A transsexual woman arrested April 7 in Savannah, Ga., is claiming she was harassed by police officers after she was charged with indecent exposure.
A police report from the Savannah Police Department states Ashley Del Valle, who said she was visiting Savannah from New York, had her breasts exposed and nipples showing.
Savannah police and the Chatham County Sheriff's Department deny handling the case unprofessionally.
Heavy rain showers did not deter revelers from turning out in record numbers at Forsyth Park for Savannah’s Pride celebration last Saturday.
“The rain began, and people were undeterred, they relished in it, had fun, danced, and overall it made for an even more dynamic and exciting Pride festival than I could have ever imagined,” said Savannah Pride President Chris Brown. “The crowds stayed, through the rain, watched the rainbow that rain brought, and stuck around through the end of the night.”
Early estimates based on ticket sales show that roughly 10,000 people attended this year’s Savannah Pride celebration, which is more than double last year, said Brown, who added that the record numbers were a “testament to the amount of community support we've received not only from the LGBT community here, but from the entire Savannah community as a whole.”
Savannah Pride's Executive Director Chris Brown spoke to WSAV-TV about the brutal beating of an Atlanta gay man and said this type of crime should not be happening today.
"We do like to think that we are progressive, and what happened there in Atlanta was disgusting and hateful and it sickens me to think that this is part of the struggle," he said.
Brandon White, 20, who is gay, was beaten Saturday, Feb. 4, by three gang members in an unprovoked attack. On Wednesday he spoke out about the attack and said he hopes what happens to him never happens to anyone else.
While there are numerous activities are taking place in Atlanta to honor World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, Savannah's My Brothaz HOME is also planning to hold its annual candlelight vigil.
The vigil is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday in the parking lot of My Brothaz HOME, 2111 Price St., Savannah, GA. Light refreshments will be provided.
HOME is an acronym for "Helping Our Men Excel." The nonprofit organization was founded in April 2000 and provides HIV prevention and support services to those in Savannah and outlying communities.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled 6-1 today in favor of the national Episcopal Church in a property dispute case with the oldest church in Georgia that broke away from the national church after it affirmed its first openly gay bishop.
Savannah Christ Church, founded in 1733 and known as the "Mother Church of Georgia," joined the Episcopal Church in 1823. In 2007, four years after the Episcopal Church USA affirmed Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop, 87 percent of the Savannah congregation voted to break off from the national Episcopal Church and instead join an Anglican diocese in Uganda.
Only 15 people gathered in Johnson Square in downtown Savannah on Saturday afternoon to March For Equality. The turnout for the Sept. 24 march was so disappointing, the event’s organizers, Act Out Savannah, decided not to march at all.
“I am ashamed of my own community here today,” said Cody Patterson, executive director of Act Out Savannah, “because they had a chance to actually make their presence known and let it be known that they are here to fight for full federal equality, and they’re willing to do what it takes, and yet as we can tell they are completely absent.”
Act Out has been a part of several rallies and protests in Savannah since forming last summer, typically seeing much larger crowds turn out to show their support. Last year the group gathered almost 100 to rally in response to an alleged attack on a young gay man by two U.S. Marines.
Savannah's "March for Equality" to take place on Sunday has been postponed until Saturday, Sept. 24.
Cody Patterson, a member of Act Out Savannah which is organizing the march, posted to the Facebook page for the march that "due to conflicts in events and logistics" the march has been postponed.
Historic Ga. city celebrates LGBT equality with annual Pride fest — 'March for Equality' postponed
Savannah Pride marks its 12th year on Saturday with its annual festival that attracts hundreds to the city's famous Forsyth Park for entertainment and community. A "March for Equality" organized by Act Out Savannah will also be held Sunday through the downtown streets of the historic city.
This year's Savannah Pride fest celebrates "Empowering Equality Through Pride" and includes live entertainment all day on the main stage of the park. Organizers say more than 40 local businesses, churches and elected officials will be on hand at the festival to show support of LGBT Savannah residents.
A major change also takes place this year — the fest is no longer free and a $5 admission for those 16 and older will be taken from a gated area of the park.
"Change for equality among all people does not happen overnight, nor does it change by taking the silent seat in the back,” said Heather Byars, executive director of Savannah Pride, in a prepared statement.
After two months of online balloting and thousands of votes cast, we present the best of the best — our second annual GA Voice Best of Atlanta winners.
The selection process began in May, when we asked you, our readers, to nominate your favorites for dozens of awards in the categories of Community, People, Places, Eats, Shopping, Arts & Entertainment and Nightlife.
The top three finalists in each category made it through to the next round of voting. For the month of June, a multiple-choice ballot asked you to pick among the finalists for who really represents the finest in LGBT Georgia.
Thanks to everyone who voted, and congratulations to all of the worthy winners and runners up.