A Black Gay Howard Beach?
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Tuesday, October 10 2006, 11:37AM
They're already comparing it to Howard Beach, the notorious hate crime in which a black man was chased by a group of white men into traffic and killed by a passing car in Howard Beach, New York. In 1986, 23-year-old Michael Griffith was hit by a car after being beaten by a group of white men who chased him through the streets. In this case, another black man, 28-year-old Michael Sandy, was hit by a car on the same roadway after being attacked and chased by at least two white men. The difference is that this time the victim may also be gay.
Eyewitnesses told the police that the men fought with the victim in an area near a parking lot alongside Plumb Beach, near Sheepshead Bay, and then forced him into a roaring lane of traffic at 9:40 p.m. Sunday, the New York Times reported. Backing away from the men, Sandy was struck by a car and then dragged from oncoming traffic by one of the men, the Times continued. The incident took place near a known gay cruising spot.
Although the New York Daily News identified Sandy as a black gay man who was an interior designer for Ikea, Clarence Patton, the director of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti Violence Project said "we just don't know yet" that the attack was gay-related. Some reports indicate that the attack may have been racially motivated and not sexual orientation-related. In a telephone interview this morning, Patton said, "The best we can all do is to wait for him to recover and see if he can remember anything."
"A lot of times the police and the media want to look at things as it was this or it was that, and not look at the fact that, particularly if you have a group of white racist homophobes, they could do stuff for both reasons, and we just don't know that yet."
"Everybody on the investigative team is out in the area right now, which is encouraging," Patton said. "The fact that this is so reminiscent of the Howard Beach incident has everyone on the edge." he said. He also indicated that there was another Howard Beach incident just last year. Because of the history of previous attacks, Patton said the area in which the attack occurred is a "tinderbox."
Patton said his group would monitor the case and be involved in it regardless of whether it turns out to be a racial bias case or a sexual orientation bias case. These things happen in all communities and the people who do these things don't limit themselves, Patton said. He also added that if the victim does in fact turn out to be gay that his group would want to be involved no matter what the motivation of the attack.
Comments conceal
Miss Thang
October 10 2006, 12:20PM
Word on the street is that Michael was in that area looking for white men.
Blue
October 10 2006, 12:37PM
Yikes. That is scary as hell. The whole cruising thing has always unnerved me. I remember when I was in college in VA, there was a very well known park in Norfolk guys would go to (and they may still, I don't know). People were hooking up on this phone line thing before the chat rooms got big, and they eventually ended up shutting the number down because a couple of guys got killed out there by the men they hooked up with. This didn't get a lot of exposure at all really, so I am happy that this is being covered properly. I hope they get to the bottom of it.
GentlySerious
October 10 2006, 12:41PM
...and even if a black man is in a known cruising area looking for white men and that black man is wearing pumps, a wig, and heels that NEVER gives anyone just cause to assault him! Stop gossiping and spirit-murdering the dead!
Andre Allen
October 10 2006, 12:47PM
kudos once again for stayin on top of the news that affect the black gay community. Its a sad story and hopeful there will be a bright outcome.
C. Baptiste-Williams
October 10 2006, 1:42PM
I can't believe eyewitnesses allowed this to happen. I hope this weighs heavy on their hearts.
taylor Siluwé![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
October 10 2006, 1:52PM
Sad and scary.
The attack, compounded by a heartless hit & run. The lesson here (from the sketchy info available) is that we have to protect ourselves. Kooks and callous souls surround us ... and we'd best to conscious of that at all times.
My heart goes out to his family.
Miss Thang
October 10 2006, 2:17PM
Michael should have known better.
Blacks in New York City know not to go into the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay,Gravesend and Bath Beach. Also, the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens is off limits.
I would never go anywhere near those neighborhoods.
Blacks are beaten in those areas all time.
A few months ago, a 14 year old black boy was beaten by a white mob for looking at a white woman.
Bernie
October 10 2006, 2:29PM
Twenty years later and nothing has really changed in that neighborhood.
And I beg to disagree with you, Miss Thang, but we have a RIGHT to go any damn place we want to. NO ONE has a right to beat up someone just because they are different, either because or race, sexual orientation, both or some other characteristic.
The people who beat this young man (and the parents who raised them) need to learn that basic fact.
Manchild1
October 10 2006, 2:39PM
Oh yeah,the neighborhood is still the same,I only wish
those who come after us realize that though the world is
open and some even love us gay folk. You still have to
be mindful of where you go,what you go and how you are
perceived...this isn't punking out..its survival
ks25
October 10 2006, 3:04PM
It was racially motivated and it was done by probably two white gay men. It would not shock me that white gays would do this to a Black gay male.
