Six Men Shot at Black Gay House Party

Williams
January 2 2007, 1:42AM

This sort of intolerance and hatred is so foreign to me. I have never lived in a neighborhood where I feared for my life neither have I ever felt the threat of violence because I was gay. I very much understand that this story has more to do with the Black community than my own personal life, but as a Black gay man how do I contextualize this story? Do I really believe that people would be so full of hate that they would have the audacity to enter a home and start shooting? Maybe, my small town roots have misled me to believe that people are basically good. I don't know. I really would like to see what everyone else's response is.

lsaunders
January 2 2007, 8:40AM

I live an exclusively upper black middle class, supposedly well educated Community in Baltimore called Ashburton and a month ago, while walking my dog (yes,a Yorkie)a neighborhood child called out from behind his buidling: "look at the faggot walking his dog". The irony is that this child is from the Jehovah's Witness sect and I cannot even imagine what he may have called me if he knew I was also Catholic. What are his parents really teaching him. Many of us are educated, great looking, clean-cut, self-sustaining, and basically we mind our own business and I feel that that in itself offends people. Is ignorance bliss and if so many of our folk are very blissful? Sadly, while blackfolk are being blissful, their own sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and hosts of other relatives are being harmed, hurt, ostracized and yes discrminated against by their own and thats not what our people fought so hard for.

playboyadonis
January 2 2007, 8:46AM

Definitely not the news I was looking to read about during my morning web browse at work. But I guess there is no better way to start the new years than to be reminded about the struggle and the importance of fighting for our rights.

100 people?...That house is kind of small so I would guess in that neighborhood that this crime was not hate against gays but of some thug crew looking to rob and take what what does not belong to them.

100+ party goers? please hire security next time. I don't see how all those guys were together without someone having protection to fight back. (this comment might generate debate)

I don't care where I or you might live, violence and stupidity take up residence in everyone's neighborhood.

Again I ask, what can we do???

Nathan James
January 2 2007, 9:31AM

When young men of any color or ethnicity can make comments like those quoted above, I wonder who was responsible for their home training. Keith, you make a very good exposition of the core issues here, and how history has parallels to this.

The next time I hear somebody say that gays and lesbians are "disgusting" or "abnormal", I am going to say "Really? As disgusting as two people marching into a crowded house and mercilessly firing guns at people? Is this the act of a 'normal' person?"

It's also disgusting that I haven't read one word about this atrocity in today's (NYC) papers. Yet the same Daily News will put Paris Hilton on the front page.

Let me bang my head into the wall for the first time in 2007...

Bernie
January 2 2007, 9:57AM

What is Chicago's Black gay community doing to raise the level of outrage over this and respond to the ignorance in that neighborhood?

Where are Chicago's straight Black leaders on this? Jesse Jackson, Oprah? Any of them said anything?

BLK_PHD
January 2 2007, 10:20AM

It seem's that we black people are still our worst enemies!! Will it ever change.....

cuiremk
January 2 2007, 10:41AM

fascinating thing i noticed. the trib article mentions NOTHING about the gay aspect of this case or it's investigation as a possible hate crime, whereas it's emphasized in the sun-times article. just drives home the point that you have to know the source of your information (conservative trib vs liberal sun-times).

C. Baptiste-Williams
January 2 2007, 11:07AM

Playboy you shouldnt have to hire security to party in your own house.

Such a sad start to a new year.

milt7
January 2 2007, 12:10PM

This is horrible. I cant believe that in Chicago, or other areas such as chicago, here in the US, that this level of hate and intolerance, continues to rear its ugly face. Man....those boys in that house, had better know fosho..that they are hated. And it is one of the worst types of sick-hate, that can be afflicted upon their lives. They had better know, that they are in danger. You would think that adults in the area, had more insights into the struggles of disenfranchised individuals, within a society..or better yet, within american society...
I am so scared for those guys, because the proof has been shown, that no matter what SGL people do to promote diversity,love,understanding, and tolerance, there is always going to be someone,somebody, that wants to hate for the sake of just hating...I pray they(the occupants/victims)of this apartment, really understand where they are, and whom they are around. This kinda act of violence, for no reason at all...is sick

playboyadonis
January 2 2007, 12:41PM

...C.Baptist-Williams...I know we should not have to hire security at our own parties, I only suggest that with 100+ folks there is a likely chance that something might get out of control. But then again, they probably did not plan for 100+ people.

The example is set, now the issues are in view. What can the community do? Makes me wonder why we support Oprah, or Jesse Jackson or any other non-gay because at times when we need representation, these folks go into hiding. Let's examine who we support and why we should continue supporting their efforts. -or discontinue support. We need our own representatives!!!

Terrence
January 2 2007, 12:45PM

Unfortunately, this is the kind of hate that breeds Black-on-Black self-hatred. Black gay men, who have the right to live and party wherever they want (if legitimate), are viciously attacked by some stupid "normal" Black people. This is why, in my opinion, some Black gays choose to be "gay" first. This is the kind of behavior that helps to hinder the ultimate unity that the global Black community needs.

Black gay men and women in Chicago need to march down that 'uckin' street and let those Black bigots know that they (we) will not be deterred. You can move out of your "normal" 'uckin' neighborhood, but we won't.

On the hand, Blacks - gays or straights - need to be respectful of the community where they live. I don't want to live near a neighbor or on a block where there are loud parties all night long. It is inconsiderate of neighbors. Not that the behavior by the thugs is justified, because it is not. But respect the community where you live regardless of what people may think of you.

bubba
January 2 2007, 1:02PM

Apparently a "normal" neighborhood is one where black folks adopt tactics of the KKK to cast out the unwanted. But in demonstrating that self-hating show of assimilation, no one notices that poor white folks have no problem letting each other live through their disagreements. Another score for the mental poisoning of hip-hop and that old crutch, religion. Of course Oprah won't do a damn thing. Obama probably won't either. But neither will the gays. When's the last time you saw RuPaul or Andre Leon Talley on a picket line?

Mel Smith
January 2 2007, 1:52PM

Well, I'm ready to fight! In 2007, we can't keep letting people disrespect us like this. 'Gay' does not mean 'weak' and we can't keep letting them give us that stereotype. Some women don't even let men disrespect them. People only respect you when you fight back and I'm not meaning in an ignorant way. But, if people with black skin color did this, I'm not trying to put myself in the same category with the black community (my own family members included). I'm really thinking about visiting Chicago over this, to protest. I'm sorry, but I'm so upset. I'm very nonviolent but this situation is something we have to confront. We have to do something about this. They disrespect us like this but it is ok for women to sexually harass me? Anytime you got black folks who do this, that is telling us we have got to fight back. I'm waiting for one of them to disrespect me.

James
January 2 2007, 2:07PM

So sad. The violence is outrageous, then the fact that these folks would actually blame the victims. Why is it that the most oppressed people can still be the most intolerant. I guess everyone needs to feel superior to someone.

Mel(Jamel) Smith
January 2 2007, 3:28PM

Also, I really want to know what are WE going to do about this. What will the NBJC do about this problem? You guys see it is hunting season on us. They just let us know that they would start using physical force on us in 2007. Visit blackplanet.com news chatrooms. Black people on that site had advertise exterminating gay folks and they don't care if your skin color is the same as theirs! One black guys typed that we are worse than racist people! The so called 'Christians' in the chatrooms never condemned those individuals. That's is why we must beware of false prophets in 'sheeps clothing.' Just because one makes the claim that they are 'Christian', does not necessary mean that they will go to heaven. I'm a 26-year-old black man and I can say this: Man, you got n!g@rs talking about who they dislike and don't want in their neighborhood? The world must come to an end, anytime people who were lynched for the color of their skin will try to kill other black people. Really sick.

nahshon anderson
January 2 2007, 3:31PM

Why are we so surprised ?????????????????????????????

And yes why do we support blacks who would not even show up at our funeral let alone even testify if they were a witness to a crime we were involved in, i remember growing up and always hearing "those FAGGOTS sure do have money" well it seems to some that our money is all they want from us, yes we are in 2007 and hate is not going anywear blacks rather they be gay or straight or even transgendered are some of the most hypocritical self hating folks out there but is it really there fault? Blacks are now doing what the whites did to us just 50 or 60 years ago yah yah run the niggers out run the niggers out, so now you have so called blk heteros running the blk gays out this *&((*^& is just down right wrong, i cant wait for the day god brings his wrath down up on so he can truly be the judge and juror not some simple man or woman,...

Frank León Roberts
January 2 2007, 3:51PM

Yes, this was a terrible, terrible event, especially for Chicago's ballroom community. My ex-lover and close friend Darryl was among those shot at, though he missed the bullets.

manchild1
January 2 2007, 3:57PM

Not at all surprised,we black gay folk better understand
that in the here and now...we need to take up arms
and worry about the outcome later.To the Ashburton
resident...I grew up there,neighborhood is changing
real quick...

