A 20-year-old victim who was brutally beaten by a gang of men has spoken out about his ordeal. Brandon White, who is openly gay, says he just wants the men who attacked him to be held accountable for their actions.

Footage of the homophobic assault, which was uploaded to WorldStarHipHop.com by his attackers, shows White being beaten to the ground as the gang shout out anti-gay slurs. After its initial posting, the video went viral, surfacing on YouTube, The Smoking Gun and The Drudge Report.

White, who described his attackers as “monsters” at a news conference Wednesday in Atlanta, says at first he did not want to watch the video because he was “embarrassed.” White says he wants “justice to be done because he deserves it.”

“If a straight person can walk into a store and not have a problem then I should be able to do the same thing,” says White. “I could have died that day.”

The video depicts the attack as White left the JVC Grocery and Deli on the corner of Delevan and McDaniel streets last Saturday.

The men punch and kick the victim. One person tosses a tire onto the victim. As he is beaten, an onlooker yells “no more fa**ots in Jack City,” repeatedly, which, according to multiple sources including The Smoking Gun, is an apparent reference to a local gang located in the Pittsburgh neighborhood.

“I feel I was violated,” says White. “The scars run deeper than anyone will know. The physical pain, I can get over that. My thing is: Who’s to say they won’t come after me again? Who’s to say they won’t kill me?”

White has spoken with Atlanta police and the Federal Investigators are looking into the attack.

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said her office is looking into potential civil rights violations based on sexual orientation. Unfortunately, Georgia does not have a state hate crimes statute.

An Atlanta gay activist says this is strong evidence why Georgia needs anti-hate crime legislation.

“There were gay slurs thrown toward him. There were punches. There were kicks,” said activist Devin Barrington-Ward. “These young men committed a hate crime. There shouldn’t be a debate about that.”

A rally is scheduled to be held in the Pittsburgh neighborhood at 10am Saturday to highlight the issue of hate crimes against the against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.

Police are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for the attack, and are asking anyone who has any information to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

Source: The Grio

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After having to make a trip to the emergency room because of a beat down, Pilar Sanders is suing Deion Sanders and his female “friend” Laura Jones.

According to TMZ, Pilar claims Deion “orchestrated” the violent attack which was designed to physically force her out of his Texas mansion.

According to the documents, Deion summoned Laura — his “fake aunt” — to help him physically remove Pilar from the home on Feb. 6 so Deion could change the locks and bar her from returning.

Pilar claims Jones is legally banned from entering the home … but she entered the place anyway … so Pilar says she demanded that the woman leave immediately. Instead, Pilar claims, the woman “squared off and took a swing at [Pilar] hitting her in the eye.”

Pilar says Laura “continued to hit, slap, punch, choke, push and kick” her … causing various injuries. Pilar says she was so scared, she grabbed a KITCHEN KNIFE and prepared to defend herself until cops arrived.

Now, Pilar wants a judge to issue a restraining order against the woman … and she wants Deion to fork over a check for the mental and physical pain.

After the incident, Deion claimed Laura was only at the home to fix his phone system and said Pilar’s account is completely untrue.

Can these two just get divorced already???

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Looking simply stunning, new mom Beyonce made her second public appearance on Tuesday since giving birth, stepping out for hubby Jay-Z’s benefit concert at NYC’s Carnegie Hall.

Bey rocked a Monique Lhuillier dress with Gucci shoes, a Chanel purse, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Both pieces of jewelry were the perfect combination for her manicure inspired by newborn daughter Blue Ivy.

Work it girl!!

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The Kim Kardashian-Kris Humphries divorce drama continues.

Kris Humphries and his lawyer, Lee Hutton, plan on exposing Kim’s decision to marry Humphries as a ploy to boost ratings of her hit E! reality show. In order to do so, Humphries’ attorney must claim fraud as the reason for the dissolution of the Kardashian-Humphries 72 day union.

Though Kris” claims have merit, he might not see the outcome he’s hoping for. Humphries did agree to propose to Kardashian and he has become more popular since marrying and separating from the businesswoman.

Hit up TMZ for more on the story.

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“Regardless of my big mouth back in the day, I’ve got all great things to say about Nick too,” Christina admitted.

Nick’s co-host Sarah Lee forced Nick to apologize for his womanising ways, saying: “I’m sorry for the things that I did. We was young.”

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Beyonce made her first post-baby appearance last night when she attended her hubby Jay-Z’s concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

In her first public appearance since delivering Blue Ivy Carter, Bey showed off her curves in a red Alice by Temperley dress, accessorizing with an Alexander McQueen clutch and Christian Louboutin heels.

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We previously reported that Monica and Brandy teamed up again 14 years after their hit “The Boy Is Mine.” The track, “It All Belongs To Me,” shows each woman’s vocal and personal growth.

Produced by Rico Love, “It All Belongs To Me” picks up where “The Boy Is Mine” left off. Instead of fighting over the same man, now Monica and Brandy are kicking his cheating behind to the curb.

“It All Belongs To Me” is set to be featured on both Brandy and Monica’s upcoming albums. What do you guys think of their latest collaboration?

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Atlanta 2012 Season

“The next Ailey era is at hand. It looks bright.” – Los Angeles Times

Don’t miss Robert Battle’s first season as artistic director, filled with a rich array of premieres and new productions. See these and returning repertory favorites including (at all performances) the beloved Revelations, which continues to move audiences around the world with its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music.

