Police raid gay leather bar Atlanta Eagle
September 11, 2009 at 11:17 am by Patrick Saunders in News
UPDATE: According to an Atlanta Progressive News correction, Eagle patrons were not arrested after all, though they were ordered to lie on the ground and were handcuffed.
Ten police cars pulled up to the Atlanta Eagle on Ponce de Leon Avenue at approximately 11:30 p.m. Thursday night and stormed the bar, arresting multiple bar staff and male dancers and patrons, according to a report by Atlanta Progressive News.
An APN reporter was present at the raid:
One police officer stated, as he and others left the parking lot, “This is gonna keep happening if we keep getting complaints from the community.” The officer did not specify what complaints he was referring to.
This writer arrived minutes after the raid had begun. A line of cop cars blocked the parking lot so that no one in the parking lot could leave. …
According to one patron, APD handcuffed all Eagle staff members and dancers, patrons in a leather shop, and anyone who was wearing only underwear; Thursday is advertised as underwear night.
APN also received an e-mail from someone who claimed to be present at the Eagle raid.
My roommate and I were there for the police raid at the Eagle on September 10, 2009. We had arrived about 20 minutes before the raid took place. Everyone was ordered to get on their stomachs and face down during this ordeal. As far as I could tell everyone was searched at least once, most of us twice. Most, but not all, of the officers were incredibly derogatory and insulting whether they found evidence of drugs or not.
Another patron present at the raid echoed that story.
While he was detained in handcuffs for more than an hour, he also heard one officer tell another that “I hate gay people.”
“I was held in the bar for over an hour; they were going through and searching people’s pockets. They tore the bar apart. They searched the cash register, they searched the ice machine, they were ripping things off the walls. It was ridiculous. They were in full SWAT gear,” the patron says.
The incident is causing anxiety in Atlanta’s LGBT community as the story spreads this morning, particularly after the well-publicized raid of a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas, that left a customer seriously injured.
That incident led to mass protests across the country, the firing of three Texas liquor board agents and a complete revision of the police department’s bar inspection policies.
(UPDATE): Here’s the APD’s statement about the raid:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2009
The Atlanta Eagle Club Arrests
“The Atlanta Police Department conducts routine inspections of city businesses with valid alcohol permits. The City received several complaints with descriptive information about alleged criminal conduct at the Atlanta Eagle Club located at 306 Ponce De Leon.
In an effort to ensure compliance with the law, the Police Department investigated the complaints and during the investigation police observed criminal behavior taking place at the Club on September 10, 2009. While the Police were conducting a compliance check it lead to the arrests of eight employees. The Department views all complaints of criminal conduct as serious and will utilize resources to investigate and deter criminal activity in order to create a safe environment.
While there have been allegations of improper behavior by police officers conducting the investigation, there have not been any official complaints filed with the Atlanta Police Department. ”
Sgt. Lisa Keyes, Atlanta Police Department, Public Affairs Unit
September 11th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
THIS is absofuckinglutely horrid! I have friends who have been frequenting the Eagle for years and years. People who give the city of Atlanta so much of their time and love. It’s a real shame that in 2009, this crap is still happening.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I can’t wait to write the Mayor, Senator, and CONGRESSMAN on this Situation. APD can KISS MY ASS!
September 11th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
i was there with a friend. while on the floor i was reminded of stonewall. it felt like it wasn’t really happening, but sadly it was. all the cops said was “everybody get down on the floor, on your stomachs, this is a raid!” the were calling people names. it was ridiculous. it took forever to get out of there, after being frisked and having them check our IDs. it felt like living in the past. definitely not a fun night.
September 11th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Thank you for covering this. We ran a quick correction I just wanted to make sure you were aware of: No patrons were arrested; only Eagle staff and dancers.
Please check http://www.atlantaprogressiveblog.com for updates, and the original story has been updated at:
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/news/0508.html
September 11th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
And what exactly were the charges for those arrested? In the condition that Atlanta is in crime-wise, I’d think that the goings-on at a gay bar would be the least of the police chief’s worries, unless this bar’s staff were participated in the recent uptick in home invasions, smash and grabs, car break ins and thefts, shootings, killings, and muggings. If there are noise or traffic complaints, that’s between the bar owners and the community. But a police raid? Really?
September 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Please. They had a reason to raid the place, and I’m guessing it was because of Cocaine. I know the entertainment industry in Atlanta and unfortunately it is SATURATED with drugs such as cocaine (just like any other city I suppose), and a couple of undercover investigations has taken place in some of them. Just because a cop said, “I hate gay people” does not mean they were searched because they were gay. Stop all your whining and quit playing the victim.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Innocent people who were possibly subjected to homophobic slurs and comments are just that: THE VICTIMS.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
This is a very disturbing development. I have been planning a trip to Atlanta for some time. I am not rethinking it. I don’t like spending money in cities that harass gay people.
September 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Kudos to APN for breaking the story and to fresh loaf for spreading the word (so that anonymous dorks can ’splain that gay=coke head. I feel so enlightened now.) And the Eagle is just a stone’s throw away from Krispy Kreme.
First mention I’ve seen concerning the APD’s response found here: http://www.projectqatlanta.com/news_articles/view/police_accused_of_harassment_during_eagle_raid/
A raid, because ONE complaint (that shall not be named) was filed WEEKS ago.
