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Atlanta police lead investigator of Eagle raid arrested

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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The Atlanta Police Department's lead investigator in the Atlanta Eagle raid was arrested this week for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana.

The news was first broken Saturday by Stephanie Ramage, former news editor at the Sunday Paper, who now writes her own blog.

Officer Bennie Bridges, 41, of the Vice unit was the lead investigator into the anonymous complaints that led to the Eagle raid in September 2009. Bridges was arrested in Cobb County on Thursday at about 3 a.m. The booking report shows that Bridges was arrested at I-285 East and Cobb Parkway and charged with speeding, DUI and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He was released on $1,900 bond, according to the Cobb report.

APD spokesperson Officer Kimberly Maggart said Saturday night that Bridges is on administrative leave with pay.

"This matter has been referred to the department's Office of Professional Standards for investigation. Further comment on this specific incident would be inappropriate. However, Chief Turner expects Atlanta police officers to follow the laws they are sworn to uphold and enforce. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action," she added in a statement.

Carlos Campos, spokesperson for the APD, confirmed Monday that Bridges was driving an unmarked city vehicle when he was arrested.

"Officer Bridges is still assigned to APD's Vice Unit (though, as noted before, he is presently on administrative leave with pay as a result of the arrest). The vehicle is assigned to him as part of his job duties," Campos said in a statement.

Mayor speaks out more about changes to Atlanta Police Department

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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Mayor Kasim Reed says there needs to be a change in the culture of the Atlanta Police Department after continuing complaints have been made against the controversial Red Dog Unit.

In an interview with WABE's Jim Burress, Reed said the future of the APD "may or may not include Red Dog."

Two men have alleged that three Red Dog Unit officers pulled them over and forced them to pull down their pants. The men also said they were fondled by the officers. Read the official complaints the two men filed here.

Atlanta Police LGBT Advisory Group wants chief to punish Eagle raid officers

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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The Atlanta Police Department’s LGBT Advisory Group is urging Chief George Turner to accept the Atlanta Citizens Review Board recommendations for punishments of the officers and supervisors involved in the illegal Atlanta Eagle raid.

At its Monday meeting, the advisory board voted to inform the chief as well as the mayor that members “strongly support” the CRB’s recommendations that the officers involved in the raid on Sept. 10, 2009, be punished with three days unpaid leave, a written reprimand and training on the Fourth Amendment. The board also backed the CRB’s recommendations that the supervisors of the raid receive written reprimands and Fourth Amendment training.

Sgt. Kelley Collier, who said during a CRB in-depth investigation that he could virtually not recall anything the night of the raid, was recommended to receive a 30-day suspension without pay for being “untruthful” — an offense that typically ends in an officer being fired.

Mayor Kasim Reed speaks out on investigation into Red Dog Unit officers

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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In an interview with WSB TV, Mayor Kasim Reed spoke out for the first time about the current internal investigation into three Atlanta Police Red Dog Unit officers allegedly pulling over two men and strip searching them in the middle of the road in broad daylight. Two of the accused Red Dog officers were involved in the illegal raid on the Atlanta Eagle, a gay bar in Midtown.

"It is going to be robust and swift. We have a problem," Reed told WSB TV reporter Ryan Young.

The men's allegations are being investigated by the Citizens Review Board as well.

"Now when things when brought to our attention by the CRB we are not going to make excuses, we're going to change," Reed told WSB TV.

Gay Georgia arson victim says God ‘held his hand’ to lead him to safety

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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Chris Staples says he is still trying to wrap his head around the idea that someone would try to kill him.

The gay Carrollton man had his home vandalized and then burned down; he was asleep at home when the fire began and barely escaped.

“I feel like I’m sort of in a cave, still in shock,” Staples told the GA Voice on Friday. “I haven’t shed a tear, haven’t gotten mad. I’ve just been feeling blah.”

Christopher Staples, 43, was inside his small home in Carroll County on Sunday, Jan. 23, when he said a rock with an anti-gay note attached was thrown through his window. Hours later, Staples said he woke up to find his home engulfed in flames. Carroll County is some 50 miles west of Atlanta.

Atlanta Police say no plans at this time to disband Red Dog Unit

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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Conflicting reports emerged over the weekend about the fate of the Atlanta Police Department's notorious Red Dog Unit, but a police spokesman said this morning that the unit is not being disbanded.

WABE, citing anonymous sources, is reporting the unit may be disbanded as soon as this week. Reporter Jim Burress noted that APD spokesperson Sgt. Curtis Davenport said that was a "rumor."

WSB TV, however, had an exclusive interview with Chief George Turner over the weekend in which Turner told reporter Eric Philips that there were no plans to disband the unit.

Carlos Campos, spokesperson for the APD, said this afternoon, "To the best of my knowledge, [the Red Dog Unit] is not being disbanded today."

LGBT youth from Georgia share their stories as part of photo-journalism online project

The Georgia Voice Editors
Culture
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people are sharing their stories on the website, “We Are the Youth” that invites youth to share their stories of coming out, the challenges they face as a sexual minority and the triumphs they’ve achieved.

“We Are the Youth” is a “photographic journalism project chronicling the individual stories of LGBT youth in the United States” according to the website.

“Through photographic portraits and written interviews highlighting the participants’ voices, We Are the Youth captures the incredible diversity and uniqueness among the LGBT youth population,” the website adds. “We Are the Youth addresses the lack of visibility of LGBT young people by providing a space to share stories in an honest and respectful way.”

Gay business owners to community: Shop, drink local

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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The gay Business Owners of Atlanta met Tuesday to discuss its main mission: educating the public and the community to support local gay-owned businesses in the city.

Some 20 people were present at Jungle for the meeting of the new group, including Bev Cook, owner of the Heretic; promoter Chris Coleman; Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse owner Philip Rafshoon; William Duffee-Braun, editor of Fenuxe magazine; Marci Alt of Carma Productions; Cain Williamson of the Atlanta Pride Committee; and representatives of Brushstrokes, Oscar’s and Woofs.

Those at the meeting decided coming up with a mission statement is a top priority and all seemed in agreement that the BOA should focus on gay business owners rather than become a networking group such as the Atlanta Executive Network or the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds turn out for Atlanta’s ‘NOH8’ photo shoot over MLK Weekend

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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And many waited and waited and waited. Some up to three to four hours or more. But you couldn't tell by the jovial atmosphere where people stood in line and made new friends.

“We’ve been here for about two hours … but I knew it was going to take awhile and it was going to be packed. I don’t mind [the wait],” said Casey Drummond, formerly of San Diego.

Drummond was standing in line with his friend, David Montaque, who moved to Atlanta from Jamaica six years ago. The two posed together.

“I think this is a great cause and I wanted to be part of it. And the tattoo looks really good,” Montaque said, smiling.