday's protest, some criticism that the protest amounts to censorship and of a response to those charges from the UK's Peter Tatchell. Full article here.
• Poet and actor Emanuel Xavier has some things to say here.
• Jamaican lesbian poet and performer Staceyann Chin talks about the protest with blogger and political commentator Keith Boykin here.
• The NYC Parks Department has also spoken to the AP here.
  

This Saturday: Say NO to hate music at Reggae Carifest

There is a heartbreaking article in this month's POZ Magazine about Jamaica, homophobia and HIV care that is a must read ("Jamaica: Trouble in Paradise"). I can't say that I am shocked since it's been going on for quite a while but it does give you a good perspective of what some gay and HIV positive people have to go through in the Caribbean island. I imagine that the damage caused to the island by Hurricane Dean will also sap some needed resources for the immediate future which might make the situation even worse.

I bring this up because this Saturday a number of organizations and anti-homophobia advocates are staging a protest at Randall's Island where some of the most homophobic Jamaican dancehall reggae singers will be performing at Reggae Carifest.

They include Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Elephant Man. Full details below as well as additional information about another two events being targeted on later dates.

Interestingly, some of us have been here before. In September of 2004 I was amongst the picketers outside a Hot97-sponsored concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom featuring Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, T.O.K. and Elephant Man. And, most recently, in July of 2006 this blogger joined other bloggers in denouncing the HIV/AIDS charity organization LifeBEAT for inviting Beenie Man and T.O.K. to perform at an AIDS fundraiser.

In the UK, activist Peter Tatchell and Outrage! have led a recent campaign called "The Reggae Compassionate Act" asking dancehall reggae performers to sign a statement renouncing to past homophobic statements and agreeing not to include homophobic lyrics in their future music.

Some leading performers, including the above mentioned Beenie Man, Sizzla, Capleton and Buju Banton have signed on although both Buju Banton and Beenie Man have subsequently denied signing the statements to Jamaican press.

As for LifeBEAT you would think that they would know better considering that in 2006 they decided to scratch the concert due to the rising criticism of hiring two virulently anti-gay performers for a concert. And, sure! None of the performers appearing at Saturday's concert showed up at the Reggae Carifest kick-off event last week but it certainly was promoting the concert and it seems that LifeBEAT was there as well.

Additional resources:

• Mudrer Inna Dancehall
• Peter Tatchell / Outrage! (UK)
• Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays/J-FLAG (Jamaica)
• Human Rights Watch: Jamaica

---
SAY NO TO HATE MUSIC

We demand an end to music and speech that advocates hate or violence against any group, including gays and lesbians, women, or people of color.

We take a stand against hate speech in any form of music: hip hop, rock, metal or Jamaican reggae/dancehall.

We call on all reggae artists to sign the Reggae Compassionate Act, a simple statement that there is "no space in the music community for hatred and prejudice, including no place for racism, violence, sexism or homophobia."

At least 4 of the over 30 artists scheduled to perform in NYC in August (Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Elephant Man) have refused to sign the RCA and some have stated they will never do so. We commend the two performers, Sizzla and Capleton, who have signed the RCA.

We call on the concert promoters - Clear Channel (LiveNation), Team Legendary, HOT 97, Team Irie Jamboree - to stop giving these performers a platform to spread their message of hate, and to drop them from the concert lineups.

Join us to continue this campaign to end hate music in all its forms around the world - we will not be silent!

Anti-Violence Project, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Gay Men of African Descent, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation, People of Color in Crisis, Queer Justice League

Protest/Speakout: Reggae CariFest, Randall's Island, Sat. Aug. 25th, 5 pm (meet at GMAD, 103 E. 125, #503, at 3:30 pm)

On Da Reggae Tip, Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 West 34th St., NYC, Fri., Aug. 31st, 7 pm

Irie Jamboree, Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, Sun. Sep. 2, 5 pm

Planning meetings: Thursdays at 8 pm, Think Coffeehouse, 248 Mercer St. (between 3rd and 4th Sts.), NYC

For more info: www.gmad.org

Other Blogs: Enrique Iglesias gays it up, Moscow Pride violence, Queens pride, Matt Sanchez and MORE!

Keith Boykin has some interesting thoughts on that YouTube video making the rounds of Enrique Iglesias more than performing at a gay bar in London (see above). Terrance is smitten. I personaly retch everytime I hear his voice, but - hey - that's me.

Rex covers the recent violence at Moscow Pride, so does Doug Ireland here, while Joe.My.God took pictures at yesterday's small protest outside the Russian consulate in New York. Michael Petrelis also has photos of a similar protest outside the Russian consulate in San Francisco. Good as You takes issue with one aspect of the protests in NY and SF.