An undisclosed complaint requires 15 officers and 10 copmobiles while actual criminals are out there engaging in real crime.
Just WOW, APD. I forgot for a moment that this is the 21st century and I’m not living in Redneckville.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Even if the Eagle WAS a hive of drugs and debauchery, there has to be a better way to use those resources on a given night. SWAT gear? Seriously? Harassing dudes in their underwear? Jeez.
Meanwhile, city neighborhoods like mine are riddled with nightly robberies, assaults, and shootings. I say let the gay dudes do all the blow they want – off each others’ balls for all I care – and fight the VIOLENT crime in the city FIRST.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
As if the APD isn’t among the dumbest, incompetent fucking police force in the country without drawing any public attention to themselves in a situation like this. When you throw a bunch of poor, uneducated baboons into public safety, this is what you get. Ignorant, dense, quasi-retarded public service. They don’t need sensitivity training, they need to be fired and barred from public service. Tax dollars of those patrons they harrassed pay your salaries you morons!
September 11th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hello, cops…the donut shop is across the street.
I used to work in the old shop upstairs in the Eagle. Can’t believe this crap still happens in my hometown.
This would never stand in San Francisco. Get with it pigs and do some real work. Expect the drugs they took (if any) will either end up in their nose or resold.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
@marge-it: You put words in my mouth, I never once said or implied that being gay meant being a coke head. Moving on:
To everybody else, I’m not a cop in Atlanta, but I’m pretty sure that the next time you need some serious help, you’re not going to call a crack head. Give the cops more credit than this.
I know you feel like you’ve been violated because they had no right to search you, under the assumption that they dont like you because you’re gay…but honestly, lets be adults here: Unless you are part of the Atlanta Police force, you have no idea what goes on in police investigations. Yes, there was only one complaint, but you dont know if there was something already going on, you dont know why the police did what they did and why they did it.
So cmon now, like I said before, stoppit. Don’t use your sexualities to ’spread awareness’ for something as petty as this.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
all of you sound like angry ignorant people. i’m with anonymous on this one
September 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
The big difference between most cops and street thugs is the uniform.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
It’s sad drugs are so bad in the gay community. as many of you know, who has been to the eagle, heretic or jungle what does on at these kind of places..and sexual activity.. i don’t want to go to a bar/club and see that kind of stuff! if YOU WOULDNT DO DRUGS… THINGS LIKE THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN!
September 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Sorry, “Anonymous” but this is exactly the type of police behavior that is unacceptable, treating patrons who indeed were innocent like thugs. I’ve been there on a thursday night, and it could have been me on the floor, and it WAS one of my friends who had to lie there for 45 minutes.
Considering the violent crime going down, this is an unacceptable move by the APD. How many straight oriented clubs have been similarly raided in the last month?
September 11th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Paul asks, How many straight oriented clubs have been similarly raided in the last month?
The answer is, you have no idea. So unless you do some research and accurately find ’straight’ clubs that have been raided, I am pretty sure you wont be surprised at how normal it is to raid places because of an ongoing investigation whether it be drugs, prostitution, or anything along those lines of zero tolerance. ’straight’ houses, ’straight’ clubs, ’straight’ events, ’straight’ meth houses, ’straight’ facilities in general.
For those who keep mentioning ‘the other violent crime they need to focus on in other parts of Atlanta’, I’m pretty sure they have officers on those deals too.
What kind of ‘customer service’ do you expect to get when a place (that has who knows what is going on inside) is getting raided. I’ve been to gay bars and strip clubs in Atlanta and I can tell you it’s worthy of getting investigated. You chose to go to this bar. Lay on the floor, get your ID looked at, and if you’re innocent then you can go home.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
“They had a reason to raid the place, and I’m guessing it was because of Cocaine.”
Oh, please. We know that the white stuff is flowing free in every club, bar and venue in town, and none of the straight ones have been raided by SWAT teams.
One can only presume that SWAT gear was required to stop any of the policemen involved from contracting ‘the gay’, or from being ‘indoctrinated’ as a result of talking to or touching a homosexual without a helmet and bullet-proof armor… Or is it because a regular cop uniform just looks too camp?
We don’t have enough well-trained, socially-aware police on the streets right now, and to waste time busting a gay club (with the resultant impact on the city’s reputation and revenue from gay tourism) when violent crime is out-of-control across metro Atlanta is plain incompetent. Those police could have been out there preventing armed robberies and home invasions, which continue apace.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
The SWAT team of the APD is a travesty. Those are the ones who shot the old lady. The regular cops would not do this. SWAT teams represent a very dangerous militarization of police activity. Lots of people in this drug-addled city do tons of cocaine. It’s not just a gay drug. I hate it personally and I wish people would quit but this is taking it too far. This city is under siege from a probably gang-based crime wave. The understaffed APD needs to get more grounded in what really is a threat to the community, and figure out how to use its resources better, there will certainly be hell to pay for this. At least they didn’t murder anyone this time.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
This is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting. With the increasing number of violent crimes in this city, you would think that the police could find someone else to mess with. How about making yourselves useful, by coming to East Atlanta or maybe Midtown where our houses are being robbed left and right and people are held up at gunpoint every day??????? Outrageous!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
It is amazing how many of these anonymous trolls are willing to give the police a pass at violating the constitutional rights of citizens. Quite apart from the discrimination apparent in the treatment of these patrons, it is a violation of constitutional rights to subject people to the kind of treatment that they were subjected to. It is good that no one was seriously injured, but that could easily have been the result of such a raid. Of course, one needs the police; one does not need thuggish behavior on their part, however.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
If they had to raid this place because of COCAINE, then they should go ahead and raid every SINGLE club in Atlanta while they are at it.