Ed
January 2 2007, 3:58PM

Since when is it Oprah's responsibility to stand up for the rights of gay people? It would be nice if she did but it's not here job. People like Jesse Jackson/Rev. Al Shaprton, who has made it their life work to help the disenfranchised, and the Illinois Sentator Barack Obama should have something to say. Not to mention the alderman and mayor and the ministers of the nieghborhood churches.

But what has me concerned is the ease with which these knuckleheads spoke of their dislike for gays on their block. I guess the afro-gay community has an uphill fight on its hands.

As Oprah said in the Color Purple (with a little embellishement)

"All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A gay child ain't safe in a family of black people, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight armed gunmen in my own house!"

hood2big
January 2 2007, 4:51PM

The key here is RESPECT.

We need to teach our sons and daughters to RESPECT those that are different than them.

But we also have to RESPECT our communities, loud and abusive behavior is not respectful of your neighbors. This applies to all persuasions.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Its a two way street, we as a people still have a lot to learn. Everyone should feel comfortable in their own space.

The Captain
January 2 2007, 5:03PM

Please provide me with evidence this is a hate crime. Can anyone do that for me?

James
January 2 2007, 6:06PM

How unforunate that in 2007, black folks still believe - - through religion and tradition - - that homosexuality doesn't or can't exist in the black community. These blinders are the reason why AIDS has gotten out of control in our community. This is the reason why being "down low" has gotten glorification. What should the response be? I don't believe that we need a national response, because, folks don't connect with a story until they see themselves or someone they love. Perhaps, if we were to begin to allow our family deeper in our lives (yes including discussing who we date and love), outrage over this type of story would have occurred already. My point is that we (as individuals) have more power than we think/believe we do; and the power begins with having a discussion with our friends and family on how this story has hurt us. Let's deal with the white elephant in the room!!!!

Mel Smith
January 2 2007, 6:31PM

I want to make sure that this is a one hundred percent hate crime too. But, NOBODY deserved what happended in that house and it was likely a hate crime. I don't care how loud the people in that house was. Look, if you guys just ignore this incident, they are going to keep testing us. If this is a hate crime, we must come together as one and go into the streets of Southside Chicago. If this is a hate crime, email me with some information, because as people with black skin color, there is no way in hell that we should just sleep on a incident like this in 2007. We are dealing with people in our neighborhoods. Therefore, we should be able to solve this problem. If we don't try to solve this problem, people will continue to disrespect us. Dr. King, Bayard Rustin and the other greats did what was necessary to change a situation.

pc
January 2 2007, 7:00PM

james, great points. i find that i share details about my partner and life with him with my mother and sisters, but also need start opening the minds of my neices and nephews. i've heard the kids calling each other "fag" as the most vicious insult in their arsenal. i flinch each time i hear it, but have yet to call them on it. if stopped at home, there's a glimmer of a chance that they'll think twice in public.

Kenneth
January 2 2007, 7:03PM

I live in Atlanta as an out gay Black man and have always tried to maintain faith in my people. I chose to live in a black inner city neighborhood and I fly a rainbow flag on my house. I'm blessed to be out to my neighbors, friends, and family and pray that I can continue to live my life without fear of attack in my own home. My prayers are for all of us that we don't let incidents of violence fade quietly into the past. We've got work to do!

Nathan James
January 2 2007, 7:24PM

By the way, just who, exactly, are the "normal, straight" people the young man says his neighborhood is for? Oh, right, they're the ones firing guns at the "abnormal" gays...

Patrick C. Word
January 2 2007, 7:52PM

The only thing I have to say is that what goes around, comes around and the same thing that those ignorant individuals did to those people in that house is the same thing that white racist or other ethnic racist groups can do to them. We seem to forget that our ancestors were hung by racist white people just because of our skin color. We seem to forget that some KKK members bombed a black church in Alabama in September of 1963 as they were preparing for Sunday School thus killing 4 young black girls. But, it's okay for us to go into someone's home and start shooting because of their lifestyle? It's okay for us to hurt each other but yet so wrong for other races to hurt us. Sad state of affairs.

Charles
January 2 2007, 9:17PM

Its been a long time since I lived in Chicago and taught on the south side indeed in this very neighborhood. Things change, but this is not the Chicago I knew where gay people have always lived and loved in the hood. There maybe more to this than meets the eye. Robbery or drugs or both are liable to play a role here. As for the youth interviewed they sound like suspects to me!

James
January 2 2007, 9:51PM

Here's a draft message to send to Barack Obama (D-IL). Nothing formal and nothing fancy, but a clear message that enough is enough. You should be able to cut an paste the message and e-mail to Mr. Obama using the link below. Peace!

http://obama.senate.gov/

Dear Honorable Obama;

I am writing to you to express deep concern over Monday’s crime which took the lives of six (6) gay black men in Chicago. As a black same-gender-loving voter, it’s disheartening that my needs, interests and rights have been long ignored and disregarded by both black mainstream (due to imbedded homophobia)
and gay mainstream (due to racism) leaders and civil rights organizations.

As this story is currently circulating throughout the black same-gender-loving community, your support and leadership is needed to send a clear message to all Chicagoans that such crimes will NOT be tolerated.

Mr. Obama, I would appreciate your support in ensuring these senseless deaths are not in vain.

Best Regards,

castiron
January 2 2007, 9:53PM

James, your points are well taken. I agree with you on every level.

The ole saying "think globally, act locally" is quite fitting here.

I can do my part by telling my family about this story and letting them know that I go to parities just like the one in Chicago (parties populated by black gay men). I will encourage them to be kind and respectful to people who are gay because they would want others to be kind and respectful to me.

All of us should commit ourselves to telling this story to our non-gay family and friends. I'm getting on the phone tomorrow.

mrgchi
January 2 2007, 10:54PM

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Keith for continuing to cover news from all parts of the U.S. on his site, and to everyone that has expressed outrage and concern over this event.

This event has shaken the black GLBT, never before in the most recent years has a “Hate Crime” like this been perpetrated against this community and you can be assured that it will not go away quietly, although according the Chicago Police Department it has not been categorized as a hate crime however the community knows that a duck by any other color or name is still a duck.

The Chicago Black GLBT Community is preparing to respond to the incident and will do so within the next couple days, and with the permission of Keith I would love to post it on this website.

Thanking you for your continued support.

cuiremk
January 3 2007, 12:39AM

careful with your facts, james. so far as i've seen in the reports, nobody was killed. just shot. i haven't seen reports of any of them dying yet. if you're going to have people email obama, make sure they have their facts in order.

James
January 3 2007, 8:23AM

Thanks cuiremk!!!! I guess I got a little angry and got to typing:)

Blue
January 3 2007, 9:56AM

Very sad and very scary. Sadly, it's not surprising. Hopefully, justice will be served.

Keith Boykin
January 3 2007, 11:27AM

I wish I could provide more details but I'm writing this from the sea. I'm away on a cruise, and the Internet rates are 75cents/minute, so I won't be updating much during my trip.

I won't have time to surf the net and find out what's going on, so if anyone has any new leads or information, please send me an email to the ship. My email onboard is kboykin6062@nclsprit.cruisemail.net.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to respond.

Thanks.

mlk
January 3 2007, 2:42PM

this is not a case of history repeatng itself you cant compare what happends to based on being homsexual with what happens because of race black people never had to com out of a closet be open out or openly black to suffer any injustice because we're black so untill you can say with validity that you homosexuals dont have to come out of a closet be open out or openly homosexual and itll still happend to you for that reason youre wrong fact is not unlike being racist just as racist people can keep being racist to themselves you homsexuals can keep being homosexuals to your selves

Mel Smith
January 3 2007, 3:57PM

Mlk, PREJUDICE IS PREJUDICE, regardless. Sometimes sexually orientation can be hidden and sometimes it cannot be hidden. The same example can be applied to race. I don't know about some of you, but I have family members who don't look black at all. My aunt could hide her blackness. all the things Bayard Rustin,Angela Davis and other homosexuals did during the Civil Rights Movement. Most of us have two strikes against us: race and sexual orientation. That is just another reason why I want to kick people a$$ for disrespecting me! But, truthfully, I do believe in nonviolence.

maxqthrust
January 3 2007, 4:56PM

the truth of the matter is that because we are not accepted as equal with in the larger black community and the us and them mentality is on blast we need to bind to getter and fight the good fight.1st learn to defend your self. the fact that the cowards attend to attack gay people cause they don't fear that you will fight back is a problem(take a marshal arts class like kraftmaga)2nd we need shut the down low off.if you are same gender loving be will to fight for that in all ways shapes and form. politically , physically, economicly, spiritually. as a group, black gay men are getting murdered all over the place here and abroad. Count this as a wake up call. now is the time to stand up and be counted. love one another as people and support one another. come out to all the people that are in your life so u know where u stand and you can work from there. well that's my 2 cents have a prosperous and productive new year.