Rex also posts an article he wrote in 1991 about the Soviet Union's first ever gay pride events.

Bernard's gone fishing and sometimes I get the feeling I might want to join him.

Bloggernista answers that all important question: Where in the world is Matt Sanchez? Explains why some YouTube videos I found of the former gay porn star and marine reservist show him in Iraq (Previously on Blabbeando...).

Bushwick Boy takes a look at Sunday's Queens Pride festivities. Manhattan Offender was also there and took video clips to prove it.

Chris Crain has announced the launch of a gay news aggregator webpage named, appropriately GayNewsWatch.com.

Jasmyne Cannick has a series of posts on her recent trip to Africa alongside "Grey's Anatomy" actor Isaiah Washington.

JockoHomo has a look at some HIV/AIDS awareness ads from Glasgow.

Miss Wild Thing picks her tribe over news that a former Democratic National Committee gay outreach advisor is suing the DNC.

Donald asks dancehall-reggae singer Buju Banton to explain himself in light of a recent performance he did in New York (and has a related poll for his blog readers).

From Venezuela, Jogreg admits that it wasn't easy to open up about his life as a gay man in Venezuela in as public a venue the BBC (he won a contest and was given access to write in blog-form on the BBC site for a couple of months) [NOTE: Both of those links lead to Spanish-language only entries, sorry].

Martinique: Blogger arrested for death threats against gays

The Advocate online picks up on a sketchy AP story about the arrest of a French man in the Caribbean island of Martinique on charges of "incitement of murder" for messages he posted on a blog calling for the death of gays as well as a number of local political leaders and entertainment figures who he also alleged of being gay.

The 38 year old was arrested after authorities traced back the computer's IP address to an Atlanta home according to the Caribbean Press Agency. The man acknowledged that he had posted the threats from the Atlanta location during a vacation with relatives in the United States and now faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of 45,000 Euros if found guilty. Authorities have yet to release the name of the man.

Though authorities say they are still at a loss to understand the reason behind the threats, the Caribbean Press Agency article reveals that the man always posted under the monicker of "Lieutenant Terrorist," a known local dance-hall reggeae performer. As for the actual threats, a headline above the various names and images of the local personalities read: “Mort au Batty boys, mort sans exception..." ("Death to gays, death without exception"), which certainly also betrays an affinity to slang terms used by some homophobic Jamaican dancehall reggae singers.

In an earlier article, Lieutenant Terrorist distanced himself from the blog site and expressed surprise and sorrow that he was in any way mentioned in the blog but called back moments after being first contacted to ask the reporter not to print his comments. In a YouTube interview he says that he does not even have access to the internet and accuses the blogger of defamation against his character.

The blog has since been shut down by the host company. A Google Blog and Google French Blog search failed to unearth the offending site.

All in all it seems like a man using an anonymous blog to vent the homophobic hatred and posturing he learned from dancehall reggae culture than someone intent on carrying out the death threats but you never know.

Thank you, Tanya

Thank you Tanya, you've made my day:

Date: October 31, 2006
From: Tanya Stephens

Someone came across your blog about my album 'Rebelution' and told me to check it out. I must say many thanks for recognizing what i'm talking about. It's very frustrating to be caught in the middle of such a ridiculous feud as is going on between Reggae/Dancehall and the gay community. Just as you must know that every gay person can't possibly represent you correctly, so every Jamaican artiste cant represent me correctly either! Good luck on your struggles, and thanks for your good wishes to me on mine :-)

If you ever feel like exchanging thoughts hit me up, I really love a good enlightening conversation! :-)

From your new 'friend' (even if unwanted:-) )

Tanya Stephens

More Tanya:

• Tanya Stephens' AMAZING song, ""Do You Still Care (Acoustic Version)" here
• Tanya Stephens' MySpace Page here
• Please support Tanya Stephens and buy "Rebelution" here
• Videos for "Warn Dem," "These Streets" and "Cherry Brandy (Accoustic)"
  

Previously:

• Jamaican performers and homophobia in dancehall reggae (Oct. 24, 2006)
• Tanya Stephen's "Rebelution:" Best CD of the Year (Sept. 26, 2006)
• Riddim Magazine: Homophobia in dancehall music (July 22, 2006)

Jamaican performers and homophobia in dancehall reggae

An interesting article in Sunday's Jamaica Gleaner gives some perspective on the impact of international protests against homophobic dancehall reggae singers such as Beenie Man, Buju Banton, T.O.K., Bounty Killer and Elephant Man.

Apparently performers of other types of reggae seem to be making a conscious decision to distance themselves from dancehall out of fear of being boycotted, if not necessarily as a stand against homophobia.

