Our most-read articles of the week

Why we’re sick of the ‘chikin’ controversy (and why it matters anyway)

Chick-fil-A protest

By the time this newspaper hits stands, it will be more than two weeks since thousands lined up outside Chick-fil-A restaurants, answering the call of Mike Huckabee, the failed GOP presidential candidate turned conservative commentator, to celebrate “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” Aug. 1 to thank the chain for being “willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse.”

It will be about two weeks since LGBT people held their own counter-protests, ranging from kiss-ins at Chick-fil-A restaurants (Aug. 3) to a day of support for Starbucks and other gay-friendly corporations (Aug. 7), and even a day dedicating to backing locally owned “gay-loving” businesses instead (Aug. 8).

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State of Black Gay America Summit announces keynote speakers

Je-Shawna C. Wholley, a Spelman alum who has been recognized for her works on behalf of LGBT people by the Human Rights Campaign and the National Black Justice Coalition, will be the keynote speaker at the State of Black Gay America on Sept. 1 as part of Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride’s community events over Labor Day weekend.

A special guest appearance will be made by Keith Boykin, a New York Times best selling author, BET columnist, contributor to CNBC, MSNBC and CNN, and former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. He is also editor of the anthology, “For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough.”

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Atlanta police to conduct safety seminar for LGBT residents

The Atlanta Police Department will sponsor a safety seminary on Friday, Aug. 24, that is open to everyone but will focus on issues facing the LGBT communities in particular. The seminar will be from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church.

“It is important to update and educate the LGBT community on current crime trends affecting it,” said Deputy Chief Propes in a prepared statement. ”Providing proactive crime prevention information will hopefully offer the tools to prevent victimization.”

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City of Atlanta settles HIV police discrimination lawsuit for $250,000

A man who was denied employment with the Atlanta Police Department because he is HIV positive will receive a $250,000 settlement from the city.

“We are pleased with this resolution and expect that the city of Atlanta will never let this happen again,” said Scott Schoettes, HIV project director for Lambda Legal, the non-profit group that represented the anonymous plaintiff, identified in court records as “Richard Roe.”

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