Tag Archives: Atlanta

NBC News reports: A massive fire caused a bridge to collapse Thursday night on Interstate 85 in Atlanta, one of the busiest stretches of roadway in America, backing up rush hour traffic for several miles and creating what the mayor called a long-term “transportation crisis.” The huge fire was reported at 6:21 p.m. ET underneath the bridge on the northbound …

USA Today reports: Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, died Sunday morning. In a statement, the church confirmed Long’s death from cancer-related causes. “I am confident through my belief in God that my husband is now resting in a better place,” said Long’s wife, Vanessa. “Although his transition leaves a void for those of us …

The Georgia Voice reports: The Atlanta Police Department confirmed they are investigating a gay Atlanta man who tweeted that he would make two local gay bars “the next Orlando.” The incident follows the early Sunday morning shooting at Orlando LGBT nightclub Pulse that left 50 dead and 53 injured. Brett Edgerton, going by the handle @BrettTEdgerton, tweeted the following: “TEN …

This one is especially noteworthy considering that Georgia nearly got its own anti-LGBT hate law. From Atlanta’s ABC affiliate: Atlanta’s mayor has issued a travel ban to North Carolina. This comes after controversy over a nondiscrimination bill that some believe allows for discrimination. Mayor Kasim Reed’s office issued the following statement Monday: “As a result of Governor Pat McCrory’s decision …

We love this. From Atlanta’s ABC affiliate: Atlanta Council members are calling on the NBA to move the All-Star game to Atlanta. Next year’s game is set for Charlotte, North Carolina. But North Carolina just passed a state law that requires people to use the bathroom associated with the gender of their birth, not the gender with which they identify. …

The Associated Press reports: The FBI has opened a hate-crime investigation after a man was accused of pouring boiled water on two gay men inside a suburban Atlanta apartment. Authorities say 48-year-old Martin Blackwell, the boyfriend of the mother of victim Anthony Gooden, told investigators he was disgusted with Gooden’s relationship with Marquez Tolbert and poured “a little hot water …

From Atlanta’s ABC affiliate: A young couple is recovering from severe burns after police say a man threw burning water on them — because they are gay. The victims told Channel 2’s Nicole Carr that they were sound asleep, resting after a long day at work, when they were attacked. “The pain doesn’t let you sleep. It’s just, like, it’s …

The Georgia Voice reports: The Atlanta City Council on Monday voted to pass a resolution in opposition to House Bill 757, Senate Bill 129 or any other legislation that would discriminate against the state’s LGBT community. The resolution, proposed by Councilmembers Mary Norwood [photo] and Alex Wan, passed unanimously. It was co-signed by Councilmembers Yolanda Adrean, Natalyn Archibong, Michael Julian …

NBC News reports: With Jeb Bush out of the race, Donald Trump was in need of a new straw man. On Sunday, the day after a big, “beautiful” win in South Carolina’s primary, Trump found at least a temporary way to fill the Bush void when the lights suddenly went out during his speech. “Oh, I like that much better,” …

Fulton County, Georgia – whose county seat is Atlanta – has launched a no-cost PrEP clinic in collaboration with Gilead, the maker of Truvada. Matt Hennie reports at Project Q Atlanta: Fulton County health officials openly embraced PrEP for HIV prevention on Friday, launching a new clinic for the once-a-day pill to combat the virus among high-risk groups, including gay …

Reuters reports: A federal judge will hear a high-profile discrimination lawsuit brought by a former Atlanta fire chief who claims he was fired for his religious beliefs after publishing a book critical of homosexuality. City officials had sought the dismissal of the lawsuit, filed by Kelvin Cochran in a case that has been closely followed by conservative groups advocating religious …

From Athlete Ally: “We love these basketball fans! Watch this adorable gay couple get engaged at this weekend’s Atlanta Hawks game.” Hit the link if the video won’t display for you.

Yesterday TMZ reported that R&B star Chris Brown has returned a $12,500 deposit to the organizers of Atlanta Black Gay Pride, who last week claimed that Brown failed to show at their lesbian dance party after learning that a handful of gay men were at the venue. TMZ’s claim prompted Brown to fire back on Instagram: “Yall gotta stop with …

According to a report published today by the Georgia Voice, R&B star and felony-convicted domestic abuser Chris Brown failed to appear at an Atlanta Pride event because there were a handful of gay men present in the crowd of 4000 lesbians. Georgia Voice editor Darian Aaron writes: Brown failed to show up at The Georgia Freight Depot nightclub as thousands …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: A video on YouTube shows what appears to be lightning striking a Delta Air Lines plane at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The video, according to YouTube, was shot by a man who identified himself as Jack Perkins. “While filming the line of planes all stacked up during a ground hold in Atlanta on 8/18/15,” he wrote …

Via the Heritage Foundation: After being fired for writing what’s been described as an “anti-gay” book, former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran says he “absolutely” wants his job back. “In the United States of America, Americans should not have to choose between keeping your job and living out your faith,” Cochran told The Daily Signal in an exclusive interview. “And …

Via Atlanta’s CBS affiliate: A man carrying a rifle inside the Atlanta airport wasn’t breaking any laws, but he did raise a few eyebrows, including those of some Atlanta police officers. Jim Cooley says he carried his gun through the terminal when he and his wife went to drop his daughter off for her flight. He says he knew he …

Citing his religious beliefs, the owner of an AlphaGraphics print shop franchise in suburban Atlanta has refused to print wedding invitations for a lesbian couple. Via Atlanta’s NBC affiliate: Paige Beckwith says throughout her wedding planning process she has been open with vendors that there would be two brides on the wedding day. She says none of the vendors seemed …

(Tipped by JMG reader DM)