Why aren’t they raiding The Drunken Unicorn?
Oh wait, no one does coke there… hmmm.
I’m sure at that same time of night, plenty of women were wearing little more than their underwear at OPERA, and doing just as much blow in the corners… and I’m also going to guess just as much sex was going on too.
It is not the GAY scene that is drug and sex infested it is the CLUB scene… why did they choose this club?
Not to mention if you REALLY look into the cocaine problem in Georgia it is a LOT more complex than what is going on at the Eagle… Do a little GOOGLING about The Mexican Drug Cartel involvement in THE SUBURBS surrounding Atlanta…. seriously, this has nothing to do with drugs.
P.S. I am a white heterosexual female. Thanks.
September 11th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
So what would you do if I said I know a little bit more about this raid and why the police did it, and what they actually found out about it, but that the information is currently classified because of an ongoing investigation. Information you may never know about.
What if, for that reason alone everything that happened was meant to happen, searching everyone, wearing the gear they wore, choosing that club specifically. You don’t know. And until you do, you can’t keep being upset about the little details. Like I said before, if you chose to hang out at a club, and you know there are drugs, don’t get mad when something like this happens, if it can, it will.
If I was gay, would it change your opinion about what I’ve been saying? This kinda stuff makes me so pissed off, be proud to be gay, stop being insecure, and stop needing people to cater to the fact that we want and need to be treated equal, because to me, it doesn’t even apply in this situation. Promote the gay community in a positive way instead of focusing your energy on stupid shit like this. And let the cops do their job without questioning their every move, you have the bad apples here and there, but you cant go around saying all APD are incompetent thugs.
You’re telling me the Atlanta Police Department got together all their certified ‘Thugs’ at the station and just because they don’t like gays, spent the entire night raiding. I’m sorry, but if I didn’t like a certain person I’d rather just not have to deal with them at all, much less bug the shit out of them until they cry and write a blog about it.
This is my last comment I guess, because it’s pointless to keep arguing with you guys. Hope you get everything figured out. My advice is to put your energy into more positive things. Just my opinion.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Ok, let’s take a bigger picture look at this.
This is in Midtown, where the neighborhood safety jackbooks have been waging war against Vision/SPI Club (black), the black gays at Piedmont Park on Sunday evenings, Bulldogs (gay), Backstreet (gay, had known problems) and Phoenix (gay, had known problems). Now the Eagle, as quite and under the radar as a club could reasonably be. The straight, white, upscale bar with advertized sex parties on Juniper is never raised as an issue. That just leaves Blake’s.
There is a big difference between APD Management and APD rank and file, and the Mayor and Chief are main reasons we have such a horrid turn over with officers in the Force (you’ve read all the articles, right?) and the mess with the quota system that led to the Johnson shooting.
Raids don’t just get called by Joe(sephine) Q. APD in a cruiser – they get called by management. And management answers to the Mayor.
SO! What’s really going on in Midtown these days? Does the Mayor’s office want to run out all the undesireables (blacks and gays) to prop up the property values for developers? Or is it just basic bigotry on the part of Midtown jackboots?
This is actually a very serious question regarding what’s going on in Midtown…
September 11th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
“So what would you do if I said I know a little bit more about this raid and why the police did it, and what they actually found out about it, but that the information is currently classified because of an ongoing investigation. Information you may never know about.”
Oh but we do get to know, Anonymous.
You see the founders in their wisdom had this clever little idea called the Fourth Amendment.
The police do not have the right to retain anyone without giving a reason. Period.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Anonymous-
Please, save your hypothetical ‘insider’ status for someone who’s gullible enough to believe a commenter on a board has more authority, just because he says so.
And by the way- I’d like to see facts and links of how many other bars in Atlanta have been raided in this style, with the patrons so obviously abused?
Get off your soapbox, because you’re not seeing the basics here- which is people’s rights have been violated. You’re too busy trying to tell the gay and lesbian community that it should behave itself and just go along like good little minorities and not make waves.
It’s 2009, and we’ve endured decades of this BS, and because we’re going to fight back, you’re going to whine about how we’re playing the victim? You need to pull your head out of your ass, show some facts, or just shut up.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
OMG!! The crime problem in Atlanta is so much more massive than right-wing political stabs at gay bars! Hire more cops to go where CRIME IS BEING COMMITTED. And let’s start with violence and robberies. If they want a swing vote, get people to want to return to the city first.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Thank the Lord APD busted those flat-screen T.V. stealin’ gayfers!
I wonder if they found my pair of fancy Wrangler jean shorts that was taken off me by them blue jean bandits the other night when I passed-out in Johnny’s Hideaway.
