Stadium, a local gay rights group said yesterday.

But last night, Youth, Sport and Recreation Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon said Government should not break a deal to allow reggae star Shabba Ranks to perform at the Stadium.

The Bermuda Human Rights Alliance said it was "shocked and horrified'' when the Jamaican singer recently publicly advocated killing gay men.

In a news release, the Alliance said the singer should be barred from the country. "Failing this request we urge Government to revoke the permit issued to (concert promoter) Mr. Choy Aming for the use of the National Stadium.

"The Stadium is funded by taxpayer dollars and we do not want a facility which we have helped to pay for being used towards promoting the music of a homophobic bigot,'' the group said. "His presence will...give individuals who do not understand or are uneducated about gay rights, a licence to kill.'' Sen. Gordon said she sympathises with the gay and lesbian group, but "we live in a democratic society where people have a right to choice.'' It was Mr. Aming who booked the National Stadium, not the reggae singer, and "Mr. Aming has done nothing wrong,'' she said. He has also promised that the singer "will not be controversial (and) will do nothing that will embarrass the UBP Government,'' she said.

"For me to break my contract with Mr. Aming because of a third party, I think would be very wrong.'' The concert was paid for in advance by Mr. Aming, and Government could be liable if it backed out, she said. Sen. Gordon added that she had not checked with Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and would yield to Government policy if it differed from her own position.

While the concert may go ahead, young people who attend an upcoming youth summit at the National Stadium will not receive 500 tickets to see Shabba Ranks, as earlier promised.

Sen. Gordon said her Ministry was only facilitating donation of the tickets, and they were to be paid for by local businesses. But support in the business community dried up when the controversy broke, she said.

Sen. Gordon said she first wants to speak to the affected youth, but Mr. Aming "is bringing in later in the year some other artists who we feel will appeal to the young people.'' The Government Senator said she does not believe in discrimination against homosexuals, but noted Shabba Ranks just held a sell-out concert in Miami.