Facing a string of canceled concerts and protests by angry gay activists, Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton met with several gay leaders during a tour stop Monday in San Francisco.

``We didn't expect any concrete promises,'' California AIDS and gay-rights advocate Michael Petrelis says. ``We thought all we were going to get was a meeting, which was a good start. [We got] a promise to keep some dialogue going.''

San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty set up the 40-minute meeting with Banton, whose 1988 song Boom Bye Bye advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire.

``You don't make progress unless you talk to people,'' said Dufty, who is running for mayor.

Dufty says Banton felt pressured to meet the group because three-fourths of his U.S. stops on this tour have been called off.

``The reason why he met, it comes down to five letters: M-O-N-E-Y,'' says Petrelis, a nationally known blogger. ``You have to make peace with your adversaries.''

Hours after Monday's meeting in San Francisco, about 15 gay activists protested outside a Banton concert.

``That is just what we need. Dialogue and public pressure,'' Petrelis said.

Banton is set to play Miami's city-owned James L. Knight Center on Oct. 31.

``We're reaching out to the Buju Banton people,'' says gay activist Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. ``We haven't called for a direct protest yet. We're hopeful the venue will cancel or we'll get to a place where we can celebrate progress.''

-- STEVE ROTHAUS

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