We'll be keeping you as up to date on this as we can, so you might get a flurry of emails from us now and then; if this annoys you, please just bear with us -- it's not for long.

The fabulous Melissa Bernstein, who first brought Sizzla's appearance at The Catalyst to our attention, wrote Catalyst booking agent Gary Tighe a package of informational material on Sizzla and a letter asking for cancellation at The Catalyst for Gary on Monday. She has since made a flyer and is posting it around town.

Nataline Steinberg, a GLBT Alliance steering committee member, spoke with Gary today; his position, at this point, is that The Catalyst has a contract with Sizzla and is legally obligated to proceed with the show. He's also talking free speech rights, which we contend is not at issue here, since we're not saying that Sizzla can't say what he wants to say, but that The Catalyst does not have an obligation to provide a stage for him. We can hope that The Catalyst can understand that it has a responsibility to not bring performers who advocate violence against anyone; we'll send a list of the reggae performers who are known to advocate violence against gay men and lesbians and queer folk in general so that Gary Tighe can know about them in advance.

We have also spoken with Marina Garza, lead singer for Orquesta d'Soul; the band does not have a gig scheduled for September 11, and Marina is willing to talk with Gary about appearing here in lieu of Sizzla; Natalie gave Gary that information.

At this point, we're asking that everyone call The Catalyst at 423-1338 and booking agent Gary Tighe at 464-1212 and tell them that we will be at The Catalyst on the evening of September 11th; if Sizzla is performing inside, we will be demonstrating outside; if a replacement band is playing, we'll be paying to attend the show.

Please let us know that you've called and what response you've gotten; you can email us at info@homosexualagenda.org or call us at 831-515-4101.

We'll keep you posted.

Oh, right, because religious right wing christians are as homophobic and violent spewing as Sizzla, whose real name should be dumbass.

Speaking of dumbasses, the reason why sodom and gomorrah were considered evil is because they were rich cities where greed was the norm and hospitality (helping strangers) was punished.

Too bad christians and jahfreaks don't know the bible, they might actually gain wisdom from it.

Please don't ban this show like you banned Caplton's. Sizzla is one of my favorite artists and his last show was very peacful, no gays were injured as a result of his performance- so why not let him play again?

First of all I want to give thanks for Santa Cruz and our ability to dialogue...and thanks to Tom for having the guts to put in this article...I have had several opportunities to "reason" with members of the Rasta community about Sizzla...consistently they have said they are Rasta and they are not about killing...they also said they like me as a person but I know how they feel about me being a lesbian...and, for me, that has been an amazing experience...

I can't help but relate Sizzla to my family's experience in the Holocaust...people sung about killing the Jews and other people were mad at the people who stood up saying it was not OK because it was good music...and I'm sure they were great musicians as well...I know for me it is easier to get angry and blame, since I am socialized to do that...but I am committed to looking at how we do what we do as a community and on a personal level...

One thing that immediately comes up for me about the show is that it is a sixteen and over show...last year the students in several high schools stood up to address the homophobia in the schools...remember Scotts Valley about six months ago?

In February 2004 many DanceHall promoters, including Sizzla's record label, agreed to a
code of conduct for the performer which includes not promoting violence but Sizzla just last month continued his habitually violent
homophobia on stage in Jamaica...so people say
he didn't say anything here so we shouldn't worry about it...but I'm not having that experience...I do feel concerned...and I hear you...and that is what is going on for me...

Sizzla's managers have said that the performer won't say anything homophobic in Santa Cruz, so we can all go to his show and enjoy it... but what does he represent? and what are we financing? The Sentinel, in fact, quoted
Sizzla as saying that nothing is off limits on this tour and his most recent album has homophobic lyrics...so...

Jamaican culture is homophobic and dance hall reggae performers are simply reflecting that homophobia; to expect them to do otherwise is cultural imperialism. Ameican culture is homophobic too..look at the issue of Queer marriage...Homophobia is increasing in Jamaica and dance hall reggae is fueling that increase...that is why they made that treaty in February...the leaders in the community owned what was going on...no longer able to deny the effects of homophobic lyrics in their community...