Purchase tickets at The Fox Theatre box office (660 Peachtree Street NE),
by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online (use the links provided on the right).

Groups of 10 or more save up to 20%. Call 404-881-2000.

Special Offers

Thursday, Feb 16 at 7:30pm

• $10 Student Tickets
  Limit 2 tickets per valid student ID. Must be purchased at Fox Theatre box office before 5:30pm on Feb 10.

Saturday, Feb 18 at 2:00pm

• Family Matinee
  Buy one full-price ticket, get a second at 50% off. Enjoy a post-performance Q&A session with the dancers (free to all matinee ticketholders).

http://www.alvinailey.org/atlanta

After facing criticism from leaders in the Jewish community, Bishop Eddie Long has apologized for the controversial ceremony at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church where Long was crowned a king and wrapped in Torah scrolls by Ralph Messer.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Long apologized in a letter to Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League.

“The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community,” wrote Long. “I denounce any action that depicts me as a king, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord.”

Messer, who serves as Rabbi of Simchat Torah Beit Midrash in Parker, Colorado, proclaimed during the ceremony that Long is a “prophet” and “is not on the Earth! He’s raised from Earth into a Heavenly realm! He’s raised in a prophetic position.”

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There’s allegedly a reality show pilot being shopped around by a group of Atlanta exotic dancers called the “Mistresses Of Atlanta.” The women involved reportedly include Drake’s ex-Maliah Michele, Rosée, Sarah Oliver, rapper M’Jae and former rapper Strings.

Maliah tweeted the following:

“Just finished shooting first scene ) it’s a wrap…Shooting scene 2 now…Damn they fighting already… Not me I’m a lover…Waiting to do my interview about my life and how I like the other cast members.”

Will you be watching?

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“Red Tails” stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ne-Yo were also in attendance. Check out video coverage, courtesy of the White House, below:

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We posted a video yesterday of a January 29th service at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church where Bishop Eddie Long was crowned a king by Ralph Messer — who claims to be a Rabbi bringing Torah truth to Christians.

“He’s no longer a commoner,” said Messer. “He’s not on the Earth! He’s raised from Earth into a Heavenly realm! He’s raised in a prophetic position…God has made a prophet out of you.”

During the ceremony Eddie Long was also wrapped in a sacred Torah scroll and carried upon a throne. Messer claimed the Torah scroll was 312 years old and “may still have the dust of Auschwitz and Birkenau,” referring to the Nazi extermination camps in Poland where millions of Jews were killed during the Holocaust.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with several metro Atlanta Jewish leaders who found the ceremony offensive to Judaism, including Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Rabbi Joshua Heller of Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs told the AJC that he would never wrap a Jewish person in a Torah scroll, saying he found the symbolism off-putting.

In a statement released through New Birth, Messer said critics misunderstood his intent.

“My message was about restoring a man and to encourage his walk in the Lord,” Messer said. “It was not to make Bishop Eddie L. Long a king.”

Messer added that Sunday’s ceremony “was simply a way of bringing honor to a man who had given his life to the Lord and had given so much to his church, the Atlanta metro area and throughout the world.”

Read the full story at the AJC.

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For those of you who just can’t get enough of Nene, Sheree, Phaedra, Cynthia, Marlo, Kim and Kandi, those vivacious southern vixens from the Peach State, TLC has something that is sure to peak your interest.

Partnering with True Entertainment, the production company behind The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the network announced that it is working on a project tentatively titled Preacher Wives that will follow the lives of the “First Ladies” of Atlanta churches, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

In a statement, True Entertainment president, Steven Weinstock, shared his excitement about this unexpected partnership and also the rationale behind the new series:

“We are excited to work with TLC to profile the lives of these strong-willed women. With most praise in religious communities directed towards male preachers, we are thrilled to give these remarkable ladies the spotlight they crave and deserve.”

The series will follow the women as they preside over their husbands’ congregations, as well as shadow their private lives and the conflicts that inevitably arise when trying to balance both, reports THR.

It should come as no surprise that TLC has decided to jump into the Wives fray. The Real Housewives franchise has proven to be a goldmine for Bravo, with an estimated $35.6 – $162 million generated in ad revenue within the last two years. With the copy-cat success of VH1′s Basketball Wives and Mob Wives, we can probably expect the same cat-fights and shenanigans from Preacher Wives; only this time, it’s for the Lord.

TLC has yet to announce the airdate.

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During a January 29th service at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Eddie Long was crowned a king by Ralph Messer — who claims to be a Rabbi bringing Torah truth to Christians.

“He’s no longer a commoner,” said Messer. “He’s not on the Earth! He’s raised from Earth into a Heavenly realm! He’s raised in a prophetic position…God has made a prophet out of you.”

Watch the video below and share your thoughts in the comments box:

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Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train, was found dead in his California home of an apparent suicide, TMZ reports. His body was found at 4am PT with a gun shot wound to the head which authorities have deemed as a self inflicted wound.

TMZ reports:

“During Don’s bitter divorce proceedings in 2009, he told an L.A. judge he was suffering from ‘significant health issues’ and wanted to ‘finalize this divorce before I die.’”

“Soul Train” changed the landscape of television when it debuted in 1971 and ran until 2006.

Officials have notified Don’s family. Cornelius was 75.

For more on this story, go to TMZ.

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