RICHMOND SAYS NO TO MURDER MUSIC!
Buju Banton Show at Skateland CANCELED!


Skateland of Richmond
5512 Hull Street Rd
Richmond VA 23224
804-233-7215

http://skatelandofrichmond.com/

Call Skateland and THANK THEM FOR NOT SUPPORTING ANTI-GAY HATE!




NEW FACEBOOK GROUP!

Protect Richmond - Protect Ourselves facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133827631838





Buju Banton Show at Hat Factory CANCELED!




Latest Message from Jay Squires, President of the Gay Community Center of Richmond

UPDATE -- RICHMOND SHOW CANCELED - APPARENTLY: The attorney for the owner of the building where the Hat Factory is located states in an e-mail to me that the Buju Banton performance at the Hat Factory on September 26 is canceled. I have no news concerning whether the performance will be re-secheduled either to another date, or in a different venue. Developing...

Public safety is not a gay issue

Editor’s note: The following feature is a guest-spot written by Kevin Clay, editor of GayRVA.com, Richmond’s GLBT webmagazine. Please take the time to head over and read their previous coverage on this issue. And thanks to Kevin for sharing your perspective.

A bar fight breaks out at Toad’s Place in February. The mayor calls a meeting.

Reggae artist Buju Banton’s scheduled appearance at The National stirs up controversy. In the works, a potential protest at the concert venue with hundreds that would be bused from the Gay Pride Festival. City officials were hands off. Whether or not you agree with Banton’s lyrical expression, the recent cancellation of his shows brings to light the city’s disjointed stance on public safety. Public safety is not a gay issue.

The controversy surrounds the song “Boom Bye Bye” written when Banton was 15-years-old. In the song, Banton uses the term “batty boy” – a slur for homosexuals and describes shooting them and pouring acid over their heads.
Richmond’s gay community rallied together against the scheduled performance after a group protesting the show appeared on Facebook. Banton’s appearance at The National on September 26th would have coincided with the 25th anniversary of Gay Pride being held in Richmond.

Before the cancellation, GayRVA.com received an email from a reader who contacted city councilwoman Ellen Robertson. In his email, he expressed concern over a protest that could potentially turn violent. Robertson responded to his message saying she would call for a meeting with the Chief of Police, the mayor’s office, and the owners of the National.

In a written statement issued to Style Weekly, a representative to the councilwoman said “Robertson has been advised by the City Attorney that the City has no jurisdiction over the National Theatre.”

The National remained mum on the show until announcing the performance had moved via their Facebook page. Surprisingly, it moved to the Hat Factory, the new incarnation of the former Toad’s Place venue, before being taken off the roster last weekend.

The City backing off of the issue because of its lack of “jurisdiction” is ironic considering there was a public safety meeting following the Toad’s Place incident. In February, after a series of fights had broken out during a show, all available officers were called to the seen leading to several arrests.

With the gay community ready to rally, things may not have turned violent, but emotions were running high on both sides. Regardless of the cancellation, for the City not to take an ounce of prevention and start dialogue between leaders and business owners is irresponsible – especially having advance notice.

Buju Banton Update - Good News, Bad News

As many of you have heard, the Buju Banton performance, scheduled for the National on September 26 has been canceled. The National should be congratulated for listening to its patrons and the many metro Richmonders who expressed their opposition to this performance.

The latest information tells us however that the performance has simply been rescheduled for the Hat Factory, and that the performance will happen on September 26 - which remains the date of the Virginia Pride Festival.

The Hat Factory is located in the River District, along the canal, only about 1/2 mile from the National. It is owned by former Richmonder Ben Wingrove and others. It's a new venue just opened in the space formerly occupied by Toad's Place.

It is hard to imagine why Mr. Wingrove would choose today to make the decision to host Buju Banton after the the chorus of opposition, the extensive media coverage and our resolve to make our voices heard.

And so, our work continues. We have proved we can succeed. Now, we must succeed again.