In "Gay gap in J'can music," renown roots reggae performer Freddie McGregor argues that reggae genres should not be confused and that if homophobia is endemic in dancehall reggae, the same cannot be said of other reggae genres:

If you notice we are not involved in the broil weh a gwaan wid di gay people, so why dem a put di two music together if the genres are different? Relating that to reggae on a whole, goin' put a bad outlook on the music. I think it should a relate to the particular artiste involved, because not all dancehall artistes are involved. Is like a deliberate effort to smear the reputation of reggae. The dancehall genre has become a standard part of the thing, but what I notice is that every time a situation goes wrong that artiste is referred to as a dancehall and reggae artiste... This affects the whole thing greatly, because dem draw reggae into it and persons don't separate the two genres. So the emphasis should be placed on the individual or individuals, because it can hurt the entire music.

He goes on to say that even those dancehall performers who have been accused of being homophobic have shown in the past that they are creative enough to be successful without adressing the gay issue in their lyrics and should just avoid singing about gays but, interestingly, he also says "I am not a supporter of being gay, the world over knows that, but I do music about love and peace."

The same can be said of singer Ken Boothe who says "I'm not for it" (meaning homosexuality) but also says "If somebody love my music an dem gay, what must I do, deny them my music? No, I don't business wid dat, mi wouldn't mek dat bother me, me nah mek dem ting deh stop my music."

McGregor and Boothe, along with a third roots reggae performer, Bob Andy, say that dancehall reggae performers have indeed received the brunt of the international criticism but all share concerns that people outside Jamaica do not differenciate reggae from "dancehall" reggae and that ultimately the protests and boycotts might greatly affect all reggae performers.

It is obvious that the protests are having a deep impact in reggae culture in Jamaica and that performers within the island are, as a result, also putting pressure on homophobic dancehall singers to mute their views on gays, but it seems that change is happening mostly because of the threat of economic sanctions rather than a change in attitudes towards gays.

Interestingly, these interviews also expose the ongoing perception that homosexuality is a foreign entity and at no time do these singers address the gay community in Jamaica or the violence they endure at home.

It's good that international protests seem to have been effective in curtailing homophobic expression in dancehall reggae but that is akin to putting a band-aid on a wound. Until there are more performers such as Tanya Stephens who are willling to confront homophobia for what it is in order to root it out from Jamaican culture, these are just baby steps.

Must read: Keith Boykin's interview with Staceyann Chin

For anyone who followed the protests against LIFEbeat this summer for hiring a couple of homophobic dancehall reggae singers to perform at an HIV/AIDS fundraiser (or who has followed efforts to counter homophobic violence in Jamaica and the Caribbean as well as the ongoing protests at US tour stops by some of these same artists), you should immediately head over and read an interview posted today on Keith Boykin's blog with poet, artist, actor and activist Staceyann Chin (pictured above along with Colin Robinson and Joey Pressley at a press conference on July 13th outside the LIFEbeat offices).

It's as illuminating a piece on the issue of homophobia in Jamaica, the Caribbean and dancehall reggae I have read in a long time and touches on the complexity of having non-Caribbean individuals respond to these issues, on engaging a Caribbean-based response, on not only holding the performers accountable but also the record companies, and on whether singers such as Buju Banton or Beenie Man are truly bad persons.

Tanya Stephens' Rebelution: Best CD of the year?

Over on her blog, Jasmyne Cannick has been following ongoing protests against homophobic dancehall reggae singers currently touring the United States. Most recently we reported on efforts by Chicago's Gay Liberation Network to shut down a performance by Buju Banton in Chicago which followed our coverage of this summer's protest against LIFEbeat for hiring some of the same singers for a NYC concert to raise money for HIV services in Jamaica (a mind boggling and wrong-headed move as any).

Previously, we also suggested that LIFEbeat consider holding a concert featuring singer Tanya Stephens although I admit the suggestion was based on an amazing interview that ran in the European Riddim Magazine and an amazing track from her (then) unreleased CD "Rebelution" (currently only $12.97 at Amazon.com) called "These Streets" which was featured on their cover-mount CD.

I finally got my hands on a copy (which includes a DVD with a documentary and Tanya performing some acoustic versions of some of the songs on the CD) and I just have to say that I am blown away. It's a warm, emotional, stunningly beautiful album that might just be my favorite CD of the year.

The article mentioned that the album would deal directly with issues related to homophobia in Jamaica and it certainly does. Below you will find excerpted lyrics from the song "Do You Still Care" which Riddim called the track that might draw the most controversy. It's just one amazing track.

People, please support Tanya! And I'm not just saying this because she is gay-friendly but rather because the album is so great!

