The Atlanta Pride organization is distancing itself from the string of unofficial circuit parties and other events that happened over the weekend which resulted in the drug death of one attendee.
The controversy started Saturday morning, when video taken inside a crowded gay bar the night before began circulating on Twitter, racking up nearly 1 million views.
Andy Herren, best known for winning Season 15 of Big Brother, shared the clip, tweeting: “Taken last night at Atlanta Pride. And publicly posted to Instagram. In the middle of a pandemic. People can be so sh*tty and selfish. Please don’t be like these people. This is appallingly gross.”
Taken last night at Atlanta Pride. And publicly posted to Instagram. In the middle of a pandemic. People can be so shitty and selfish. Please don’t be like these people. This is appallingly gross. pic.twitter.com/SDafZ0HXfC
— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) October 10, 2020
Shortly after that, several more videos began circulating online.
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This doesn’t represent Queer Atlanta or Atlanta Pride… this is some selfish bullshit and greedy promoters who want to cash in on the weekend and a slap in the face to our spaces that are actually doing the work or have been forced to shut down. pic.twitter.com/09dcogipZm
— Wussy Mag (@wussymag) October 11, 2020
Night 2. They are still at it. pic.twitter.com/nZYq3mj07C
— American Horror Story: Me (@AndrewRyHolder) October 11, 2020
In response, Atlanta Pride put out a statement Saturday afternoon saying any in-person events were not sanctioned by the organization and noting that all of its official events were being held virtually.
“We’d like to make clear that ALL our events during Atlanta Pride are virtual,” the organization tweeted. “We’ve seen videos of large parties; those are not official Atlanta Pride events. Stay home and safe!”
Hi APC family. We'd like to make clear that ALL our events during Atlanta Pride are virtual. We've seen videos of large parties; those are not official Atlanta Pride events. Stay home and safe! pic.twitter.com/VU9hcdgcuh
— Atlanta Pride (@atlantapride) October 10, 2020
Sadly, the circuit party videos were only a prelude of even worse things to come. Because on Sunday, a man died while attending another unofficial Pride party held at the popular gay bar BJ Roosters.
Atlanta police say the man lost consciousness around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. EMTs arrived about thirty minutes later, but they were unable to revive him. He passed away in the bar’s basement and was pronounced dead shortly after 8:00 a.m.
The man has not been identified, but witnesses say he appeared to be healthy and in his mid to late 30s. According to his partner, he had taken ecstasy earlier in the night. Police say that there do not appear to be any signs of foul play, though an investigation is still ongoing.
The circuit party was hosted by Ga Boy Events, which organized numerous parties held over the weekend. At least one attendee claims pandemic guidelines were not enforced at any of the events, describing the clubs as “packed” and “overcapacity at times.”
Neither Ga Boy Events nor BJ Roosters have issued any comment on the tragic incident.
Related: WATCH: Twitter is freaking out over this NYC circuit party in the COVID-19 epicenter
Bob LaBlah
This is called “herd mentality” only its in reverse in my opinion. People generally herd together for reasons of safety but this is a case of drunk, drugged out queens who clearly did not pay attention their sixth grade biology teacher when they explained how germs ARE spread. I have no idea what the temperature was in Atlanta over the weekend but I am sure its warm inside that club even if the air conditioner was on. That means that the overall majority of them would have found it difficult to go out on the dance floor and breathe with a mask on (hopefully now many of you are beginning to understand just how reckless this was and the dangers that come with drugs, booze and the want of a good time during a pandemic).
succubus
maybe im not the first but let me add to the folks that have called you a fool
[email protected]
This just goes to show that the saying “We are everywhere” includes being represented among the class of terminally brain dead.
One would think that even if we Gay could not comprehend elementary science, we would know enough not to ape the right wing anti-Gay bigots and their anti-mask and anti-social distancing agenda.
jsmu
@succubus I’m sure I’m only the billionth person today, but let me add my name to the endless list of those who call you an IMBECILE.
So you think circuit parties with lots of body-fluid exchange, boozing, and drugging are just the thing for a PANDEMIC?
You’re too stupid to live.