September 11th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
APD is a total joke. Those of us living in Grant, Inman, and Chandler Park and East Atlanta have to wait 40 min for a cop to arrive while we are actively witnessing a car jacking, robbery, etc but APD can dispatch 10 police cars to a gay bar. This is an inappropriate use of tax payers money. This city is experiencing a tidal wave of violent crime and larcenies, and the best that APD can do is raid a gay bar? The chief should be fired! So far, my new subdivision has experienced 12 break ins with theft, 2 car jackings, and 2 home invasions – some happened in broad daylight. I want APD to come out in force and sweep the thugs off the street..
September 11th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I have always enjoyed coming to Atlanta and visiting the Eagle. There are great people who work there and I have made friends almost everytime I’ve visited. They do not deserve this abuse. In eight years of visiting ATL I have never seen signs of drugs or any other illicit activity at the Eagle. If the police had made a specific drug-related arrest that would have been one thing. So far there has been no report that I have read where that was confirmed. People were searched for contraband but so far as far as I have been able to read no one was caught with anything on their person, or in the bar. Thank you to Creative Loafing and the other news outlet for covering this. Where is AJC’s coverage? Just like the APD’s motive in this harrassment: MISSING and UNCLEAR.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Ok so the bottom line is they found no drugs so everyone using the drug argument can leave that one alone. Now what are you gonna say is wrong?????????
September 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
APD= modern day Nazi police,I dont like the Eagle but that does not seem like a good use of tax dollars when you cant even walk the city streets of Atlanta a night like you can in any other major city without thinking you might get shot or stabbed. The whole ATL government is corrupt and has been for many years.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I would love to know how many other crimes were reported in the time that the officers were otherwise disposed arresting underwear clad boys at a gay bar.
September 11th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
such a poor use of limited resources.
who signed off on this raid at the APD?
September 11th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE SMOKING! IF YOU’VE BEEN TO THE EAGLE YOU’VE SEEN PEOPLE DO DRUGS/ON DRUGS STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN THE BACK, BJ’S F*CKIN.. COME ON.. DON’T ACT LIKE NONE OF THIS STUFF DOESNT HAPPEN THERE OR JUNGLE OR HERETIC.. GET RID OF THE PLACES COMPLETELY! NEED MORE BARS….
September 11th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
+ 1 Josh. Some bars are not much more than smoke filled orgy rooms when things get really late. I have nothing against dancing…but for pete’s sake. Stop the drugs, lewd behavior, leave the lights on(along w/your clothes), ban cigarette smoking, and act civil. If you want to behave like a pig stay at home.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
So Josh… while I hate to question your recreational choices, I wonder why NO ONE was arrested for the things you claim go on there? And what about the straight sex club on Juniper? Why is that bar allowed to stay open and advertise as a sex club?
September 11th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Everyone needs to send emails to Shirley Franklin at mayorfranklin@atlantaga.gov
and call her at 404 330 6100
She allows this waste of money yet supports bars such as Vision which is known for violence and thuggery. Here is my email to her and everyone else should send one also.
Ms Franklin:
I am a resident of VA Highlands and am shocked to hear of the raid on the Atlanta Eagle Bar. I think our taxpayers money can be better spent than raiding a gay bar.
We are constantly battling neighborhood crime and you waste our taxpayers money on this kind of anti-gay behavior?
I voted for you and was a full supporter of yours. As of now, I am really regretting that decision. Please tell me how many crimes have been reported at the Atlanta Eagle? Yet you support the night club, Vision, which has a history of violence and criminal activity.
Shame on you and the sooner you are gone, the better.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Mayor Franklin recently said she took personal responsibility for everything that happens in Atlanta. While I don’t hold her responsible for what happened, I think she would be interested to know what the police have chosen to focus time and resources on. I wonder how many cars were broken into while the police were at the Eagle?
September 11th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Good news Richard and Pat have been working feveriously to get everyone out of jail. Shelitha Robertson and Miguel Gallegoes who are running for city council, called judges around town to allow the eagle to post bail this afternoon. Originally, it was thought they would have to stay in jail until tomorrow or Monday.
September 11th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Actually, police in full SWAT or riot gear would blend in at the Atlanta Eagle like a drag queen at a Pride parade.
September 11th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
There is always two sides to the story. As a gay man in Atlanta, I’ve been to the Eagle on numerous occassions and some of the goings on there are absolutely disgusting. Take for instance the dark sex room, STD free for all on Thursday nights in the back. I’m sure that was a big reason behind the raid. Perhaps the APD acted a little aggressively, but to act and say the Eagle and it’s partons are completely innocent is just lying.
September 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I think this raid is a joke for many reasons already posted.
Anyone who has been there many times and says they have never seen drugs is a fool.
When I first moved here a “helpful” neighbor told me I could score the best meth, x and coke in town at Backstreet and The Eagle. Exact quote “Fuck your straight bars honey, we got the best party favors in town”.