• Buy Tanya at Amazon.com
• "These Streets" video here
  
• Get to know Tanya at MySpace.com

Excerpt from Tanya Stephen's "Do You Still Care?"
Where Bigga grew up boys were supposed to be tough
Girls were trophies every man always kept a few of
When he was hurt and the tears would sting at his eyes
His mother said, "Stop the noise, yuh a girl? Real boys don't cry"
He learned in order to be a man he had to know how to fight
And had some very definitive rules bout what's wrong or right
He never had the luxury of being able to choose
So to him for being different there was no excuse
Bigga was hustling on the corner, making some cash
When he bumped into some beef that he had from the past
He watched the guns raise and the bullets fly
In disbelief as his friends all jumped in their rides
Left him in the gutter didn't care if he died
He was rescued by a care with plates that said "Gay Pride"
It would have been fatal, the shot in your head
They saved your life though you always said chi-chi fi dead

Matarile al maricon: Molotov at Webster Hall

Following up on issues related to homophobic lyrics in music:

I have yet to hear how it turned out but last night a group of people were supposed to hold a protest outside the House of Blues in Chicago where rap-performer and actor DMX was performing (as Keith Boykin reports in his blog). They were objecting to lyrics in songs such as "Where the Hood at?" and "Touch It" (sang with Busta Rhymes) which call in no uncertain terms for the shooting of gays [UPDATE: Here's Keith's report on what went on in Chicago yesterday]

The action follows ongoing efforts to highlight homophobic content in lyrics by popular music artists, most recently taking the shape of a successful effort by a number of bloggers to challenge the LIFEbeat foundation for hiring dancehall reggae singers Beenie Man and TOK to perform at a HIV/AIDS services benefit (btw - novalism has some choice words about media representation of the action here)

Now, if you remember, that particular event was supposed to take place at Webster Hall in NYC (LIFEbeat cancelled the show despite calls to replace the performers with dancehall stars without a history of calling for the death of gays). Now comes word that a band that also has called for the death of gays in their lyrics will be performing there next week on August 1st and this time it's not a dancehall act or a rap act but a Mexican rock band called Molotov.

In "Puto" (closest translation: fag or man-whore) from Molotov's 1997 album "Donde Jugarán Las Niñas," the band sings in Spanish:

[EXCERPT]

So you are macho man, no? Ah, so macho, no?
Faggot, girly, you're rather a little male-whore, no?

Background chorus: Fag, Fag, Fag, Fag, Fag. Fag, Fag, Fag

FAG!! He who doesn't jump up and down
FAG!! He who doesn't shout and swear
FAG!! The guy who remained in conformity
FAG!! He who believed the official reports
FAG!! He who takes away our food
FAG!! Also he who covers it up
FAG!! He who doesn't do whatever he wants
FAG!! Born a fag, dies a fag

Love the killer
Kill the faggot
And what does that son of a bitch want?
He wants to cry, he wants to cry

According to Wiki-Pedia (which is not always trustworthy), the original album first came under-fire upon its release in Mexico for its cover which depicts "a young woman's legs seductively displayed in school uniform" (I might ad that the young girl is depicted in the front seat of a car with her underwear lowered around her legs). "Puto" did not actually come under fire until the band traveled to Europe where it met resistance from protesters in Germany (according to the Wiki-Pedia link) and Spain (according to the band's MySpace.com page).

In the past, Molotov have denied that the song is in any way, shape or form homophobic. In an article published in Uruguay's Ultima Hora on February 19, 2004 (which is no longer online), they were asked about the lyrics during a press conference. Band member Randy Ebright, who was actually born in the United States, was the one who came to its defense telling reporters that the song was meant to attack Mexican government officials and not the gay community. According to Ebright in Mexico the word "puto" meant "queer, someone who is fearful, who doesn't want to confront certain things."

"They cannot censure our presentations; the ones who censor us are radio stations and television. That is why we like to invite people to come to our presentations so that they get to know the group, the type of music we put out there, what topics we address and how we are in reality" (the argument that it's simply a protest song against the government has striking similarities to dancehall star Beenie Man's defense of his homophobic lyrics which, at one point, he said were not directed at gays but at Jamaica's Prime Minister).

The British monthly magazine The Economist certainly didn't make those distinctions when they published a piece on LGBT rights developments in Latin America back in December of 1999 that begun with an anecdote that involved the song playing at bars in Mexico City.

And then there are Molotov's fans which seem to skew towards the younger side and mostly male segment of the Latino community. I'm not sure they make those distinctions either judging by this, this, this, this, or the audience requesting that the band perform it here.

Back in 2004, some of us complained to the organizers of Central Park's Summer Stage after another Mexican band, El Tri, covered "Puto" at their presentation that year. After raising the issue, Summer Stage promised that they would be more careful about scheduling bands that promoted hateful violence.

