Brandon White, the 20-year-old gay man whose savage beating in Atlanta on Saturday was captured on video, addressed the media at a press conference today.
MyFox Atlanta reports White decided to come forward after seeing the video of his beating, in which is attackers yell homophobic slurs at him as they punched, kicked and threw a tire at him.
Surveillance video from the store showed another angle of the attack. The men could be seen on the video preparing to jump White, and one person had a cell phone camera that recorded it. Another man is seen helping the victim walk away after the violent attack.
On Tuesday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the men responsible for attacking White.
Initially White had decided not to contact authorities, feeling embarrassed and humiliated by the incident, but he said after seeing the footage he realized he didn’t want anyone else to go through what he did.
blake
FML at anytime you are infront of cameras for WHATEVER reason… Write out what your going to say…. I am sorry for this poor kid but the people who prompted him come forward should have sat down and prepared what he would say…. What a horrible attorney…
that’s all
being real
@blake:
I do get it that scripted press conference helps with the flow of the presentation, but I would disagree. It is far more powerful that he is in the moment not going off of a script that would take away from the authenticity of the feelings that this courageous man. I don’t feel that he is the face of black homophobia, but the face of many that have been bullied for their gender or sexual identity.
Mr. White.. you are a true hero!!!
being real
*** point of clarification:
My point about Mr. Brandon White being the face of black homophobia was in reference to the press conference and not something presented in the comment section by Blake. I feel that Mr. Brandon White is combating the silence within this community. He is using his experience to bring about an awareness of the violence that is part of this community. This is a very brave thing. The imminent fear of retaliation is very real.
What a brave soul!!!
Isaac C
@being real: Thank you for your honesty about the black community.
CBRad
So White says he didn’t want to come forward because he was humiliated and embarrassed by the incident (something where he didn’t do anything wrong) and the attackers were so laughingly proud (about ganging up on a smaller guy) that they filmed it. See how topsy-turvey that is? The wrong side was ashamed.
Kev C
If I speak out against the people who gay bashed me, I’m called a racist. It happens to Brandon one time and he’s called brave. Whatever.
Oh, ok.
Why do you morons keep trying to turn homophobia into a “black thing” while white people in power continue to take your rights away?
Keep the race thing going and protect the white homophobes who hurt you a lot more. Makes sense.
I’m sure “black homophobia” has legislative power…right?
Kenny
Homophobia is homophobia. Leave “race” out of it.
Kev C
@Oh, ok.: “Why do you morons keep trying to turn homophobia into a “black thing” while white people in power continue to take your rights away?”
White people in power aren’t trying to kill me for walking down the street. Any other stupid question?
Ogre Magi
@Kev C: @Kev C: Well, he is young and cute
Sed
Kev C are you an idiot or are you just racist. Some white people will kill you for being gay just like some black people will.
Charlie Howard was gay bashed and killed in Maine in 1984, his killers were white. Brandon Teena’s killers were white, Matt Shepard’s killers were white. Trust me I could go on and on.
When a white person does something bad I don’t assume that all white people would do the same thing but a racist like you will conclude that all black people do bad based on the acts of a few. You’re no better than the people who think that all gays are child molesters.
Fitz
It’s very reasonable to think that he wouldn’t be at his
tip-top 100% best public speaking head space right about now, no?
Sumeet
@Kev C I am sorry the gay community betrayed you and called you a racist. I truly empathize. I know what it is like to be attacked, and then ignored by those who should have been by your side. I don’t agree with all this “political correctness” that indulges hate crimes when committed by black gangsters or Islamic thugs. I am truly with you.
But don’t take it out on this poor black kid who is a real hero. If he fights back, trust me, we all gain – even you.
Kev C
@Sed: Sed, I see you as someone on the side of homophobes. You want to excuse black homophobia because it’s black, and more of it occurs, btw, and pin blame it all on whites. You are the problem. You’re apathetic and sociopathic and support black homophobia. Is that a fair statement? That’s what I think.
tjr101
People like Kev C and Isaac C ( probably the same individual) only see skin color which is why they show up and comment on everything concerning blacks. They’re also most likely gay Republicans.
I’m hoping Mr.White’s attackers are soon caught and punished.