I understand you like his music and what he is sayin is:
"Sodomite and batty bwai mi seh a death fi dem
Mi no trust babylon fi a second yah so
Mi a go shot batty bwai dem widdi weapon ya"
translated to:
Sodomite and queers, I say death to them
I don’t trust Babylon for a second
I go and shoot queers with a weapon

Santa Cruz is probably safer than many other places because a lot of people from diverse communities work very hard. That includes educating and creating dialogue...believe me I have my crap with my inherent priviledege of being a white appearing woman...my classism...my internalized homophobia...but this community gives me an opportunity to look at my stuff and address it...change myself change the world...

I also know as an out Dyke that Santa Cruz isn't as safe as some heterosexual identified folks think it is; two weeks ago a young man who was sent to the hospital with a concussion and two broken bones in his face after being gay bashed...so...

This is intense stuff to own as a community and as Merrie Schaller said in her response to The Catalyst this is a safer place place for queers and it is because people of all genders and sexualities in Santa Cruz are not into violence and hatred...and...that is why I don't want him to come to our town...and that is why I want people to call The Catalyst at 423-1338 or the booking agent Gary Tighe by calling 464-1212, or Eddy Dees, Gary's Assistant,by calling 425-7799 (464-7272 fax)eddy (at) catalystclub.com

I hope this addresses some questions people have about why I am choosing to stand up...

Thanks for the dialogue...respect...and thanks Tom, Merrie, and Natalie...

Whats wrong about it? seems like you got some repressed homosexual tendencies just like sizzla
maybe you need to let it out and free yourself maybe you need a good man to show you how. how could someone who dosent apolligize for hatefull views not mean it literaly. by the way the bible is the most hatefull book written.

Burning Fire upon someone or something is not advocating the literal burning of them. It is used as a metaphor for spiritual cleaning of wickedness.

I'm being censored. Ha! What was wrong with what I said, aside from you not agreeing with it? Whoever is at the controls here...you are a hypocrite. To:"Open Your Mind", how come everyone who doesn't agree with homosexuality is somehow gay? I'm so glad my life isn't written and governed by sex:) Censor me! Jah knows!!!!

Metaphors in your own group can be great, but if they sound at all like a threat here, they will be hidden.

.

If you don't know what I mean, loose the make up and switch the words "killer queen" to "queen killer". Wouldn't that be a little more honest? Let it be known that I defend everyone's right to live and choose for themselves. Just standing up for the obvious truth!

First I want to establish myself as someone who has a)engaged in sexual intercourse with numerous boy-people of the same gender as me and b)experienced firsthand vicious discrimination and harassment against my person directly resulting from my sexual preferences, which adversely affected my social and financial stability as well as my mental health.
Okay, now that I've establish my "fagalicious" credentials (not that it ought to matter in terms of the validity of my argument... ), I want to say that I feel some real trepidation about the tactics of the GBLT Alliance. My concern for Queer Rights and my civil libetarianism are colliding head-on around this issue, and I feel more than a bit uneasy.
IF WE RESORT TO DE FACTO CENSORSHIP OF (ADMITTEDLY) OFFENSE ARTISTIC SPEECH THAN WE SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT COULD BE USED AGAINST US IN THE FUTURE.
What I specifically object to is the attempt at banning the performance. I feel that this could be a tactical blunder, and an act of hypocrisy that could give homophobes further reason be angry at us. What worries me is that concern for people's safety will be used to establish a regime of political correctness wherein ostensibly "progressive" group will police free speech that they view as "homophobic" or "sexist" or "racist" etc. I'm afraid that even if such a precedent is set initially with good intentions in mind, that over time a power structure will evolve wherein unscrupulous, power-hungry people within our community will use anti-discriminatory rhetoric to institute repression and censorship.
Also I am concerned that this effort to ban Sizzla from playing is being put forth under the banner of the "Santa Cruz queer community at large" as if we were a homogeneous mass who all agree 100% with the tactics of activist groups.