If you actually read the lyrics above you can actually see how they do reflect a blistering attack on those who might be passive to conformity and official corruption. But, as a Mexican friend of mine told me, why is it that when bands seek the worst thing to call anyone they immediately grab for the homophobic language? Daniel, my friend, says that in Mexico it's directly related to macho culture and the fact that bending over is seen as the worst thing a real man can do (not that it doesn't happen in the United States as the DMX protest shows). But, whether we actually take Molotov's defense of the song at face value and recognize it as a critique on government, it doesn't mean that the crowds who have embraced the song haven't done so because it allows them to embrace the calls to kill a faggot.

Believe me, I have been at concerts where the song has been played over the speakers before the actual show, and the crowd reaction is immediate, aggressive, loud, violent and extremely homophobic.

Molotov will begin their 2006 US tour at Webster Hall on August 1st, 2006, and end at Austin Stubb's in Austin, TX on August 19. In between, they'll be touching base at Chicago (at the House of Blues), Denver, Los Angeles and Dallas, among other cities.

Riddim magazine: Homophobia in dancehall music

The 4th issue of the English-language version of Germany's Riddim magazine is out in the stands and selling for $5.99 in local magazine shops. Each issue takes a look at an array of reggae artists, some from Jamaica and the Caribbean, others from the Caribbean communities in Europe and the United States. Each issue also has a free CD packed with music that often showcases some great stuff from known and not-so-known acts.

A few days removed from the LIFEbeat debacle, it's interesting to note how a magazine devoted to reggae culture does not shy away from the issue of homophobia in reggae dancehall music.

Yup, that's Elephant Man on the cover. Some of us staged a protest against him and others for their homophobic lyrics when they performed at the Hammerstein Ballroom in September of 2004 at a concert promoted by local radio station Hot97 in New York.

In a featured interview, Elephant Man talks about his love for strip-bars, his many girlfriends and his 'anaconda' ("which I'm informed by a reliable source is eye-watering large" writes the British reporter), his glorification of guns and gangster culture and, oh yeah, his love for God.

He also addresses recent ellegations that he has AIDS by giving a direct if somewhat myopic response, considering his repeated boasts about the number of sexual partners he has: "That is the most terrible rumor there could ever be about you. When people spread those kind of t'ings, they trying to hurt you very bad but I got over it. Whoever started it know it's not true. They see me every day at stage show, dancing, performing, drinking liquor with my friends and doing all dem good t'ings. How could I have AIDS?"

Hm, at least he wasn't on the original LIFEbeat line-up.

Of the 2004 protests against "murder music" he is less forthcoming and, while there are no appologies, he does seem to indicate some sort of truce brought upon by the demands of being on a major music label: "I know why all that happen, but now we put it aside. We don't talk about them. We just do music, we happy, they happy. Nobody wanna go back to being a problem to nobody. Everyone's just taking it easy and being cool. If you'e on a major label, you can't think of saying those kind of things."

Turn over to page 44 though and you'll see another side of the issue. Tanya Stephens, a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter who has been in the industry for more than two decades, is also profiled in advance of the August 29th release of her new CD Rebelution, which the magazine crowns as the release of the month. In the review Riddim says "It seems unlikely that any other [reggae] album will be able to top Tanya's this year" ("These Streets," a track from Rebelution included on the free covermount CD is simply beautiful, hear it and more on Tanya Stephen's myspace page).

In an amazing interview in which she talks candidly about the state of dancehall reggae, her refusal to play into industry pressures to be more "sexy," her repudiation of the "lynch-mob mentality" that permeates some dancehall culture, and her new found responsibility to serve as a mentor to a number of upcoming female performers, she also talks about breaking sexual taboos through her songs and the issue of homophobia in dancehall lyrics.

Take "Freaky Type:" In the song, Stephens questions some men's hatred of "bow-cats" (other men who perform oral sex on women) and confesses that she rather enjoys "being bowed" but also says that what two people do between the sheets is nobody's business. She tells Riddim "People in Jamaica need to understand the concept of free will. As long as you're not affecting or hurting anybody in a negative way, what right have people to intervene in a way like that?"

In the new album, the magazine contends that the track that will probably draw the most controversy will be "Do You Still Care?" In it she starts by asking listeners to put themselves in the shoes of someone who is different than them, someone who needs help. She then flips the situation and asks people to think if, in a time of need, they would accept help from someone who was different from them. She ends by explicitly drawing comparissions between racism and discrimination based on sexual identity.

"By tying the race issue to the homophobic issue I'm making the point whether someone is different by birth or choice they should be accepted for what they are. We need to learn to leave with each other and share the space that's not intrinsically yours, but ours. All discrimination is as stupod as the next; one shouldn't be more acceptable than the other. I felt it my duty to make that point."

