Gay Atlanta man calls attackers monsters [video]

By Matt Hennie | Feb 8, 2012 | 3:39 PM

A gay Atlanta man spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about his brutal beating four days earlier, calling his attackers “monsters” and telling other victims of anti-gay attacks not to hide and to come forward.

Brandon White, 20, appeared in front of scores of reporters and community activists during a press conference at Georgia Hill Branch Library to talk about the ordeal, his reaction and the outpouring of support since members of the Pittsburgh Jack City Gang attacked him Saturday as he left the JVC Grocery & Deli on McDaniel Street in Southwest Atlanta.

White (top photo) said the attack left him feeling violated (see video below).

“I shouldn’t have to worry about whether I should have to look over my shoulder. Is this person gong to attack, is that person going to attack me just for being a gay male,” he said.

“I feel as though I should have justice because those guys didn’t feel my pain. They didn’t care whether or not I was injured. I could have died that day. Anyone could have died that day. They don’t know what they do to people. They are monsters.” he added.

White’s attackers recorded the assault and posted it to hip hop website Worldsar on Sunday, prompting media coverage that led the Atlanta police to launch an investigation that now involves the FBI. Federal prosecutors are reviewing the incident to see if federal hate crime charges can be filed.

Atlanta police said Tuesday that they and the FBI are making progress in the case, but no arrests have been made.

White said he didn’t want to see the video of the attack “because it was embarrassing and humiliating. But he eventually watched it and calls it “very, very brutal” and says the video helped push him to speak to police about the attack. He did not initially report the attack to police and was reluctant to speak publicly about it.

“I really want to see justice done,” White said. “That is my biggest thing. I really want justice served. Anyone that has been through it deserves it.”

“It is clearly stated in the video of why they did the attack. It is clearly stated that it is a hate crime and that they had a problem with homophobia. It was stated in the video,” he added.

White spoke at a press conference organized by Greg Smith (second photo), executive director of the HIV Intervention Project. The event included neighborhood activists from Pittsburgh and LGBT activists Devin Barrington-Ward and Adolph Arromand (bottom photo), who are planning a rally at the scene of the attack on Saturday. The three men faced questions from LGBT activists over strategy and a response during a meeting Tuesday.

Neighborhood activists said during the press conference that the attack on White is not typical for the area.

“I would like to offer our sincere apology to Brandon White and his family for this unfortunate incident,” said LaShawn Hoffman of the Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association. “This is not the type of community we are trying to build.”

Hoffman and former state Rep. Douglas Dean complained that the grocery store has been the center of gang activity for years. They called on the store to be closed.

“This store has been an eyesore to this community and a haven for crime,” Dean said.

White would not address specifics of the incident, but did express concern that his attackers may come after him again for speaking out. He also delivered a message to other LGBT people who are attacked for being gay.

“If this has happened to anybody else or they feel threatened, say something, speak to someone. Don’t hide it. State what your fear is. Don’t hide yourself. You shouldn’t have to. This is 2012,” he said.