Is The 'X Factor' Bloodbath Over?
BlackVoices History Quest: Augusta, Georgia
Atlanta has the third largest gay population in the country, fueled, in part, by its large black gay population. On Wednesday, the city's annual Black Gay Pride organizer, Durand Robinson (pictured middle), was found shot dead in the middle of an Atlanta street.
It hasn't been determined whether his murder is being investigated as a hate crime. Officials say Robinson got in argument with someone shortly before shots were fired. Some reports have claimed that it was a possible carjacking.
According to police reports, a woman called 911 around 1:30 a.m. to report that she heard a loud scream, looked outside and saw a man lying in the middle of the street.
Robinson, co-owner of the popular gay nightclub Traxx, was found dead not long after the emergency call was placed, Atlanta police said. Officers said he had been shot in the chest.
According to FBI hate crime statistics, law enforcement agencies have seen a spike in hate crimes against homosexuals over the last few years.
Robinson, 50, will be honored during a candlelight vigil on Sept. 1, according to In the Life Atlanta, the nonprofit group that organizes Atlanta Black Gay Pride.
"His light will be missed, but his spirit and the shared memories will live on in our hearts and the hearts of his family, friends, loved ones, and those in the community who knew him," said a news release on the group's Website.
The first gay pride parade was celebrated in New York City in 1969, when a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the city's Greenwich Village neighborhood. Further protests and rioting continued for several nights following the raid.
Organizers proposed, in commemoration, that a demonstration be held annually on the last Saturday in June in New York City to commemorate the 1969 demonstrations. The gay pride parade in the Village is now a world-renowned event, a festive celebration of inclusion. Other cities around the world have followed suit, and cities with large black populations, like Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, have started their own colorful versions of pride festivals.
It seems the annual Gay Pride festivities will continue, despite the loss of Robinson. The 14th annual Black Gay Pride celebration is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to metro Atlanta over Labor Day weekend. Events will take place at the Loews Atlanta Hotel.
Hate crime statistics show that offenders particularly target male homosexuals. Of course, the motive of this crime has yet to be determined, but if this is a hate crime on the cusp of one of the grandest celebrations of free expression, that would make a distressing scenario that much more tragic.
Comments: (61)
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By: mswll4 on 8/26/2010 9:45PM
ATLANTA, A Black city, with a 3rd largest GAY population in the country,what a nice place to raised my children. YEAH RIGHT.
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By: Justifyed on 8/26/2010 6:01PM
Yeah, please keep your children away, we would hate for them to be as ignorant as you are.
Hate breeds hate, and you are that person who will teach their children to hate.
I don't agree w/ homosexuality, I don't support gay marriage, BUT....to each his own, and I respect their rights as individuals to be whoever and to be with whomever they choose.
...and speaking of kids, the person you SHOULD be afraid of is that white, middle aged, HETEROSEXUAL MALE....he's the one going after your kids.
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By: Steve on 8/27/2010 9:07AM
America...considered one of the greatest countries in the world..with its history of racism, discrimination, hatred and terrorism...a great place to raise your children? yeah..right
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By: jeromequigley on 8/27/2010 9:53AM
@Justifyed, I loved what you said!! Even though you do not agree with some of what this gentleman stood for and was, you recpected his right to do it! We need a lot more understanding like that in this country!! And your statement: "Hate breeds hate, and you are that person who will teach their children to hate"!! Those words could not be more TRUE!! But was disappointed when you ended your response with: "...and speaking of kids, the person you SHOULD be afraid of is that white, middle aged, HETEROSEXUAL MALE....he's the one going after your kids." If you truely feel that way of course that is your right and I would never say what you feel is WRONG, we feel how we feel. BUT that statement is just as discriminating as what crap "mswll4" said. Are there some white's that fit that mold, well of course there is. But to lay that down on all of us is just wrong!! Not coming down on you, you may have been trying to just make a point of mswll4 stupidity(which I agree w/you), but it just came off with the same tone and flavor. You know what I'm sayin?? Don't let yourself get sucked into that hate game when you encounter peepz like mswll4! BTW your response to: For CurtCurt.... was a very sad but true statement! If you could stop seperating ourselves at every turn we could start taking on these problems as a much more powerful group!! Wish you well Justifyed and hope you continue to be the open minded thinker that you seem to be, like I said we need more peepz like YOU!!
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By: Justifyed on 8/27/2010 10:57AM
@ Jerome, I understand what you are saying, but let me explain, I am in the criminal justice program here in GA., and in one of my classes, my assignment was to outline and report on the chapter dealing w/ sexual crimes.
The 'general' profile of the sexual predator, was a white heterosexual male, not always, but generally.
People are always associating homosexuality w/ sexual crimes and that is not usually the case, I was trying to make a point to the commentor, that she is looking at the wrong person (or group of ppl), when she is trying to "protect" her kids.
I, personally,like your response. I can appreciate it because of the manner in which it was given. I wish all responses could be that way....where we may agree to disagree, but can be respectful as well.
Peace and BE SAFE
~~ONE~~
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By: shaniqua on 8/27/2010 2:47PM
The negative comments posted against the black LGBT "community" is totally uncalled for. My heart goes out to Durand Robinson's family and friends. No one should have to lose a loved-one like that.
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By: jpxp99 on 8/27/2010 9:08PM
Atlanta is a great place to raise kids. I don't live there, but so what. You are probably not a good parent because you don't use correct grammar!
Educate yourself first, and then you will be a better parent. I feel shame and pity for you and your family!
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By: mia on 9/11/2010 5:17PM
I agree. Now that the Blacks and Hispanics have taken over this city has gone to hell in a handbag!! Hello Crime Wave 2010!!!! And I was born in Atlanta, what a disappointment. Maybe we need the KKK back to handle some unfinished business, and to reduce the crime rate esp since Kasim isn't doing much. Just a thought.......
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By: tony2ton on 8/26/2010 7:33PM
I would bet all my hard "eaned" money that this crime was not commited by a middle age white man. Just another black on black killing I'm sure...it happens every day-but no outrage from aa's. Now say the N-word and everyone's marching and carrying on:0)
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By: Curt Curt on 8/27/2010 7:24AM
A man was just senseless killed and your talking this racial BS. If you don't like Black people or gay people than don't come errupting this forum that wasn't designed with you in mind, a middle-aged (dried-up) White man.
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