Bloomington-area gay activists are outraged that the Bluebird nightclub has scheduled a performance by the controversial Jamaican dancehall star, Buju Banton, this Thursday. The Jamaican singer has long advocated violence against gays. His song, Boom Bye Bye, contains lyrics which promote the murder of gays, urging people to shoot gay men in the head, pour acid over them and burn them alive. Banton has also been linked to brutal hate crimes committed against several Jamaican gay men two years ago.
Gay activists are urging people to contact the Bluebird's manager, Dave Couliak, at 812/336-3984, or e-mail the Bluebird by clicking here to express your disapproval of Banton's performance. The city of Bloomington is home to a large gay population, and the city has sought to lure gay travellers to the city based on its image. It is unimaginable that the Bluebird's management would not have known of Banton's controversial homophobic views before it scheduled his appearance. The only right thing the Bluebird can do is to cancel his performance immediately.
a year or two ago the Vogue in Broadripple was going to have one of those homophobes (Beannie Man?) perform. Folk hollered mightily and the guy never made it here ...
ReplyDeleteI know the Vogue owners. They told mer they recieved over 200 phone calls...a record...and that did it.
ReplyDeleteSo, phone the Bluebird!
Given Jocelyn Tandy's homophobia, she'll probably use the phone number to make reservations for the performance...
ReplyDeleteThe same people that owned The Vogue used to own The Bluebird. Do they still?
ReplyDeleteNot sure Lori. If anyone gets any feedback from the Bluebird, please post it here. I haven't received any response to my e-mail yet.
ReplyDeleteI just looked it up and as of 2003 they were still the same owner. We need to use that as well. Tell them that we will boycott both The Bluebird and The Vogue if he performs. Oh and Gary, I talked to one of the bartenders when I called and he said "I think he has changed. He was like that in the early nineties but I don't think he is like that anymore." What an idiot.
ReplyDeleteNo the owners are not the same. Steve Ross still owns the Vogue as he has since the 80's (at one time in partnership w. Dennis Burris when they owned the Patio, Vogue, Bluebird and Jake's/Mars/Axis in Bton together). Dave Kubiak bought the Bluebird a couple years ago after being the long time manager there.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Bloomington & tourism folks ougtht to be outraged about this after all their gay travel outreach. Then again, Bton has always claimed to be all progressive & tolerant, yet they have seem to have more hate crimes than anywhere-- some say it's just better identified/reported, others say deep rooted town/gown tension and growing international student population and gay outreach drives it.
Steve Ross would've listened to complaints.
ReplyDeleteI don't know the new owner of the BB. But it's been a kick-ass venune for years. One of the best bars I was ever thrown out of.
Not one more centilla from me, on my trips to Bton.