Despite outcry from both state and campus gay advocacy groups, the Blind Pig has refused to cancel a controversial concert set to hit its stage tonight.

Buju Banton, a reggae musician known for lyrics that promote violence against gay men, has had numerous shows canceled across the country, most recently in Detroit, where he was originally scheduled to play tonight at the Majestic Theatre.

The Michigan-based gay advocacy group Triangle Foundation, which played a role in the cancellation of the Detroit show, issued a statement yesterday about Banton’s performance in Ann Arbor.

“While the Triangle Foundation is an ardent supporter of artistic expression and free speech, we do not condone speech in any form that promotes violence against LGBT people,” the statement read.

Faith Wood, general manager of the Blind Pig, said those who are opposed to Banton’s shows have “information that is very old,” and that those people “haven’t looked beyond that.”

“We love and support the gay community,” Wood said. “But to dictate and not allow somebody to perform for something they’ve said 20 years ago” is wrong.

Wood said that though some of Banton’s earlier songs reference violence against gay people, she believes that he has since denounced those lyrics and is trying to “change that image.”

Wood referenced the Reggae Compassionate Act of 2007, which Banton signed along with a number of other reggae performers.

The act reads: “We pledge that our music will continue to contribute positively to the world dialogue on peace, respect and justice for all.

“To this end, we agree to not make statements or perform songs that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community.”

Banton’s most controversial song "Boom Bye-Bye," which was recorded in 1992, references shooting "batty bwoys" — a derogatory phrase for gay men — with Uzis and, as many claim the lyrics suggest, burning their skin with acid.

“World is in trouble / anytime Buju Banton come / Batty bwoy get up an run / At gunshot me head back / Hear I tell him now crew.

“(Two man) Hitch up on an rub up on / an lay down inna bed / Hug up on another / anna feel up leg / Send fi di matic an / di Uzi instead / Shoot dem no come if we shot dem.”

Michigan Student Assembly LGBT Commission Chair Chris Armstrong said he was shocked the Blind Pig would host such a performer.

“I think that he has clearly very prejudiced lyrics and perspectives,” he said. “And I think he uses his performances to broadcast them.”

Armstrong said he was particularly upset because the Blind Pig has had such a good relationship with the LGBT community in the past, hosting a number of events for the group over the years.

“The Blind Pig has a really good record of supporting the queer community,” Spectrum Center Assistant Director Gabe Javier said. “People are definitely shocked, and they’re really disappointed.”

Javier said he first heard about the show at the Blind Pig after he received an e-mail from the Triangle Foundation informing him of its efforts to stop the show at the Majestic Theatre.

After hearing that the Blind Pig was hosting the controversial performer — who Javier said he had heard of a few times before but didn’t know much about — Javier helped spread the word about the event, asking LGBT community members and others to call the Blind Pig and ask it to cancel the show.

Wood said the Blind Pig had received a call about the event “every minute or two” since early in the afternoon yesterday. When asked to estimate the total number, Wood suggested it was somewhere around 200 to 300 calls.

“I’m thrilled that the community is that active,” she said.