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GLN IN THE PRESS

HOUSE OF BLUES FACES PROTEST FOR HOSTING SINGER WHO CALLS FOR KILLING GAYS

by: LGBTLiberation@aol.com, OIA Newswire - LINK

Dancehall musician Buju Banton, who graphically advocates killing gays in the lyrics of his songs, will be the subject of a protest at 7 PM, Wednesday, September 13 at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn Street. In his song "Boom, Bye Bye," for example, Banton urges people to shoot gay men in the head, pour acid over them, and burn them alive.

Gay activists point out that no mainstream club would book acts which call for the death of other groups of people, but that current House of Blues management has repeatedly booked "artists" who call for killing gays. Despite repeated protests, this is the fourth time in the last two years that the Chicago club has slated a performer from the "kill gays" genre.

Activists with the Gay Liberation Network (GLN) have called for a protest to begin at 7 PM, Wednesday, September 13 (doors to the club open at 7:30 PM, with Banton's performance set for 9 PM).

Recently GLN learned that the House of Blues chain of clubs is in the process of being purchased by Live Nation, a December 2005 spin off from Clear Channel, and on August 18th contacted Live Nation management with an offer to negotiate with them. Live Nation's Vice President of Communications, John Vlautin, recently responded with a letter that GLN feels is inadequate. During the course of tonight's protest, GLN will reveal the contents of Vlautin's letter and announce its reply to Live Nation.

For more information, contact the Gay Liberation Network at 773.209.1187 or 773.878.3697, or email LGBTliberation@aol.com.


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