'Some performers continue to propagate, through their live performances, violent and antisocial lyrics. Red Stripe will not be party to this, and thus we have taken the very difficult decision of withdrawing sponsorship from live music events.'

MILLER... gay activists will in no way influence Jamaicans to change their views

This is a quote from what appeared to be one of those cautious, oh-so-difficult-to-write, say-it-without-saying-it kind of press releases, sent to the media on Friday by beer company Red Stripe. The bottom line is that the company has divorced its brands Red Stripe and Guinness from dancehall events, or make that entertainment events. So Mr Laing (Supreme Promotions, organisers of Sting) and Mr Gourzong (Sumfest) will have to look elsewhere for funding of these important music events. Anyway, remember when Dragon, not Guinness, was the stout of choice? All we can say is: Long Live Reggae/Dancehall - with or without corporate sponsorship.

Gay activists and the Jamaican position

Saw an interesting article on the Internet recently dated February 18, written by a Timothy Kinkaid stating that the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), a gay-welcoming denomination, has started a protest against the Jamaican government's inability - or unwillingness - to crack down on anti-gay violence. It says the Rev Nancy Wilson, MCC's leader, and a contingent of religious leaders from the MCC's Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale met with Jamaican Consulate General Richard Allicock and three top staff members in the consulate's office in downtown Miami. It quoted Wilson as saying, "We're engaged in a long-term discussion and were not going to stop until gays and lesbians are protected in Jamaica."

The article continued, "One might suppose that a call for the cessation of violence was a campaign which all Christians could support. One would be wrong. Not only were MCC's requests reviled in the Jamaican media, but Jamaica's Christian community did not take well to being told that they ought not murder gays.

The Rev Dr Merrick 'Al' Miller, pastor of the Fellowship Tabernacle in St Andrew, said that Jamaicans generally deem homosexuality wrong. He said the demands of gay activists who are attempting to force their beliefs on society will in no way influence Jamaicans to change their views."
Need we say more?

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/onhold/20080406T200000-0500_134272_OBS_LONG_LIVE_REGGAE_DANCEHALL.asp