I am not "pro-homophobia" but neither do I support the de-humanizing demonization of our political adversaries. To me "homophobia" means 'fear of homoeroticism' which I believe usually begins with fear one's own homoerotic and homosocial tendencies. Instead of framing the issue as if "Sizzla is an EVIL man and must be stop, First Amendment be damned" why not put forward the arguably more nuanced critique that "Sizzla is obsessed with gay men because he's secretly attracted to them, and he projects his self-loathing for his own homoerotic urges - that he's been taught to stiffle - onto the source of his inner tension, namely other gay men"

I think we should picket the Catalyst on the night of the show, I think we should blanket downtown with pamphlets about gay bashing and gay rights, I think that all the fags/queens/dykes/leatherfolk/queers in town should turn out and be LOUD, VOCAL, VISIBLE, FABULOUS, and (goddess forbid) SEXY AND FUN about making a public statement that we are not about to tolerate being PICKED ON, FUCKED WITH, DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, or ASSAULTED by ANYBODY. The point is that we should be encouraging a DISCOURSE based on a DIVERSITY OF OPINION, not "our way or the highway" - if we come across as more repressive and fanatic than Sizzla than we run the risk of alienating potential allies.
Yes, I think we should do all that and more, BUT, I don't think that we should stoop to the level of, oh, say, JESSE HELMS, by calling for the de facto censorship of speech we find dangerous to moral standards and offense. I use the phrase "de facto" because just as GBLTA argues that "free speech rights ... [is] not at issue here, since we're not saying that Sizzla can't say what he wants to say, but that The Catalyst does not have an obligation to provide a stage for him.", Jesse Helms technically wasn't saying that Robert Mapplethrope has no right to take sadomaschistic homoerotic photographs or that Andres Serrano has no right to submerge a crucifix in human urine, but that the government (by way of the National Endowment for the Arts) is not obliged to fund the display of (ie "provide a stage for") said artworks. Many gay rights groups at the time argued that this was not that case, that the selective scapegoating of controversial artists and targeting for grant withdrawal was actually a politicized suppression of the artist's ability to effectively communicate their message to a relevant audience. I would argue that the same dynamic is at work here, regardless of the fact that "our side" is the one doing it.

I sincerely hope that SC queers, especially organizers associated with the GBLT Alliance will take my critiques seriously without resort to the kind of name-calling and simplistic "your-either-with-us-or-your-against-us" talk that goes on sometimes around emotionally charged issues such as this one.

This guy isn't merely someone who sings about not liking queer folks. He has come out and said that he kills them. To be more specific, he actually sings about torturing them in different ways. Considering that there was a queer youth who was brutally killed around SC a couple of years ago and that queers are still being hurt all around the world, I do not take this guy's actions lightly. GLBT people face real threats to their well-being every day. Remember, the legal litmus test for free speech in public forums generally means that it is "free" so long as it isn't inciting violence. This guy is obviously calling for violence against homosexuals. I say shame on anyone who tries to make excuses for his vile actions.

So here is another queer who just read about this and would have to agree that this tactic is a bad move and makes queers into an oppressive, not liberating force. safe space in a community isn't created by shutting out someone's views. thats just avoiding. hateful and violence-inciting speech is everywhere in our music and entertainment industry today. the way to counter it isn't through censorship but providing an alternative voice, and hopefully spark a conversation that will change a lot more minds than any local club's ban on an artist would.

Wow. There's surprisingly little dialogue about this going on. That is both shocking and disturbing.

Sizzla: Gay Bashing Dancehall Reggae Artist Plays Cleveland
cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2005/08/17003.php

Hey Chanwook - perhaps the lack of dialogue has to do with the countless posts flagged as holding "false information".