Blackgayguy
October 10 2006, 3:37PM
This is scary, hopefully he will be able to recover and identify these thugs. Is NYC as awful for blacks as it seems? Now, I say one should be able to go anywhere they please, but, sometimes you have to be careful of where you are cruising and just in life in general, even dating, if that is what he was doing. A park, in a racist neighboorhood after dark? Looking for trade, all you are going to find is trouble. And, if he was looking for white men, not that we know if its true, but, it will come out in the investigation, not as Miss Thang said, word on the streets, I don't doubt for a minute that a couple of gay white cowards would do this to him.
Blue
October 10 2006, 3:43PM
You guys are so right - you do have to be mindful of what you do and how you carry yourself, as sad as it is. My friend and his man walk hand in hand around DC all the time. Granted, this is a fairly liberal city, but still. I keep telling them they can't do that everywhere and I worry about them. One day we'll be able to, but until then, we have to always be aware of where we are. And I agree about the white gay guys being hostile toward blacks - they'll fuck you one minute and call you a nigger the next.
Gay London White Guy
October 10 2006, 3:48PM
This is deeply saddening for me.Being the opposite of this young NYC lad,a gay white man looking for a black man,i could imagine a similar thing happening to myself.Not that it would,or that i believe i am going to be killed by a mob of black men,but i can understand how this may feel for the black community,by imagining a similar thing happening to me.Truely awful.My thoughts are with him and his family at this time. AJ
Miss Thang
October 10 2006, 5:07PM
Blacks were beaten in this same neighborhood a few months ago--story below:
http://1010wins.com/pages/54766.php?contentType=4&contentId=169447
patrick
October 10 2006, 6:13PM
Blue's comment is offensive to me. Its sad that we as gay men get attacked, black and white. This crime is horrendous because when something happens like the Howard Beach crime, we all hope it will never happen again, let alone in the same neighborhood.
Miss Thang
October 10 2006, 6:28PM
Patrick,
This recent incident did no happen in the same neighborhood. Michael got beaten in the Sheepshead Bay/Garrison Beach section of Brooklyn.
Howard Beach is a section of Queens.
They both are near the highway and both are near the Atlantic Ocean.
You are getting your racist neighborhoods mixed up.
Patrick
October 10 2006, 8:00PM
My bad, Miss. Is it me or have there been a whole bunch of gay bashings, MORE than the usual, in the last few months?
Jay
October 10 2006, 10:49PM
The more I hear about NY the better DC seems after all.
Miss Thang
October 11 2006, 7:12AM
http://tinyurl.com/rwl3c
Karen S.
October 11 2006, 8:14AM
Listen, folks, you need to CHECK YOUR ASSUMPTIONS -- this was probably white gays doing it to a black gay? "Word on the street is...?" You've got to wait for the facts to come out. The current story (and again, we don't know the truth, only what's being reported) is that this was a scheme planned by straight white men to lure gay men over the internet with the intent to rob them -- anyone think that this whole INTERNET situation might be a problem? It's not just little kids being prey to pedophiles. And if someone is out somewhere looking for white men, black men, t.v.s, etc., then that's their right -- but the cruising game can be a dangerous one and THAT is worth taking a hrd look at. This is a terrible thing and I feel awful for his friends and family -- but with the Internet, it could happen anywhere. Please be careful folks, and THINK. Peace.
TITI
October 11 2006, 8:17AM
This is not right,it can't be justify.It is a terrible crime. But these are thinks we are supposed to remenber while promoting BLACKMEN into WHITEMEN...... As WE ALL KNOW SOME BLACK GAY MEN ARE JUST TOO CARELESS. THEY TEND TO LIVE IN TOTAL DENIAL UNTIL.....HOW CAN WE PREACH OPEN MINDNESS IN THIS KIND OF REALITY. WHEN PEOPLE LIKE RANDY FORCING US TO OPEN OURSELF TO SUCH A DANGER. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LEARN ANY LESSON FROM THE PAST???? I GUEST SOME OF US ARE STILL WAITING FOR ANOTHER 400 YEARS TO GET THE MESSAGE.WHAT THE SHAME!!!!!
mikey D
October 11 2006, 8:42AM
For those of you who are blaming the victim, well you should be ashamed of yourselves. While I agree that one should be mindful of how the navigate through the world (which is largely hostile toward black LGBT people), a mistake of cruising in an historically racist neighborhood does not alleviate the evil actions of the white thugs or the driver who hit him and ran. PERIOD!
