Email Blast — October 9, 2009
Dear Friend,
Marriage Equality Silicon Valley is pleased to announce that the October 13 performance of Jamaican artist Buju Banton at the VooDoo Lounge has been canceled by the club's owners, Tony Beers and Dave Powell. Banton's lyrics are virulently homophobic, and include references to shooting gay men in the head and pouring acid on them.
From ON Magazine: "This issue transcends the economy and money," [VooDoo spokesman Tom] Saggau said. "It's about doing the right thing. There wasn't even a discussion. Once the owners heard the lyrics to the songs, they said get him out, they didn't talk about money or anything, they just said cancel it." (The full article can be read at http://www.onbayarea.com/node/862.)
Many thanks to the many individuals and groups in the San José area who raised an outcry over Banton's scheduled performance.
Unfortunately, Banton is still scheduled to perform in the Bay Area: On October 10 at the Shattuck Down Low in downtown Berkeley, and on October 12 at the Rockit Room on Clement Street in San Francisco. This latter performance coincides with the 11th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. We urge everyone to email, call, protest, rally, and do whatever it takes to stop these performances. We have shown, here in San José, what can be done when a community comes together to speak out against hate; San Francisco and Berkeley should be able to do the same.
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On Sunday, October 11, phone banking for Maine will continue, this time at the Steve and Layne's home, 761 Richmond Avenue (near Bascom and I-280), San José. Hours are from 1:00 to 5:00; please arrive promptly so we can be on the phones as soon as possible. Bring your own cell phone and charger; training will be provided. Steve and Layne will provide some snacks; feel free to bring your own as well.
If you plan on attending, please RSVP on the Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147850416862, or email Greg Belaus at greg@belaus.com.
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Also on October 11, several other noteworthy events are taking place. For your convenience, we have provided web links for each event:
National March on Washington (Washington, DC)
http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?p=1771
And then on Monday, October 12:
The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (San José)
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_13475858?source=most_emailed
(benefits the Billy DeFrank Center)
Matthew Shepard Candlelight Vigil (San Francisco)
http://www.examiner.com/x-19548-SF-Gay-Nightlife-Examiner~y2009m10d6-Candlelight-Vigil-to-Celebrate-the-Life-of-Matthew-Shepard-and-to-ERASE-HATE
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So get out and participate in some events before the rain hits California. And be sure to raise your voice — and rally your friends and neighbors — against Buju Banton's scheduled performances in Berkeley and San Francisco.
Marriage Equality Silicon Valley
http://marriageequalitysiliconvalley.org