Can anyone tell me the name of the straight sex club on Juniper? Please? :-)
September 11th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Look, let’s face facts, folks: The Atlanta Eagle is a notorious bar infested with drugs and stinky, nasty men doing all sorts of things to each other. I’ve been there before by the pool table (on a NON-Thursday night) chatting with friends with guys sucking each other off next to me. Really. I don’t care what adults of any gender do to each other (so long as its consensual) but is it really necessary to to have an orgy right there in front of everyone? And if you must have an orgy, how about using some protection? Oh, that’s right. Snorting coke all night doesn’t really lead to safer sex practices. Hmmmm. Maybe the APD is right after all. Please note – I am same-sex oriented…but please don’t equate that with a need to screw people in bars…
September 11th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Anyone who says this is alright for APD to do is a FOOL!!!!!!!Everyone does need to contact Shirley Franklins office and raise hell!!!!! Glad I don not live in that city anymore. Was coming to gay pride in october, but i refuse to spend my hard earned money in a city that treats its gay community like second class citizens. U thought ATL was a progressive city. Guess I was mistaken!!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Do shut your flaps, Jason. You will see what the charges are soon enough for those arrested. Then let’s see if you’ll be brave (or moronic) enough to support them.
Screwing and snorting in bars is a no-no in more cities than Atlanta, fool. Got it?
September 11th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I love the holier than thou attitude. You want to see nasty men doing nasty things to each other, go to FLex or Eros or the Heretic (the nasty pool table room).
Give me a break. I have never seen this type of stuff at the Eagle.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Well, Terry. I guess if you’ve never seen it at the Eagle, then its never happened, yes? Please apply for a brain at your earliest convenience.
September 11th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
It is worth noting that even the MPSA, notorious for shutting down Backstreet and now hellbent on stopping Vision from coming back, spoke out strongly for the Eagle, going as far as saying they are a “good neighbor.” To me, that speaks volumes. I’d say APD really messed up bad.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
LaQuinta, then by the same token (snicker), I guess we’re to take your word and your word alone for it?
I would say “Think again, dear”, but that would require use of a skill you obviously lack.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I worked in midtown Atlanta as a foodservice fellow for ten years.
Anyone who thinks the Eagle has a drug problem is a fool, or at least someone who never goes to a Buckhead or VaHi bar to see what a real bar drug problem looks like. (Haha, I’d love to see them pull this stunt at an Emory kids hangout)
And oh, Ms (or Mr.) Chante- No drugs were found at the Eagle. Employees were arrested for working shirtless in the leather shop (since, y’know, that obviously means they were stripping for profit without a license).
Refrain from ignorant comments and just stay the hell out of the Eagle if you don’t like it.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I’m glad the MPSA thinks that the Eagle is a “good neighbor”. However, have you asked the tenants in the condo building next to the Eagle’s parking lot their opinion? After all, they actually have to live next to the Eagle, not the MPSA. Tenants at the condo building would have some stories that would make your toenails curl…or perhaps not…
September 11th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Clay, that’s Ms. LaQueefa to you, son. I don’t go to the Eagle anymore, sweets. Scabies is the least of what is flying through the air there, and, well, its really just a dirty, smelly bar full of desperate, ugly, smelly men. But don’t take my word for it. The back room is calling you, run!
Oh, and where do you work in food service, sweets? If you frequent the Eagle, I’ll be glad to scratch the restaurant you work at off my list immediately.
No tip for you!
September 11th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
This is not allowed or acceptable in Atlanta. Get rid of the homophobic cops. Raid the offices of the Christian Coalition instead.
September 11th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
This is not allowed or acceptable in Atlanta. Get rid of the homophobic cops. Raid the offices of the Christian Coalition instead. Find out if there are upper cops who are doing this and get rid of them immediately. It could be that some new homophobes have snuck in. Root them out. This could destroy Atlanta’s reputation and set it back 20 years. And please, do it before Pride.
September 11th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
It amazes me how all the people who tell the gays to get over it are anonymous, come on it IS 2009, I also agree with the ones who question why THIS bar was pinpointed, I dont live in Atlanta, but we have an Eagle here in NC, I go there as often as possible, and have never seen any illegal activity, i personally dont do drugs, or smoke and i am offended that all the patrons were treated the way they were over 1 complaint. i fear “Thou dost protest too much”
September 11th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
LaQueefa,
You cant possibly have many friends
September 12th, 2009 at 12:01 am
I hate to say this but it looks like this raid happened mostly because..
We gay men try so damned hard to be “gay” that were not thinking what the other 90% are thinking. Underwear in public? Really someone thought this was a great idea? Ever?
Ok so your going to say inside a bar isn’t in public and that they have a fence around the bottom level to control what can be seen.. then your ignoreing that these guys don’t stop you from leaving or reentering (in any dress you desire).
Look I applaud those that don’t fit the prissy, too skinny, unmanly gay likeness.. but is it really necessary to take there sissy extreme to another eye shocking extreme?
September 12th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Frank,
I have plenty, most who also avoid the Eagle. Grow up, move to a real city, there are back rooms waiting for you!
September 12th, 2009 at 2:20 am
People, the petty insults back and fourth are childish. Everyone has an opinion, just like assholes you know, we all have one. The Eagle is a fine place to visit. Gay’s should be allowed to patronize the establishment or not. You can go to a place with drugs and sexual overtones and NOT take part and still keep your morals in tacked. You don’t have to condem those that choose to take part. Get a fucking life and let people be. The raid was wrong and unjust. If there was a real reason then it should be given but with the information provided at this point it sounds unjustified and an inappropriate use of tax dollars.
September 12th, 2009 at 3:41 am
What all the “it must have been a justified drug bust” people seem to be overlooking is a very simple fact…
Not one single arrest was made for drugs dispute searching the patrons the bar and the employees. So either no drugs were found or the cops took them. Take your pick.