Memo to LIFEbeat: How about a Caribbean benefit concert featuring Tanya Stephens?

By the way, talking about the LIFEbeat incident, Terence Heath has some interesting comments on possible next steps and on how the issue reverberated through the blogosphere (just thought I'd share).

And, talking about homophobia in the Caribbean, after initially runing an excerpt, Out magazine has decided to give complete online access to a feature story in this month's issue on the recent attack in St. Marteen that left two gay US tourists with massive head wounds. Although the attack still seems the result of a homophobic reaction, the article dares to question whether there was some provocation and indicates that one of the gay Americans who knew the victims and was there at the moment of the attack called one of the assailants a "crazy nigger" while the attack was taking place. The article still condems the vicious attack but, not surprisingly, most readers who have left comments at Out online are up in arms about some unflattering details about the American tourists' aggressive behavior.

Scratch that: LifeBEAT releases new statement

Following this morning's press conference by black and Caribbean gay activists outside the corporate offices of LifeBEAT and some somewhat conciliatory comments from LIFEbeat's leadership given last night to a reporter from the AP, the AIDS-focused music industry foundation has removed their initial press statement from the front of their website and announced a "Forum for [the] Caribbean American Community."

Quoting LIFEbeat Executive Director John Cannelli from the press statement released today:

In our desire to do something positive within the Caribbean American community, we didn’t realize the depth of the hurt in the GLBT community around the lyrics of these artists. Once we saw how deep and real it is, it became very clear that canceling the concert was the right thing to do. We want to extend a heartfelt apology to those we offended and thank the individuals who raised their voices and helped us to see a more effective way to realize our mission. We also want to clarify the concerns of violence we felt. Those concerns didn’t stem from any threats from activists or members of the Caribbean American community. They stemmed from threatening phone calls our office received from random individuals that led to concerns for the safety of our staff and others.

We’re not giving up and are continuing our commitment to this community. The issues of homophobia, sexism, racism and poverty, key factors in the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS, need to be addressed openly. In looking at the bigger picture with the lessons we’ve learned, this concert wasn’t the right forum for this important topic. Over the next few weeks, we will be reaching out to key members of the Caribbean American community and to AIDS organizations to join together in creating an appropriate forum, where our individual strengths as activists and the power of coming together under one important cause can make a real difference in this community.

We say, thanks LIFEbeat! You finally got it right!

As for that LIFEbeat Larry Levan memorial event? Groovy!

Further commentary:

• Rod2.0 here
• A timeline from Frank Leon Roberts here
• An About.com column here
• A statement from Emanuel Xavier here
• More photos of the morning's press conference and commentary from J's Theatre here
• Kenyon Farrow has a breakdown of this morning's speakers here
  
• Additional stuff from Keith Boykin here and Jasmyne Cannick here
• Bernard is promising an update later today
  

Articles

• A new AP article which includes mention of today's developments here

Photos: Press conference outside LIFEbeat's offices this morning

Some of the speakers and participants at this morning's press conference calling on LIFEbeat to own up to their mistake in hiring Beenie Man and T.O.K. for a benefit concert without taking into consideration their rabid homophobia. The concert was cancelled yesterday but, in a press statement, LIFEbeat opted not to take responsibility for their actions and blame black gay bloggers instead.

From top to bottom: Caribbean gay activist Colin Robinson; Blogger and New York State Black Gay Network Communications and Public Education Coordinator Kenyon Farrow and blogger and author Keith Boykin; Jamaican-born lesbian poet and performer StaceyAnn Chinn; Farrow and Bishop Zachary Jones of the Unity Fellowship Church.

Other speakers and participants included Tokes Osubu, Executive Director of Gay Men of African Descent; Joey B. Pressley, Executive Director of the New York State AIDS Coalition; blogger Bernard Tarver; blogger John K., blogger and photographer Donald Agarrat, blogger Andre Lancaster and Clarence Patton, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

Additional photos here

In addition, the New York City Anti-Violence Project has just sent out this press release:

M E D I A R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release

Contact: Clarence Patton

July 13, 2006

Anti-Violence Project Applauds Cancellation of Concert Trading AIDS for Violence

Says Work Still to be Done "Educating" and Creating "Dialogue" with LifeBeat

New York – Clarence Patton, the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project's Executive Director issued the following statement after learning that a concert with planned performances by Dancehall artists Beenie Man and TOK, who have incited violence against gays and lesbians in their lyrics, had been cancelled. The event was to benefit LifeBeat, the music industry's leading AIDS charity:

"We were greatly dismayed that LifeBeat, which has such a powerful mission, initially elected to include in its lineup artists that actively and generally without apology or a stated intent to change their messaging advocate violence against lesbians and gay men. At the Anti-Violence Project, we have long seen the way in which the AIDS pandemic has been used in the US and around the world as further justification of violence against our community.