Why does it say that there are 29 posts but only 15 display?

the comment counter does not function as it should.

comments are hidden when they violate editorial policy. unfortunately, the counter currently includes comments that have been hidden.

a range of debate is welcome.

duplicate comments, trolling, and way off topic comments are hidden.

santacruz.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/policy/index.php

i am going to have to agree with "you dont represent us at all" on this one. calling for the catalyst to break a contract with an artist will just show bullying and set a precedent for censorship that we do not want to set. But i believe calling the catalyst and telling them that there is a picket planned and that the venue will be boycotted in some way is a good way of expressing views.

unfortunately the catalyst probably has had no clue about Sizzlas stance on the issue when they booked him, they just want a popular dance hall artist to perform, now its too late. but chances are they will loose money on the night if enough work is done. and it wont be because they cancelled...

one more thing though. what sizzla does does not amount to free speech. there is nothing about intimidation and inciting violence that is about anything free. sure he is expressing his views. but what he is doing is using a public platform that should be democratic to intimidate, discriminate and spread his message of homophobia. there aint nothing free about it.

Sizzla is awesome. He is a very talented reggae artist. All people seem to know about him is that he "hates gays". Now, don't get me wrong, I have many gay friends and fully support them. Sizzla hate sites just spread propaganda about him being "Homophobic". They quote ONE song. What about all the rest of his songs, about Peace, Love, and Unity. He is an artist, they are supposed to be contorversial. That's what they do.

If someone deciedes to hate gay people based on one persons lyrics of one or two songs, then those people are morons. If you hate it, don't listen to it.

I will be there to support him.

Why can't some people express themselves just as others do?

Sizzla is an amazing artist. His message is about the upliftment of mankind and the proliferation of life. The homsexual lifestyle does not promote life, nor bring forth life. Sizzla's message is that these acts need to be purified. Fire is the method of purification, so "bun babylon and all sodomite and battyman".
Fire is used in many aspects of life, so fire is a powerful method of purification. When we cook we use fire, when we drive it is fire to power the engine. Fire makes many aspects of our life much easier. He is speaking metaphorically. One also needs to look at Caribbean culture to understand why artists such as Sizzla speak out against homesexuality. In history many slaves and their descendants were sodomized by the masters, it is something that degraded the people and was used to abuse the males. It is also an act that degrades the Black family on top of the other psychological trauma inflicted upon people of color throughout time such as the separation of the family unit for profit.
So, yes there is much purification that needs to be done. Sizzla lyrics encompass the entire story of the African experience in the diaspora. Which includes the upliftment of the African woman to the status of Queen, and the healing of post-slavery trauma which is suffered widely, The way to begin that mental healing proces is through purification.
Sizzla is not killing homosexuals, he is calling for purification of the mentality that allows some to live life in that way. So, he is always burning a fire to keep that process of cleansing at the forefront.
I WILL BE AT THE SHOW WITH MY LIGHTER CALLING FOR PURIFICATION OF THE FOULPLAY THAT CONSTANTLY KEEPS THE WORLD IN TURMOIL
Instead of picketing and hating on Sizzla, take up a donation for Hurricane Katrina victims.
PEACE AND LOVE FOR EVERYONE!

Someone writes:

"One also needs to look at Caribbean culture to understand why artists such as Sizzla speak out against homesexuality. In history many slaves and their descendants were sodomized by the masters, it is something that degraded the people and was used to abuse the males. It is also an act that degrades the Black family on top of the other psychological trauma inflicted upon people of color throughout time such as the separation of the family unit for profit."

Hey, how about the many, many women who were RAPED by their slavemasters? I don't see of movement of Jamaican women asking to punish all men who engage in heterosexual sex? How are consenting adults who happen to be homosexual possibly to blame for brutality against slaves in Jamaica? Your reason for defending Sizzla's hate is almost as lame as his hating on homosexuals!

If I was going to draw any lessons from slavery, I think one would be that all people deserve to be treated EQUAL. If you are a rastahead, I'm sure you've been discriminated against in some way. How would you feel if famous people started calling for YOU to be killed just because you've got dreads? Or smoke weed? Or do something else? Since you wouldn't like that, how can you possibly defend anyone who wants to oppress other people who are not oppressing YOU or anyone else?