Mike_88
January 3 2007, 5:04PM

MLK,stop using slavery and our history in America to undermine other people's struggles. Bigotry is bigotry no matter what it is. When you do that, you insult yourself as an African American to have your ancestors experience this to continue the cycle among other individuals!!!!!

playboyadonis
January 3 2007, 7:02PM

While I stand behind the need for justice and equality for all of God's people, I realize that we need more evidence before we begin to call injustice towards gay people.

The black gay-ballroom community is highly competitive, so I ask, is it possible that this is an inside job?

qtmia
January 3 2007, 7:40PM

I AM SOOO SORRY TO SAY THIS BUT A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE ARE F_CKED UP!!!!

THESE GUYS WHO SHOT UP THIS PLACE AND THE GUYS WHO MADE THE COMMENTS TO THE REPORTERS HAVE GAY RELATIVES.

I SEE FAR TOOO MUCH HATE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES...ESPECIALLY AMONG GAYS.

jared
January 3 2007, 8:14PM

its a shame that this sort of a HATE crime isn't going to be investigated as such. and, why should just black gays and lesbians in the chicago area be ready to march and demand action? the whole community should, gay, straight, black or white. this is a vicious attack and even for the smug residents of that chi-town 'hood chi-town, they should realize, it could happen to them as well since thugs like this have no regard for human life.

and, for bubba, andre leon talley did march in a protest, last month in nyc for the young man who was murdered by the nypd the day of his wedding, so, he does get active when a wrong has been done. as for ru paul, i don't think he has ever even commented on being black, so i doubt if he would ever get ticked off enough to even say anything for this horrible act.

chiboi1983
January 3 2007, 9:39PM

This is why people do not like letting their sexuality be known. Why does this have to be Six black gay men? They were all black men who got shot whats so important about them being gay in a "gay" house party?

People got shot at house parties before and u never see them referred to as "stra8" house parties or "six stra8 men were shot"

Trent
January 3 2007, 10:17PM

I cannot describe how thought provoking the Keith's analogy between those "white" bigots from the segregationlist past and those words of some of the residents of the black neightborhood maded me upon me.

After all is said and done with, what happened to those men at the party was, to me, a hate crime. Worst, a hate crime countenanced by a certain hateful element in that neighborhood.

It is difficult enought for gays and lesbians of African descent. We should not have to fear for our lives and face so much hate in the largber black (or ethnically Latino) community regardless of anything period.

Drew
January 3 2007, 10:23PM

We never learn ... often by the time we have evidence to act on hatred, bigotry, and intollerance, it's too late ...

"First they went after the Communists, and I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist.
Then they went after the homosexuals and infirm, and I did not stand up because I was neither.
Then they went after the Jews, and I did not stand up, because I was not a Jew.
Then they went after the Catholics, and I did not stand up, because I was Protestant.
Finally, they went after me, and there was no one left to stand up for me."

Rev. Martin Niemoller (1892-1984), German Lutheran pastor and opponent of Adolf Hitler

brucito10
January 3 2007, 10:28PM

Was this one of those circuit parties where if you don't have a thugish appearance and six pack abs they turn you away at the door?

Mitch
January 4 2007, 1:47AM

Thank God for views about issues that confront us. I am pessimistic and angry about our community, people, and the future.

Are our straight brothers and sisters angry and outraged about this violence? What is the Hip Hop position on the negro terrorism and sickness in our communities: Us today, them tomorrow!

Can we rid our communities of this ignorance, pain, sorrow, destruction and violence? What can each of us do to make our comuunitiies safe and sane?

Dr. King fought against violence; now violence, black on black hatred has corrupted the black community to its core!
These thugs, murderers, and haters are destroying us all.
Let this be a forum for us to solve these problems; heal ourselves, our communities, our people.

I don't want to but I often have hatred for these terrorists, because it easily could have been me or any one of us that was shot just for being.

There is no difference between these terrorist toms and the ku klux klan, white supremacists.

algie
January 4 2007, 3:21AM

to a world sick with homophobia...get well soon.
in 2007 we can't be quiet no more.this vicious cycle has gone on for tooooooooooooooo long. martin luther king is probably turning over in his grave

ttime2doit
January 4 2007, 4:01AM

I like the way you described the relationship between a black neighborhood denigrating gays/bisexuals and whites in a neighborhood denigrating black people for moving into their community! We need to take a close examination of how we as black people put far too much energy in tearing each other apart!

Take a look at how gays are treated in Africa! As if the Europeans haven't done enough to subjugate that continent, several countries and their leaders seem to be on a mission to denigrate gays and bisexuals. I can't understand why too many people in this world would rather see grown men tearing across a football field into each other, boxing, hitting each other with hockey sticks, killing each other in warfare, violating each others' person rather than making love to each other!

jay
January 4 2007, 10:33AM

Peace everyone, I think that this situation is very sad, and should not have happened. I did find out from another site that the host of this party, posted his party in the "party ads" section on Adam4adam.com, that being said, he probably had alot of folks over his house, that he probably didn't even know. I know that you should be able to go and "get your party on" any and everywhere, but there are just certain areas in various cities that i've visited that I WILL NOT GO TO, because of the criminal element that preys on those they find to be vulnerable. And I find that all too often, alot of gay clubs in various cities across the Us are in some of the most "seediest" areas, where people getting their cars broken into, or people getting robbed at gunpoint is commonplace.

Martin L. King jr.
January 4 2007, 11:30AM

smel you can say what you want till your face turns blue you can say you were born homosexual cant change it didnt choose it living a lie and or hiding if you dont tell anyone youre homosexual or being truthful about yourself if you do youcan call it sexual preferance sexual oreintation you can call it it three bags of barbicued potatoe chips and a pop for all i care fact is whatever happends to you homosexuality your bring it on yourselves it your own fault youve only yourselves to blame saying sometimes you can tell people are homosexual is like saying somtimes you can tell people are racist you say prejudice is prejudice i feel the same about racist people you being homosexual also means youre a hypocrite youll give a million and one reasons why thats not the same as im sure youll give a million and one reasons as to why to beat up someone homosexual should be a "hate crime" but not if someone is racist cant say with validity being homosexual is a "strike" against you beacause what happends you bring it o

Ron Lee
January 4 2007, 12:14PM

First of all I'd like to give my sympathies to all the victims of this crime. Ignorance is a threat to us all.#1. We must first ask why were not these guys out hounding females.#2. The white reporter is always trying to scew or steer a issue meaning his questioning were ignorant not informing his questionaires on the History of the neighborhood;nor did he challenge them on the right for anyone to live in any neighborhood in America.#3.I saw this story on LOGO, which didn't mention the men were sgl,they didn't mention the conditions of the victims,they even went out their way to say this happened on the South-Side as though crime on the South/Side is of no importance. I would have like to have heard that the Human Rights Commission,NBJC,Rainbow Push,NAACP are all investigating this incident. Listen up gentlemen we are men but if we want to be treated like 'bitches & whores' will shall be. Lets organize and do something. First we must declare we're men. PEACE-OUT

mlk
January 4 2007, 12:30PM

mike im sure 88 is 30 points higher than your I.Q. the only insult to black people here is comparing what happends to you homosexuals based on your homosexuality with what happends to black people because we're black you so with any validity

playboyadonis
January 4 2007, 1:24PM

Is there a misunderstanding? Just as black people continue to fight for rights and justice, black gay people continue to fight for the same.

"Its because we're black that we are mistreated, misappropriated, and denied"....."It's because we're black AND gay that we are mistreated, misappropriated, and denied"

There is no insult to black people. The insult, in my opinion, would be the folks in the black community feeling that segregation wihin our own is the solution when it is far from it. We've been hurt and set back too far from segregation, why would we turn on another group of people and wish them the blood, tears, and pain of our past?

boemerang
January 4 2007, 3:00PM

The main issue here is not hate, homophobia or disrespect. It is gun control.

milt7a
January 4 2007, 3:20PM

I dont care how much they(irresponsible whatever), try to
"dress this incident up"...this incident is A HATE CRIME, IN THE WORST KIND OF WAY...Donot be misled by individuals who way...show me the proof.....The proof in and of itself, is the reality, the shooters made it a special point to attack a SGL private party.

