Saturday, February 25, 2012

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.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The Atlanta Police said, "no matter the motive, the crime still took place."
I don't care if it was "revenge", that is still a hate crime. And in their attempt to smear the victim, they just kicked those guys out the closet. This is pure crazy.

Anonymous said...

Someone should check to see who's bank rolling this group I've never heard of.

Immanuel said...

I'm with Mechadude -- a hate crime is a hate crime.

If Brandon had been a girl who told everybody she had sex with guys and filmed it on her cellphone nobody would have done anything.

It would have just been boys being boys and hitting some pussy together.

The fact he is gay is the reason they beat his ass down while calling him faggot.

I don't care what Brandon said he would do he did not deserve to get beat and have those images broadcast on the Web. Period.

And R.J. is right. Who is this Change group? The ACLU and Human Rights Campaign should have had their asses down there and gotten involved.

Lord knows they get a lot of money to fight these battles.

Immanuel
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Viktor is a small town southern boy living in Los Angeles. You can find him on Twitter, writing about pop culture, politics, and comics. He’s the creator of the graphic novel StrangeLore and currently getting back into screenwriting.