RB Memorial Fund
October 11 2006, 8:44AM
The family is reporting that Michael, who has been in critical condition, is now brain-dead. They are keeping him on life support with the hopes that he will recover.
The sole eye witness reports seeing 3 white men and 1 black man at the scene of the crime. The 4 men that police have in custody range from age 16-20.
It appears that Michael, a 28-year-old interior designer from Williamsburg, was lured through the internet to a known gay cruising area along the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn by a teenager who promised a sexual encounter.
During questioning at least one of the straight-identified suspects indicated he has used the Internet in the past to lure and attack gay men.
More information available here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=4648184
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_284054804.html
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-bias1012,0,6278775.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines
John
October 11 2006, 8:58AM
Please folks, lets not always jump on the racist and/or gay bashing theme until we know more. While I am horrified and sorely disappointed in humankind when these incidents occur, I also recognize that it is too easy to generalize.
As an older gay white male who is attracted to men of color, I have experienced two incidents which I could easily suggest were racially motivated; however, I choose to see them as unfortunate experiences for me with two individuals who wanted to take advantage of me ... I have no idea whether race played a role in them or not.
I realize some of my feelings may be naive, but I really wish the GLBT community could and would come together and fight for our rights and dignity regardless of color, gender, heritage, religion, etc.
Peace
Luddite
October 11 2006, 9:12AM
This is a terrible hate crime. It is disturbing to still see such violent racism 20 years later in NYC.
That said, where is the righteous indignation for black on black violence? How many black men were assaulted or killed by other black men in New York City on that day?
Blue
October 11 2006, 9:27AM
Patrick,
Exactly what did I say that was offensive? I said we need to watch our surroundings and I hope they get to the bottom of it ... where's the offense in that? I don't even live there, so I've made no assumptions about any neighborhoods at all. And as far as the thing about the way some white guys are toward black ones, well, it is what it is.
drtnla
October 11 2006, 2:24PM
This may be a hate crime, but it isn't shocking at all...sadly, this is what can happen when you troll the internet for an instant hookup.
titi
October 12 2006, 8:37AM
IT IS SAD AND HORRIBLE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL OF US. INSTANT HOOKUP WITH STRANGERS JUST FOR SEXE, HAS IT CONSEQUENCES.WE SOMETIME BELIEVE THAT WE ARE FREE TO DO WHATEVER WE PLEASE WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR THE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR ACTIONS. NOBODY IN THIS ROOM COULD HAVE STOPPED THIS POOR GUY FROM GOING WHERE HE WANTED TO GO.FREEDOM COMES WITH RESPONSABILITY...AND WHEN WE NEGLECT RESPONSABILITY THEN THE RESULT IS ALWAYS WHAT WE ALL HATE.
Fitz
October 12 2006, 10:16AM
It is sad but true, these white men realized that we as gay men are superficial and in search of that big and golden dick, we would place ourselves in jeopardy to fulfill 15 minutes of fantasy risking our health and lives in the process. Many of us after hooking up with a stranger through the web would not try to form even a friendship with him. We would rather ignore him the next day when we meet again on the web in search of fresh, young and tender meat. This is a lonely lifestyle and many of us are seaching for love, connection and intimacy. We don’t' want to put in the work, time and effort to cultivate a true relationship, but instead cruise the parks, web sites and other dangerous areas to satisfy our temporary hunger for a man. Brothers, love yourself first and use common sense! I've even seen 50+ year old men doing this and it is sad when we consider anyone over 30 to be old in the life.
Regan DuCasse
October 13 2006, 7:39PM
I wonder if his family were able to donate his organs. Or is there a wholesale ban on donating the organs of gay men, like there is about donating blood?
Considering how easy testing is, that's all the hospital had to do and proceed accordingly.
How sad, if his organs went unused, based on the same prejudice that killed him in the first place.
sernatek
October 13 2006, 11:28PM
This is sad, you guys seem to think crusing is a way of life. If the straight world can kiss in the grocery store so should we. If the straight world can embrace and show efection in public, so should we. As real people, we (as gays) are alloud to go anywhere,anytime anyplace. Now then if your a subscriber to being a fag, or a fem, then you have set yourself up for danger. As a MAN, Im not afraid to hold my husbands hand, because we are both MEN. I need not run from a harrsment. Between me and my husband Im sure we could take atleast five other men down. I train daily for something like this,by being masculin, and not "fitting in" to the straight worlds defintion of GAY.