The ONLY arrests that were made were the bar employees and the dancers and the ONLY thing they were charged with was the minor crime of having adult entertainment without the proper permits.
What did the warrant cover and why did the police feel the need to search and run the IDs of all the customers?
I know both owners of the Eagle as well as most of the employees and they do not tolerate drugs usage in their bar, the business is too important to them.
The bottom line here is that it’s an ELECTION YEAR and there are forces in Midtown that want gays to leave dispute the fact that we are the ones who revitalize Midtown.
There is going to be hell to pay for this, there is a protest Sunday with a march on police headquarters and you can bet there will be some very quick back peddling by the APD.
The one thing that all elected officials in the Atlanta area know is that gay men and women VOTE and you can’t win these districts if the GLTG population is pissed at you.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:12 am
“Nearby patron”. Your posts truly was one of the more hysterical ones on this topic. You start out by saying “People, the petty insults back and fourth are childish” and then go on to say “Get a fucking life and let people be”.
Follow your own fucking advice. I’m curious, however – your backroom at the Eagle is still open, watcha bitchin’ about?
September 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Laqueefa you dont like Eagle because they dont harbor nelly ass black drag queens like yourself. Atleast the men at Eagle are men and not some nelly black feminine queen.
By the way, your name fits your attitude perfectly. So get a life ghetto bitch.
September 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Oh and by the way, I never said sex didnt go on at the Eagle. Does that even matter? Atleast people are not in there killing each other and you dont have to walk through a damn metal detector to get in. In case you dont remember, thats what happened to the Red Chair bar when they had hip hop night. They ruined it just like they ruined Buckhead. Thats what the APD should be going after.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:44 am
OK, all opinions aside, the fact remains that in a civil society the police simple don’t treat people this way. They are there “to protect and serve” and by most any measure this constitutes an abuse of their power and community trust. Whether or not Atlanta in 2009 is representative of a civil society is debatable, but nonetheless we have every right to expect better treatment than this from our police. And as a previous commenter pointed out, there’s that Fourth Amendment thing as well. The degree to which that constitutional right has been weakened over time is frightening, and actions like this continue to dissolve its protective power.
I will also say that I am gay and have visited the Eagle before. Yes, it’s kind of unsavory and not really a place I like to go, but it’s a stable business in a troubled part of town and a public establishment where plenty of innocent people (including friends of mine) like to go to have a good time. Police should acknowledge that. The idea of staff and customers alike being held on the ground while searched by officers without any explanation or apology for the inconvenience is disturbing, unprofessional and unacceptable. Whether or not there is a compelling reason that APD targeted the place, this kind of conduct does nothing to assure Atlantans that the police have a handle on effectively addressing the current crime wave: it only makes innocent citizens’ approach toward the police one of fear and disrespect.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I appreciate having protection from cops but I also know that there are bad cops. That said I personally don’t believe APD would utilize resources and time for 1 complaint from months ago. Unless that one complaint had reliable witnesses, pictures, whatever and was over something big.
Victims yes for a moment in time, not forever. What does living w/victim mentality do for you?
Cops made rude comments about gays…not appropriate….yet gays make rude comments about cops…world keeps spinning around.
Gays are welcome in Atl. Does everyone want to accept the lifestyle…No. When lifestyles are different and separate from the “norm” especially in the bible belt of the country then situations are going to occur that are not comfortable. Anger and ugliness does nothing but beget the same.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I keep hearing of complaints. Why doesnt someone tell us what these complaints are and who made them? Then maybe that would settle the entire thing.
September 12th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I have visited the Eagle once or twice a year while vacationing in Atlanta for the past 12 years. I have never seen drugs, not even once. While I have seen some sexual situations, they were always between consenting adults behind closed doors of the bar. Let’s face it, Grandma Smith and her brood of toddler grandchildren do not just happen in and see men having sex. If you go to that type of bar, you know that you might see men making out or possibly even going further. As long as it is inside and not in general public view, that’s their own business. This crap about the raid being due to drugs is a lie. It’s about the Eagle being a gay bar. So what if people were in their underwear? You see more skin than that walking down the beach, at a poo, or sometimes in the mall or WalMart. These idiotic bigots who call themselves cops should be concerned with cleaning up the streets of Atlanta and leave private businesses alone. Why weren’t they in the streets around my hotel where I felt like I had to lock my doors because of the crap I saw going on while driving to my hotel that had to have a fenced parking lot with an armed guard? That is the situation of Atlanta streets, yet they are concerned that two men might have sex in a bar? Talk about some screwed up priorities!
September 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
“The ONLY arrests that were made were the bar employees and the dancers and the ONLY thing they were charged with was the minor crime of having adult entertainment without the proper permits”
It’s interesting that crime is relegated to minor. Neigbors probably don’t like what that type of “people” this entertainment brings. Being realistic check statistics, whether male or female dancers people don’t want that type of entertainment in their area…people that own property (homes) have the right to be concerned over anything that affects their property values. Or maybe they just don’t like. If the busines is so important to the owners then NO illegal activity should be happening and raids won’t occur.
Again, the APD officers need to keep their feelings to themselves. They don’t have the right to voice their personal feelings at all!!
