Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Gay-rights group in Guyana wants plug pulled on TOK performance at Digicel concert

Thursday, February 15, 2007

by: Gordon French
Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent
Email: gordon@caribbeannetnews.com

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: A gay-rights group in Guyana has called on regional cellular phone provider Digicel, seeking to have the lyrics of Jamaican reggae group TOK toned down for a celebration concert this week.

Jamaican reggae group, TOK

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) wants Digicel to ensure that the homophobia of the Jamaican group is not part of the Digicel Experience concert in Guyana.

The Jamaican group arrived in Georgetown earlier this week and will perform at the concert to advertise Digicel’s branding in Guyana. Hip hop star Akon will also perform at the concert.

SASOD notes that TOK is a part of a group of Jamaican dancehall singers, who have explicitly called for the killing of gays and lesbians.

SASOD called on Government to ensure that entertainment events are free from homophobia and any calls to violence against any section of Guyanese society, including the homosexual population.

“The participation of TOK in any marketing or promotion event undermines the efforts of those Guyanese who are trying to build a socially cohesive society in which violence is not used to resolve conflicts or express any differences,” SASOD stated.

However, Digicel officials stated that the concert will provide wholesome family entertainment.

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