SOLO-International Press Release: Voltaire vs. the Pink Swastika

November 16, 2009

Gay fascists have won a victory over homophobic fascists. The loser is freedom of speech and conscience, says SOLO Principal Lindsay Perigo.

In response to gay fascists, Big Day Out organisers in Auckland, New Zealand, have pulled Jamaican performer Beenie Man out of next year's event.

Apparently, Beenie Man's lyrics at one point included, "I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays."

Gaynz.com content editor Jay Bennie had called on Beenie Man to be axed from the line-up to send a message that homophobia was not acceptable in New Zealand.

"I'd never heard of Beenie Man till now," says Perigo, who himself is gay. "I know, quite apart from such revolting lyrics—which are probably inaudible—I'd loathe his brand of headbanging anti-music. But in the spirit of Voltaire I'd defend to the death his right to perform it to consenting adults.

"The Big Day Out website says while Beenie Man has renounced those sentiments, signed the Reggae Compassionate Act [!!] and promised to stick to 'peaceful and humanistic values' at Big Day Out, 'the depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups has convinced us that for us to proceed with his Big Day Out appearances was, and would continue to be, divisive amongst our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many.'

"One wonders what would happen were the homophobic misogynist Eminem the 'artist' in question," Perigo muses.

"BDO, of course, have the right to extend and revoke invitations as they see fit. But it's a shame they've succumbed to pressure from a group of toxic totalitarians who form a significant contingent of New Zealand's Politically Correct Thought Police, who won't be satisfied till they've criminalized 'offensive' and 'inappropriate' speech.

"Bennie and Beenie are flip sides of the same coin. Both would benefit from a course of sensitivity-training in the spirit and practice of, 'I disagree with what you say, but defend to the death your right to say it,'" Perigo concludes.

ENDS

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