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Controversial reggae singer Buju Banton meets with gay leaders during stop in San Francisco

petrelis

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, [email protected]

Facing a string of canceled concerts and protests by angry gay activists, Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton met with several gay leaders during a tour stop Monday in San Francisco.

"We didn't expect any concrete promises," California AIDS and gay-rights advocate Michael Petrelis says. "We thought all we were going to get was a meeting, which was a good start. [We got] a promise to keep some dialogue going."

San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty set up the 40-minute meeting with Banton, whose 1988 song Boom Bye Bye advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.

"You don't make progress unless you talk to people," said Dufty, who is running for mayor.

Dufty says Banton felt pressured to meet the group because three-fourths of his U.S. stops on this tour have been called off.

"The reason why he met, it comes down to five letters: M-O-N-E-Y," says Petrelis, a nationally known blogger. "You have to make peace with your adversaries."

Hours after Monday's meeting in San Francisco, about 15 gay activists protested outside a Banton concert.

"That is just what we need. Dialogue and public pressure," Petrelis said.

Banton is set to play Miami's city-owned James L. Knight Center on Oct. 31.

"We're reaching out to the Buju Banton people," says gay activist Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. "We haven't called for a direct protest yet. We're hopeful the venue will cancel or we'll get to a place where we can celebrate progress."

Caption: Front row, Michael Petrelis and Buju Banton. Back row, concert promoter Jonathan Mack, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Andrea Shorter, Supervisor Eric Mar, Rebecca Rolfe, Tracii McGregor. (Photo from The Petrelis Files blog used with permission of Michael Petrelis.)

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your all going to hell...

I hope the "city-owned" James L. Knight Center cancels the concerts as well. The city should not give anyone who incites violence and hatred a platform to do this.


Why are we talking wih this bigot? Why don't we call for a boycott of Jamaica, it's products and stars? This is a country where being Gay is illegal. Until they totally change their attitude towards are GLBT brothers there we should have a total boycott of all things Jamaican.

In Biblical days we used to stone them to death. And as for you Buju, you a sellout, and dona lee, stop catching and spreading dirty diseases by doing dirty things, I'm glad you live in a country where "that" is legal.
BOOM BYE BYE INNA BATTY BOY HEAD

we need to get a grip with our selves.. come on people this song was written over 20 years ago where the Jamaica society was very homophobic the society has far change I mean in those days who could come on local TV and local radio talking about Gay rights ,, the society has far change its a different Jamaica now ..

If that's the case, then alot of things in america should be boycotted. the army isn't exactly supportive of the LGBT community, nor southern baptists and a host of other religions and people... it was just a song..get over it..you're still alive

That Donna Lee should call for a boycott of Jamaica is narrow-minded and mean-spirited. If this is the case, other countries should call for a boycott of the United States for the atrocities practiced abroad and and right here in the US. Let's not forget that up to recent years a lesbian woman was prevented from seeing her partner when she was dying in a Florida hospital. Maybe we should boycott that hospital despite all the other good they have done in the community. My point is extremism in any almost any situation is never a good thing. Whether the motivation is money or something else- the fact that Mr Banton is willing to come to the table and start a dialogue is a good thing. We need to start reaching out to people with differences to realise that we are more similar than we think.

Being gay may or may not be accepted to everyone. But the mere fact is that everyone has a choice of doing bad or good in this life. It just so happens that there is a multitude of you who are acting from BAD impulsive thoughts. Being gay cannot be RIGHT, as it conflicts with human natural reproduction, which is the root of all of your existence. If my father was gay, I probably would not be here today to blog with 'intelligent' people such as yourselves. To all you gay folks, evaluate your actions and change your ways. All of us do bad things and have bad thoughts, but when these thoughts become actions, then that is where the problems lie. Man with Man CANNOT WORK! God Bless.