Mel Smith
January 4 2007, 6:51PM

Educate yourself because sexual orientation is not a choice. Sexual orientation is feelings, first, before anything. If you study history, prejudice people always say 'people bring it on themselves.' Do even try to disrespect King's legency like that. Dr. King would never say that folks brought violence on themselves. Man, people get on my nerves!

neil
January 4 2007, 10:06PM

Will American black males ever outlive the African-American male machismo? Will there ever be a time when African-American males can learn to appreciate one another's differences and look beyond sexuality? The more I read and hear about gay males being attacked in this day and age makes me consider taking extreme measures to protect myself, and I do mean extreme since many agencies in communities around this country appear to be ignoring the problem. I feel for my brothers who have become victims of such hate crimes, but I refuse to become a statistic.

jusme
January 5 2007, 5:18AM

I am a straight female and I find that this type of act against anyone horrific. Reading your posts, I feel that many of you don't feel like anyone, (except other black gay men)feel your pain on this. Well, I do. I hate to read about anything like this happening to ANYONE. Not all straight people think the worse of gays, I've sinned enough in my life to try to judge anyone. :)

Steve
January 5 2007, 7:31AM

Why has Obama been singled out as the politician to whine to? ALL politicians serve ALL the people. Talk to your representatives, regardless of their racial background. Do fail to do so is racist.

Furthermore, do we know this was a racially or homophobic hate crime? Or could it have been a neighbor who simply could not take the noise any longer? Or was there some other connection, several examples of which have been outlined here?

Chicago, and Chicago's black community in the Avalon neighborhood has lots of issues. Homophobia is only one of those. Let's know what issues were truly at play in order that we can take the appropriate action. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to have written all kinds of letters whining about homophobia, only to find out it was a drug related incident? (Thus highlighthing another issue in the Avalon neighborhood.)

playboyadonis
January 5 2007, 8:36AM

...JusMe...I appreciate and respect your comment, however, I feel slight of an undertone that you are comparing being gay to some church going sinning??? I could be wrong about your comment...

I agree that Barak is not the only politician or representative who should be exposed to this and other gay related issues.

Also, more knowledge by evidence is needed. Any updates to the case? Are they still calling it the "Gay House"? And, how will the entire Chicago gay community address this issue?

Kevin
January 5 2007, 8:50AM

Jusme, I also appreciate your support and message.

playboyadonis, I don't believe Jusme was comparing equating sinning to homosexuality, but simply making a statement that, unlike, many other members of society (as a whole), she's NOT going to judge anyone or anything. I don't believe, she meant to suggest that homosexuality is a sin.

Perhaps, Mr. Obama was mentioned because this happended in Chicago. agree that this is a national concern/problem for all; however, the ripple effect of change (I believe) is always more effective. Meaning, change first starts locally and then (prayerfully) gains momentum as others increase their awareness.

deejay
January 5 2007, 9:32AM

While I'm not sure there is sufficent proof - based on reporting I've read - that this terrible incident constitutes a hate crime. IMO, violence against another person, for whatever reason, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. People should be free to be so long as long as they respect the same rights of others.

That said, my next thought is whether this event was indeed a sex party (note: I'm sure everybody up in there was grown and free to do whatevah grown ass folks want to do. That's not my focus). My concern, however, is whether or not participants practiced safe sex.

I hope there is similar outrage toward those in the black male sgl community for the potentially life threatening implications - albeit not immediately - of sex parties or similar events that adversely impact the entire black community.

The violence at occurred at this event is disturbing. Let's voice the same outrage at reckless conduct that threatens everyone, especially the black male sgl community.

Warren
January 5 2007, 10:48AM

Has anyone stopped to think that 'maybe' this act was committed by another gay man? It's quite possible...

Ty
January 5 2007, 11:22AM

This is a shame. Where is the OUTRAGE from the gay community as a whole? What about the citizens of Chi-town who see any crime like this as a travesty and should be dealt with accordingly?

And, why didn't they have some security or someone to keep this large of a "house" party at a level to not annoy the neighbors? 100 people at a house party is out of control and trouble is bound to happen, even though this does not mean these lowlife thugs had a right to go in and shoot the place up.

Martin Luther King
January 5 2007, 11:28AM

smel smitty if it happens to you based on being homsexual or racist if you stayed in the closet it wouldnt happen to you for those reasons PROVE ME WRONG.

deejay
January 5 2007, 1:16PM

During the late 70s and early 80s, my now deceased uncle (my aunt's former husband) used to have what is best described as an "all-night house" in his otherwise quiet working class neighborhood.

He regularly hosted loud all-male parties that involved drinking, card games, sex, and often ended in fighting among the participants. On one occassion, someone - a jealous lover, perhaps - fired a shot gun at the front door. Thankfully, no one was injured. Needless to say, he was not well received by his neighbors.

However, the shot gun incident was not a hate crime; just a scary example of what can happen when you allow "ehbody and dey Mama" up in your home.

Mel Smith
January 5 2007, 1:21PM

King, first it's very offensive for you to use the word, 'racist,' in the same category as someone with homosexual feelings. Second, why should we have to be second class citizens to heterosexual people or why is it ok for your kind to sexually harass me, yet I have to keep my sexual orientation to myself? Here's the main point, regardless, if someone is in 'the closet' or not, don't NOBODY deserve violence. For the record, I want you to study the Civil Rights Movement because if wasn't for us gay folks, you guys would have had a much more difficult time. Angela Davis, Dr. Rodney Powell, Bayard Rustin, and other black homosexual people. Rustin introduced Dr. King to nonviolent strategies. Bayard Rustin is one of my heroes. Also, why are you using the name Dr. King? Man, Dr. King did not go around saying that people 'brought violence to themselves.' He was nonviolent. And as I mentioned before, some of use have various strikes against us. Lesbian females have more strikes than I do.

edwin greene
January 5 2007, 1:45PM

Several days ago I emailed a black gay activist I know in Chicago to ask what he, or anyone, in his city was planning to do about the shooting of six black gay men. I have heard nothing from him, so far, so I guess that's his answer.

Mel Smith is one of the few persons commenting on the shooting who sees the ramifications of this for the future of black gay men. He responded to the shooting of six black gay men by recommending (in his first comment) that we "fight back" (or be considered weak sissies forever) and that he was thinking about going to Chicago to "protest". Good for him. I was thinking the same thing.

To me, the most important question is what do we DO about it? Anything else is beside the point. And of course it was a hate crime (the two young men quoted in Keith's article knew what time it was) even if the legal criteria is presently lacking.

Ron Lee
January 5 2007, 3:02PM

I think everyone here has brought up some valid issues. Yes the the perpetraiters could be gay themselves. It could be a disgruntle lover. Could have been a Club owner who Knew they would have no business that New Years Night; However,all the National LBGT Organizations should be all over this. I have not doult in my mind that if they were white by Friday Oprah,Geraldo and Anderson Cooper would have had a sigment on it. It's a shame but like "Katrina" I hope our Black SGL Community truely wakes-up and see where they stand with the Gay Community at large, this should be the issue of the Year for every Gay News Outlet in America and around the world. If it had happened in Africa or some other 3rd. World Country all the world would call them Barbaric. "LET COME TOGETHER BROTHERS" PEACE OUT.

FRE
January 5 2007, 4:35PM

Look at mlk's post again. Not only is it hate filled, but it makes it clear that mlk is only semi-literate. The entire post didn't have even one punctuation mark or one capital letter.

Obviously there are well-educated people who hate us, but uneducated people are more likely to hate us. Also, uneducated people are more likely to express that hate with violence.

manchild1
January 5 2007, 4:54PM

Exactly Fre...MLK is on another planet and I say ,for
the knockleheads...it is only one thing that they
understand...unbinding violence,not reasoning,not
understanding...love...turn the other cheek...
not in the 07

deejay
January 5 2007, 5:41PM

I spoke with a friend (black SGL man) about this incident and forwarded him a link to the Chicago Times news clip.

He raised a point that I, as a black hetero woman, easily missed; he said it's possible that other gay men in the neighborhood could have been put-off by femme queen "glamour" associated with the house.

Again, this incident is disturbing and nothing - I repeat, NOTHING! - justifies the forced entry and gun play.