Mike UK
@tjr101: I would say at least 3 people on this thread are the same person and probably giving different views!!!
Kev C
@tjr101: I’m not anyone else but me. But you sound like others who say the same thing. Trying to attack the vicims of hate crimes by calling them racist and morons.
divkid
@Mike UK:
only three you reckon?
man, i pray the race baiting on this blog is the work of one giant schizo’s mental jerkoff … or the usa is fucked. FUCKED, I TELLS YA!
almost makes the shithole that is blighty seem bearable, don’t it!
CBRad
LOL. Somebody once practically said Shannon and I were the same person. I guess that’s the only way some gays can handle others not following the Gay Rules : pretend they’re all just one person.
Mike UK
@divkid: the UK is bearable, we don’t have racist bigots trying to get into power!
CBRad
@divkid: The USA IS fucked! Or..at least the Gay USA. One gay “journalist” actually had the gall to write that the UK rioters were people we should be (as gays) in unity with ! Huh?? U.S. gays just cannot handle this Atlanta story. They’re holed up in their filthy little apartments blasting Lady Gaga to make it go away.
divkid
@Mike UK:
true enough, we don’t… that’s because there already IN power and lurking in the backbenchers biding their time until the whole cameron project fails!
Mike UK
@divkid: they’ll be out of power before that happens as the Libdems will jump ship sooner rather than later! hopefully! lol
Shannon1981
What a brave young man. Hope he recovers, both physically and psychologically.
Mark
I’m sorry. Who’s excusing black homophobia again? I must have missed that part where someone was saying it’s ok to gay bash someone because of the color of the perps skin.
Oh, ok.
Funny I’ve never heard the phrase “White homophobia” in my entire life. I guess white people aren’t homophobic.
Kev C
I don’t see what I’m saying as racism but useful survival information. You’re more likely to be bashed by black homophobes than white ones. Also, if you are gay bashed, you’re more likely to recieve help from a latino than a white person. Latinos are more courageous and are more likely to get involved in helping than whites. White people won’t even phone 911 when they see a gay bashing. That’s useful to know.
Oh, ok.
@Kev C: ROFL, you’re funny. Any more skin based bullshit you want to pull out of your ass?
Cause you know everyone acts and reacts in absolutes based on the color of their skin and the rantings of some insane, bigoted, troll such as yourself on the internet.
divkid
why, why, oh why are so many cunts desperate to derail these discussions?…maybe ego or some more nefarious motive, and ALWAYS with the same old race bating bag of tricks. sigh.
let’s be clear we should all hate racists. i hate ALL racists (probably more so white racists because they’ve had a lot less cause historically but whatevs.)
absolutely as bad are the hateful cunts (you know who you are) who parasitise on this incredibly divisive issue. it’s too important for some sick fucker just to throw in like a grenade sit back and rub his hands with glee. important issues deserve to be treated in an open and honest adult fashion.
i wish you ALL dead (ok, not very adult.)
now focus on the issue at hand. i want to learn shit. please.
Oh, ok.
Pretty sure a degree from Queerty wouldn’t be worth the toilet paper it’s printed on. You shouldn’t come to gossip rags to learn or have real conversations.
Kev C
@Oh, ok.:
This is how white people respond to a gay bashing: Stop bleeding on our floors, you’re scaring the customers. Please leave or we’ll have to call the cops on you.
I’m not making this up, it’s actually happened to me.
Oh look, that gay man is being bashed. Maybe we should find somewhere else to park.
I don’t know why white people are so apathetic and sociopathic. I was raised to help people and I’ve always helped people who need help. I’ve even saved lives because I do get involved.
Oh, ok.
@Kev C: Crack is whack, Whitney.
CBRad
@Kev C: I don’t think you can, accurately, come to conclusions about race through just one experience though. It has to be repeated, and reaffirmed, experiences to really come to any legitimate summation. Don’t you think?
Oh, ok.
@CBRad: Apparently all people act and react according to skin tone.