THE GAYS PEOPLE NEED TO LEAVE BUJU ALONE. THE MAN WAS JUST VOICE IS OPINION AND CHRISTIAN BELIEF ON THE GAY ISSUE AND EVERYONE HAS FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

LEAVE HIM ALONE


THE GAYS PEOPLE NEED TO LEAVE BUJU ALONE. THE MAN WAS JUST VOICE IN HIS OPINION AND CHRISTIAN BELIEF ON THE GAY ISSUE AND EVERYONE HAS FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

LEAVE HIM ALONE

Genesis 19

Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."
"No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."
3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."

Walk like a Champion, Talk like a Champion

Romans 1:26-27: "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence [sic] of their error which was meet."

leviticus 20:13

KJV: (King James Version): "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."

If buju condone to these people request, he will have to face god! i do not hate gay people, but i pity them. you people need to read yours bibles and pray.

**** yo couch!!!

His silence advocates the song and its intent, just as guilty now as then.

Allie, religious fiction is not justification.

rudebwoy no care about homos. people talk about killin eachother all the time in music. Buju is king. end of story.

love and hate can never be friends. have perfect faith -- hate loses.

The gay rights or whoever they want to be need to leave Buju Banton alone. That song was done from 1988. You all need to read your BIBLE and do what it says. Buju just continue doing positive mucic and dont matter who dont like it, we in jamaica love and respect you. Bless up. Otis in jamaica

people are so quick to judge someone but don't even know the whole story. Boom Bye Bye was written over 20 years ago, it was in response to a violent act of a man beating and raping a boy in the area. He hasn't performed that song in years. I wish those who oppose Jamaican music and Buju would listen to his other songs and stop reliving the past. He's such a positive person but everyone is hung up on that one song he did as a teenager. You live and you learn, let's try to embrace the good in people instead of HOLDING on to a bad thing. Jamaica isn't the only country with opposition to gays, it's a worldwide thing, people are different, with different views. All you can do is expect people to be tolerant and hopefully see past the differences. Everything the gay righst people are fighting against is the same thing they are doing to Buju, cancelling shows, calling him names. This eye for and eye behavior is blinding all of us. Where does it end. When will it end geez.

gays! what you do is wrong very unnatural its against life as we know it, most of you are pedofiler funcking up some little kid life up. plain and simple wi no support batty ting on our island and i am sure 99.9% of the world agrees,

Man, there are waaaay too many bigoted people in the world. Gays were born as they are...no one chooses to be the subject of so much hatred and ridicule as is being spewed in this blog. The writing indicates many here have not had the benefit of education perhaps, but that is no excuse for hatred. It may be free speech, but with that come the responsibility for how people react and internalize the sentiment. If the lyrics were racist, I sense the commentary here wold be much different. Peace and love

Who gives a Pfuk!!! this one fragment of the population that is really annoying me... not every one likes your community...we are all here and we just tolerate you all.. so stop forcing your way of thinking on others so.. if you don't want to hear his music don't BLOOCLEET LISTENING TO IT!! yeah you all can voice your opinions under free speech so why are you censoring him???
GOD did not make Adam and Steve, nor Pam and Karen

he made Adam and Eve...

so hush your mouths and just fall back.

Living here in the city of San Francisco and being a huge Buju Banton and dancehall fan I experienced first hand the pepper spray bomb that was set off @ his Rockit Room venue. Buju fans should be proud to hear that babylon could not silence his message. I retreated outside for some air choking, wheezing and searching for the responsible party that set off the gas. So called peaceful activist. Outside I could hear Buju still flinging fire on the microphone. I caught my breath determined as ever to watch Gargamel preform in my beautiful city that I'm proud to call home.I return to the concert to see Buju still on stage as defiant as ever. I saw it as a huge statement of strength and perservance over his enemies. I wished this country shared the same views as Jamaica towards these evil desires. They are trying to force there life style on people to except there wicked ways. Please don't believe every San Franciscan feels this way, par takes or even excepting of this lifestyle. They are trying to end DanceHall reggae. Jah's message I and I will never bow. Thanks to Buju and his strength to roll through my city so I can learn some of Jamaica's culture. So I can learn Jah Message....

