Beenie Man defends anti-gay lyrics by blaming Israel
Controversial rapper Beenie Man has denied he is homophobic by turning to anti-Zionism.
Beenie Man is regularly criticised by gay campaigners for the use of the anti-gay lyrics in his songs, he has previously blamed it on Jamaican culture, but has now accused Israel of being even worse on gay rights.
He explains in an interview reported by the World Entertainment News Network, that being gay in Jamaica is different to the UK, “I like to entertain, not hurt people. In Jamaica being gay isn’t the same as in the UK.”
The artist, who has previously been banned from award ceremonies and had concerts cancelled over his stance, attempted to justify lyrics such as, “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays.”
He said: “Batty man does not mean gay. A batty man is a man that like to have sex through the rear; he isn’t gay. He could have a wife and kids, but just does that… it’s also a word for the man that likes to indulge in kid prostitution, which is frowned upon, so of course we will speak out.
Mr Man goes on to accuse Israel of being one of the world’s most homophobic countries, “Gay attacks happen everywhere, why blame it on Jamaican music? In Jerusalem if a person is gay, they can be taken to the middle of the road and cut up. But they say we are the most homophobic country in the world.”
A shocked Israeli Embassy spokesman told PinkNews.co.uk: “It is absolute rubbish.”
He cited the recent WorldPride event in Jerusalem and upcoming gay pride march as examples of Israel’s more tolerant attitude to gay rights.
