UK-Gay.com Ben Townley, Tuesday 17 August, 2004

The singers at the centre of a campaign to rid homophobic lyrics from music are set to face added pressure today, with both UK police and sports clothing giant Puma threatening them to tone down their songs.

Puma, which manufactures shoes and sports clothing, as well as sponsoring the Jamaican Olympic team, became aware of the campaign after organising concerts that features artists such as Buju Banton.

The latest of these concerts took place in Athens to mark the start of the Games, to the condemnation of European gay rights groups.

After hearing complaints, Puma has now issued a statement saying it warned Banton not to play any songs that could be deemed offensive. It added that if such a commitment was broken at any time in the future, Banton could see the end of his support from the Puma brand, and be barred from Puma sponsored concerts.

"Puma's policy does not tolerate hate statements of any sort, including homophobic hatred or views that endorse homophobic violence," Puma International Marketing Director Paul Gautier said in a statement released prior to the Athens show.

"Buju Banton will be told that if he chooses to break this policy he will not be allowed to perform at the Athens show and will no longer be supported by the Puma brand."

"Additionally, if Buju Banton defies this agreement and performs a song using anti-gay lyrics - either at the Athens concert or at any future concert anywhere in the world - Puma will not associate with him in the future. This also holds true for all performers with which Puma works."

The new policy was celebrated by gay rights groups across Europe today, particularly in Germany where the company is based.

"We are delighted with Puma's commitment to challenge homophobia in reggae music and in Jamaican society. We hope other companies, such as the record labels, will follow Puma's positive example and refuse to tolerate music that threatens lesbians and gay men," Philipp Braun, of the Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany (LSVD) said today.

Meanwhile, in the UK today reports suggest that senior police chiefs and lawyers, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service met yesterday to discuss the possibility of legal action against Jamaican dancehall star Beenie Man.

Beenie Man has been the focus of recent protests, which have led to cancellations of his concerts and a dossier being presented to the Metropolitan Police by activist group Outrage.

It is thought that the authorities were discussing whether there is enough grounds to arrest Beenie Man for inciting homophobic violence.

"It's a difficult investigation. I have no wish to stop someone's freedom of speech. But by the same token, I would not want offences to be missed," the officer leading the inquiry, Chief Superintendent Clive Driscoll, said.

"We will be looking at whether there are grounds for prosecution and if the answer is yes, then who will be liable to prosecution. That's where the complications will come in."