Black LGBT Orgs Protesting Buju

Two black LGBT organizations have joined the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in condemning the Grammy nomination of homophobic singer Buju Banton.

The National Black Justice Coalition and Gay Men of African Descent are working on a petition drive to protest Banton's Best Reggae Album nomination for his Rasta Got Soul. The singer has a history of being antigay and is from Jamaica, a country where violent attacks on gay people are common.

In his 1988 song "Boom Boom Bye," Banton uses an antigay slur, claims that gay people must die, and says he will "shoot them in the head" or "burn them."

"We must take a stand against any type of negative expression that encourages violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Sharon Lettman, president of the NBJC. "With music being a major cultural influence, such messages that fuel hate and homophobia place our community in harm's way."

"By nominating this album, the Recording Academy is sending the message that the violence against the LGBT community especially in Jamaica, which Buju Banton has so wantonly celebrated and encouraged in his music, is not worthy of condemnation, and that protecting our lives is of little importance," said Gay Men of African Descent executive director Tokes M. Osubu.

The petition may be viewed at Change.org.