And funny that someone else making comments is being ugly to a black person…Ugliness begets the same.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I propose an exodus of homosexuals from the city. Take your business and work to the burbs and join an actual “mixed” neighborhood. Dismantle Atlanta Gay Pride and allow the city to see the impact this loss of tourism and patronism will bring about. There are certainly other local cities salivating at the opportunity to host an influx of wealth and sales tax revenue. All we need is a business plan, people.
Maybe I’m an extremist, though. But seriously, are we prepared to take action today or the next time this occurs?? Anti-gay individuals who pull for this type of treatment only need to push without resistance one or two times before considering a full attack. It’s not beyond any government, we are targets, and it happens all over the world. We’re certainly not protected from harrassment by federal or state requirements, don’t forget that.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
BDR: Neigbors probably don’t like what that type of “people” this entertainment brings.
*EXCEPT*…the Eagle has been there for 20 years, and has had such ‘entertainment’ since the first time I stepped foot in it in 1989. These “neighbors” have (for the most part) moved there in the last 10-15 years as the neighborhood gentrified, knowing full-well that the Eagle was right there.
To me, this seems like Olden Days when non-smokers would intentionally and specifically ask for seats in the smoking section of a restaurant and then bitch up a storm because they were subjected to smoke. And, yes, I had some clueless acquaintances in Atlanta in the early 90’s who did precisely this, and thought they were making a “point”. The only such “point” that was made was that they were self-centered narcissistic asshats.
September 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I will take weekly raids on all bars before I move out to the burbs.
And for the one who made comments about someone being “ugly to a black person”
, yeah I did and if you look back he/she started it by being ugly to almost everyone on here.
So I fought back which is exactly what the gays in this city need to do in this situation.
Believe me, it will not stop if we do not fight back and other gay bars will be the next targets
September 12th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
FYI FROM SOUTHERN VOICE:
“For those in the LGBT community who are even remotely considering voting for Liz Coyle for District 6 council, please do your homework. Coyle is working closely with Midtown busybody and NIMBY Peggy Denby, who wants to close down gay bars in the area. Google “Peggy Denby, Bulldogs, and Prostitution” to see an example of her racist and homophobic efforts to turn Midtown into a sterile Buckhead. There are some competent, progressive and intelligent candidates in this race (i.e. Azzizi, Brodie and Wan). Please think twice about pulling the lever for Coyle.”
Even before getting elected, Liz and her crew are showing what’s in store for the “Gay Ghetto.” For Fun, go checkout Liz’s voting record; she does have a tendency to vote in Republican Primaries, except she does vote in Democratic runoffs. Oh is that the trick the Republicans use to vote against the popular Democrat?…..Liz’s own public voting record sure shows her true colors. For those who want to have some more fun check out the voting records of the people holding her meet and greets.
Visit Liz Coyle’s website or check the list below and see who co-hosted her Meet and Greet in Midtown (the clue is PD and that doesn’t stand for police department…….Oh, and while your at it check who is doing the same hosting in Virginia Highland (more of the “safety” crew) …..the Safety Cabal is very active and playing to our public safety fear; lets remember how Liz worked to close down the bars in VaHi; oh not directly but she sure shut out the parking by making her exclusive neighborhood a no parking zone restricted to residents only and only feet away from locally owned bars and restaurants. Isn’t it fun to try to park in VaHi at night or pay the outrageous prices? LOL, she wants to be in the suburbs in the heart of the city…….look at her website and campaign literature. She wants tree lined streets and wide open spaces. Not a word about public safety!!
FYI HERE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS SUPPORTING LIZ BY HOLDING MEET AND GREETS, DIRECTLY FROM LIZ’S BROCHURE: BE SURE TO STOP BY AND LET LIZ KNOW HOW MUCH YOU SUPPORT HER ACTIVITIES TO CLEAN UP OUR CITY. IF WE CAN GET THESE PESKY GAY BARS CLOSED DOWN MAYBE WE CAN GET SOME MORE EMPTY LOTS FOR HER DREAM OF MORE TREES AND THAT GOOD OL SUBURBAN FEEL THAT ALL OF US MOVED INTO THE CITY TO EXPERIENCE. GO DISTRICT 6 – FINALLY A SAFE PLACE FOR THE SOCCER MOMS. MAYBE WE’LL HAVE A RED LOBSTER SOON!!
Be sure to visit Liz soon…………..
