Odd Future have been pulled from the New Zealand leg of Big Day Out after a prominent gay rights lobbyist protested against their “misogynistic, homophobic and hateful” lyrics.
Wellington man Calum Bennachie emailed a whole #swag of important individuals, accusing the Big Day Out of once again letting hate-speakers through the ranks after reggae-rapper Beenie Man was yanked off the lineup for similar reasons in previous years. One of those was CEO of Regional Facilities Auckland, John Brockies, who pretty much rules over the venue BDO operates out of. He wrote to lone organiser Ken West personally, and the lineup has since been changed. Here’s an except of Bennachie’s original letter, which you can read in full here:
People like Beenie Man and groups like Odd Future that promote hatred and discrimination against groups encourage violence against those groups. If it is acceptable to say something similar to “Gays are a cancer on society that deserves to be eliminated?”, then what group would be next?
Therefore, by allowing Odd Future to play at BDO, you are proving that you have little concern for the lives and welfare of LGBT people, that you are willing to endanger their lives, and seek to encourage stigmatisation against them. I find this disappointing in an organisation that could do so much to enhance the self esteem of youth, reduce stigma, and discourage violence. Over the last year we have heard of a number of LGBT youth who have committed suicide due to bullying tactics that are endorsed by music that belittles LGBT people, such as that played by Odd Future. Lyrics such as those played by Odd Future increase the societal discourse against LGBT people, a discourse that encourages bullying and violence.
The group not only have a lesbian female DJ, but head honcho Tyler, The Creator has vigorously denied that he has homophobic, likening himself to reformed badass Eminem and maintaining that he uses the word ‘fag’ for dramatic effect. “I just think `faggot’ hits and hurts people,” he explained. “It hits. And `gay’ just means you’re stupid. I don’t know, we don’t think about it, we’re just kids. We don’t think about that shit. But I don’t hate gay people. I don’t want anyone to think I’m homophobic.”
Odd Future will remain on the Aussie BDO lineup. Sydney-siders may remember how much we love the ‘fag-bashing’, foul-mouthed posse; their three shows for Steve #Swaglovic’s Vivid Live sold out in about two minutes in June.
Tyler’s latest single is called ‘Bitches Suck Dick.’
via NZ Herald