Additionally, assertions made by at least one LifeBeat representative that 'almost everyone in that segment of the industry is homophobic, so it would be difficult to find someone who isn't,' were incorrect and ultimately insubstantial. Even if that statement were true, there remains a distinct difference between a generalized distaste for a community - homophobia in this case - and actively encouraging the violent beating and immolation of its members as Beenie Man and TOK have.

Just this week, the bodies of two murdered lesbians were found in a roadside pit in Jamaica. Here in New York City, the LGTB community spent much of June - Pride Month - mobilizing in response to a number of incidents which left victims hospitalized and neighborhoods on-edge. This is clearly not the time to turn a blind eye to rabid homophobia.

And while we're pleased that LifeBeat, following the lead of a number of other organizations and venues around the world in recent years, made the choice to re-think its decision to provide a forum for those who have actively called for violence against a population so impacted by the AIDS pandemic, it is clear that there remains a tremendous amount of work to be done between LifeBeat, and LGTB and anti-violence organizations.

We find LifeBeat's concern about possible "violence" from those unhappy with scheduled performers baffling given that the focus of the scores of calls and e-mails received by our organization in the last several days focused on opposition to and concern about the violence espoused by performers scheduled to be at LifeBeat's own event.

Nevertheless, we see this entire episode as an opportunity to do just what LifeBeat indicated in its earliest responses to the community uproar over their concert plans: educate and create dialogue. This is now the time for LifeBeat to build stronger connections with the LGTB community to ensure that the tacit or active endorsement of violence against LGTB people is not given for the sake of AIDS awareness."

Update: LIFEbeat "misjudged hurt," will "reach out to groups"

Another round of negative responses to the non-apologetic cancellation of the LIFEbeat reggae concert earlier today must have done wonders to at least make their Executive Director and at least one Board Member decide to change their tune and be more apologetic.

Executive Director John Canelli does say that the group received "threatening phone calls" but also tells the AP tonight that LIFEbeat will be "reaching out to different groups to see what could be done to accomplish the concert's goal of raising awareness without the accompanying controversy."

Board Member Tim Rosta also told the AP: "I think we misjudged the depth of the hurt around some of the issues that are raised by some of the lyrics."

• Gay City News has an Andy Humm update here
• Sean Strub, publisher of POZ Magazine, has commentary here

LIFEbeat cancels reggae concert, insults black gay bloggers in the process

Back in 1998, back when e-mail messages were still read and not immediately sent to the trash can, I remember the elation following the massive show for the 5th Avenue vigil in the wake of the murder of Matthew Sheppard in Wyoming. Some credited the phenomenon to "massive forwarding" by grassroots activists and, even if I did say that e-mail was "the greatest invention since water" back then (see previous link), I'm not sure it could be replicated nowadays.

Enter bloggers.

In the course of 48 hours a grassroots campaign began by Keith Boykin through his blog to call attention to the mind-boggling decision by non-profit music industry foundation LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS to include virulent homophobic performers Beenie Man and T.O.K. in a concert to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, has resulted in the cancellation of said concert earlier this afternoon.

In their statement, LIFEbeat does not acknowledge just how wrong-headed they were in hiring these two particular performers for the show and instead imply that not canceling the show might have led to violence in the streets: "The possibility of violence at the concert from the firestorm incited by a select group of activists makes canceling the event the only responsible action."

Disingenuously they do not mention the letters and calls they have been getting not only from bloggers but from people from all sorts of walks who are just as mystified as those of us who might have called attention to their unfortunate choice, including a group of Caribbean community leaders who sent the following letter to LIFEbeat Executive Director John Canelli:

John Canelli
Executive Director
LIFEbeat

Mr. Canelli

LIFEbeat’s deliberate decision to have Jamaican artists Beenie Man and TOK headline your July 18 “Hearts & Voices” benefit concert has already provoked the outrage of many. As you are well aware, these are two of the most protested Caribbean artists as a result of virulently homophobic lyrics in their recent music that calls for the mutilation, murder or genocide of Gay and Lesbian people. Homophobia causes AIDS, and LIFEbeat’s decision to showcase these artists undermines Caribbean HIV prevention efforts. The offensiveness and disregard of this action towards a Caribbean community whose vulnerability and stigmatization are at the core of its risk for HIV, and the bad faith it creates for LIFEbeat and its work, undermine any possible benefit inclusion of those artists might have.