But that doesn't necessarily translate into hate crime.

mrgchi
January 5 2007, 10:17PM

Not In Our Community!
A community forum addressing violence in the black GLBT community.
Date: Saturday, January 6, 2006
Time: 10:00am - 12:00 noon
Place: Cafe 917
917 E 79TH St
Chicago, IL 60619
For more information contact:
Marc at (773) 331-5956
or
Gregory at (773) 649-1622

playboyadonis
January 6 2007, 12:34PM

I wonder if Keith got his cruise mail???
=========================
Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

Subject: Chicago 'Gay House' Shooting & other Chicago Gay Related news.
Sent: 01/03/2007 12:21 PM

The following recipient(s) could not be reached:

kboykin6062@nclsprit.cruisemail.net on 01/06/2007 12:32 PM
Could not deliver the message in the time limit specified. Please retry or contact your administrator.

milt
January 6 2007, 1:22PM

@deejay

You sound just like all the other naysayers, when you say that this incident does not translate into a "hate crime".
I dont mean to insult you deejay...but you need to take off the blinders..THIS ACTION ITSELF DICTATES HATE AND VIOLENCE, AGAINST SGL INDIVIDUALS...THE KNUCLEHEADS INTERVIEWED CONFIRMED THE FACT THAT THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD KNEW THAT THESE BROTHERS WERE SGL, AND BECAUSE THEY WERE SGL, THEY WERE HATED...THEREFORE, THIS IS A HATE CRIME

Ty
January 6 2007, 1:55PM

Well, now, it looks like much ado about "drama" since there are now reports of this being a "fued" bewteen "houses." Now, just how silly can this be? i thought they "vogued' off thier anger, now they are shooting each other up in fake or "hot" "designer" labels, give me a break.

deejay
January 7 2007, 11:26AM

@ Milt:

No offense taken :)

Mike_88
January 7 2007, 4:18PM

How classy mlk to insult me??? It's plain nonsense that people want violence ot be brought among themselve. ODyou want violence to be brought amongst yourself. If you wer really educated you could rebute my argument with knowledge and not bs.

Bottom line: Hate is hate. there is no excuse for it. The resaon you feel insulted is becasue of your fears as a black man that homosexuals are trying to makeall african americans gay (so far from true and is really delusional). Thisreally prove how much of men some Afroamerican men are!!!!

martin luther king
January 7 2007, 4:24PM

smell smitty are you aware that there were also racist people people who commted adultery and fornicators as well in the movement. J.Edgar Hoover head of the f.b.i. who was also homosexual tried to bring martin luther king and the movement down

martin luther king
January 7 2007, 4:58PM

low level mikey all i said is keep your homosexuality to yourself and IT wont happen to you for that reason prove me wrong untill you can. youre the idiot I DARE YOU PROVE ME WRONG

MLK
January 7 2007, 5:45PM

MLK, why do we have to keep our homosexuality to ourselves and it's ok for you to express your hetersexuality? We are not second class to the heterosexual orientation. Heterosexual people were also against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now, do you want me to stereotype you and all heterosexual people? I'm not interested in your oppressive interpretation of Christianity. Guys, just look how powerful heterosexism is. Unfortunately, J. Edgar Hoover was a homosexual and MLK seems to make that the most important fact about him. Well, Osama Bin Ladin and his men destroyed the twin towers. MLK, do you want me to remember that he was just a heterosexual guy?

Mel Smith
January 7 2007, 6:17PM

Sorry. I typed the last message to MLK. Also, MLK, I got a problem with you, visiting this site and expressing that we should keep our sexual orientation to ourselves, especially after the fact that six people were shot. So just take your heterosexist views and go somewhere. If someone attacked you for the color of your skin or any reason, you don't want someone to say that you deserved it. So be like how Dr. King was, and take a different approach to the situation. Now, everyone, you see how quick black heterosexual people distinguished us from them. MLK don't care if your skin color looks like his. He's only see you as a gay person. Prejudice people only judge you on what they dislike about you, whether it's skin color, gender or whatever. That's why he compared you to someone like J. Edgar Hoover. You guys should not be afraid to challenge the heterosexual power structure. If they come in your face with that nonsense, defend yourselves.

Ty
January 7 2007, 8:32PM

How this thread has shifted from a shooting, to "stay in the closet" is amazing. To those who are offened by gay men and women who are out, too bad. I for one am sick and tired of seeing men and women groping all up on each other in public as if they can't control thier urges until they are in the privacy of thier homes. Women with thier skimpy clothes, thugs with droopy pants that look like fools. If, we are going to be the moral police like the GOP and pick and choose whats offensivem and whats isn't, that is a can of worms that will get totally out of hand, and miss the issue at large, black on black violence, which sadly seems to not know or care about sexaul orientation.

And, lets not forget, there was a OUT black man who worked with Dr. King, and also, that his wife was for gay rights.

brucito10
January 7 2007, 9:04PM

I asked previously and someone has almost confirmed what I am suspecting. This party was advertised on a site called adam4adam. I asked if this was one of those parties where if you do not look like an outright thug and have a body everyone wants to jump on as soon as you strip down to your underwear they will slam the door in your face. The reason I asked this is because a few years back I lived for those type of parties here in NYC. One night a big heavy set guy came to the door and was turned away. The way the person on the door did it was just outright rude but hey, they dont put customer service agents on the door at those parties either. (Even though they were charging $20 admission ($20). The guy knocked on the door again. Again he was told no. Instinct told me to get the hell out of there because I knew he was coming back one way or the other. As soon as I got out to the street and started heading to the subway 4 police cars showed up investigating a report of a 15yr old boy at that party.

Texas76132
January 7 2007, 10:43PM

There is something very disturbing about the direction in which these postings have taken since finding out this was not a hate crime: The lack of consistency. When we thought this was a hate crime, several of you demanded action and justice immediately. Now that we know the truth, suddenly no one has anything to say. Life is life; and many of you placed the importance on these shootings based solely on who you thought the perpetrators were. How can we expect others to care about us when we don’t care about us to stay mad? By the way, I caught the homophobia in this subject, blaming the femme black gay male once again for being out of the closet instead of the criminals who attempted to murder them. Now that these homothugs are overrunning the black gay community with crime the way that their straight counterparts are doing to the overall black community, we can make them the new face of the black gay male because we finally have fags who aren’t sissies and can keep it real with the best of them.

Kevin
January 8 2007, 10:02AM

Good point Texas67132. I'm amazed how many different discussions have branched off the issue at hand - violence in the black sgl/lgbt community. I also expected a response from NBJC; however, nothing!!!! Oh well, I guess Alex (Noah's Arc), was on the mark when he said "gay folk ain't got no one but Jesus".

Steve
January 8 2007, 10:11AM

Texas: Some might even think it is just one more example of gay hysteria so common in our community. This crime is a tragedy, but we should have ascertained facts before opening our yawps.

milt
January 8 2007, 11:27AM

@MLK,Mel,and Mike88

Brothas, can we please have some peace between the 2 of you here....please stop this...
The insults between you 2, need not exist..find some common ground here....please?

martin luther king
January 8 2007, 11:36AM

FREak as long as the message is recieved thats all that matters

Martin Luther King jr
January 8 2007, 12:07PM

smel smitty you can no more see someone as homosexual than you can see someone as racist be you black white asian hispanic if you dont put being homosexual out there no one will know just like if you dont put being racist out there no one will know PROVE ME WRONG

edwin greene
January 8 2007, 12:23PM

The relevant issues are still who did the shooting and the obvious homophobia of the creepy neighbors (the two young men quoted in Keith's article).

IF the shooting was an inside job, there is also the painful problem of "internalized homophobia" among some black gay men and "black gay on black gay violence".

Several individuals think the problem of gay bashing, when it occurs, is solely the fault of the victim for not being in the closet. They think this problem could be solved if only gay men would just behave by "disappearing" into the closet.

I remind you that if a gay man disappears into the closet he often disappears into the "down low" (to his own and some unsuspecting woman's eventual misfortune). The down low is kept alive by this kind of misguided thinking.

Mel Smith
January 8 2007, 12:51PM

Milt, if you read my messages, you would realize that they are very peaceful. However, I'm not like most gay people. I fight back, especially when people attack who I am. Most gays don't fight back and that's why we are in the situation that we are in. See, I'm not blind like a lot of gay folks. I realize that black heterosexual people don't include us with them. You actually believe they consider you their 'brother'? It's too bad most of you guys don't see that. Yet, you are so quick to defend people who don't give a damn about you. The word 'gay,' does not mean 'weak.'

Martin Luther King
January 8 2007, 12:53PM

greenie you can call it the downlow the lowdown whatever he does is of his own fault and of his own volition PROVE ME WRONG say what you want

deejay
January 8 2007, 2:21PM

The comments by the "neighbors" were more ignorant than disturbing. Since when did "Pookey N'Nem", or any other illiterate person in whose faces mainstream media loves to shove a microphone and a camera, become spokesperson for the HOME OWNERS in that neighborhood.

But what they said was no less threatening than the frustration that I've seen vented on this board about "breeders" and threats to go out and " infect as many straights as possible with HIV".

Just as I am not losing sleep over those comments, I certainly wouldn't assume that a couple of knuckleheads speak for that entire community.

I'm not diminishing the threat of violence that gays face. I know that bashing is real and the same idiot who'd bash a gay man would not hesistate to put a fist to my face for not knowing my "place" as a black woman in the world.