CBRad
@Oh, ok.: they do, but only very generally-speaking. there are tendencies in races, but everybody is an individual and acts accordingly. At least that’s my own conclusions. (The Ghetto Gay conclusion is that everybody, race aside, is 100 percent the same, except for the “bad” people : Israelis, Texans, Irish, Catholics- except for French Catholics who are equal to “good” Protestants like Anglicans-, Mormons, and any blue collar people born in Queens and Brooklyn. And that THOSE are the people trying to bash gays on the streets at night throughout NYC- LMAO).
Kev C
@CBRad: Yes, I’ve had more than one experience. If I told you how much experience I had, you would not believe it. I’ve been gay bashed more times than you, and everyone you know, and everyone reading this — combined. Trust me, I have shittons of experience.
Isaac C
@Kev C: @Kev C: Don’t worry, Kev. I believe you and what you’ve experienced.
Aiden
It’s funny how homophobia is somehow worse when it’s perpetrated by black people.It’s also funny that whenever a black person is involved with any story on this site, you same guys make this about their race. But oh no, you’re not racist for shitting all over black people at every chance, you’re just truth tellers. *eyeroll* LMAO
Kev C
@Isaac C: Thanks Isaac. I estimate about 150 actual physical assaults over an 18 year period. All bias related and unprovoked. Half of those, simple assaults (one punch), and the other half serious assaults. I mainly lived in a black and latino neighborhood with a high crime rate. 80% to 85% of the attackers were black.
Isaac C
@Aiden: “It’s funny how homophobia is somehow harmless when it’s perpetrated by black people. It’s also funny that whenever a black person is involved with any story on this site, you same black guys make this about the white race. But oh no, you’re not racist for apologizing for all black people and black homophobia at every chance, you’re just truth tellers. *eyeroll* LMAO”
Fixed that for you. This is what you should be saying but never will, because you are racist and hate white people.
Oh, ok.
@Isaac C: Lil’ girl, do you have a life at all?
Isaac C
@Kev C: That is disgusting. I’m so sorry that those thugs did that to you.
Kev C
@Isaac C: Thanks. I don’t have a problem speaking the truth. I have a problem of people not wanting to hear the truth.
Oh, ok.
@Kev C: Making a bunch of unfounded claims based on skin tone is not the truth. Get over yourself.
Isaac C
@Kev C: I have the same problem. But the reaction of the knee-jerk anti-white racists here will be to shut you up. They don’t want to hear the truth because hearing the truth means they’ll have to change or at least think about their opinions on blacks/minorities. And that’s uncomfortable for them.
@Oh, ok.: Hmmm, that’s all you seem to do towards whites. Pot…kettle…etc.
Shannon1981
Ok, I understand this whole race war re: homophobia. However, this is not the time, folks! This man is incredibly beautiful and brave. He needs our well wishes. Furthermore,the fact that chilling events like this happen, and it could have been any of us, means that we should be supporting each other and using posts as these as ways to discuss safety measures and legal strategies rather than turning it into a fight.
Isaac C
@Kev C: They tried to do the same thing to Shannon but she wouldn’t let them.
CBRad
@Kev C: Okay, I get you. I never dismiss peoples’ experiences.
Isaac C
@shannon: So you are blaming “Glee” on white men? There are blacks on that show, too.
CBRad
@Shannon1981: You’re damn right he’s brave! He’s coming out publicly against a group who are, almost certainly, career criminals. And, in fairness, I think everybody feels that way about him, no matter what they think of the other issues.
Shannon1981
@Isaac C: I don’t take directives from anyone but myself..I can agree with someone in one thread, but disagree just as passionately in another…
But my point here is that this thread is being put to terrible use right now. We should applaud this gentleman for his bravery and stop the race war, and concentrate on bashing prevention.
Now, who is up for starting a queer supremacy vigilante group?
Isaac C
@Shannon1981: After what Interesting and Tackle said to you, I could never bother to deal with them again. But that is your call and your decision. I only used it as an example of what is happening here to Kev C.
Shannon1981
@Isaac C: Oh, I understand that. I try to let bygones be bygones; after all, hate solves nothing, and, the real issue is this violence right now. The contents of the thread, no matter what side of the debate one falls on, are disturbing, considering the subject matter of the article at hand.
ToyotaBedZRock
@blake:
Oh hush up, he did just fine. It was very genuine.
