Jamaica is preparing itself for what many people believe could be economic fallout from the decade-long battle between gay rights groups and the local entertainment industry.
Ten years after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and British gay rights group Outrage began their campaign against the homophobic lyrics of dancehall stars, the local business community has begun its own “clean-up” of dancehall.
The groups have targeted some of the nation’s top international artists including Beenie Man (Anthony Moses Davis), Buju Banton (Mark Myrie), Bounty Killa (Rodney Price) and TOK (a five-man group), for their homophobic lyrics. The campaign has been successful, causing the cancellation of reggae tours and the removal of dancehall acts from major shows across Europe and the United States.
‘’We are now realising some of the consequences of our failure to address prejudice and discrimination,’’ says a spokesman for the Jamaica Federation of Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-Flag), who asked to remain anonymous. [more @ www.ipsnews.net]