New study: Atlanta homeless LGBT youth numbers are Growing

I saw this in the GA Voice and cringed. I can't believe this info. Who would've thought?

So, let's jump to it. A Georgia State study revealed that over 950 of the 3,374 homeless youth in the metro Atlanta are LGBT.

GA Voice reports:

That’s a 27 percent increase over a previously reported estimate of 750 LGBT homeless youth in the area.

The new findings come from Georgia State University’s 2015 Atlanta Youth Count and Needs Assessment (AYCNA), which took place from May through July of last year and involved 50 Georgia State and Emory University students scouring the metro Atlanta area to count homeless youth between the ages of 14 and 25.

“Certainly the fact that well over one-in-four homeless youth identify as LGBT, the 6.5 percent that identify as transgender, all of those sadly reinforce what we have known anecdotally for a really long time—that homelessness among young LGBT people is something we really need to focus on,” said Georgia Equality executive director Jeff Graham, who was in attendance at the Tuesday press conference.

And...

Other troubling numbers from the study concerned Atlanta’s homeless transgender youth.

Transgender and gender nonconforming homeless youth reported higher rates of sexual activity, with 37.8 percent reporting sexual activity with six or more partners in the past year versus an overall average of 22.6 percent who reported the same.

Over half of the transgender and gender nonconforming homeless youth reported being the victim of sexual abuse and nearly all—93.1 percent—reported that they had been paid for sex.

There were, however, some surprising numbers on HIV testing and infection. 88.5 percent of the total respondents reported being tested for HIV at least once ever, with four out of five in that group saying they’d had a test in the past year. And only 2.7 percent of the overall group reported being HIV positive, with 2.8 percent saying they didn’t know their status.

In Atlanta: Gay Student attacked by Classmates

CBS46 News

Interesting Quote: The Rev. Bryant Wright

“It is just one example of what our culture is going to increasingly see as an issue of erotic liberty versus religious liberty. We’re liable to see this with our military chaplains in the years ahead if they in good conscience believe they cannot perform same-sex weddings and could be kicked out of the military.”

That's just a part of his message at the state House in Atlanta.

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Jon Jones hopes to be first gay black man elected to Atlanta City Council

 Jon Jones is running for the Atlanta City Council District 5 seat.

If he wins, he will be the first openly gay black man elected to the city council.

Jon said in GA Voice:

"I would send a tremendous message to have a black gay man, the first, elected to the Atlanta City Council in the city ...," 

Jon has a list of things he would like to do for the people and the city. I wish him luck and I hope he makes history.

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In Atlanta: Mayor Kasim Reed Supports Marriage Equality

ATL's Mayor came out in support of gay marriage. But he didn't just say it, he signed a resolution that supports marriage equality.

Here's some of the press release:

“Today marks an important day as I announce my support for marriage equality,” said Mayor Reed. “It is well known that I have gone through a good bit of reflection on this issue, but listening to the stories of so many people that I know and care about has strengthened my belief that marriage is a fundamental right for everyone. Loving couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the right to marry whomever they want. By signing this resolution, I pledge my support to marriage equality for same-sex couples, consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”

Today’s announcement follows years of Mayor Reed’s advocacy for equal rights for gays and lesbians. During his term in the Georgia House of Representatives, Mayor Reed sponsored the only hate crimes bill ever to pass the General Assembly and defended the LGBT community’s right to adopt children. As a co-sponsor for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Mayor Reed proposed a measure that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by civilian and nonreligious employers. In 2004, Mayor Reed also voted against the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Georgia.

“I’ve always had the utmost respect for the Mayor. He has been a good friend to my wife De Linda and me and to our community,” said Lee Schreter, a friend of Mayor Reed’s for more than 14 years and a shareholder with the law firm of Littler and Mendelson. “I believe he will be on the right side of history with this decision. I think people have underestimated how important it is to stand up and have your relationship recognized as a true marriage, but those attitudes are changing. I’ve always known that Kasim Reed wants people to be treated fairly and this is evidence of that.”

