A framework agreement to avoid the future release of songs that incite violence against lesbians and gay men has been reached with reggae industry chiefs.

The agreement applies worldwide, including Jamaica.

Following four months of constructive negotiations, which culminated in this agreement, the Stop Murder Music coalition (SMM) has suspended its campaign.

The campaign will remain suspended, unless the agreement is violated by lyrics or public statements that encourage violence against the gay community.

The negotiations involved leading SMM groups, such as the UK-based gay rights organisations OutRage! and the Black Gay Men's Advisory Group. They acted in liaison with the Jamaican gay rights movement, J-Flag.

The SMM groups concluded the deal with a consortium of U.K. and U.S. reggae concert promoters and record labels. The promoters include major players like Jammins and Apollo Entertainment. The labels are VP Records, Greensleeves and Jetstar Records. These labels account for nearly all reggae music released worldwide.

Dennis Carney, chair of the Black Gay Men's Advisory Group, and a spokesperson for the SMM campaign, praised the efforts of everyone who participated in the negotiations: "This is the first step in an important process," said Carney.

Peter Tatchell, also of the SMM campaign and one of the people who helped negotiate the agreement, said: “We hope this is the beginning of a new era in reggae music, where the artists rekindle the spirit of one love, peace, unity, brotherhood and social justice promoted by reggae pioneers like the legendary Bob Marley.”

Media and PR strategist, Glen Yearwood, who mediated the resolution on behalf of the reggae industry, is confident that all parties can now build on this framework to ensure a new and positive future for reggae music.

Both sides have agreed to create formal procedures for conflict resolution. This includes a series of on-going meetings to evaluate progress.

Responding to the framework agreement with the reggae promoters and labels, Brett Lock of OutRage!, which is a part of the Stop Murder Music campaign, said:
"We welcome this framework agreement and are suspending the Stop Murder Music campaign. The singers and the music industry now have an opportunity to draw a line under the promotion of lyrics that incite violence against lesbians and gay men.

“This is a win-win result for everyone involved. Singers are able to do their concerts. Fans get to see their music idols. Gay people are spared lyrics that advocate homophobic murder.

"Providing the artists do not in future encourage violent attacks on gay people, the campaign will remain suspended.

"We hope the performers will respect our show of good faith and will choose to make music with a positive message, rather than promoting prejudice," said Mr Lock.