"One love, one heart, let's [ALL] get together and feel alright." - Bob Marley

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Im just thankful we dont have nearly the amount of censorship as you do down south. Sizzla is one of my favorite musical artists and I would be furious if a show was booked and then canceled because of censorship. The only thing banning a show is going to do is make more people even more hateful towards the gay community. You have to understand its not always about physical violence. Rastas, Carribeans, or Black People in general are usually very spiritual people and things that go against someones spiritual beliefs can be way more hurtful then physical violence. I have no problems with gays at all right now. but if I had a child in this world right now I would rather him watch someone being murdered on The Soprano's then watch two men kissing on queer as folk. I guess my point is, just as offended as gays may be by Sizzlas music lyrics, Sizzla along with those who share his beliefs are just as offended if not more by the gay community and the public promoting of the gay lifestyle in todays world. You may not agree with there beliefs that it is wrong to be gay, but the fact is people have these strong beliefs and have to watch the world little by little turn against what they believe is right.

First of all, I would just like to thank The Catalyst for not submitting to the GLBT's attempts at "bullying" them out of hosting a really incredible show. The Santa Cruz community is lucky to have such a wonderful, intimate venue to enjoy the kind of music we love.

For all those who wasted so much time trying to censor the artist who performed on September 11th: I understand your position, but you truly did waste your time (as I am, right now).

People are always going to express themselves, no matter how much you try to fight it. If Sizzla had been cancelled, he would be performing the next night somewhere else. If Sizzla weren't performing at the Catalyst on September 11th, it would have been someone else...perhaps someone else with attitudes opposing homosexuality.

GLBT Alliance, you didn't like what Sizzla had to say and that is your perogative ... So don't buy a ticket to his show! Don't buy his cd's, don't wear his t-shirts, don't TRY to decipher his obscure lyrics, and don't even bother to download a single song! Save your money, save your time, and most importantly, save your dignity.

He thinks you're wrong for being gay, you think he's wrong for singing against it. You're both wrong. Be the bigger person in this situation and don't waste another Sunday evening fighting an uphill battle.

By not informing yourselves of the truth of his lyrics and the peace promoted by his music, you are the ones who appeared unaccepting and wrong. At the protest in front of the Catalyst on Septemeber 11th, you were remniscent of sheep, flocking towards an opportunity to change minds. WHY? Accept the fact that PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT with different views, beliefs, religions, backgrounds, and cultures. Your's isn't the only opinion that counts. Get it?

Sizzla has no problem with Santa Cruz, else he wouldn't have come here and put on such an amazing show for his fans. His fans have no problem with gay people, else they'd probably would find a more appropriate and fitting city to reside in (perhaps one with a more minimal gay contingency).

I understand the struggles and fears encountered by gays. People often judge based soley on the fact that you're gay, right? THEIR LOSS! I believe that someone has intentions to hurt you though, as sad as it is, they would regardless of Sizzla's humble opinion. He isn't, afterall, Adolph Hitler. He's a rastafari. He's an artist. He is controversial. And he loves that! If you don't like it, don't buy into it.

Those of you who worried that Sizzla incites hatred toward gays need to look into themselves and wonder what it is you are ignorant to.

Sizzla is the #1 chart-topping performance artist in Jamaica right now. How can you argue with that? Are the masses of Jamaica in the wrong here for listening to and supporting such a man as Sizzla, or is it maybe, somehow, possibly...YOU?

Food for thought...

Thanks for the insightfull thoughts cookie. Sizzla is one of the most positive uplifting musical artists alive. He inspires me to do good work and be a better person. i will not continue to support the GAY community for dividing community instead of uniting with another repressed voice. The gay community is so far off point on this one it's silly. In my mind you water down your own cause and bring into question what your really trying to accomplish. Refocus time wasters.

True Dat

You call for killing people?

As you reap, so shall you sow.

In your ignorance, you fear the way that some people love each other. Frightened, you call out to others and urge hatred, violence, murder.

You do not spread love. Instead, you spread fear and hatred. This cannot be a good thing.

Look at the gay people and their friends. They are not calling for hatred and violence against Rastas. They do not suggest that Rastas should be shot in the head. But the gay people and their friends see that Rastas are calling for violence upon them.

