Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 23:30:23 +0100 Subject: Donna Summer challenged to renounce homophobia From: OW-jgh CALL FOR DONNA SUMMER TO RENOUNCE ALLEGED HOMOPHOBIA AND EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR GAY & HIV-POSITIVE HUMAN RIGHTS Disco diva Donna Summer is being challenged over reports that she said AIDS was God's retribution against gays for their sinful, immoral lifestyle. The remarks were allegedly made in the mid-1980s, soon after Summer became a "born-again Christian" and aligned herself with right-wing evangelical churches in the USA. The challenge to Summer comes from OutRage!, which is demanding that she "publicly disassociates herself from such bigotry and makes an explicit declaration of support for lesbian and gay human rights". Summer arrives in Britain for a series of concerts, including a London performance at Europe's biggest gay club, G.A.Y.. "We are urging G.A.Y. club promoter Jeremy Joseph to insist that Summer condemns these hateful attitudes and expresses her backing for gay equality", said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!. "If she refuses, her scheduled appearance on 6th October should be cancelled", he said. "Donna Summer denies having damned the gay community and people with HIV. She claims she was misquoted. If she really didn't say those things, why hasn't she publicly backed the campaign for lesbian and gay human rights? Why has she failed to endorse efforts to outlaw discrimination against people with AIDS? "She should clarify what her religious beliefs lead her to believe about homosexuals and those with HIV. "During her concert tour in Britain in 1989, the AIDS activist group, ACT-UP London, asked Summer to make a positive statement in support of the human rights of the HIV and gay communities. She declined to do so. This unwillingness was widely interpreted as a _de facto_ confirmation of her prejudiced opinions. ACT-UP responded by picketing her performance at the Royal Albert Hall. "Donna Summer has had ample opportunity to set the record straight. She has been asked many times to come out against homophobia and antigay discrimination. She has failed to respond to these repeated requests. "Donna does not deserve our support unless she makes a public declaration in favour of equality and against discrimination. Until she does that, we should boycott her records and performances, and gay people in the entertainment industry and media should use their influence to deny her publicity and financial gain. "Summer should be asked to make a statement backing equal rights for people with HIV and homosexuals. If she refuses, there is no way Summer should be given a platform at G.A.Y.. "Bigots who are without reason or compassion will change their hateful tune only if we hit them in the pocket where it hurts. Money talks, and the gay community should use its pink pounds to challenge homophobes and pressure them to recant", said Tatchell. http://www.OutRage.org.uk/dsummer99.htm -- You may leave this list automatically by sending a message to list-processor@diversity.org.uk, containing a line that says unsubscribe outrage-world The 'lists' command will give information about other services