It seems like gay people have convinced themselves that dancehall lyrics are the reason why people hate their sexually unorthodox activities. The reality is that a great many totally straight and heterosexual people find same sex relationships abhorrent and even offensive.

And, they do not like to see such things in their faces. These people are au fait (cool) with the idea of freedom of speech and expression but have a problem when other individuals or groups exercise of that freedom, tramples on their own.

When it comes to some dancehall artists they are expressing their feelings towards this in the manner with the same passion and in the same manner in which dancehall music expresses itself: rough, gruff and raggamuffin style!

Some artists are particularly articulate and anti-homosexual without using sentiments that can be misinterpretted as being liable to incite others to kill gay people. Others, simply do not care what they say as to them the message is the most important and not how it is conveyed or who it upsets.

Banning dancehall artist Sizzla from entering the UK to peform on the basis that his lyrics would incite others to kill gay people, is utter rubbish. For nearly 20 years modern dancehall music has been happily co-existing with gay culture, even embraced by it, without one single death as a result. Yet, the shortsighted propagandists gay media and their supporters, have suddenly concluded that the reason for all their troubles is dancehall music! Yeah right…

Firing Line

Of course the dancehall artists who write and perform lyrics liable to put themselves in the firing line of legal precedents are entirely to blame for their own demise or failure to secure the right permit to perform in terrorities where their music is played heavily. Or even to railroad their careers. It is obvious that if one feels strongly against homosexuality, or any other matter for that fact, the form of protest and how (or delivery) also has to be a factor that should be taken into consideration.

Just going into a studio and delivering the message “Fire Bu’n Batty Man” or “Batty Man Fi Get Boom” on record clearly isn’t working! Another, better constructed approach is needed. And, a well constructed argument against homosexuality is not that difficult to structure and there are legitimate grounds where one might want to voice their opinion against it. These include the following:-

• Homosexual groups are most prone to AIDS/HIV so their activity can be said to be a potential death sentence.
• Homosexual couples cannot naturally give birth to their own children.
• In many places around the world, particularly in Muslim and highly religious areas, homosexuality is illegal.
• According to the teachings of Rastafari, Muslim and biblical communities, homosexuality is strictly forbidden. The Bible use the term “it is an abomination…”

It is important in all of this to highlight the fact that gay people, however odius or divine you may think their sexual activity, have as much right to practice their sexuality as any other.

So, which route the argument will now take is up for speculation. Will danechall artists bend over backwards, to coin a phrase, and compromise by refocussing their message for impact but without the elements that can put them in the dog house? Will some of them apologise in person like some gay groups say they want? How will this affect new anti-gay songs? Your guess is still as good as mine.

One thing is certtain: the gay groups seem determined to make their point. And in places like England they now seem to have the law on their side. So, unless anti-gay dancehall artists are smart they will be shut out of that territory and deprive their genuine fans access to seeing them live. Unless they handle their business smartly that is.

Watch this space.