Many people -- some gay, some not -- suspect that men like Sizzla who spend so much time thinking about gay men... who spend so much time talking about gay men... that they are probably gay themselves. But they end up hating the people who have what they themselves want, but cannot have.

You say that you promote love and unity, but that is not true. You spread hatred among the people. You cause division among the people. Those things make it that much easier for the oppressors to control us.

Now is the time to wake from your slumber.

Honestly, I am amazed at all the hype following "Sizzla" I searched the web tonight for entertainment and stumbled across this great cotroversy about "Roots Music" Sizzla is here for our entertainment not to fallow or chart our life pathes upon. To each his or her own. This has been going on since roots music started. Now in our super fluff, POLITALlY CORRECT society, for once this meaningless babble (to most)is actually listened to. Even "Mr peace, love, prosparity, Bob Marley was a "homophobe", for example ,when he first met Mic Jager he did not want to associate with nor be around him. The reason for it is that he wore tight clothes, makeup and did not look very masculine. At the same time he is the top roots artist twenty some years after his death and will continue to be, and I would be supprised if 99% of folks reading this, could not sing along with at least one of his songs (Legend album of course)yet you do not protst Bob. So blah, blah, blah, slap a parental advisery sticker on it, or lobby to have only editted version hit the shores of AMERICA. The bottom line is if we want to hear Sizzla we can, so stop fighting hate with hate, it makes no one person better than the other." While you point your finger someone else is judging you"

>He thinks you're wrong for being gay,
>you think he's wrong for singing against it.


No, you are totally missing the point.
The issue isn't that he doesn't like gay people.

The issue is that Sizzla openly boasts and calls for the MURDER of gay people.

So cut the crap about his lyrics being 'positive' and 'uplifting'. His lyrics promote hatred. His lyrics (and other statements) encourage violence and murder.

santacruz.indymedia.org/mod/comments/display/20943/index.php

1. burnin/fire is not meant literal
2. why dont blaim the society instead of the products of society?
3. Did the concert go thru after all?

to burn is is a metaphor used torid of all nastyness.police gays etc

if u dont wana hear it dont listen to it.its not affecting no one. Not even a fool would listen to lyrics and carry out the acts of what they have just heard. Rock artist openly sing about taking crack. I every middle middle/upper class teenager started taking crack the artist would not be to blame.I sense a hint of racism.

Hey, how about the many, many women who were RAPED by their slavemasters? I don't see of movement of Jamaican women asking to punish all men who engage in heterosexual sex? How are consenting adults who happen to be homosexual possibly to blame for brutality against slaves in Jamaica? Your reason for defending Sizzla's hate is almost as lame as his hating on homosexuals

Are you dum. if there was sometheing against man to woman we wouldnt be here. two men cant breed. those comment are invalid.

Shinel wrote:
>burnin/fire is not meant literal

Perhaps some people use "burn" or "fire" figuratively, not literally, but when Sizzla uses these terms, it sounds like he actually wants to kill people.

For instance, how do you interpret these lines?


"Shot battybwoy, my big gun boom"

"Sodomite and batty bwai mi seh a death fi dem"

"Mi a go shot batty bwai dem widdi weapon ya"

"Boom boom! Batty boy them fi dead"


Those don't sound like calls for peaceful, loving behavior. Those sound like someone is bragging about murdering people and is urging others to do the same.

-

I am afraid that you've miss translated his words. How can you translate jamaica language; for example "shot a kill dem" you've translated as "shoot and kill them". You have changed the past tense to the present tense, added two words "and and them" which he clearly read "a and dem". I am sorry, but you are stepping into an arena that you know little about including a very important yet subtle element of Jamaican Music: language. God bless. Let freedom of speech, freedom of religion reign through the expression of music if nowhere else.

who gave you these ludicrous translations. Chi chi is not an obvious bisexual man. ok. y'all have to get up and out more.

Ah eidiat ting dem batty bwoy ah deal wid. We have the freedom to speak our minds. If it was a white man saying this there would not be any controversy.

I dont agree with killing anyone including animals, but sizzla has a right to his point of view if thats the case why dont you guys go after the KKK who has been killing black people for centries. Low di man