BUJU BANTON MEETS WITH GAYS

In what may be a groundbreaking and possibly historical event, Buju Banton met with representatives from the LGBT community on Monday afternoon.

Buju has been a frequent target of gay rights protesters for his 1992 song "Boom Bye Bye," which activists say glorifies murder and violence directed at gays.

Before the dialogue, Buju Banton's show at the Rock It Room scheduled for Monday (October 12) appeared in jeopardy of cancellation due to protest.

Yet after the face-to-face exchange, the LGBT activists not only agreed to let the show continue as planned, but expressed optimism about the possibility of further dialogue and action, toward a human rights agenda inclusive of both LBGT concerns and the reggae community.

The LGBT activists voiced their concerns over homophobic lyrics and anti-gay violence in Jamaica directly to Buju Banton, and suggested various things he could do to promote human rights, such as a town hall meeting in Jamaica.