LIFEbeat Cancels Pro-AIDS, Anti-Gay Concert

LIFEbeat, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth HIV/AIDS awareness, has cancelled its Reggae Gold Live concert amid concerns over its featured artist, Beenie Man and T.O.K. The Caribbean artists have been criticized for encouraging listeners to kill gays and lesbians. Originally, LIFEbeat refused to cancel appearances from the artists, which prompted a web-wide outcry against LIFEbeat and the homophobic concert. Black gay community activists wondered how an organization whose purpose is to promote HIV/AIDS awareness could indirectly endorse anti-gay violence.

LIFEbeat eventually bowed to pressure and canceled the Reggae Gold Live concert in this statement: LIFEbeat Cancels Reggae Gold Live Jumpoff

LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS, has collectively decided to cancel its Reggae Gold Live concert, scheduled for Tuesday, July 18 at New York’s Webster Hall. While the organization’s staff and board believe very strongly in the positive purpose and intention of this event, the possibility of violence at the concert from the firestorm incited by a select group of activists makes canceling the event the only responsible action. Dialogue is important and LIFEbeat’s staff and board respect the opinions of those who came forward to make their feelings known. We have always and will continue to support the GLBT community.

It is very unfortunate, however, that the intended good that could result from bringing this community together around this potentially ground breaking event will not be realized. The Caribbean American community needs our help in bringing attention to this unspoken and often stigmatized illness. We hope in the wake of this decision that those who came forward and spoke out will now come forward again to do something positive for the Caribbean American community and help bring attention to the devastation this disease has wreaked in that community so awareness, prevention and healing can follow.

As blogger Emanuel Xavier points out, "Unfortunately, the event organizers fail to understand the significance of the LGBT community coming together to challenge LIFEbeats decision to feature homophobic acts in New York City just a few blocks away from where fellow openly queer artist, Kevin Aviance, was brutally beaten. Hopefully, now LIFEbeat could reconsider a more appropriate way to reach the Caribbean American community about HIV/AIDS prevention and tolerance."

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