WJoaquin
@shannon: I believe you will find that the caps lock button is on the left-hand side of the keyboard above the shift button and below the tab button.
Rey
Were they Roland Martin Twitter followers?
divkid
welcome to the SPECIAL NEEDS KID’S debating society.
do you hear that buzzer? it’s ritalin-o’clock!
Mike UK
@divkid: don’t waste your time mate, when you’re dealing with one person with several personalities it’s hard to know who you’re talking to!!!
Kev C
@Shannon1981: The point is that homophobic sociopaths like Sed, Mike UK, tjr101, are a real problem for the victims of hate crimes who are trying to recieve justice. Who remembers the videotaped beating of Joshua Esskew last year at a SC gas station? A month later, he was attacked again, but the gay community never reported that because it wasn’t videotaped and because the victim is white.
Tricky
How did this become a discussion on what ethnic group has the most homophobes? For every example that can be given against white people, there could be the same number of examples against black folks, and lather rinse and repeat. It really is stupid, after all, the black and white homophobes, and all the rest don’t care what color you are, they hate you because you’re gay.
Mike UK
@Kev C: you’re an idiot! if you read my posts you will see I’m the least homophobic person you will ever meet. You wouldn’t know a homophobic sociopath if you sat next to one on the bus.
divkid
@Mike UK:”You wouldn’t know a homophobic sociopath if you sat next to one on the bus.”
even so, the axe and the john wayne gacy clown suit *could* be a clue. 😛
Mike UK
@divkid: I’d still have my doubts he’d get the link! 😉
Danny G
@Kev C: What are you talking about. This is not even about you. This is about a kid who got his ass stump by some fucking punks. No one should go threw this kind of violence.
tjr101
Kev C and Isaac C are gay Republicans that comment on threads that deal with black issues to stir up hate. It’s their strategy of using race to divide and conquer. A simple article about a black kid being gay bashed, individuals such as Kev C and Isaac C have turned into a finger pointing exercise against blacks.
You only have to look at the articles they’ve commented on in the last few months to see the pattern.
Timmmeeeyyy
@Kev C:
“I estimate about 150 actual physical assaults over an 18 year period. All bias related and unprovoked. Half of those, simple assaults (one punch), and the other half serious assaults. I mainly lived in a black and latino neighborhood with a high crime rate. 80% to 85% of the attackers were black.”
Really? 150 physical assaults? I think most people might consider moving after the first 50 or so, especially if they don’t like blacks to begin with.
divkid
@Timmmeeeyyy:
yes, assuming those “most people” are dealing with a full deck. but maybe are friend is a special case.
t money
you really expect us to beleive you are getting gaybashed/jumped/assaulted just about every month? what kind of punk are you?
Aiden
@Isaac C: LMAOO!!!! Prozac is your friend.
Isaac C
@Aiden: And intelligence clearly isn’t yours.
love your neighbor
this occurrence has nothing to do with race but a culture of violence that exists in all American and world communities; hate(fear) and internalized self-hatred (extreme fear) exist in ALL communities, be they black, white or green. those who wish to talk openly but justly please share your ideas. speak with hope, speak with some sense of care for your neighbor, your young brothers and sisters read and may depend on Queerty for information and hope. In the words of Harvey Milk, “you’ve got to give them hope”. pretty please?
I personally know many of the activists who are standing up to protect this young man. They are doing what they can to relocate him from a very rough neighborhood and help him recover. I am so proud of my friends for standing up and bringing voices together, of all nationalities and communities in Atlanta and beyond. Such violence has occurred how often to deaf ears? but not here… the walls of fear are falling, slowly but they are falling. How did activists come together to organize the press conference that told the world this story? Through Facebook.
When i look at all the “It gets better” videos, i think to myself… something is missing. How does it get better? Does your family change? (not necessarily) It gets better when someone takes action. ACTION. It doesn’t just get better, it takes courage, risk, action. It gets better when we change our attitudes or approach and maybe also by reconciling our own internal pain and resentment, our own fear.
For the hundreds and thousands of people who read the comments at the bottom of stories like this, take action. the negative posts and comments give no hope. But the world is full of hope. We each have the power to create our world. Its takes courage no doubt, sacrifice no doubt, and action. love your neighbor, or move out, move on, find new neighbors and love them too.
