Canadian activists from the Montreal chapter of HELEM, a multi-national Lebanese LGBT rights group, have been immensely successful in their boycott against Lebanese pop star Mohamad Eskandar. HELEM Montreal petitioned three Canadian venues to cancel Eskandar’s concerts over the homophobic and misogynistic content of his song, “Ded El Enf.”
According to The Montreal Gazette, lyrics include:
“Without jealousy and real masculinity, women are in trouble. Ever since the military service stopped, half of men became plagued by the disease of femininity.
“If my dad and yours weren’t straight (alternative translation: “macho”), we would not have existed and humans would have become extinct.
“Don’t be tender with your boy and don’t treat him like a flower. When he makes a mistake, violence (alternative translation: “firmness”) is a must. Let him become strong, violent and macho, otherwise he will only be a 50-per-cent man.”
In an August 28th statement, HELEM Montreal further explained the song’s meaning:
“Ded El Enf”…translates to ‘”Against Violence,” a slogan commonly used by the LGBT community [in Lebanon to advocate] against discrimination. The title was purposely used to ridicule the LGBT cause and advocacy efforts… [The song] also encourages the physical abuse of boys displaying any femininity. The video clip is extremely repulsive and depicts every possible gay stereotype. It portrays men having sex in washrooms, and boys wearing high heels and playing with dolls.
The video for “Ded El Enf” can be seen below:
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HELEM Montreal was successful in getting venues in Ottawa, Windsor and Montreal to cancel Eskandar’s shows — scheduled for the end of August and beginning of September — but, as the group revealed on its Facebook page yesterday, their victory took on even greater significance:
After succeeding in cancelling all of his three concerts in Canada, Helem Montreal just received a final confirmation that the Canada Border Services Agency has banned the singer Mhamad Eskandar indefinitely from entering Canada. Sexism, homophobia and violence have no place in Canada!
Homosexuality is illegal in Lebanon where just last month a police raid of a gay porn theater resulted in humiliating and invasive anal examinations to determine the sexuality of the 36 men who were apprehended. The practice was subsequently banned by Lebanon’s Order of Physicians.
Gigi Gee
Go Canada! I love my country!!
Mr. Enemabag Jones
That’s pretty tough talk coming from a guy who prances, and sings onstage. Not a very masculine occupation.
yaoming
Wow, that video is bad. The singer is a pig, but the “gay” guy is hot.
Shanestud
There you go Canada with your socialism and pro gay agenda. Maybe he can go to the USA where his First Amendment rights would be supported and cherished by FRC. (just kidding)
Avenger
I hope the US **never** becomes like Canada when it comes to shit like this. If anyone has a problem with this guys “homophobia,” then they could simply not listen to or see him.
Neo
@Shanestud: You’ll be saying that the right to bear arms [and the lunatic fringe that support it] isn’t responsible for the massive amount of gun violence in the US next.
You’ll also be saying that extraordinary rendition and keeping tens of thousands of people in jails all over the world without charge and torturing them is against “human dignity”.
You canucks and your social and fiscal responsibility, you make me sick. We in the UK suckle at the US and their every teet, you should too, maybe then you could have a spineless government.
Ruhlmann
@Avenger: Freedom of speech in America has become as fanatically fucked up as the “right to bear arms” and “freedom of religion” has. You haven’t actually had freedom of speech in America since 9/11, don’t kid yourself about that. We believe in freedom of speech until you say that the Jews had it coming or homos should be put in camps and that kind of filth you hold in such high esteem. That’s why we kicked out the Westboro trash and now this talentless dick. A sense of fair play, respect and decency is something we pride ourselves in. I as well hope Canada never becomes like the US.
@Neo: Clinton had Lewinsky and got a blowjob, Bush had Blair and got Britain. How awful for you.
Aidan8
Good, I hope this idiot’s career tanks.
Nixter
@Avenger: oh fuck you, Avenger, seriously.
CM79
@Ruhlmann: People should be allowed to say whatever the hell they want. THAT is freedom of speech. No one has to agree. No one has to be subjected to it if they want to be, they choose not to listen or participate. They can also disagree and challenge what’s being said. Freedom of speech protects the speech you hate, not the speech you love. I don’t envy Canada at all. Your country is a naive, idealistic dictatorship. You all like to sweep dirt under the rug to make it seem like everyone respects each other. Please. In other words, you guys are phony as hell.
Freddie27
The Lebanese gay guy is seriously hot.
Cam
“”
HELEM Montreal was successful in getting venues in Ottawa, Windsor and Montreal to cancel Eskandar’s shows””
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I’m sure the rent boys in Ottawa, Windsor, and Montreal are upset that such a good customer won’t be there this year.
Little-Kiwi
one more reason Canada is truly ahead of the game
catch up, world.