Aviance Attackers Blame Victim, Deny Hate Crime
Kevin Aviance's four attackers were indicted yesterday in a Manhattan court (on two first-degree assault counts: gang assault and hate crime) and say they were provoked, an allegation Aviance denies.
"The suspects claimed that they were talking among themselves in the East Village early on June 10 when Aviance bumped into one of them and said, 'Calm down, sweetie.' A fight ensued but it had nothing to do with Aviance's sexual orientation but with feeling dissed, the four told cops in statements to police. 'I did not hit the guy because he was gay,' Johnson said in his statement. 'I just did not want my friend to think ... I was a pussy.'"
The New York Daily News reports that Aviance's jaw wiring came off yesterday.
Previously
Aviance to Attackers: You Chose the Wrong Queen [tr]
Gay Bash Victim Kevin Aviance Leaves Hospital [tr]
Singer Kevin Aviance Hospitalized After Anti-Gay Attack [tr]
Posted Jul. 10,2006 at 1:53 PM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Kevin Aviance, New York | Permalink
Thanks for the clarification. Carry on!
Posted by: David | Jul 10, 2006 1:56:51 PM
At least come up with a better excuse. Last time I looked you can't beat someone down because they called you "sweetie."
peace
Posted by: James | Jul 10, 2006 2:08:59 PM
Maybe being someone's "sweetie" in jail for a few months will leave them less inclined to start a fight over it on the outside...
Posted by: Michael W. | Jul 10, 2006 2:15:28 PM
"Maybe being someone's "sweetie" in jail for a few months will leave them less inclined to start a fight over it on the outside..."
ROFL Seriously... Maybe being someone's "bitch" will put some perspective on things. They should start practicing now, I could recommend a few tactics in "breathing" and pillow biting that might ASSist...
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 2:28:28 PM
Their lawyers are obviously trying to get the "hate crime" aspect of the case thrown out. But this is clearly the typical violent hate crime committed against gay folks, usually those of us who "look gay" in the eyes of this human garbage. If it were just an altercation between Kevin and one of the beasts why would all five of them have to join in the beating of one person who "aint Diesel". I hope these savages get a heavier sentence than normal--to send a message, "those who lynch, or attempt to lynch gay people will be prosecuted". It aint like the old days when some stinkin' street hustlers could claim a gay guy tried to proposition them so they stabbed him forty times, and then they'd be set free to commit more violence.
We had a similar case here in Philadelphia last year. The 20 year old gay man ended up killing one of his attackers. Lord, how many times I would've been justified in doing that.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jul 10, 2006 2:35:59 PM
LOL...might want to throw in some stretching exercises, too...
Posted by: Michael W. | Jul 10, 2006 2:37:08 PM
Aviance throws shade all constantly and he just asks for it with his obnoxious attitude. As far as I am concerned it was merely a matter of time before he had his head handed to him. I have been on the receiving end of his shit on more than one occasion and I wanted to punch his face in, so I can understand why four straight idiots interpreted his crap as dissing them because thats what Aviance does. No sympathy. I am an out gay man who has lived in Chelsea for over 15 years.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 10, 2006 2:46:07 PM
Well, kudos to you Tim for being an out man for 15 years in Chelsea, but are you serious or just playing? NO ONE, I don't care if you're Kevin Aviance or Jerry Falwell, derserves to be physically harmed for being who they are. Period. As I have lived in NYC for years I have seen and met Mr. Aviance on a number of occasions. While he may be sarcastic, witty and offensive to those he knows he has always been polite and respectful to me and those in his immediate vicinity... On another note, your comments and attitude towards other gay men are disrespectful and precisely why the far right may claim victory. By not supporting those that support you, gay or straight, you are chiseling away at the very fiber that should band us together and strengthen our cause. You are our weakest link. I sincerely hope one day you are not at the receiving end of someone's anger. I have the strong sense it still wouldn't enlighten you further. All the best...
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 2:53:05 PM
PS isn't Vin Diesel gay?
Posted by: JOE 2 | Jul 10, 2006 3:27:46 PM
Well, Cory,
YOU don't get it - he practically dares people to hit him. Its not because he is gay, its because he is nasty and asks for it. I don't know of any straight people who volunteer unsolicited unpleasant comments in public and don't expect reprisals for it. Its called common sense.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 10, 2006 3:33:04 PM
Tim,
So you are suggesting that Kevin dared five men to beat him down? Well maybe you can be a lawyer for these guys because I'm sensing that legal tatic will not work. No matter what you may think of Kevin, he did not deserve to be assaulted.
peace
Posted by: James | Jul 10, 2006 3:58:18 PM
Tim,
Please come down. There is no need. Now, you are assuming that the "defense" these kids are using is that Kevin Aviance did not come on to them, but rather physically challenged them verbally or what have you. Now, knowing very little of Mr. Aviance personally, I highly doubt anyone would be that daft as to pointedly attack or challenge a group of young men alone or otherwise without just cause. From the many reports I have read, witnesses (with no personal connection to Mr. Aviance) stated to the police that these individuals who attacked Mr. Aviance used gay slang’s and insults and attacked unprovoked. However, regardless of provocation, believing that anyone deserves to have their heads bashed in, jaws wired shut and overall physical pain regardless of intent or behavior is wrong, hateful and frightening. With all due respect, it seems from your posts you are a very hostile and angry individual. As a PhD student in clinical/corp. psych, I could recommend a few clinical professionals for you. All I need is a location and I could contact a few colleagues. Give me the word…
All the best
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 4:01:07 PM
As a PhD student, you should know enough NOT to read what isn't there. A lack of sympathy is not the same thing as condemnation. I never said he deserved anything, I said he just asks for it with his obnoxious attitude. As far as I am concerned it was merely a matter of time before he had his head handed to him AND its because he is nasty and asks for it - I never said ANYHING ANYWHERE about deserving it. Talk about hostility! Some PhD you're gonna be.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 10, 2006 4:11:03 PM
Tim,
But Kevin is not on trial. Being nasty and having an "obnoxious attitude" is not a crime. So even if we take we at your word, Kevin is not the criminal here. It is the five men who are accused of attacking him.
