Homophobic singer gets Big Day Out invite 

Source: www.myspace.com/beenieman

The organisers of Auckland's Big Day Out are in the firing line for inviting an anti-gay reggae singer to our shores.

Jamaica's Beenie Man is set to perform at Mount Smart Stadium on January 15.
He has written and sung about cutting the throats of all gay men, killing gay DJs, and hanging lesbians. Lyrics include lines like, "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays" in his songs.

Rainbow Youth executive director Thomas Hamilton wants the festival's organisers to be aware of just how many young people will be exposed to Beenie Man's views.

He says some people will feel so strongly against Beenie Man's appearance at the Big Day Out, they will boycott the show.

Hamilton says Beenie Man's comments encourage bullying, which can lead victims to become depressed and isolated. He says it is wrong for any performer to push their hateful messages, whether they are homophobic, racist or sexist.

In 2004 Beenie Man was banned from playing an MTV UK gig after protests over his appearance and in 2006 protests also led to the cancellation of a concert he was to perform in New York.

GayNZ.com spokesman Jay Bennie wants the Big Day Out organisers in Auckland to rescinder their invitation to musician.

Bennie says if they decide not to do that, then the Immigration Department has to decide whether the singer is fit and proper enough to be allowed into New Zealand.

A Facebook group has been set up protesting his appearance in New Zealand.