Times-Dispatch article on the Hat Factory:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/entertainment/music/article/W-BEAT20_20090819-184604/287004/

Hat Factory Web Site:

http://www.hatfactoryva.com/

Hat Factory on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmond-VA/Hat-Factory/241016810075

Hat Factory Phone Number:

804-788-4281

CANCEL BUJU BANTON "RASTA GOT HATE" TOUR 2009

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP!

Protect Richmond - Protect Ourselves facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133827631838





Lion Heart Promotions Presents BUJU BANTON

Contact Us The National
708 East Broad,Richmond,VA 23219

Box Office Numbers:
804-612-1900

http://www.thenationalva.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thenationalva


Buju Banton Show @ the National CANCELED!

The National Moves Controversial Buju Banton Show

City Council Member Responding to Buju BantonShow

Facebook comments are still flowing about Buju. A reader sent us his e-mail to Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson with her response. She copied the Chief of Police and the Mayor’s office to setup a meeting regarding the National’s show.

Good morning Ms. Robertson;

I am writing to you today for the same reason that I am sure you have received many other emails, to express my discomfort and anger towards the upcoming Buju Banton concert at The National, in downtown Richmond. As a tax payer, Richmond business supporter, gay man, and someone who cares for this city – my stomach is in knots that this type of show is being help in my city.

I do believe that all people have the right of freedom of speech. I also believe that those who do not agree with homosexuality have the right to share the discussion. What I do not believe in, is paying someone and endorsing an act (which by having him perform at the National and doing any types of advertising they are endorsing him) that goes beyond freedom of speech to the call of violence and death against members of the human race, is not acceptable and bad business.

What I also fear is that if this concert does happen that the protest that occurs (and there will be a protest of this show) will turn violent. Richmond does not need that type of media attention, nor does the National, which has always allowed diverse acts perform. I also fear for the National after the show. This concert has struck a chord in the greater Richmond area – moving far beyond just the gay community. There has already been damage done to the reputation of the National – people have already decided to boycott the theater. It only makes me sad to think of the boycott/ reaction that occurs if the theater does not cancel this show.

Thank you for your time. I hope that you are able to speak with the people at the National to let them know that this concert is unacceptable and that it has outraged the people of our city.

The following was Robertson’s response

I cannot afford to set and allow this group to come to town. I will be asking the Chief of Police to meet with me and the owners of the National to address the urgency of this matter. By way of this email, John will follow up with the Mayor and Chief to coordinate a meeting.

An Open Letter to the Owners and Management of the National

My name is Jay Squires, and I am President of the Gay Community Center of Richmond. I am one of the people who created the Facebook group, “Cancel Buju Banton 'Faggots Must Die' Shows in Virginia.”

GCCR is the largest agency serving Virginia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. Our community is understandably concerned that Buju Banton is scheduled to play at the National September 26. Our concern is demonstrated by the 1300 people who have joined that Facebook group in four days.

We congratulate the National for your work creating a first-class performance space in Richmond. Many of us have enjoyed shows there since your opening. It is disappointing to be at odds with the National.

Still, the Buju Banton show must be cancelled.

Banton’s performance on any day would be cause for action, but to have him perform live in Richmond on the same day as the 25th Anniversary Virginia Pride Festival is worse. We cannot abide it. And, should the show go on that day, our community – the thousands that attend the Festival, and others - will take constructive action.

Please write me so that we can discuss the concerns of our community. I hope that when we talk we can develop a plan to move forward from this unfortunate incident.

jsquires@gayrichmond.com

RICHMOND LGBT COMMUNITY LEADERS CALL ON THE NATIONAL TO CANCEL PERFORMANCE BY HOMOPHOBIC SINGER BUJU BANTON

Leaders of Richmond’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community today called on the owners of Richmond’s National theater to cancel the scheduled September 26 performance by reggae singer Buju Banton. Banton is infamous for a career spanning twenty years in which his lyrics call for deadly violence against gay men, and his performances have sparked protests in cities across America. The date of this performance coincides with Richmond’s 25th Anniversary Pride Festival which will bring thousands to the Gay Community Center of Richmond to celebrate our community and to demand equality and fair treatment. More than 1,600 online activists have joined the call for the cancellation of this performance through the Facebook group “Cancel Buju Banton ‘Faggots Must Die’ Shows in Virginia.”