For centries gays have efeminised themselvs to exist under the Maculin "straight" mans thumb. As long as gays are not alloud to show love in public, straights will assume thats the norm. For each place that a straight can enjoy love, gays have a underground place to cruise. no wonder gay youth continues its dark path.
titi
October 14 2006, 6:37AM
SERNATEK NOTHING IS SAVE AS A GAY MEN. THAT INCLUDE THE COURAGE TO CRUISE AND THE COURAGE TO OPENLY WALK AROUND TOWN WITH YOUR LOVER. YOU AND YOUR MAN MAY FIGHT FEW PEOPLE BUT WHEN A GANG OF HATERS GET TO YOU BOTH, THEN YOU WILL REALISE THAT NOTHING IN THE FACE OF THIS HEARTH IS REALY SAVE.YOUR FITHING SKILL CAN LET YOU DOWN IN DIRE CIRCUMSTENCES. YOUR TRUE PROTECTION IS YOUR COMMON SENSE. YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT YOU CAN LEARN TO NAVIGATE YOUR WAY SAFELY.DON'T BE A MARTIRE.
dizzylatin
October 20 2006, 10:32PM
i agree with titi (even though her spelling and grammar are atrocious) .... but i also give sernatek props for keeping the bod in shape .... it's not "the answer" though ....the whole ordeal is just sad, from start to finish. :( RIP to the young man. pray for his family ... they need strength from above
Daniel
October 23 2006, 9:51PM
I was disturbed by comments here suggesting that gay white men were capable of killing a black gay man. Then I remember something that happened when I was in my early 20s (25 years ago). I used to go to a gay section of beach on Lake Michigan in Chicago's Boy's Town. One morning before the beach became crowded, I perceived a large black man in his mid to late 30s wearing his work clothes who was going up to the white gay men in their speedos on the beach and asking if "they were God". I could make out a few things that he mumbled...he had just lost his job, but most of what he said was incoherent. Here was someone who was having a nervous breakdown, it was clear, I thought. I watched him as he made rounds largely ignored by everyone. He eventually ended up at the water's edge where a single white gay man was wading in the waist high water. His back was to the black man who hovered above him on a stony ledge. All at once the black man fell onto the man in the water and hung on to him in what looked like an embrace. The gay man didn't struggle, but looked surprised and even a litle thrilled. The black man continued to hang on with all his weight and suddenly it occured to me that as he was clearly out of his mind, he might try to drown the guy. In the meanest, butchest voice I could muster I yelled, "Get the fuck OFF HIM!" and he slowly let go. The gay man, suddenly alarmed, ran from the water and disappeared. But what happened next I wasn't ready for. The black man in the water sort of floated on his back and as he did he began removing all his clothes until he was completely naked. His large belly and cock broke the surface of the water a few times before letting the water pass over his face as he sank deeper into the waves, slowly. At this point I became cynical. "Does he expect one of us to rescue him", I thought. "If he came to a gay beach looking for compassion, he came to the wrong place!" I refused to look. I turned my back. I moved to another spot. I forgot what I had just seen as if it never happened. But I wasn't the only one to witness this. About an hour later the beach had filled up with white gay men. From out of nowhere, a young black gay guy was in my face, beside himself, proclaiming publicly that he had just called the police. "I should have called right away", he kept repeating tearfully, riddled with guilt, and then he turned to me and said accusingly, "You saw it too!", unable to contain his burden.
It wasn't long before a police helicopter and patrol boat arrived. Two divers went into the water and minutes later brought up the drowned man's naked body. OK. The reason I'm relating this tragic story. Does anyone think for one minute that if the drowned man had been a handsome white youth, gay or straight, instead of a fat, middle aged black man, there would have been at least a dozen men to come to his rescue, lining up to give him mouth to mouth and provide him with dry clothes, dinner and a place to stay? Why,in this society, do we ALL undervalue the lives of black males?
AJ
November 6 2006, 4:55PM
Daniel, that's a very sad story. I don't think though that the colour of the man's skin in question would have been an issue in your tale. Do you think this really? You compare a handsome young white person, gay or straight, with an older fat black man. I think that older and fat any man would have gathered a different reaction. I'm not from America so I cannot understand or really even appreciate the racial differences there but, from what you've said, I think that the man's colour wouldn't have been the key issue in that instance. I also don't believe that gay men would indulge in racist gay on gay crime as in the case of Michael Sandy, yet that might just be my ideal image that as GLBT people we are beyond that, although I know that we're not.
Daniel
November 10 2006, 12:14AM
Thanks for your thought filled comments. Through the years I have thought about this incident and have had to come to terms with my own indifference and lack of compassion, which, had I had more of at the time, perhaps I would have acted to save the individual.
Still, I think, had he been white (even old and overwieght), I would have perceived him as less menacing, as would most white (and possibly black) people.