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JFLAG peeved - Says there is no link between Buju's arrest and clashes with gays
Published: Wednesday | December 16, 2009
Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) is taking the local print media to task for its reporting on the arrest of dancehall star Buju Banton.
JFLAG has taken aim at The Sunday Gleaner and the Sunday Observer for what it says was an unfair link between the arrest of Buju on cocaine charges in the United States and his continuing clashes with international gay rights groups.
"We find it unfortunate that an article about a brilliant
artiste being charged with such a crime could so disingenuously be turned into one about him being victimised by the so-called gay community," said Jason McFarlane, programmes manager at JFLAG.
"We believe that (by) framing the story against the backdrop of gay organisations' protests against him provides the clear basis for insinuating that Banton's most unfortunate experience could in some way be linked to the international gay community.
"Such a link is not only false, it is irresponsible," added McFarlane.
He said JFLAG supports Buju's right to be defended and accepts that the recording star is innocent of the charge until proven guilty.
According to McFarlane, Buju has promoted hate of homosexuals and has called for people who are homosexuals to be murdered.
"He has never rejected or regretted any of these abuses of his privileged position. He did all of this on his own. He is now facing the consequences of actions totally unrelated to gays and lesbians," McFarlane said.
GLAAD public campaign
Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, was arrested in Tampa, Florida, last Thursday by Federal law enforcement officials, who allege that he was involved in the illegal drugs trade.
The arrest came at a time when the international homosexual group, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), had launched a public campaign seeking signatures for a petition protesting against Buju's recently announced Grammy nomination.
GLAAD was also instrumental in a campaign to disrupt Buju's North America tour to promote his latest album, Rasta Got Soul.
Since the arrest of the dreadlocked entertainer, social networks on the Internet have been flooded with persons alleging that he was "set up" by the homosexual lobby.
Published: Wednesday | December 16, 2009
Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG) is taking the local print media to task for its reporting on the arrest of dancehall star Buju Banton.
JFLAG has taken aim at The Sunday Gleaner and the Sunday Observer for what it says was an unfair link between the arrest of Buju on cocaine charges in the United States and his continuing clashes with international gay rights groups.
"We find it unfortunate that an article about a brilliant
artiste being charged with such a crime could so disingenuously be turned into one about him being victimised by the so-called gay community," said Jason McFarlane, programmes manager at JFLAG."We believe that (by) framing the story against the backdrop of gay organisations' protests against him provides the clear basis for insinuating that Banton's most unfortunate experience could in some way be linked to the international gay community.
"Such a link is not only false, it is irresponsible," added McFarlane.
He said JFLAG supports Buju's right to be defended and accepts that the recording star is innocent of the charge until proven guilty.
According to McFarlane, Buju has promoted hate of homosexuals and has called for people who are homosexuals to be murdered.
"He has never rejected or regretted any of these abuses of his privileged position. He did all of this on his own. He is now facing the consequences of actions totally unrelated to gays and lesbians," McFarlane said.
GLAAD public campaign
Buju, whose correct name is Mark Myrie, was arrested in Tampa, Florida, last Thursday by Federal law enforcement officials, who allege that he was involved in the illegal drugs trade.
The arrest came at a time when the international homosexual group, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), had launched a public campaign seeking signatures for a petition protesting against Buju's recently announced Grammy nomination.
GLAAD was also instrumental in a campaign to disrupt Buju's North America tour to promote his latest album, Rasta Got Soul.
Since the arrest of the dreadlocked entertainer, social networks on the Internet have been flooded with persons alleging that he was "set up" by the homosexual lobby.
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