Gay Activists Target Homophobic Raggas

Civil liberties campaigner Peter Tatchell of gay rights organisation Outrage, this week launched a campaign urging authorities to prosecute Jamaican reggae singers for promoting hate crimes against gays. The group's actions were prompted over anti-gay lyrics from leading reggae artists including Beenie Man and Elephant Man.

"In a democratic society, people have a right to criticise homosexuality, this does not include advocating the murder of lesbians and gay men," Mr Tatchell told the Guardian.

"If a gay singer like George Michael urged the killing of black men he would be prosecuted immediately. These artists, in contrast, are allowed to urge the shooting and burning of queers."

Record companies who distribute the offending music are also being targeted in Outrage's campaign.
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