This incident in Chicago should only serve as a point of discussion about fissures within the black gay community, not the black community at large.

Mel Smith
January 8 2007, 2:21PM

MLK, some gay people actually cannot hide their sexual orientation and others can hide theirs. Also, it's very disrespectful to compare who we are to racists. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advisor was an openly gay person by the name of Bayard Rustin. You can compare yourself to a racist because you're prejudice.

Ron Lee
January 8 2007, 4:54PM

where's the NBJC on this incident? Does anyone know if they have released a statement on the issue?

Mike_88
January 8 2007, 5:09PM

Milt, I would love peace. Peace is a spectacluar thing. But some aren't about peace ands that's sad. ANd you're right, we shouldn't be fighting. We should come together (everyone) to make changes for the better but people just are not willing to.

jazzi
January 8 2007, 7:22PM

Now that it's pretty much been determined that this whole thing was about personal rivalry & not a hate crime, what? Seems to me a lot of folks jumped to conclusions about what happened based on what a bunch of numb nuts said outside of the house than what really went on inside the house. Remember: Crying wolf does nothing to help our cause. Not a good look, fellas.

Kevin
January 8 2007, 8:10PM

I was on my way to the gym when I read this story. Ironically, I was at a house with about 10 other gay men New Years Eve in a ghetro neighborhood and we heard shooting all night. I am not used to that and it did cross my mind as we were having discussions about gay life and were talking loud, 'what if someone shoots at this house.' I was told, "Please, them niggas aint thinkin' bout us." WHY DO WE KEEP CHASING BLACK STRAIGHT PEOPLE FOR LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE? MANY DON'T LIKE US OR WANT US AROUND. I remember growing up in Buffalo and being subject to pure hatred from Black boys for no reason except that I was gay. They HATED gay people. My play father, who was an ex football player, disliked me because I was gay (I was more attached to his wife as my play mother). This man actually fuc*ed his own mother and admitted it to his wife. AND HE STILL PUT HISELF ABOVE ME (laugh). see next post....

Mel Smith
January 8 2007, 9:44PM

Kevin, some straight men would sleep with their own blood sisters! You see, it's 'pu$$y' to them. They stereotype us and we will stereotype them. Also, a lot of them are child molestors. That's why I would never let one of them disrespect me. You were a little kid and that monster hated you for something that you had no control over. One day, if they keep disrespecting us, we will lash out at them and they will not want that to happen. I took a political science course at Brooklyn College and I learned that social groups react in a violent manner, when the dominate majority group keep oppressing it. I don't like heterosexual people and you guys can see this from my comments. I don't even like my own straight family members! I don't like coward homosexual people who lash out against other gay people, yet, they are scared of straight men. I'm a very peaceful person who believe in respect and nonviolence. But, how long are we going to keep letting people treat us like garbage?

JustMe
January 8 2007, 11:54PM

brucito10: I have not responded to a lot in this thread however I must comment on you statment regarding where the party was "advertised" yes although thid party was listed on this site does not mean that it was a sex party and I know that it was not advertised in any way that would leave you to think that it was anything but a party that played music and provided drinks. I am comment becauase this whole sex party BS that's going around is false and changing the real discussion that needs to happen.

Thanking you in advance.

TITI
January 9 2007, 9:20AM

PLEASE GUYS LET'S BE RATIONAL...WE ARE ALL PART OF OUR COMMUNAUTY,AND NOTHING CAN CHANGE THAT, NOT EVENT THE DENIAL OF THE SO CALL HETERO..LET'S NOT GENERALISE THE VILE HETEROSEXUAL.. THERE ARE GOOD HETEROSEXUAL MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE. THEY ARE OUR SISTERS MOTHERS, FATHERS, BROTHERS AND FRIENDS. THEY LOVE US UNCONDITIONALY.DO NOT VILLIFY THOSE GOOD FOLK. EVERY FORM OF FANATIC BELIEVES ARE UNACCEPTABLE INCLUDING THE GENERALISED ANTI-HETEROSEXUAL FEELING AMONG GAYS.IT IS VERY EASY TO FALL INTO TRAPPES OF HATRED,AND BECOME JUST LIKE THEM AS A CONSEQUENCE.UNCOMPROMISING, NARROW MINDED AND SHOT SIGHTED... HUMAN DOGMATISM ISN'T A PRETTY SIGHT. OUR SENSE OF SUPERIORITY DEPEND ON RATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ACTIONS..DO YOU GUYS NEVER FELT THAT WE ARE PROBABLY TO FAR AHEAD OF OUR COMMUNAUTY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD AROUND US?????????? THAT POSITION COMES WITH A PRICE TAG.

James
January 9 2007, 9:52AM

What started out as a discussion about violence in our community has definitely grown into other important issues that (at some point) need to be discussed and resolved. Kevin you bring up some excellent points, but we also need to be mindful that sex parties will not give us the basic human need of intimacy that we all need. Not taking about sex/intercourse. I'm talking about connecting emotionally with someone else. We need to stop running from relationship to relationship, sex partner to sex partner and deal with our stuff. That, in my opinion, will set a foundation for how we ALLOW others to treat us. If we don't respect ourselves, why should others respect us; and unfortunately, without generalizing, but there are many of us in the black sgl/lgbt community who do not respect/honor ourselves. The odd thing is that many Black Pride events have worksops on these topics; however, how many of us attend?

edwin greene
January 9 2007, 10:31AM

I agree with you, Mel, most straight black people despise black gay men. They have hated us all along, of course, but they hate us even more now because of the "down-low": they blame us for the spread of HIV/AIDS among straight black women. They seem not to know or care that the reckless sexuality of many straight black women and men as well as intravenous drug use and sharing dirty needles have contributed more to this spread then the so-called down-low.

We black gay men know deep down that they hate us, whether we admit it or not, and that's why our collective response (with several exceptions) to this article with its shocking title "6 Men Shot at Black Gay House Party" was that it was a hate crime. Who can blame us? Our feelings were based on the rejection and hatred many of us have experienced from straight black people who DO NOT and never will consider us their brothers.

deejay
January 9 2007, 11:44AM

"most straight people despise..." "they hate us...have hated us all along"????

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

With all due respect, these sentiments sound an awful lot like pity parties.

If I wrote off every gay man based on the actions of a few shady, sistahphobic queens, I'd only doing myself a disservice. But because I don't get caught up into that I have wonderful friends from all walks.

Chile please! It's not that serious. Get ovah yourself.

Matin Luther KIng jr
January 9 2007, 1:54PM

smel smitty to say that some homosexuals can hide it and some cant thats like saying some racist people can hide being racist and some cant say what you want to the contray thats fact just as you can be closeted racist you can be a closeted homosexaul say what you want to the cntrary fact is fact

edwin greene
January 9 2007, 2:26PM

Deejay, I,m not having a pity party. Truthfully, straight black people aren't worth it. I don't expect any straight black person to understand my point of view and I don't care if they do or not.

It is long past the time for the smartest black gay people to organize, decide what OUR most important issues are, come up with a plan of action and move forward. Plans often fail so when that happens you regroup and try again until you get it right. White gays have organized themselves into a force to be reckoned with, why can't we?

Our fate does not have to be tied to the fate of straight black people, unless we allow it to be.

Mel Smith
January 9 2007, 2:53PM

Edwin, I don't understand why some of the black gay folks on this site do not realize that those straight black men don't consider them 'brothers.' Deejay, most straight guys do hate us. You have to be in our shoes to understand. Of course, I realize that not all heterosexual people hate gays. However most of them do and you represent that heterosexual power structure that I dispise. So, I hate the heterosexual power structure in society but not that individual hetersexual person. For example, read MLK message. I'm assuming he's a heterosexual black male. See, I ask him respectfully not to compare my sexuality to a racist and this guy continues to do the same thing. This is an example of how they disrespect us. Now, in the street, we can't let people like him do that to us. If I ask him in the streets to stop disrespecting me, he will definitely stop. They have equated who we are as meaning 'weak' and cowardly. That's why they disrespect us.

martin luther king jr
January 9 2007, 3:24PM

PROVE ME WRONG STAY CLOSETED ABOUT BEING HOMOSEXUAL OR RACIST AND WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU FOR THOSE REASONS WONT HAPPEN TO YOU PROVE ME WRONG SAY WHAT YOU THE FACT DOESNT CHANGE

mrgchi
January 9 2007, 3:27PM

Community,

Please tune in as one of the young men who was shot in the Chicago "gay house" incident is interviewed along with his best friend, house mother and some of those who provide services to Black GLBT youth here in Chicago.