The resolution was sponsored by Councilman Alex Wan.

Three men Sentenced to five years in prison for beating Brandon White

Here is the latest development in the Brandon White case. The 3 men from Friday's case have been sentenced to five years in prison for attacking and beating Brandon.

However, the fourth suspect, Javaris Bradford, is still at large.

Probation was also discussed for the 3 men. So, there is more to come.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/07/three-men-get-five-years-in-prison-for-videotaped-beating-of-gay-man-on-atlanta-street-corner.html#storylink=cpy

Brandon White's Attacker claims: ‘I didn’t hit him to the point of killing him’

An update from the Brandon White case. Dorian Moragne, was one of Brandon's attackers. At the hearing, Dorian was the only attacker to speak and he had a lot to say.

Here more from the ATL's Project Q:

“First and foremost I would like to start off with an apology from deep down,” he said. “This attack did not only affect [White] but was also taken as an attack on the gay community.”

Moragne said he could change if given another chance.

“I truly believe that I can become a productive member of society. I am actively pursuing change in my life,” he said. “We made a mistake. I don’t hate nobody. I’ve got gay family.”

But Banks challenged Moragne on the sincerity of his apology and his refusal to admit that he’s a gang member. Moragne nearly derailed his plea agreement during a hearing in May when he balked at admitting to a felony count of solicitation of gang activity.

“I didn’t want to plead guilty to the gang member because I am not a gang member. I plead guilty because I didn’t want to take it to trial. I am not in no gang. I am not a Blood or Crip. I am from Florida,” Moragne said Thursday.

“This ain’t what y’all portraying it to be. This ain’t California. We don’t have a history of beating up gay people. All of this stuff you are putting on the media to say we beat gay people so you can pass a law,” he added.

And....

Moragne continued by attempting to undercut the seriousness of the attack: “I barely hit him. I was wrong for hitting him but I didn’t hit him to the point of killing him. I was just being young and dumb.”

Banks retorted by asking Moragne if he threw a tire on White.

“Next question please,” Moragne retorted.

“Did you throw a tire on him?”

“Yes.”

Dorian the other men faces up to 75 years in prison if convicted 

Georgia's Gay State Rep. Targeted in a Homophobic Flyer

Openly gay State Rep. Rashad Taylor (D-Atlanta) is the target of some anti-gay foolishness. This flyer was used to label him as untrustworthy and GAY. His only true opponent is Pat Gardner, who's to be a huge supporter of gay rights.

Here's more:

Thanks to the mostly Republican legislature's redrawn House districts, Taylor has been pitted against fellow democrat Pat Gardner in the upcoming District 57 election. Gardner is straight, but has been supportive of LGBT issues over the years. 

Taylor told the GA Voice that, basically, he doesn't think Gardner is responsible for the flier, but that "there are only two people in the race," which suggests that he actually does think Gardner just might be behind it: "There are only two people in this race. I don't think Pat Gardner is behind it and I believe if she knew about it she would condemn it. But there are people supporting her perhaps working under the table." Taylor arranged a press conference about the flier before attempting to contact Gardner. And, incidentally, she already had an unrelated press conference scheduled today. 

Gardner told the publication today the allegation that she's behind the flier "makes her want to cry." She also addressed an obvious-if-depressing possibility that Taylor released the flier to stir up controversy, saying, "I don't believe the flyer came from Rashad's camp. He has been a colleague and friend."

I hope we get some answers soon.

2 Men pleaded Guilty for the attack on Brandon White

New movement in the Brandon White assault. Two men pleaded guilty for attacking Brandon back in February.

GA Voice has the story:

 Dorian Moragne, 19, and Dareal Demare Williams, 18, pleaded guilty today in Fulton County Superior Court in the brutal assault Brandon White, a black gay man, on Feb. 4 in the Pittsburgh community.  Sentencing hearing will be held in July and the men face up to 15 and 20 years on each count.

