Reject homophobia of dancehall artiste Dr Evil
SASOD Press Statement, published in Guyanese newspaper: Stabroek News
August 11, 2007
Unfortunately, the Guyanese newspaper Stabroek News seems to erase articles and letters after a while. I made a backup of the information that originally appeared on their website.
Original link for this Press Release: LINK
ORIGINAL LETTER
"I bought dis A.K to spray on all gays. including outrage whose fightin all are dj's, gun shots for all u fagits, i really hate u magits."
These are some of the infamous words of Jamaican dancehall singer, Dr Evil, who is tipped to perform at the much publicised Jamzone Beach Pageant. "Dr Evil" is one of the most notorious Jamaican dancehall singers whose lyrics call for the killing and maiming of gay and lesbian people, in no uncertain terms. The Guyana National AIDS Committee, in a December 2005 press release condemning the murder of gay Jamaican AIDS activist Steve Harvey, called for the Caribbean Community to reject the violence perpetuated by the likes of Dr Evil. The Caribbean has suffered from serious problems with growing violence in recent years. This development is mirrored in the growth of dancehall music that promotes extreme violence - known as 'murder music.' Dancehall 'murder music' singers like Dr Evil have been at the forefront of the homophobic campaign in Jamaica which has led to the murder and maiming of men and women presumed as being gay. Homophobic violence and discrimination is a flagrant violation of human rights, including the rights to privacy, non-discrimination and protection from violence of HIV/AIDS. SASOD calls on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; the private sector sponsors and the promoters of the Jamzone 2007 event to reject the homophobia of Dr Evil and to distance themselves from calls to murder any section of the Guy-anese society. SASOD further calls on the Government and the Guyanese public to reject calls to kill homosexuals since violence in any form is detrimental to our society. In the words of Tanya Stephens "That's the reason why the world is in pain, We say we want peace fi reign, but a bullets again,".