My Rant: Change Atlanta, What the F**k are you Doing?

Yesterday, I posted this clip from an Atlanta news program. 

The gay activist group called, Change Atlanta went on the air saying that Brandon White, the gay man who was beaten by three other men, was lying about his story.

The members of this group said that Brandon knew these men and he was beaten because he threatened to out them as gay. So, according to Change Atlanta, this wasn’t a hate crime. This was an act of revenge and Brandon had it coming.

I’m not making this up, y’all. Here’s a piece from the article:

Gary Nichols said he and several other members of the community searched for White's attackers before they were arrested.

Nichols said when they interviewed witnesses and those in the Pittsburgh community who know White and his alleged attackers, he found out new details about White's prior relationship with some of his attackers.

"I would tell the Atlanta community we were duped. We were all duped and it's a shame. It's a bitter shame," Nichols said.

Nichols said the attack was not a hate crime. The motivation was revenge.

"Brandon was agitating these young men about personally exposing them for being DL gay - on the down low possibly gay. The young men responded because they don't want their families to know," Nichols said.

Jackson said he spoke directly with one of the suspects, Dorian Moragne, who also confirmed that they knew White.

"He was very clear about being sure that Brandon White in fact knew the other attackers in question," Jackson said. Jackson and Nichols said the attack was centered around a video that's supposed to be on White's phone. The video of the attack shows one of the men grab White's phone.

"It's a video of somebody performing a sexual act with one or a few of these young men," Nichols said. "That's why the cell phone was a target. They didn't just beat him up because he was gay," Jackson said.

Seriously? This claim is based on rumors. Can I say it again, RUMORS! The funny part about this story is how they talked to one of the attackers, taking his word over Brandon’s. And the big winning belief... The attack was not a hate crime; it was an act of revenge, so it’s okay. Free pizza for everybody! 

Sorry, Change Atlanta, but you were wrong to go on TV and state this claim as truth. You were wrong in thinking this ‘act of revenge’ erases the fact that Brandon was beaten like a dog by three men. Change Atlanta, you were wrong to turn you backs on Brandon and somewhat take the side of the attackers.

Change Atlanta, you were just plain wrong!

Who appointed this group as the voice of the LGBT community in Atlanta? They just got started, so Change Atlanta have no true legs to stand on. Their attempt to ‘be seen’ has our community questioning their actions and their purpose. 

Seriously, what were you thinking?

I hope Change Atlanta take this misstep as opportunity to really think about what they stand for. Because if they are gay activists, I’d hate to see what anti-gay activists look like.