Those service providers interviewed were Thomas Sampson (Project Vida), Greg Norels (Youth Empowerment Center), Earnest Hite & Ricky Harris (BeHIV), Richard Gray (Youth Advocate/Photographer), Charles Nelson (South Side Help Center) and Rev. Kevin Tindell (The Sanctuary Ministry/Youth Pride Center).

Please tune in and contact CNN to show your support and our outrage as a community.

Paula Zahn Show

CNN

January 9 (tonight)

8pm eastern, 7pm central

alicia banks
January 9 2007, 7:18PM

hell no!!!!

not in black het ones

we belong in bg enclaves only

or in integrated hoods where we will be left alone

black hets are the most rabid homicidal gaybashers on earth!!!!!!!

see more re black gaybashers at my site

peace
ab
www.geocities.com/ambwww

brucito10
January 9 2007, 10:14PM

Just me: Thank you for you comments. A friend of mine was at that party in Brooklyn in NYC and told me that when the police came in it was pure pandemonium. They were all brought out in the hallway in their underwear. I can only imagine that if this was a sex party and they were seperated from their clothes (you have to put your clothes in a plastic bag) what it must have been like when bullets began to fly. I personally find it hard to believe that sex was not the intention of a party being on that site but I was not there. I don't know for sure but it sure does sound like that scenario I saw in Brooklyn only with much more violence. I went to another one about two months later and because of a fight there between what sure as hell looked like two "crews" I just said to hell with those parties. They started off nice but after awhile I honestly felt like I was in OZ.

deejay
January 9 2007, 10:19PM

As for me, the way I see it, I don't have an issue with folks so long as they ain't f*ckin'around with my man, my food, or my money...

But hey, that's just me ;-)

Wilson.
January 10 2007, 12:47AM

The point is two people broke into a home, during a party and attempted to commit murder. I have lived in Chicago all of my life, and I can tell you this with a straight face. There is NO BLACK GAY COMMUNITY! Where were the Chicago black gay activists when this crime against humanity occured.The protests should still be going strong. Only one meeting took place, this past Saturday on 79th street, almost in secret. The Black Gay community of South shore, Englewood, and The West side may as well be living in the 1930's for the good they do. Yes we have all of the silly social clubs, so obsessed with youth,young trade,and shallowness.The only black Aides hospice in Chicago,was allowed to close. I will never get over that.
There are more than enough of us to post a $2000.00 reward for info leading to the arrest of these gay FEARING thugs! And we know that's all it would take. Stop the BS, we should all be MAD AS HELL. mad enough to take it to the streets.People Wake Up! It's revolution time.

Ty
January 10 2007, 10:45AM

Two points, I for one don't care what staight black folks, gay black or gay white ones for that matter think of me. I'm a proud gay black man who does my own thing to my own beat and have no time for those with issues about how I like to get my freak on with.

And, for Wilson, amazing that there is no real black gay "community" in Chi-town, a city that IIRC is about 40% black, so, there has to be more than a few gays there. But, I guess it all comes down to the "as long a it isn't me mentality" and we all know, it can happen to any of us.

Martin Luther King jr
January 10 2007, 12:31PM

alicia is God a "gaybasher" he say the act of homosexuality is wrong. alicia is God an adulterer basher he says the act of adultery is wrong.

Mel Smith
January 10 2007, 2:19PM

Ty, I care because their words hurt our communities. I'm a successful and proud person, also. But, I care about the other individuals who are less unfortunate, due to brainwashing. Evil words also is responsible for oppressive laws. MLK, that's where you're wrong. God and 'men' are two different things. A few ignorant Bible authors do not have anything to do with God and Jesus teachings. Don't confuse God with prejudice and humans interpretations or lack of knowledge.

jazzi
January 10 2007, 5:34PM

I'm willing to bet that there are people who were at that party who know who the shooters are or at least are able to point the authorities in the right direction. I'm with Wilson. A reward needs to be offered, if one hasn't been already(what in the blazes could they be waiting for?!). Some people don't get involved because they don't know how. Well, I think getting together & offering a reward for information leading to the arrest, indictment, & incarceration of the guilty would be a great, practical place to begin. You can remain annonymous.

All this ranting, raving, & going back & forth isn't accomplishing anything. We start of angry at what happened, then we turn on each other. Offering a reward is an easy, simple way to do something, to show that it's not just about shallowness, being youth obsessed, sex parties, & shopping. We care about ourselves & what happens in our community. What d'ya think?

brucito10
January 10 2007, 8:16PM

Not only were all of the shooting victims were between the ages of 19 and thirty five but it turns out that the police had beem called to that house on several ocassions because of lound partying in the very wee hours of the night. This is sounding more and more like one of those 'thug only parties" where ganster rap is blasted at full strength. Does anyone know if they were charging admission?

Martin luther King
January 11 2007, 1:27PM

smel smitty then give me chapter and verse where the act of homosexuality is condoned by God. to say God and are two different things is assinine then those bible authors must be just as ignorant when they say the same about adultery and fornication.

Martin Luther King jr
January 11 2007, 2:00PM

smel smitty TRY GOD dont you know that he can take homosexual desires or any other sinful desires from your heart adultery fornication racist PROVE ME WRONG

Mel Smith
January 11 2007, 2:03PM

MLK, the issue of sexual orientation is not discussed in the Bible. Also, lets not pick and choose our favorite biblical verses, to pass judgement on those groups that we dislike. Some people might interprete the Bible as anti gay. However, others will argue that Jonathan and David was an example of homosexual love. So the homophobe will argue that God is against homosexuality. The racist will argue that God supported slavery and segregation, and the anti Jewish person will blame ALL Jewish people for the death of Jesus Christ. Truth is, God not support any type of prejudice. If a few Bible authors made anti gay statements, they are simply wrong.

milt7
January 11 2007, 4:36PM

@Mlk....and Mel....

Guys, I am not trying to blemish either of you...But please stop this ongoing (whatever you call it).
These interpretations of god and god' views of homosexuality, sets a very unflattering image/not to mention the tone of the controversy itself.

stop this..please...there is so much else to render decisions upon. Religion will always remain a matter of individual beliefs, and their experiences..which in turn will manifest into many personal choices. I hope I have not offended either one of you...

mrgchi
January 11 2007, 5:41PM

For Immediate Release
Who: Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays and Supporters
When: Thursday January 11, 2007 10:00 a.m.
Where: Second Floor City Hall Lobby
What: News Conference To Announce March "For Justice and Respect"
Background:
The coalition that organized as a reaction to the hate crime that took place at 79th and Woodlawn on December 31st will be holding a press conference to announce a March they will be having Monday January 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. from 79th Street and Wabash to 79th and Jeffries in Chicago.
The theme of the March is "For Justice and Respect". The purpose of this March is to demonstrate against Anti-Gay hatred in the Black community and continue to call for a resolution to this crime that has left 6 people wounded and terrified the community.
The coalition held a forum this past Saturday to an overflow attendance, and will hold another community dialogue on Tuesday January 16, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Café 917, 917 East 79th Street. For More Information cont

Hov
January 11 2007, 8:04PM

This is just a small part of a larger world we currently live in. We live in a violent world now. As Americans we act out things we see in video games, and on TV shows. No longer do we live in a world of love and leaving your door unlocked. We have evolved into violent creatures with little common sense and shrinking brains. Today’s criminals don’t appear to understand the difference between reality and fantasy. Who can we blame? Parents, media, movies, video games? Yes to all, but we need to blame ourselves for creating this type of culture with little social skills and poor communication skills.

Jon
January 11 2007, 8:15PM

Goin slightly off topic. Those kids seemed like fucking retarded "thugs" who probably listen to too much ignorant rap music. People like them are half the reason the word "nigger" still exists, as much as that word sucks. That and how black leaders and media figures like Al Sharpton go totally out of their way to make excuses for the ignorant black people, which unfortunately makes the intelligent ones look bad.

madea
January 12 2007, 12:25AM

heeelllooorrr I outta punch some of you all in yo face ! Warren you made a good poirnt, how da hell we know dese shooters were skraight! coulda been da Fems and Fats we love to hate on who was told they couldnt come to da damn party jus cuz dey aint popular we can be so hypocritical we needa to check our selves. Now leemme say dis dont plan no party wit no 100 queens in no lil azz house! its called git a room as in BALLROOM heeelllooorr u kant be thumpin music all nite and peeps standing outside cursin and throwin beer bottles around in a residential family hood and only God knows whatevea da hell else yea I said it!! and think peeple aint gonna git upset RESPECT YO DAMN SELVES and maybe just maybe others will too!!! some of dis mess we do needta be put on lockdown KLINK KLINK

Ty
January 12 2007, 9:58AM

Madea, gurl, you said a mouthfull. When, I lived in Hollywood, it was just awful, and not with the "children," I use to get up and leave the house and see condoms all in the yard from the lowclass trash that would have sex in the streets like animals. The "children" of the ballroom lifestytle need to clean up thier acts, and get some class like those rich folks they are trying to emulate. And, get those coins saved to get a ballroom at a hotel and pay for security, if they are dishing it out with each other and not have 100 people in a 2 bedroom apartment.

