NEW YORK (AP) - A singer whose songs have topped the Billboard dance chart was attacked by a group yelling anti-gay slurs, and four people were arrested on hate-crime charges, police and his publicist said.
Kevin Aviance, 38, underwent surgery for a broken jaw after the attack Saturday, said his publicist, Len Evans. Police said the singer, whose song "Alive" hit the top of the chart in 2002, was in stable condition.
A group of six or seven men attacked Aviance early Saturday, and passers-by did not stop to help as they threw objects at him, Evans said.
So it begins. Just as the anti-Jew rhetoric preceded Krystallnacht, the anti-gay rhetoric has preceded tacitly approved anti-gay violence. Did they really think this wouldn't happen?
Or were they counting on it?
Full article below cut.
NEW YORK (AP) - A singer whose songs have topped the Billboard dance chart was attacked by a group yelling anti-gay slurs, and four people were arrested on hate-crime charges, police and his publicist said.
Kevin Aviance, 38, underwent surgery for a broken jaw after the attack Saturday, said his publicist, Len Evans. Police said the singer, whose song "Alive" hit the top of the chart in 2002, was in stable condition.
A group of six or seven men attacked Aviance early Saturday, and passers-by did not stop to help as they threw objects at him, Evans said.
Four people were arrested on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime, police said. They were identified as Jarell Sears and Akino George, both 20; Gregory Archie, 18; and Gerard Johnson, 16.
Aviance performs in drag but was "dressed like a boy" when he was attacked, Evans said. He had planned to take part in next week's Gay Pride parade and festivities, but will now be unable to perform, the publicist said.
Other popular songs by the singer have included "Give It Up," released in 2004, and "Din Da Da," which topped the Billboard dance chart in 1997.
So it begins. Just as the anti-Jew rhetoric preceded Krystallnacht, the anti-gay rhetoric has preceded tacitly approved anti-gay violence. Did they really think this wouldn't happen?
Or were they counting on it?
And unfortunately, the Pink Pistols can't help. It's NYC, and the only people allowed to be armed are police and criminals.
Expect more and more of this as the Con Noise Machine anti-gay rhetoric revs up for the election year.