Stop Murder Music - Arguments For and Against

Arguments For and Against

Tatchell has called for laws against homophobic music and the Campaign participated in protests outside concerts. The Campaign has especially objected to lyrics which they allege to support violence, including allegedly murder, towards gay men. Dennis Carney, chair of the Black Gay Men's Advisory Group, argued in 2004 that the MOBO Awards had a responsibility to exclude anti-gay artists because, "homophobic lyrics in music normalise hatred towards black gay men." UK International Development Minister Gareth Thomas argued in a speech that, "A number of artists are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV by producing reggae and rap songs actually encouraging discrimination against those who have AIDS and encouraging violence against minority groups such as men who have sex with men...Yes, we believe in free speech, but nobody in a democracy should be able to incite violence against minorities." He cited John King and the Mighty Gabby as examples of musicians who are positive role models against violence and discrimination.

Tatchell and the Stop Murder Music campaign have been criticized by The Black Music Council, a British organisation formed in 2004 in response to the campaign by the president of Blacker Dread Records, Blacker Dread, in order, "to protect the rights of the eight artistes placed on the OutRage! hit list". Vice-chairman of the BMC, Doctah X, points out that Jamaica does not have strict anti-gay laws such as Saudi Arabia, which punishes homosexuality with beheading, and said that Jamaica is an easier target for British activists. Dread accuses Tatchell of racism and extremism, saying, “He has gone over way over the top. It’s simply racist to put Hitler and Sizzla in the same bracket and just shows how far he is prepared to go.” Doctah X says that, "Tatchell is like a new Tipper Gore," arguing that, "They both pick on black music. They both believe in censorship.".