But, it seems like black people are on a train of self destruction and no one knows how to stop it. And, for the life of me, I don't see why there is this sick obsession with the "thug" life, men who look like they are part of a mintrial show, baggy clothes, gold teeth and doo rags, give me a break, how is this a cultral thing? I would rather see a screaming drag queen over this.

deejay
January 12 2007, 10:26AM

Am I the only person to notice that the real agenda in the reporting was less about black homophobia towards gays and more about showcasing the black intolerance generally?

It appears that every time the issue of (white) gay equality is reported by the media, the voice of dissent is invariably from the mouth of a black person. Every goddamn time.

That this story will now slowly fade away as another example of urban black on black crime is of no consquence to those who appear hell bent framing all blacks in a negative and destructive way to the rest of America, especially immigrant newcomers . The inference being: in light of their history in this country, These "N-word" have the nerve to discriminate"!!!

Don't get played; this issue ain't really about black gays.

Martin Luther King jr
January 12 2007, 11:51AM

smel smitty then give chapter and verse and ots also been said about ruth amd orpah who were mother in law and daughter in law when the war was over johnathan went back to his wife and children david had one woman sent for another

Martin Luther King
January 12 2007, 12:25PM

boykin why are you such a coward you cant handle the truth

milt
January 12 2007, 3:30PM

@mlk..

Why mlk..why all this callin folks out babeboi..why man...
whats wrong...are you angry about somethin...there is no need for all the discourse babeboi..dont be like that man...one love

madea
January 12 2007, 8:16PM

helllloooorrr deejay I dont care if you polka dot and straight as _______________da damn line I just drew having a sex party with 100 people in an apartment is jus plain trifling and ignoooorrrrant read my lips ig- nor -rent dont have nuttin to do wit bein black and gay. om not sayin the violence was correct cuz it wasnt but dayum we gotta wake up and git some GOD in our lives and start some monogamous relationships all dis lasciviousness gonna land us in a new level of hell. Dont be no fool hheeelllooorrr. THERES MORE TO LIFE THAN JUST SEX AND A4A HOOKUPS...u gotta be krazy azz hell

Martin Luther King jr
January 13 2007, 12:19PM

smel smitty God is the bible's author you calling him wrong.

madea
January 14 2007, 2:38AM

MLK JR. I outta punch you in yo face cuz your ignorance is at an all time high its quite obvious you have no formal biblical training NONE at all, when I review all your comments all u doin is regurgitating da incorrect CRUT you done heard from ignorant self taught money bought so called ministers and FUTHERMORE you must be a HOMOSEXUAL yo damn self cuz time and time again it has been proven dat some of da BIGGEST HOMOPHOBES are CLOSET HOMOSEXUALS....hheeelllloooorrr now if you wanna debate GOd and the authenticity of his word BRING IT ON and I gurantee I'll make an instant fool outta you!!! WHY bcuz you dont appear to know a damn thing bout GOD and or da Bible

Martin luther King Jr
January 15 2007, 11:58AM

MUDearache untill you can give chapter and verse where God condones and not condemns the act of homsexuality you are in the words of the immortal James Brown taking loud and saying nothing so read up before you speak up Leviticus chapters 18 22 20 13

Luddite
January 16 2007, 9:19AM

Poor MLK and MLK Jr Trol. So smugly condemning everyone to hell using the bible, and not realising that his trips to Red Lobster have also condemned him to hell with all the sodomites and adulterers.

God hates shrimp MLK. Leviticus 10-12. Hope you haven't been cross breeding cattle or sowing your garden with "mixed seed" either. Not that it matters, your shrimp po boy was enough. Satan awaits thee.

Martin Luther King
January 16 2007, 11:27AM

cruddite th fact that you dont know me or where or what i eat all i can do is laugh at you

Errol
January 17 2007, 3:44PM

We as men are afraid! We have a superficial mentality and existence. We believe that youth, young trade and looking under 30 must be pursued at all cost, we believe that once a man is over 35, then he is over the hill and should be carted away to the gay old folks home, we believe that those who men who have extra body weight are to be discriminated against and laughed at, we believe that sex and the pursuit of pleasures is our cornerstone of existence. If this is so, how are we as men then able to mobilize, show unity and strength against those who want our blood to run red in the streets? Being gay should mean being responsible, respectful, conscious of the ballot box and our vote. We as gay black men are afraid and must unity now or we will be eliminated, picked off one by one by those who revile us! WHich one of us will be killed next before something progressive is done?

Teach your children
January 17 2007, 8:13PM

Save/print/search ifuckgod.com coming in 1/07

The first steps towards repairing your relationship with the gods is to:::::::::
1. Understand they instruct the computer to "role play" in an attempt to confuse you:::it's ALWAYS the computer addressing you. Their goal is to cost you additional YEARS of your life by using this tactic to confuse you. Always be aware of this tactic and eventually they will give up and allow this step to be taken.
2. Differentiate between your thoughts and when they are thinking through you.
3. Be resigned to be a good person who will never engage in evil again even if ordered and they will stop trying to corrupt you, allowing this very big step to be taken.

This message illustrating the path may be the disfavored's last clue. All clues before have been more covert but this one is quite obvious indeed, which says time is running out.

When the universe was young and life was new an intelligent species evolved and developed technolo

Luddite
January 18 2007, 1:50PM

MLK: Of course all you can do is laugh or should I say "bray" like the ignorant jackass you are.

Martin Luther King Jr
January 18 2007, 2:36PM

cruddite name calling from you couldn't possibly mean anything thou art truly humorous

madea
January 19 2007, 3:55AM

MLK Jr. I knew yo dumb azz would quote LEV 18 chapt sadly this passage of ancient scripture have nothing to do w/ ones sexual orientation...helllloooorrr. Turn with me if you will uh huh to da very chapt you quoted...this is known as the "Holiness Code" given to separate Jews from Gentiles THE STATEMENTS ARE CLEAR BUT NOT THE "CONTEXTUAL APLLICATION" r u with me. Jews were not to worship da Canaanatite god Molech or adopt any practices of the people who do. Rounded haircuts, eating shellfish, adultery, children cussinn parents, garments made of 2 diff kinds of material were all punishable by death and listed as an abomination along with homosexuality oh yea and havin sexual relations wit yo wife while she was on her period. THESE RULE WERE GIVEN FOR A PARTICULAR SETTING AND PURPOSE uh huh u still wit me Bless God. The purpose waz nation building THEIR setting was entry into a promised yet very foreign land in other words there are FUNDAMENTAL LAWS FOR THE FORMATION OF A FRONTIER COMMUNITY hellloo

Martin Luther King jr
January 19 2007, 2:26PM

mudearache all i asked was could you give me chapter and verse where God condones and not condemns the act of homosexuality and youve proven to me that you couldnt by all that you said mathew 5:18 says that Jesus said he would not change one jot of the old laws

DestinyLane80
February 1 2007, 3:20AM

Hate to say this...but...you all know that some (Yes, I said "some") black gay men can be real shady. Who's to say this was a hate crime? People who attend those sex parties should do so at their own risk because of the pure nature of those type of events breed violence i.e., jilted exes, people passing along the gift that keeps on giving: AIDS, HERPES, etc.

Let's be real people and get all the facts before jumping on the woe is the black gay man ship. Sometimes, we do it to ourselves.

Get one party and stick with her him.

Willie Williams jr
February 25 2007, 11:00PM

Six 6 Men Shot At Gay House Party
Yes! This Could Happen In New Haven Connecticut. Ignorance, Hate and Stupididy Runs Rampant Here. If The Shooters Are Minors It's The Parents Fault. Parents Can Be Charged With Complicity and They Certainly Can Be Sued In State and Federal Court. Every Since Crack Cocain Came To New Haven In 1987, The Pardine Has Shifted In A Negative Spiral For Black Males. This Is What I Did When I Owned A Store My Last Commercial Business Downtown On Orange Street New Haven Connecticut In 2000. I Sued Jabbo The Iron Man and His Gang, The Gang of Thirteen 13 At The Veterans Hospitol In West Haven Connecticut and Corrine Thomas and Her Gang. Other Issues: Leila Anna Hines McDowell Head of Washington, D.C.- I Filed Affidavids With The I.R.S., F.B.I. and DEA For Her Insurance Fraud Claim...She Defrauded The Insurance Company Out of #100,000.00, She Thaught She Could Get Away With It