Georgia Equality is endorsing two openly gay incumbents as well as Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in the Nov. 5 election, but takes a pass on backing anyone in the Atlanta City Council District 5 race that has drawn three openly gay challengers of an LGBT friendly incumbent.
The state's largest LGBT advocacy organization also gives "favorable ratings" in Atlanta Council races to the incumbents and their challengers — to Atlanta City Council Post 2 At Large incumbent Aaron Watson and his challenger, Mary Norwood; and also to Lamar Willis, Atlanta City Council Post 3 At Large incumbent, and his challenger, Andre Dickens.
Fulton County prosecutors said an apparent jealous rage led Danielle Parker to shoot and kill her ex-girlfriend, an East Point police officer, over the Fourth of July weekend.
At a preliminary hearing today, Fulton Judge Karen Smith Woodson found probable cause on counts of malice murder, felony murder, felony assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony against Danielle Parker, charged with killing Crystal Parker, a decorated East Point corporal who Officer of the Year for 2010-2012. A bond hearing is set for Aug. 7.
Danielle Parker, who sat in during today's preliminary hearing wearing a blue Fulton County jail jumpsuit and shackled at the wrists and waist, is accused of killing East Point Cpl. Crystal Parker during the early morning hours of July 4; Crystal Park's body was discovered July 7. Danielle Parker was arrested and charged with the killing on July 9. Her defense attorney is Stanley Constant.
An East Point police officer killed by a gunshot to the head was allegedly killed by her former roommate, according to the police. Friends and family of the officer are saying the two women were girlfriends at one time.
Danielle Parker was arrested Tuesday in the killing of Cpl. Crystal Parker, a six-year veteran of the East Point Police Department who was named Officer of the Year in 2012.
No motive and no specifics about the relationship between the two women were given by police. Police did say the two women lived together at one time.
Charlotte Cagle of East Point, a straight ally who is a volunteer for the annual East Point Possums Show, said Tuesday night that Cpl. Parker was gay and she and Danielle were dating. She did not know Danielle, however, she said.
Openly gay East Point City Council member Lance Rhodes faces a Dec. 6 runoff with Karen Rene, a first-time political candidate.
Rhodes garnered 49.52 percent of the Nov. 8 vote while Rene received 45.22 and Marie T. Williams got 5.05, according to official Fulton County election results. Because no candidate achieved 50 percent plus one vote, the top two advance to the runoff.
Rhodes, seeking his third term on the council, was instrumental in getting domestic partner benefits passed for city employees.
Gay East Point incumbent faces political newcomer in runoff
At least five openly gay candidates will appear on Nov. 8 ballots for local government seats in Georgia, although one is unopposed for re-election.
Kecia Cunningham, who in 1999 became Georgia’s first African-American openly gay elected official, is unopposed in her bid for another four-year term on the Decatur City Commission.
Cunningham represents District 2, Post B, on the nonpartisan commission in the gay-popular Atlanta suburb. The official candidate qualifying period for November’s election began Aug. 29 and ended Sept. 2.
At least two gay candidates will be on the ballot for East Point City Council. The official qualifying period for candidates for the November election ended Friday.
Openly gay incumbent East Point City Councilmember Lance Rhodes faces two challengers in his bid for reelection to represent Ward B: Marie T. Williams and Karen Rene.
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