R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe has publicly criticised YouTube bosses of poor judgement after they banned a video for featuring same-sex intimacy.
The video in question was a promo for a new album by Perfume Genius, which saw the band's singer Mike Hadreas
embrace a gay porn star.
Stipe, who is openly-gay, is said to be appalled by the decision.
But YouTube chiefs insist the video violates the
website's adult image policy, adding the footage "promoted mature sexual
themes".
Despite their assertions, Stipe took to his online blog to fuel the debate.
In a post on his blog, he wrote: "I've been listening to the new
Perfume Genius record. It is a beautiful and amazing record and a
stunning 2nd album and achievement. But in trying to advertise the
record and first video, this short clip has been banned by YouTube.
"For YouTube to deem this advertisement as 'non family safe' is
dumbheaded discrimination; I find their actions in doing so disgraceful
and cowardly. YouTube, shame on you. You were born of the 21st Century,
now act like it."
Photo by Kris Kruger. From Wikipedia.