In the span of two weeks, three people at least associated with the Atlanta LGBT community have been killed. And while the Atlanta Police Department stresses that gay people are not being targeted, there is a buzz from some asking, “What is going on? Are we safe?”
At press time, there were 62 homicides in Atlanta this year with three knowingly related to the LGBT population, said Major Keith Meadows, commander of the Atlanta Police Department’s Major Crimes Section, during an interview Monday at his office at Public Safety Headquarters on Peachtree Street.
Thousands of people flocked to the clubs, events, Piedmont Park and parties over Labor Day weekend to celebrate Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride, considered the largest in the nation.
The weekend started with a candlelight vigil sponsored by In the Life Atlanta, the sponsor of Black Gay Pride for the past 14 years. See a photo album of that event here.
There were community events such as the State of Black Gay America summit, sponsored by Xtreme Entertainment with keynote speaker Sharon Lettman, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a national group focused on African-Americans and LGBT issues. A photo album from this event can be seen here.
Atlanta's Black Gay Pride a success, according to organizers and attendees
As Black Gay Pride swings into full force this weekend, the memory of Durand Robinson will be everywhere. The man who many described as selfless and giving will be honored at parties and events during the weekend, which attracts tens of thousands of people to Atlanta from across the nation and around the world.
Robinson, 50, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Aug. 25 in southwest Atlanta. The Atlanta Police Department continues to seek suspects and a motive as of press time.
An interview with Lil Kim on Kontrol Magazine’s website says the Queen Bee won’t be playing Atlant’s Black Gay Pride this weekend, but the promoter of the event believes the singer is trying to get more money for her appearance or possibly doesn't want to be the "opening act" for red-hot Nicki Minaj.
A podcast of the interview posted today quotes Lil Kim as saying that the promoters of the event were duped by a booking agent. She is part of Wassup N ATL’s lineup of entertainers for the weekend and is slated to play at midnight on Saturday at Vita in Buckhead.
In the interview, Lil Kim says a “psycho lunatic” has been representing himself as her booking agent and conned the promoters out of $15,000. She also said there was no way she could show up to perform now.
The wake for Durand Robinson, 50, a key organizer for Black Gay Pride and partner of Traxx nightclub will be Tuesday with a memorial service set for Wednesday.
Durand was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Aug. 25. Police do not yet have suspects or a motive for the shooting.
The wake for Durand Robinson, 50, a key organizer for Black Gay Pride and partner of Traxx nightclub is tonight
A memorial service for Durand Robinson, 50, a key organizer for Black Gay Pride and partner of Traxx nightclub is today