During the hearing today before Fulton Superior Court Judge Bedford Jackson, prosecutor J. Gabriel Banks said the assault was instigated by another suspect, Christopher Cain, who alleged that the victim, White, 20, made a sexual advance toward him. Another suspect, Javaris Williams, was also allegedly involved in the attack that was videotaped and uploaded to a hip hop website.

"If this case were to go to trial the court would prove that the victim was walking to 'The  Pink Store' with a friend to get something to eat. They passed these defendants [Moragne and Williams] and the codefendants. At some point … Mr. Cain believed Mr. White made a sexual advance against him. Mr. white has firmly said no he did not,” Banks said.

“The sexual advance toward Cain led to Cain being offended. Cain got upset as Mr. White exited the store and struck him from behind. These two defendants [Moragne and Williams] began to hit stomp and kick Mr. White," Banks added. Moragne was also identified as the person who threw a tire on White as he was on the ground trying to shield himself from the constant blows.

“It is important to note that was all being videotaped as they all said, 'No faggots in Jack City,” Banks said. “Clearly in the state's view this is a hate crime.”

I'm glad to see this go forward and Brandon, possibly getting some closure.

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Fourth Attacker of Brandon White has been Arrested - WATCH

Change Atlanta apologizes for their Foolish actions against Brandon White

After their foolish actions blew up in their face, Change Atlanta front apologizes for 'appearing' to turn his back on Brandon White.

GA Voice reports

Many in Atlanta's LGBT community are criticizing Change Atlanta on Facebook and various websites for the group’s apparent about-face in its support of Brandon White, the young gay man who was beaten in a filmed attack that went viral on the internet.
Now one of the leaders of the fledgling group says he has “learned his lesson” in how he dealt with the incident, which he acknowledges included questioning whether White was lying about knowing the attackers, “cuddling up” with one of the suspect's defense attorneys on TV and not understanding that many in the LGBT community have been victims of anti-gay violence.

"Yes, we have gotten some flack. And I'm glad I'm learning this lesson at 21 rather and not at 41,” Devin Barrington-Ward said told the GA Voice in an interview Feb. 28. “My youth and immaturity played into this. I will always reflect back on this when I'm 60 or 70.”

Change Atlanta is not specifically an LGBT advocacy organization but has several gay leaders. Ward said he wants to take responsibility for his actions, and how he deals with his mistake will determine if he will be welcomed back into the larger LGBT community.

"This is a touchy subject in the LGBT community. Many people have told me they have been victims, their friends have been victims or their family members have been victims. I'm a young man and I made a mistake,” Ward said.

Yes, you did make mistake and it was costly. Change Atlanta's rush to judgment could have frighten many LGBT victims to stay silent. They should have known better to hold two televised press conferences using assumptions and rumors.

Perhaps next time, they will think before they act.

My Rant: Change Atlanta, What the F**k are you Doing?

Yesterday, I posted this clip from an Atlanta news program. 

The gay activist group called, Change Atlanta went on the air saying that Brandon White, the gay man who was beaten by three other men, was lying about his story.

The members of this group said that Brandon knew these men and he was beaten because he threatened to out them as gay. So, according to Change Atlanta, this wasn’t a hate crime. This was an act of revenge and Brandon had it coming.

I’m not making this up, y’all. Here’s a piece from the article:

Gary Nichols said he and several other members of the community searched for White's attackers before they were arrested.

Nichols said when they interviewed witnesses and those in the Pittsburgh community who know White and his alleged attackers, he found out new details about White's prior relationship with some of his attackers.

"I would tell the Atlanta community we were duped. We were all duped and it's a shame. It's a bitter shame," Nichols said.

Nichols said the attack was not a hate crime. The motivation was revenge.

"Brandon was agitating these young men about personally exposing them for being DL gay - on the down low possibly gay. The young men responded because they don't want their families to know," Nichols said.

