Gay bashing is unheard of in the city of Atlanta. Only an idiot would want to go out and attack what has been widely estimated to be close to 40% of Atlanta’s total population. But three dudes on a street corner near Bankhead are accused of doing just that and now those fellas–and their 20 year old gay victim, Brandon White–are locked together in an incident that ended up generating national headlines.

In the last few days, however, questions over whether or not there is more to the relationship between the attackers and their victim has made news. Basically, many people are wondering if White lied about not knowing the other three young men, or even if there was some history of down low loving between the White and at least one of the other guys.

The local press quoted a neighborhood drag queen, who claims she visits the same store all the time and has never been beaten by any of the resident thugs there. According to that individual, a smart remark may have led to the berating. In the drag queen’s mind,  a smart remark in response to a an anti-gay insult presumably warrants a multi-pronged beating with automotive accessories on that street corner I guess.

Meanwhile, Brandon’s attorney has said White did nothing to provoke the wrath of those now-incarcerated dudes and that the incident is indeed a hate crime.

Three men and a car tire to beat one guy? I smell a prison sentence.

Photo: Vino Wong, vwong@ajc.com