peace
Posted by: James | Jul 10, 2006 4:16:23 PM
Tim,
I believe revisiting your commentary may enlighten you as to how you appear towards others. I realize it is difficult to view personal actions and comments objectively, but please try. Placing such comments as “it was merely a matter of time" and "no sympathy" you are indirectly supporting the notion he "got what he deserved". You seem to be word playing and using semantic. A lack of sympathy may be easily understood as denunciation as there exists little room for grey in this matter. You seem to gloss over my point that no one deserves what happened to Mr. Aviance. It appears you believe his actions towards others - comments mostly from what I understand - were the catalyst that placed him in the hospital. This is contradictory and reverse ideology. Please read the police reports and articles regarding what actually occurred and not what the defendants are claiming. Regardless, someone’s comments do not befit physical assault. As the rest of us, Mr. Aviance is entitled to safety. Physical assault is not a justified response to name calling or taunting. We are adults; such behavior on both parties should be left in grade school. However physical assault is never the answer...
Now, in regards to my "hostility", how was I hostile? I simply noted your quick to judge comments and personal hostility towards Mr. Aviance and based on my “soon-to-be” professional opinion noted a need for possible anger management. Perhaps my training at Columbia may be taken up with my Columbia Professors, I will pass this along to them if you would like. Regardless, I did not resort to personal slander and attacks; my concern and comments are genuine.
I will not address this matter with you any further as it appears you are seeking an argument that is off topic to the posts Andy thoughtfully places. Good luck to you in all your efforts...
All the best
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 4:27:40 PM
I don't care about the attackers or their rationale - I merely said Aviance asks for it by being obnoxious. If you piss people off, you will pay the price sooner or later. Its called tempting fate.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 10, 2006 4:34:19 PM
Diesel is a new street drug that's very popular. It's a mix of heroin and something else.
Posted by: Anon | Jul 10, 2006 5:02:42 PM
Once I was telling a "traditionally masculine" gay guy about a gay bashing incident that happened to me back in the early 90's. He asked me, "what were you doing at the time?" The implication being that perhaps I was behaving in a manner (flamboyant or provacative) to bring about what happened to me. I never really forgave him for that. I was comin' home from a club, and I was too tired to be flamboyant or swish my ass, dammit. Well, about a year ago,leaving a gay club he went through a verbal bashing experience. Even with my bitter feelings about his comment to me, I still don't think he deserved it. And I aint glad it happened to him, but I figure maybe now he might be a little less judgemental.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jul 10, 2006 5:02:56 PM
I don't even think there's room for any debate here. Didn't our mothers always tell us not to hit? It's NYC. Even if Aviance did get in their faces, so what? People get in people's faces all fo the time. Shall we ALL therefore gather four of our friends and beat down every single person who looks/talks funny to us? There are no excuses around the crime. What these kids are trying to do is argue the nature of it. Where they taking offense to being called "sweetie" or being called it by a flamboyant gay man? And offensiveness aside, did they then have the right to gang up and beat down the individual?
Posted by: Bobby Alexander | Jul 10, 2006 5:35:33 PM
how does beating him because he said "calm down sweetie" make it any less of a hate crime sweetie is a very sterotypical gay thing to say (and one which i say often) and thet fact that the attackers didn't want to be view as "pussy's" comes from the fact that a man had just call them sweetie something they might view as "gay" and therefore they had to show how manly they where it just help to prove its a hate crime
Posted by: Bryan Pippin | Jul 10, 2006 5:45:40 PM
Exactly. No one deserves what he went through regardless of whether or not he was a catalyst, which clearly he was not.
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 6:14:05 PM
Mr. Aviance has always been an annoying sh+t every time I've had the dubioous honor of meeting the performer of "C*nty". The first thing I thought of when I heard the "news" was that he finally mouthed off to the wrong person.
Diva this, diva that, blah blah blah. I've met a lot of drag queens in my 20 years in Chelsea. Loved almost all.... but Kevin? C'mon. I'm surprised he didn't bang his head against the ER wall to ensure a sympathy vote. I didn't even attend the parade/march this year, in part just to avoid the "give to the Aviance Fund" donation cup.
Tim's right.... sometimes you get what you give.
Posted by: Bruno | Jul 10, 2006 6:17:20 PM
Out of curiosity I wonder if Andy has ever considered requiring accounts from readers to verify legitimacy? I have the sense that some people use different names and fake email addresses to support their previous posts as I've noticed similar writing and view points in many differing names when someone disagrees with a majority opinion. No biggie, just wondering...
Posted by: Cory | Jul 10, 2006 6:25:03 PM
"I don't care about the attackers or their rationale - I merely said Aviance asks for it by being obnoxious."
So you care very little about the guys who charged with the crime? Question: last summer when it seemed every week-end a gay guy was getting attacked did you accuse those vctims of being "obnoxious" and tempting fate?
peace
Posted by: James | Jul 10, 2006 6:53:17 PM
On any given night there are countless assholes throwing shade in Chelsea - most of them are muscle bound, "straight acting" and out of drag but maybe they are asking for an ass kicking as well? This is New York City Bitch...
Posted by: Giovanni | Jul 10, 2006 7:35:30 PM