Jackson said he spoke directly with one of the suspects, Dorian Moragne, who also confirmed that they knew White.

"He was very clear about being sure that Brandon White in fact knew the other attackers in question," Jackson said. Jackson and Nichols said the attack was centered around a video that's supposed to be on White's phone. The video of the attack shows one of the men grab White's phone.

"It's a video of somebody performing a sexual act with one or a few of these young men," Nichols said. "That's why the cell phone was a target. They didn't just beat him up because he was gay," Jackson said.

Seriously? This claim is based on rumors. Can I say it again, RUMORS! The funny part about this story is how they talked to one of the attackers, taking his word over Brandon’s. And the big winning belief... The attack was not a hate crime; it was an act of revenge, so it’s okay. Free pizza for everybody! 

Sorry, Change Atlanta, but you were wrong to go on TV and state this claim as truth. You were wrong in thinking this ‘act of revenge’ erases the fact that Brandon was beaten like a dog by three men. Change Atlanta, you were wrong to turn you backs on Brandon and somewhat take the side of the attackers.

Change Atlanta, you were just plain wrong!

Who appointed this group as the voice of the LGBT community in Atlanta? They just got started, so Change Atlanta have no true legs to stand on. Their attempt to ‘be seen’ has our community questioning their actions and their purpose. 

Seriously, what were you thinking?

I hope Change Atlanta take this misstep as opportunity to really think about what they stand for. Because if they are gay activists, I’d hate to see what anti-gay activists look like.

Gay Activist Group claimed to be duped by Brandon White - WATCH

Are you kidding me? So, I guess this makes it right? Please, this is a bunch of she said, he said mess.

Rod 2.0 reports that the gay activist group are not trying to make Brandon the bad guy

CHANGE ATLANTA activists claim this was not a hate crime—it was revennge. Activists claim that Brandon White knew his attackers and was not telling the truth when he said at a news conference that he did not. "We were all duped and it's a bitter shame," Gary Nichols told CBS Atlanta. "Brandon was basically agitating these young men about personally exposing them for being 'DL' … on the 'down low', possibly gay. He really knows who these guys are and I just feel like he absolutely lied to us."

Regardless of this info, Brandon was still beaten.If he knew something or not, he did not deserved to be attacked. I hope there is more discussion about this issue.

source Thanks NG for the heads up.

The 3rd Attacker of Brandon White surrenders in Erie, Pa

This is good news for Brandon White. The 3rd and final suspect turned himself in to the cops in Erie, Pa.

Dareal Demare Williams ran off to Erie to hide, however folks helped the FBI find him. Dareal is a member of the Pittsburgh Jack City Gang.

Lord, these kids and these silly gangs.





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Another Attacker of Brandon White has been Arrested

Another man has been arrested for beating Brandon White. Dorian Moragne actually turned himself in to Atlanta police this weekend.

Dorian will be charged with robbery and aggravated assault.

One of the Men who attacked Brandon White has been Arrested

One of three suspects was caught this weekend. Christopher Cain, 18, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and robbery.

Christopher was one of the fools who beat up Brandon White because he is gay. The other two men have been identified, but not arrested yet.

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In Atlanta: 2 of Brandon White's Attackers have been Identified

MSNBC talks to Brandon White, the young man who was beaten for being Gay - WATCH

The Gay Man Attacked by an Atlanta Gang speaks out

I posted the graphic video of the gay teen being attacked by some gang in Atlanta. Today, the young man, Brandon White, speaks out the beating

Yes, you are the brave one, Brandon

In Atlanta: Street Gang Members involved in Brutal Hate Crime - WATCH

This video catches some silly gang attacking a man because he was wearing skinny jeans. Also you can hear them say that their are no faggots in their neighborhood. Somebody needs to tell this gang that we own the ATL.

Anywho this tape has been passed to the Atlanta police. Tonight, members of the LGBT community will be gathering at the Phillip Rush Center at 6pm to discuss the incident.

WATCH- very graphic