I just wanted to say that although I am gay and have lived the so called homosexual lifestyle all my life I think all people should be educated regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination; so I guess I am a sinner. End of debate. However it is important to clarify that there are some other specific laws according to God and the bible and I really don't know how to best follow them.

Let's begin with this:
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
Lev. 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
Lev. 20:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear prescription glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

So now what do you think of justifying everything by words that have been misintepreted, mistranslated and used to persicute anyone and everyone at one time or another?

People get a life there are more important things to debate about. This this man has his own purpose. Who cares what the song is about. Artist has to satify other people. Not just the gay society. Especially, upon my reserch the man wrote that song over a decade ago. Besides I do not care what society belives a song can not make a person act upon the action of a song. Meaning the song can not make you act on you the actor. There are children that are hurting, women being abuse, animals that are suffering. It is a free country he should be allow to sing what ever he choose. The gay society has to adjust the world just dont circle around us. There are songs that are going to made that you re not going to agree with ....how about this just do not listen to them. There are songs about shoot em up bang bang... soke that pop that.....I just do not listen to them..... You guys and girls (gay society) need to thicken your skin.....and it is about time we move on..... Besides how did we the gay society feel when people tried to STOP us from marrying the same sex/each other we did not like it. I say this if we are dwelling on a issue that happend over a decade ago we are not ever going to make it anywhere. Lets move on and let that be. Like they say to us we are sining with same sex marriage and I say "ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME". Leave him Buju Banton alone lets stop protesting. He have to make a song for everbody. Rather we like it or not. Cause again ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE US. PEACE

PEACE AND LOVE I MUST SAY I MUST BE THE ONLY INTELEGENT GAY OUT THERE,THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN WHEN HE WAS 15 AND EVEN SO,TO EACH IS OWN,LOOK AROUND LOOK AT STARVING PPL IN THIS COUNTRY PLL DYING WITH NO CAUSE NO HEALTH INSURANCE, IF U GAYS NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE HOW ABOUT U SPEN UR TIME IN A NURSING HOME OR A HOSPITAL OR FOOD BANK,SOMTHING POSITIVE,THIS IS JUST CRAZY

jahknow buju nuh worry cause ur still the boss,the fish them cant stop yuh

Because of LGBT pressure, over many years, Buju Banton rarely sings the hateful “Boom Bye Bye” song. He claims he has never sung it in the U.S.

We must keep the pressure on Buju and other dancehall reggae artistes or they will start performing their anti LGBT material again in the U.S.

We really need for Buju Banton to sign the Reggae Compassionate Act with press witnesses and video cameras running.

For more information see http://cancelbujubanton.wetpaint.com/
and http://www.petertatchell.net/popmusic/buju-bantons-violations-of-the-reggae-compassionate-act.html

what alot of you americans dont know is ppl in the islands or rastas live by different rules and morels than you all buju is loved by the jamaican ppl he helped built schools and he is doin fine in life. Why should everybody love the gays this is a free world for the most part just live your life im black look how much ppl dont like me i dont care. youll are trying to force ur lifestyle on us and dat is not right.

Very interesting post but what is even more interesting is some of the comments that are coming from the post.I think a discussion of anything Homosexual is one of the few posts that really bring out the worst in people.With such a post you usually hear some of the most inflammatory and emotionally charged comments being made.Since everyone else is givig their comments I feel as if I should weigh in and put forth a few observations and comments of my own.First up Andrew Jamil Karim states very emphatically that "if his own father were gay then he would not be here to blog with intellient people." Well Mr. Karim I would have you to know that gays do procreate and some of them make very wonderful parents. Ask me how I know and I will tell you that I have a very wonderful Dad who is homosexual. Secondly Giggs referred to most Homosexuals as being pedophiles who mess up the lives of little children. Wow how bigoted and uninformed can you be.Statistics support and show that most sexual crimes committed against children are committed by Heterosexual males, not gay males so please do your homework before you make a statement like that again.Thirdly and last is Allie who I must commend on his knowledge of Bible verse which he quotes so eloquently. However I wonder how much of the other things which are mentioned in the Bible do you apply to your own life and everyday walk with the Lord. As Matthew 7:1-5 states; " Do not judge and you will not be judged because the judgements you will get and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given.Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the plank in your own.How dare you say to your brother, let me take the splinter out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own.Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye."