Bengali
People who have the opportunity to set good examples of safer pandemic behavior continue to make selfish asses of themselves. Following with herd mentality even when they know it’s so wrong. Many in the gay population are infected with HIV – i’m guessing 20% of the attendees are…maybe more when you consider how many are there strictly to party, not celebrate. Lowering their inhibitions just like the many nights they had unprotected sex and multiple partners and contracted herpes, hiv, syph, gon, crabs, scabies and now covid. They get what they deserve.
Bob LaBlah
Succasses its doubtful that you know better but just to inform you when crowds are inside a closed room regardless if there is heating, air conditioning or the doors and windows have been opened for the sake of fresh air it is the air that carries germ. I am not going to call you a fool because you already have demonstrated you are from previous comments under other names. Its sad that you don’t know it but I am happy that Bertha and I ruin you day every time “we” comment.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
Due to those Covidiots and Maskholes, pretty sure that Atlanta/GA’s Covid-19 cases will soon spike.
Be responsible, be safe and be healthy!
succubus
not the first or will it be the last…. choose your adjuncts carefully
thank you Jesus that I survived my time in the circuit
Hdtex
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
plazaro1
Absolutely appalling, whats up with these queens?
jsmu
Wonder how many of these morons are LOG CABINETTES?
With cretinous fagg*ts like this, who needs Rapeublic*nt enemies?
Chris
WTF does a person’s political party affiliation have to do with this?? In response to your BS question, statistically, most of these guys would be Democrats, so go spread your idiocy somewhere else. I’m SO sick of people like you politicizing everything. Are you really that stupid or just a sheep spewing the currently popular party line. Either way, get a life and realize Covid crosses party lines. Jesus help me, ugh.
Den
Actually, right wingers, be they gay or straight are considerably more likely to believe administration misstatements and deny the efficacy of public health guidelines. Perhaps most of the partiers were registered as democratic party members, but the cities and towns where the pandemic is still raging tend to be republican strongholds.
And the people who actively oppose safe and sane public health are pretty much all republicans. The “sheep” are overwhelmingly on the political right, and always have been.
As for the drug overdose; sadly drug abuse crosses party lines (though in the heartland speed use is largely right wing), but that is a public health issue independent of covid.
Trying to figure out why this post is “awaiting moderation”!
WashDrySpin
Rest assured over 90% of them are white…many white gay males are just as selfish, ignorant and racist as their straight male counterparts…they exercise the same privilege in the world especially against POC in the gay community….
You know it is TRUE so before you rant and rave…take a breath and realize that I am speaking the TRUTH
masterwill7
@washdryspin: how would anyone be rest assured about that??? Explain yourself please? Why in the world would anyone make this news about the color of someone’s skin?
jdr11201
So sad,
This shouldn’t of happened, do these people feel any remorse of course not. It’s stupidity run a muck. 🙁
RandomGuy
Stupid sluts making stupid choices and paying the consequences.
WashDrySpin
The spread of COVID19 depends on these factors:
1. How dense the population is
2. How dense the population is
Bob LaBlah
@WashandSpin…………….
North Dakota is fourth from the bottom of states as far as density goes here in the U.S. I don’t know if you heard about this yet but the director of public health for the city of Bismark, N.D. was on all of the cable news stations today explaining that the state is so unprepared to handle the sudden tsunami of Covid-19 patients they are shipping people out to neighboring states for medical care. Less than one hour ago CNN reported that there are less than twenty ICU beds left in the entire state.
jack512
This is the behavior of ignorant selfish gay men interested only in their own physical pleasures. They could care less about the deadly consequences it could have on others not even in that club that they may take COVID-19 home or to work to and sicken or even kill them.
jlew64
Wasn’t Andy Herren, “best known” (?) for winning Season 15 of Big Brother (God help us) there inside the club participating in order to take the video?
