CMU reports that rap group
Odd Future have been cut from the New Zealand dates of the Big Day Out festival after complaints were received relating to the groups homophobic lyrical content.
Local Auckland activist Calum Bennachie pressured the Auckland City Council, owners of the festival venue, to remove the juvenile provocateurs from the festival line-up. When questioned
by CMU Bennachie stated that "lyrics such as those played by Odd Future increase the societal discourse against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, a discourse that encourages
bullying and violence.
"By allowing Odd Future to play at Big Day Out, 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".
Odd Future will still play at the Australian leg of the touring festival. Odd Future member Domo Genesis responded to the ban <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/DamierGenesis/status/
132484865902907393" target="out">by tweeting "how many people can say they are banned from new zealand? haha."