I LOVE BUJU... I ATTENDED ONE OF HIS CONCERTS IN SEPT. LEAVE THIS MAN ALONE! LET THE HOMOPHOBIC REMAIN THAT WAY. I LISTEN TO BUJU AND ALL OTHER REGGAE ARTISTS WHO TALK ABOUT GAYS. SO WHAT! IT DOESN'T CHANGE MY MIND ON HOW I FEEL ABOUT GAY RIGHTS. I SUPPORT THEM AND BUJU. I DON'T BELIEVE SOMEONE WILL LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC AND GO AND COMMIT A GAY-HATE CRIME. PEOPLE LISTEN TO MORE THAN JUST WORDS OF A SONG. THERE IS BEATS BACK DROPS, BACK BEATS, BACKGROUND VOCALS, AND THE WAY A SONG CAN TAKE YOU FROM ONE FEELING TO ANOTHER. WE SHOULD ALL TRY HARDER TO GET ALONG.

i am againt gays bcuz they want want everyone to luv and except dem youll preach "live and let live" practice that, gays want to go into church and tel dem wat to preach n dat is wrong EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD WILL NEVA EXCEPT GAYS so keep on trying a man walking down the strret in a mini skirt, pumps lip stick and a wig will neva be normal how dare youll want normal ppl to except dat sumthing is wrong it with sumthing must be wrong with ur brain for you to think sumthing is wrong with da ppl who stares??? smh

Most gay hate crimes have been committed by white males not to many minorties beat up on gays. Buju keep your head up!

Dead to all gay people out there...it is written, wether u agree or not...you will go to HELL!!!!!

And Fyah, " I guess you are someone who is without sin so that makes you free to cast the first stone." Please give me a break who died and appointed you as God to condemn someone to hell. You could go to hell for making a statement like that because God calls us to not judge one another.

This is USA every one here doesnt believe in God Or Jesus Christ. Religion is a choice and not every religion works for every one. Now Homosexuality doesnt discriminate, the only choice u have when it comes to being homosexual is to act apon ur feelings but those urges are completely non controlable so keep this conversation between humans non of us are god so dont slip the bible into it. Jamaica hasnt changed one bit if theres a consideration to make homosexuality illegal, now Thats and EXtrEme! people are so misguided! <3

MCDreamy....by opening your mouth you allow others to know just how uneducated and ingnorant you are! Your commenting on another subject we discussing being gay as life style not peoples personal choice of expression. Have a nice Day!

If being gay was such a natural thing, then why is this lifestyle being forced on everyone that does not hold that belief? That is the problem. It is a not NATURAL. So stop forcing people to accept your way of living. While not everyone is a bible believing Christian (I know many gays who claim to be), the Holy Bible clears speaks against homosexuality….The Bible says be fruitful & multiply & replenish the earth…if one is gay, how will you do that?
Gays are so quick to be offended by every word & action by non-gays, but you do need to take a look inward. If you live any kind of alternate lifestyle, there is always the possibility of being ostracized.

You can not leave two men on an island, come back in say 50 years and find a population of people living on that island, Now if you chose to have relationship with someone of the same gender that is your business, Freedom of choice and with consulted agreement get on with it but mother nature knows what will last and what will survive from the human race and recopulation is the only way the human race can survive so chose how, want, and will do with your life but dont come telling me that it is right, forcing gay rights down other throats and stop mixing racsim with choice of sexual relationship, If a sitution was to happen where you have to close your mouth about being gay which will get you out of a dangerous problem, you can, A individual cannot switch of their hue for one to adapt to an situation, It is as you see him or her, So Buju sang a song nearly two decades ago about killing gays, I don't know any one whom followed what he sang and went out and started killing gay people, get of the man back because he's not going to back down and whom now doing the prosecuting, Isn't it you the gay right groups, picking on small caribbean countries to give voice to your wants, If you want to be respected go out and help real people and children that need you.