Den
The article makes it quite clear that he reposted a video he had SEEN on Instagram to Twitter. So no, he did not have to be there.
amanwithanedge
and I used to think gay people were smarter than the average person. nah.
lord.krath
LOL. I don’t know where the trope of “gays are smart[er]” came from… it’s about as true as any other. People in general act irrationally under pressure. I’m not surprised at all that these parties are happening. I think we’ll see more of them across the body of people as time marches on. People will tire of living “oppressed.” And by that, I mean by coronavirus and its impacts. People feel helpless with a government that has done nothing but make [it] worse. I’m not excusing it. But I’m hardly surprised. I haven’t set foot in a club in well over a year, but I tell you what – I almost want nothing more – if not to just see all your lovely faces! 🙂 Stay safe and be smart.
WashDrySpin
Gay people are just as stupid if not equal to the average American…
TheAbsoluteTRUTH
So who were the undercover queens who fell on the sword of covid to bring us these awful life wrecking videos…lol, why were they there and by the way if you wanna stay home and keep living in fear feel free too do so but also leave those of us who are incredibly tired of panic and fear alone. Wear your mask since it’ll protect you from me right? If your that skeered. Also that dumb queen didn’t die of covid he died of addiction most likely, regular non addicts dont put x or T or G or any of that garbage in themselves to have “ fun”
lucca246
Hey smart guy,
1. the article never said the guy died of covid
2. It’s not about living in fear, it’s about being smart and protecting yourself and the people around you. I don’t live in fear, but I wear my mask because it makes my chances of catching it again lower. Not because I think it’s a 100% guarantee to stop it.
Den
Den
I always wonder why people like you parade their dullness so proudly.
Nowhere in the article does it even imply that the videos were “undercover”, but in fact were posted proudly by dullards just like you (too poorly schooled to even know the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ and ‘to’ and ‘too’) and then reposted by people with brains enough to be concerned.
And in what way does taking reasonable protective measures against a pandemic indicate that people are “skeered” as opposed to smart? One can (and most do) take reasonable precautions and make changes in lifestyle so as to limit spread of disease. So sad that you are not intelligent enough to understand that.
Likely a Trump supporter, so lack of intellectual skills is not unexpected.
As for addiction, there are in fact people who use “club drugs” who are not addicts, but simply as dull as you in their own personal way. The death was sad and pointless, but I find that empathy is sadly lacking in those with regressive minds.
Trying to also figure out why this post is also “awaiting moderation” when it is considerably more reality based than the post it responds to.
Tombear
It’s called natural selection. Some of the idiots will die.
lord.krath
I don’t care enough about Georgia to do the research, but is it a state with a COVID denying or downplaying governor? If so, are venues such as these allowed to operate (at all or partially)? I know they aren’t allowed in my state. Bars have turned to their outdoor spaces (here) to provide other entertainment. Food, drinks, but table parties must remain to themselves, and no wandering maskless.
Shows, etc, entertainment are provided. All outdoors and socially distanced.
inoroutdoor
Agree. This is a consequence of drastically reduced restrictions. Same situation here in FL. Almost all state wide restrictions lifted. Bars restaurants can go 100% capacity. Sports venues too. The basic idea is that businesses and people will do what’s right. This is a good example of that not happening. Ultimately it’s individual choice to go or not as several comments point out. I would hope more people choose to be responsible. But I have empathy for teens, 20 something’s etc who love to go out and enjoy life. I know I enjoyed the scene when I was that age. Then hiv was still not controlled, but safe sex was a good prevention. Hopefully we’ll have rapid tests soon then a vaccine. That could reassure people it is safer to party and have fun. I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a super spreader event.
arthurb3
This explains why HIV is still around and it’s 100% preventable!
metta
I have always been an introvert, but with COVID, it has made me really appreciate being one. Seeing people behave this way makes me want to avoid people even more.
gaypalmsprings
Stupid is as stupid does.
rallidriver
Party on my gays party on- it’s your right! #America
Chrisk
God I can’t ever believe there was a point in my life when I thought that was a good time.
I’ll say these klnd of parties celebrate narcissism so nothing surprising about it.
Tombear
Gay men have the largest 4 year college graduation rate of any American demographic. These gay men know better but are acting stupid. One positive aspect of the Pandemic. This pandemic has caused more gay men to be faithful with their partners.