Dancehall star Beenie Man released an apology, in a You Tube video, to the Gay/Lesbian community.
Via Jamaicaobserver
Via Jamaicaobserver
DANCEHALL kingpin Beenie Man has apologised for his gay-bashing songs in
a YouTube video, possibly bringing closure to over 10 years of
acrimony with gay rights groups.
The video was posted yesterday on rototomsunsplash.com, website of the
popular summer reggae festival. This year the Rototom Sunsplash will be
held August 16- 22 in Spain.
"Please I am begging you do not have me up for some songs I wrote a long
time ago. I love each and every one and am just begging each and
everyone to do the same," he said.
Beenie Man also expressed his respect for every human being "regardless
of which race or creed, regardless of religious belief, regardless of
which sexual preference you have including gay and lesbian."
His apology comes after years of intense pressure from the gay
community, which caused many of his shows in North America and Europe to
be cancelled.
Organisers of the Rototom Festival issued the following statement on its website:
"We have received and we are happy to publish a video message of Beenie
Man in which he wishes to clear out any doubt about his position
concerning homophobic lyrics appearing in some of his old songs. We
would like to think that his words can put an end to all the
controversies that the subject has generated."
Also posted on the site is a copy of the 2007 Reggae Compassionate Act signed by Moses Davis, the deejay's real name.Other dancehall acts including Capleton and Buju Banton, allegedly
signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, drafted by the organisers of
Rototom to appease gay rights advocates.
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