WORLD IN A TROUBLE, WHEN BUJU BANTON COME BATTYBOY GET UP AND RUN!

Oh Donna Lee read a book or 2 being gay is illegal in america!

a.davis,

don't try to support your flaming father. He is going to hell for his choice. And we will see the truth about you in due time as well. If you want to support that behavior then walk with the devil if you must. People can quote the bible all they want. The fact is living that lifestyle is wrong and for the ignorant person that said that homosexuals can reproduce i sure would like to see STEVE GET BRIAN pregnant with a big stomach. The school systems are already trying to make it more acceptable by telling the kid's it's okay they are just different bs.
BOOM BYE BYE was made for a purpose and let's not forget what took place at that time when the song was made. Let's not forget the little boys that SUFFERED AND WERE RAPED BY A (HOMOSEXUAL). Now does that make me mad? Hell yeah, But i am smart enough to know what GOD is going to judge them when that time comes.

@Garry my response to you at first is that you don't dignify trash with a response however I do feel as if your obvious ignorance needs to be addressed.Just make sure (that while you being God himself as you are by condemning people to Hell) don't end up in that same hell next to all of the Homosexuals for doing so.You prove just how ignorant you are by choosing to refer to by Father(who you know nothing about) as flaming.That's another very ignorant, bigoted, stereotype that obviously you can't see beyond.Do you also feel strongly about all the poor little girls whose lives are destroyed by sick, depraved Heterosexual perverts who prey upon them and rape them as well? If you read anything of what I said you did not see or hear anything of me attacking Buju for that song. I actually like him as an artist so before you talk about God judging people let it be known that you also have a God who you will have to stand before as well.Also dummy no one spoke of two men conceiving. Duh it don't take a rocket scientist to figure out that two men can't conceive a baby together. However when I spoke of Homosexual men being able to create life I was speaking of many Homosexual men who have fathered children with the use of a woman of course.By the way why are you so damn mad is it something maybe inside of you that are fighting against." Be careful of he who protest too loudly."

i wonder when they will stop letting presidents speak. . since they usually are the cause of a great deal of violence around the world.

BUJU I WILL ALWAYS LUV U N UR MUSIC. I LIVE IN RICHMOND,VA. N I WAS VERY UPSET WHEN BUJU SHOW WAS CANCELLED. I HAD MY TICKET A MONTH B4 DA SHOW. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SUM1 HV SO MUCH POWER 2 STOP A PERSON FROM PERFORMING 4 THE PEOPLE THAT ENJOY HIM N HIS MUSIC. I'M NOT 1 WHO JUDGES WHAT A PERSON 4 THEIR SEXUALITY BUT I FEEL IF U DON'T WANT 2 C HIM THEN U SHUD STAY HOME OR GO UR WAY N LET US DO US. LUV U MARK ANTHONY MYRIE N HOPE 2 C U N KINGSTON NEXT MONTH.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS A RIGHT TO ALL JAMAICAN AND YOU CANNOT FORCE YOUR OPINION ON ANOTHER PERSON. THE GAY COMMITTEE IS SO FULL OF HATE THAT THEY SEEK TO DESTROY THEMSELF BUT OTHER PERSONS. EVERY COUNTRY HAVE RULES AND LAWS AND JAMAICA;S LAW STATE THAT BUGGERY IS A CRIME. IF THE GAYS COMMITTE STALKING BUJU DID THEIR RESEARCH THEY WOULD REALIZE THAT 99.9% OF GAYS KILLED IN JAMAICA ARE KILLED BY OTHER GAYS THEIR LOVERS. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

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