Gay Rights Activists In Fury Over Homophobic Lyrics

Gay rights campaigners are demanding reggae artists Beenie Man and Elephant MAN be withdrawn from Britain's MUSIC OF BLACK ORIGIN (MOBO) awards, claiming their lyrics incite violence against homosexuals.

Angry activist PETER TATCHELL of the group Outrage! has labelled the stars "reggae bigots", and has filed a complaint to the police.

But MOBO organisers have hit back at the accusations, insisting the stars' music doesn't contain any homophobic messages, and chiefs are refusing to remove them from the list of nominees.

Beenie Man, Elephant Man and BOUNTY KILLER - all of whom are in the running for gongs at the 25 September (03) bash at London's ROYAL ALBERT HALL - have been named as the leading culprits by the gay rights campaigners.

And it seems the British capital's Metropolitan Police are taking the complaint seriously.

A spokeswoman says, "The Met has received a complaint today alleging songs of a number of reggae artists nominated for a 2003 MOBO Award incite homophobic assault and murder due to the lyrics.

"Officers from the Met's diversity directorate are currently studying the details of this allegation."

Tatchell adds, "It is the moral equivalent of the Brit Awards nominating a racist entertainer who incites the killing of black people.

"The MOBO organisers should withdraw these nominations immediately, and apologise to the gay community for their collusion with these entertainers' homophobic abuse and threats."

R+B superstar Beyonce Knowles, British group Big Brovaz and solo newcomer Terri Walker lead the pack of nominations at the star-studded event.