Must-read stories of the week

Atlanta mayor pressed to support gay marriage in wake of Obama’s affirmation

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s relationship with the city’s LGBT community has been a rocky road. The Atlanta Police Department’s botched 2009 raid on the Atlanta Eagle occurred during Mayor Shirley Franklin’s administration, but the long court battle and settlements of nearly $2 million to bar patrons who accused the APD of violating their constitutional rights came under Reed’s watch.

With the Eagle’s battles apparently finally put to rest with the last round of settlements in March, Reed faces a new challenge with LGBT Atlanta voters — support for same-sex marriage.

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Guilty pleas entered by two men accused in brutal attack of gay Atlanta man

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Dorian Moragne, 19, and Dareal Demare Williams, 18, pleaded guilty today in Fulton County Superior Court in the brutal assault Brandon White, a black gay man, on Feb. 4 in the Pittsburgh community.  Sentencing hearing will be held in July and the men face up to 15 and 20 years on each count.

During the hearing today before Fulton Superior Court Judge Bedford Jackson, prosecutor J. Gabriel Banks said the assault was instigated by another suspect, Christopher Cain, who alleged that the victim, White, 20, made a sexual advance toward him. Another suspect, Javaris Williams, was also allegedly involved in the attack that was videotaped and uploaded to a hip hop website.

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Atlanta LGBT youth organization ordered out of current space; new site not known

YouthPride’s landlord Inman Park United Methodist Church will change the locks of the LGBT youth facility at 1017 Edgewood Ave. on Friday, June 1, and soon move in a new tenant, but where YouthPride will relocate remains unknown.

YouthPride was to move out of its space in Inman Park on May 31 according to a court settlement with Inman Park UMC. YouthPride had failed to pay some $50,000 in rent and fees and the church said it had no choice but to take legal action.

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Atlanta Braves bring back ‘Out in the Stands’

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The Atlanta Braves will host their second annual “Out in the Stands” event for LGBT fans of the summer classic during a Wednesday night showdown with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 27.

This year’s game will benefit Ben Cohen’s StandUp foundation, an anti-bullying advocacy group based here in Atlanta. Cohen will attend the game and host a meet-and-greet session with fans, the Braves said.

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