Buju Banton Promoter Loses $100,000

Outrage over lyrics by reggae performer Buju Banton and a concentrated campaign by Equality Florida have cost the promoter of a Miami concert featuring Banton and Beenie Man $100,000, according to Equality Florida.

Both Banton and Beenie Man have been condemned for performing songs that advocate the torture and murder of gay men and lesbians. Equality Florida reports that groups convinced venues in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Tallahassee to cancel performances. Managers of the Miami Knight Center, however, cited First Amendment concerns for their decision to go ahead as scheduled with the Banton and Beenie Man show. Ticket sales were much lower than expected, though, and the show's promoter told Equality Florida that he had personally lost $100,000 as a result of the controversy.

Read the full story at the Equality Florida Blog.