Banton’s song Boom Bye Bye proposes pouring acid on gays and shooting them in the head. Other lyrics state “Anytime Buju Banton come, faggots get up and run … they have to die.” Banton has not renounced his homophobic lyrics, nor his explicit calls to violence against gay men. He has performed these songs in various venues recently. He says proudly, “There is no end to the war between me and the faggots.”

Communities across the country have demanded the cancellation of Banton’s performances and in major markets like Los Angeles, promoters complied. Cities like Richmond remain on Banton’s tour schedule, and the Richmond LGBT community demands that Banton’s local promoters show Central Virginia’s residents the same consideration shown by promoters in larger markets.

Those joining this call to action include:

• Jay Squires, President of the Gay Community Center of Richmond
• The Rev. Robin Gorsline, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond
• Jo Ellen Gaines, Coordinator for the Richmond Chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
• John Leppo, Chair of the Richmond Chapter of the Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
• Scott Sibley, Director of AIDSWalk Richmond.

These leaders of established Richmond-based organizations call on the National to follow the lead of other venues and cancel the September 26 Buju Banton performance.

“Buju Banton is perfectly plain when he sings about gay men. His lyrics tell us he promotes outrageous violence, including murder, for “faggots” as he call us. Richmond is a welcoming city. Its people believe in equality and fairness. There is no place in our city for this sort of homophobia.” said Squires.

Squires continued. “The National is a wonderful community resource for Richmond that only recently reopened. So early in its new life, this outstanding venue should not be tarnished by a hate-filled performance unworthy of its stage. Richmonders will look to the National to do the right thing.”

It was noted that the 25th Anniversary Pride Festival offers a unique opportunity to organize direct action to address a failure to cancel the performance, should such action be necessary. Since Thursday September 3, more than 1,600 Facebook members have joined the group “Cancel Buju Banton 'Faggots Must Die' Shows in Virginia” which collects details about Banton’s career and the local response. LGBT Richmonders, our allies and supporters have become energized by this issue.

Squires said, “Today it’s possible to spread the word about homophobia and hate quickly within our community and to easily call our community and our supporters to action. We are prepared to use all our resources to make certain that people know that Buju Banton is scheduled to perform, and to make certain people know how to constructively express their opposition to his bigotry and calls to violence.” News concerning our community’s efforts to have this performance cancelled, and about any direct actions planned, will be published in the Facebook group.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124418319671

Efforts have been made to discuss the situation with the owners of the National, without success. Currently, efforts are being made to engage Richmond’s civic and political leaders, who we are proud to say are supportive of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and who have worked constructively with us in the past.
_______________________________

About the Gay Community Center of Richmond
The Gay Community Center of Richmond is Virginia’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. In a 47,000 square foot facility in Richmond’s Northside, GCCR provides innovative original programming and services and direct support to more than twenty agencies and groups that make life better for Central Virginia’s LGBT people. On the web at www.GayRichmond.com.

About the Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond
Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Richmond is part of the global UFMCC movement, an inclusive fellowship of Christian congregations with an affirming ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons and their families, friends, and allies. MCC Richmond has been serving Central Virginia for 31 years, living out loud for God and Christ in the LGBT community and sharing in the struggle for justice everywhere. On the web at www.MCCRichmond.org
About Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

About Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
We, the parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. PFLAG welcomes the participation and support of all who share in, and hope to realize this vision. On the web at www.PFLAGofRichmond.org
About the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network

About the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. On the web at www.glsen.org/richmond.
About AIDSWalk Richmond

About AIDSWalk Richmond
AidsWalk Richmond was founded with the goal of bringing HIV/AIDS education and awareness to all citizens of Metro Richmond. With a 23% increase in new infection rates, primarily in the African American and Hispanic populations, AWR believes full inclusion of every ethnicity and lifestyle is the key to overcoming this growth. Together we will overcome, one step at a time. On the web at www.aidswalkrichmond.org