Gays Call on Straw to Ban Homophobic Eminem

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has called on Jack Straw to exercise his right to ban the controversial rap singer Eminem from entering Britain. In a plea to the Home Secretary, the Association says that Eminem’s lyrics are dangerous because they incite hatred against homosexuals in a way that would be illegal if it were directed against racial minorities.

Terry Sanderson, speaking for GALHA, said: “If this man were singing songs calling for black people to be shot or stabbed in the head there would be an outcry, and it would be illegal, but there is no law to prevent him defaming homosexuals in any way he wants.

“Less than two years ago the homophobically-motivated Soho bomb resulted in the deaths of innocent people and the dreadful injury of many more. Eminem’s lyrics are not a joke – they are deadly serious. This man must not be allowed into this country to be rewarded for such hate-mongering. He must not be permitted to make his fortune from inciting violence against defenceless people.”

GALHA was also critical of Sir Elton John, who joined Eminem in a duet in Los Angeles earlier this week. The Association’s Secretary, George Broadhead, said: “We are very disappointed in Elton John. We feel that by associating with Eminem – and therefore giving his songs a credence and respectability that they do not deserve – Sir Elton has made a very bad misjudgement. Last year we were happy to congratulate Sir Elton on his spirited rebuke to Cardinal Winning, who was agitating against the repeal of Section 28. Now we very much regret that he has allowed himself to be associated with such a dangerously violent anti-gay performer and hope he will not let down the gay community by doing so again.”

The full text of the GALHA letter follows.

22 February 2001

Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Home Secretary
The Home Office
50 Queen Anne’s Gate
London SW1

Dear Mr Straw,

We are alarmed at the news that rap singer Eminem will arrive in this country next week to receive an award for his violently homophobic songs. This man is making a large fortune from promoting hatred against homosexuals, and we feel he should not be admitted into this country to do this.

After the Admiral Duncan bomb, in 1999, Tony Blair made a noble speech in which he said: “In Britain there is no place for bigotry, no home for the politics of hatred.” We were reassured by these words, but now we find that a welcome mat is to be put out for this man who makes his living by inciting others to murder gay people.

And in case there should be any doubt about the extremity of the homophobia in Eminem’s lyrics, let me quote from one of his songs:

You faggots keep eggin me on
til I have you at knifepoint, then you beg me to stop?
SHUT UP! Give me your hands and feet
I said SHUT UP when I’m talkin to you
YOU HEAR ME? ANSWER ME! ...
“Slim Anus”, you damn right, Slim Anus
I don’t get fucked in mine like you two little flaming faggots! ...
My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge
That’ll stab you in the head
whether you’re a fag or lez
Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest
Pants or dress – hate fags? The answer’s “yes”
Homophobic? Nah, you’re just heterophobic
Starin at my jeans, watchin my genitals bulgin (Ooh!)
That’s my motherfuckin balls, you’d better let go of em
They belong in my scrotum, you’ll never get hold of em
Hey, it’s me, Versace
Whoops, somebody shot me! ...

If Eminem were to write and sing such words about “niggers” or “pakis” he would be open to prosecution, and quite rightly. But homosexuals have no such protection under the law.

However, you could demonstrate the Government’s commitment to fair treatment for homosexuals – in the short term – by exercising your power to keep this man out of the country. We are requesting that you place a banning order on Eminem to stop him being rewarded for this dangerous anti-gay agitation. In the longer term we ask you introduce legislation to outlaw incitement to homophobic violence.

We look forward to hearing from you in early course. If you wish to speak to anyone about this matter, please contact Terry Sanderson, the member of our Committee dealing with this, on 020 8998 1519.

Yours faithfully,

George Broadhead
Secretary