FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2009
Equality California Calls for Strengthening Ongoing Boycott against Anti-Gay Reggae Singer Buju Banton
San Francisco – Equality California is calling for strengthening the ongoing boycott against Buju Banton, a reggae artist whose music promotes the violent murder of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. At least 16 concerts in Banton’s U.S. tour have already been cancelled, and despite a recent meeting with LGBT community advocates in San Francisco—who called on Banton to take meaningful steps to build bridges with LGBT community members—he refused and has fired off a new round of attacks.
In response, EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors issued the following statement:
“Because Buju Banton remains unrepentant and unapologetic for glorifying the murder of LGBT people through his music, we must redouble our efforts and strengthen our boycott against him. His most notorious song, ‘Boom, Bye Bye,’ promotes hatred against LGBT people and a toxic environment that encourages violence. Equality California urges its coalition partners and those who stand for equality to join the boycott against Banton, just as we call on those clubs who have booked him to cancel their concerts.”
For more information on the boycott, visit http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/. To get the facts about Banton’s anti-gay record, visit: http://www.petertatchell.net/popmusic/buju-bantons-violations-of-the-reggae-compassionate-act.html
Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 60 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org