Your response to the harm your action does Caribbean GLBT communities, who are disproportionately affected by HIV, needs to go significantly beyond current calls for cancellation of these two acts. As Caribbean community leaders and activists diverse in race, gender and sexual orientation, we have come together to insist that LIFEbeat organize a new concert targeting our communities, this one with a distinctly GLBT-affirming message and artists. This would be consistent with your mission to use the power of music in the healing work of fighting HIV. We are also demanding that you apply the proceeds of such an event towards the fight against homophobia in Jamaica, by contributing them to the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, AllSexuals & Gays (J-FLAG).

We strongly believe these are minimal measures and first steps LIFEbeat must take to undo the damage you have done to HIV prevention for one of the most vulnerable Caribbean populations. We will continue to mobilize Caribbean stakeholders around this effort and to collaborate with you in accomplishing these goals.

Other bloggers already have written about LIFEbeat's decision to cancel the concert and make some additional points. Check these entries from Keith Boykin and Bernard Tarver.

We are left wondering how this could have happened in the first place. How big is the disconnect between some of these AIDS foundations and the LGBT community, particularly those of us who are queer people of color and decide to speak up (instead of playing to the stereotype that we are all in the closet and can't speak for ourselves to challenge their actions when they are an affront to our dignity).

We are left wondering if LIFEbeat will eventually take a look at itself instead of throwing stones at others and do right by the Caribbean communities afflicted by HIV/AIDS, INCLUDING Caribbean-based LGBT individuals.

We are left wondering if radio stations, fans of Beenie Man and T.O.K., record houses and the artists themselves will ever get it: The atmosphere of homophobia that they help to create and promote is killing their own countrymen.

In the meantime, there will be a press conference tomorrow as well (click here for details).

As for those pesky bloggers? Maybe blogging IS "the greatest invention since water?"

PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jasmyne Cannick, jcannick@sbcglobal.net
Colin Robinson, 917-482-9014
Keith Boykin, keithboykin1@aol.com

Black Gay Bloggers Win Victory; LIFEbeat Cancels Anti-Gay AIDS Concert

Los Angeles/New York (July 12, 2006) –Black lesbian and gay bloggers are declaring a small victory in the fight against homophobia today.

After a 48 hour protest against LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS organization, and its decision to use homophobic reggae artists Beenie Man and TOK, LIFEbeat today released a statement that it is canceling its concert. LIFEbeat cited “the possibility of violence” as the reason for canceling the concert and not the use of anti-gay reggae artists.

“While we are extremely pleased that our efforts paid off, we want to make it perfectly clear to LIFEbeat and others, that no threats of violence were ever made against LIFEbeat’s staff and board of directors, nor the concert,” commented Jasmyne Cannick, activist and blogger. “Our campaign was simply to educate LIFEbeat about the history of the performers that they choose and to make them aware of the recent murders of gay people in the Caribbean. We did this through emails, blogging, phone calls, and faxes from all over the world.”

Author Keith Boykin added, “LIFEbeat still fails to address the issue of homophobia and its connection to the spread of HIV/AIDS.” He continues, “While we support the mission of LIFEbeat to educate our youth about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, we cannot support the use of blatantly homophobic recording artists to achieve that mission.”

“LIFEbeat has basically chosen to cop-out and blame us for their ill-considered decision to use these artists in the first place,” commented D.C. blogger Terrence Heath.

The concert was scheduled to take place at New York’s Webster Hall on July 18. Activists are now calling on LIFEbeat to move on with a new concert using gay-friendly artists and to donate the proceeds to J-FLAG, The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays founded by the late Brian Williamson who was murdered for being gay in 2004.

"This would be the first time a protest of these artists raised money for us," said Karlene, co-chair of J-FLAG. “The international protests have helped build awareness and accountability back here. Artists who perform homophobic or hate songs must be sent a strong message that their acts are inhumane and will not be tolerated. But it’s even better when this can result in support for our difficult and under-financed work to counter this hatred where these musicians live.”

A complete list of the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender bloggers who participated in the campaign against LIFEbeat appears below.

Bejata link
Keith Boykin link
Republic of T link
Pandagon link
Clay Cane link
Jasmyne Cannick link
Journey Into Light link
Frank Leon Roberts link
A Burst of Light link
Blabbeando link
J's Theater link
FemmeNoir link
AnziDesign link
PlanetOut's Politics and News link
GreasyGuide link
Troy Notorious link
thebrotherlove.com link
Woubi-Yossi Collective link
Just My Thoughts link
Obsidianbear link
The 7 Magazine link
The Larry Lyons Experience link
Simply Fred Smith link
Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleep link
Novaslim link
Front Porch Storytellin link
Taylor Siluwé link
Bialogue link