Kev C
@tjr101: “Kev C and Isaac C are gay Republicans”
I don’t know about Isaac but I’ve never been a republican. I don’t know why my this matters to you. I didn’t see a Republcan or Democrat sign on the backs of the gay bashers here, did you? But I suspect they are Democrat, liberal and come from Democrat households. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that they share the same political positions as trj101. I think it’s fair to say that trj101 is a supporter of homophobia.
Kev C
@Mike UK:
The difference between you and me is that I don’t go around insulting the victims of homophobic hate crimes .. but you do. How would you describe your behavior? Homophobic? Bullying? Sociopathic? That’s how I would describe it.
tjr101
@Kev C: Not a Republican? Funny given that you practically drool whenever the old, racist Rob Paul is mentioned on Queerty. As for me being homophobic, well that doesn’t even deserve a response.
Kev C
@tjr101: You wouldn’t expect empathy or remorse from a sociopath. And I wouldn’t expect it from a bigot such as you.
Aiden
@Isaac C: Haha, you should talk.
Mike UK
@Kev C: you’re a fuckwit, you link me to one thread where I’ve insulted a victim of a hate crime be it racist or homophobic?
Kev C
@Mike UK: This thread you dumbass.
Mike UK
@Kev C: and where on this thread would that be, by all means copy and paste it so I and the rest of the people of qweerty can see me being a homophobic sociopath!
stephen
these are the hate crime stats from 2010 taken from the fbi website fbi.gov
-Of the 6,624 single bias incidents, 47.3 percent were motivated by a racial bias, 20.0 percent were motivated by a religious bias, 19.3 percent were motivated by a sexual orientation bias, and 12.8 percent were motivated by an ethnicity/national origin bias. Bias against a disability accounted for 0.6 percent of single-bias incidents.
-Of the 6,008 known offenders, 58.6 percent were white and 18.4 percent were black. For 12.0 percent, the race was unknown, and the remaining known offenders were of other races.
According to the stats whites are committing far more hate crimes than any other race. We should be talking about black homophobia in our communities but white people also need to address their own problems in their communities and stop pointing fingers as to who is more homophobic than who, the stats speak for themselves.
Kev C
@Mike UK: I stated my opinion. You called me a moron. I explain my opinions based on my experieice. You and other bullies decided to mock and taunt me because of my experiences.
@stephen: The stats are bullshit. I’ve proven this many times already. Try again or get some real experience.
prettygirls
@Kev C: you got beat up 150 times for being gay?? What kind of bitch are you???
@Isaac C: You’re latino.. LMFAO.. So you have zero room to talk about black folk. Everybody knows what those white girls call you when you’re not around.. chew on that. cheers
Kev C
@prettygirls: “What kind of bitch are you???”
A white, slim, and attractive one .. unlike you.
prettygirls
@Kev C: Laughing my wig off.. Attractive? yea I bet. No wonder you get your ass beat.. Cheers
Kev C
@prettygirls:
Attractive people attract lots of attention. But if you live in the wrong place with the wrong people, it can attract the wrong kind of attention.
I just proved I’m beautiful.
Isaac C
@prettygirls: Actually half-Colombian and half-German, bitch. I have naturally dark blonde hair and a natural tan. What do you have besides too much time on your hands?
@Kev C: Yes Kev, you are beautiful, no matter what they say.
Kev C
Maybe prettygirl can explain this:
It normally takes 3 .. 4 .. 5 .. or more strong men to beat up 1 slender faggot. Street hardened thugs. Prison hardened thugs who lift weights! Seriously, if thugs are so hard and mean, why does it take 5 men to beat up a single sissy weighing 130 lbs? You would think a real man could do it alone and not need a gang. And you have to wonder who the real sissy is.
prettygirls
@Isaac C: Trash please, that’s Mrs.Bitch to you, get it right, you dusty ass troll and tell your daddy I said “hey now”.
@Kev C: 4 or 5 men, girl whatever, just one and all he got to do is show you a big black cock and you would drop to your knees like a wet sack of dirt.