* Walt Ray and Scott Kaye, Aug 15, 543 Elmwood, VaHi
* Jane Weir, Aug 16, 1810 Charline Ave, Johnson Estates
* Courtney & Eric Dusenbury, Aug 23, 340 Candler Park Drive, Candler Park
* Michael McMackin 957 Piedmont August 26, Midtown
* Helen Panarites and Janet Kisbaugh 1090 Bellevue Drive, VaHi
* Julie Edelson, Care Rubin, Moshe Gittelson & Howard Kaplan, August 30 1629 Lady Marian Lane, Sherwood Forest
* Jodi and Ross Mansbach, September 1, 1700 N Pelham Road, Morningside
* Peggy Denby, Carol & Joe Vivona, and Don Jones, Sept 3, 735 Penn, Midtown
* Karen Page, 952 Highland View, Sep 9, VaHi
* Jane Harmon, Sep 24, 126 17th St, Ansley Park
* Susan Kanellios, Sept 26, 786 Piedmont Way, Piedmont Heights
* Petit & CJ Bolster, Sep 27, 733 Brookridege Drive, VaHi
* Suzanne Williams and Dr Annette Bernard (MD with Thacker, Thompson & Bernard), Sep 30,729 Virginia Circle, VaHi
* Baron & Amy Jordon, Oct 3, 578 Montgomery Ferry, Piedmont Heights
* Ken Mcduffie (Liz’s Parents), Dave & Jeanne Bedell and Laura McDuffie, Oct 4, 1084 St Augustine Place, Atkins Park
* Linda & Kevin Dougherty, 476 Greenwood, Midtown
* Catalina & Dave Sibilisky, Oct 8, 670 Cumberland Circle, Morningside
* John Wolfinger (Safety Chair VaHi) and Early & Susan Muntzing, Oct 14, 1032 Elizabeth Court, VaHi
* Leslie Dent and Scott Riley, Oct 15, 826 Springdale Road, Druid Hills
September 12th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
It seems to me that discrimination of gay people still goes strong! Atlanta police department needs to be taken to court by the gay community! While there is serious crime going on in the Atlanta streets the Atlanta police waste their time and the cities money on a gay underware party..How crazy is that !? Meanwhile carthefts muggings , robberies and drug deals are going on just outside by so called straight people! Where are the police? LOL Bring this to court guys or this is going to happen at all the gay bars in Atlanta !! They need raid all staight bars and see the drugs and sex they find as in any bar what so ever there is drugs to be found so get with it Atlanta police!!
September 12th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I don’t condone the actions of the ADP. However, what has been their official statement to support the raid? Furthermore who in the APD hierarchy gave the final approval? These are questions that the LGBT community needs to ask. We also need to be provided definitive answers. Otherwise, what’s to say it won’t continue to happen again at other bars ?
September 12th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
The most shocking thing is the cops can raid ANY bar in Midtown, search everyone in the building and not find ANY drugs. Amazing!
September 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I’m agree with JB, I think it’s time for Atlanta’s gay community to realize it all started with Backstreet and the change in liquor laws. It’a a ball that started rolling down hill the “great white way” years ago. Seems like it’s gaining speed in Midtown these days. Maybe Sarah Palin can come in an moderate!
September 12th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Terry just out of curiousity…you said: [sic] “Atleast the men at Eagle are men and not some nelly black feminine queen.”
Are you for protecting gay men who “are men” (whatever that means) and not anyone else in the gay community? Are you saying that gay men who “are men” are valued more or appreciated more than other people in the gay community? Who appreciates gay men who “are men” more? Straight people? Is that who you are trying to get approval from?
Just curious…
September 12th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
<<>>
No what’s really amazing is that the cops could raid a bar, tear the place apart, search all the patrons, run their ID’s and not make one arrest of ANY of the patrons.
Then not having justified their actions arrest 8 people for violation of a city ordinance where under normal circumstances they would merely have been issued a citation to appear before a just, instead handcuff all the employees, put them in a paddy wagon and hold them with setting bail or having them go before a judge to get bail set for almost 24 hours.
All of this without, according to the bar owner, ever having produced a warrant.
I guess if you consider this to be in any way acceptable behavior on the part of the city or it’s police department then we are so far separated in our concepts of personal freedom that there is little to discuss.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Do you think the bar staff were all taken downtown in their leather boots and dirty underwear or were they given a chance to put clothes on?
Inquiring minds want to know!
September 12th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I have no idea. Would it please you if they had been?
At least 4 of them would not have been in just underwear since one was an owner, one a manager and two bartenders.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
No, I’ve seen the staff there, and I don’t think that it would please me to see them in underwear. Wouldn’t it create a hygiene-hostile situation at the precinct to have them in their underwear only?
September 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
It takes so little thought to be a nasty, hateful self-loathing individual.
So what were you doing at the Eagle?
September 12th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Laughing at the sows attempting to mate. Place smelled like butt so we went to Blakes.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
And you will excuse me for not buying into your “self loathing” bullshit just because I am gay and don’t take stock in backroom plowing action at the Eagle, buddy. You have some very warped logic, take a look at why YOU are so self loathing that you need to participate in that behavior instead of in the privacy of your own home, ok? And not being able to lure anyone home so you screw them in backrooms is not an excuse. You’re the one with the problem, buddy. Get the help you need.
September 12th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
So, how about those who want to run around in their underwear, have sex and do drugs at the Eagle do so and those who want to have sex and cuddle home while listening to Enya do so as well? C’mon everyone, we are all part of the same community. Can’t we get along?
September 12th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I think you are self-loathing because you take pleasure in the misfortune of others. It’s almost always a sign of neurotic insecurity.
And I really hate to disappoint you but I rarely go to bars at all. I’ve had a partner for 16 years and we are more the stay at home or go out with friends type. No doubt something else you will dispose.
And even though the men who frequent the Eagle are not generally my type, I don’t feel the need to mock and degrade people just because I’m not attracted to them.
Just like I really don’t feel all that much of a need to mock or degrade self important, self appointed, self defined “A” list people who are so full of themselves that they think what they are and like is somehow superior to what someone else is or likes.
But in your case I’ll make an exception.
The owners of the Eagle and their employees are kind, decent people who have gone out of their way to help people in the community, which is more than I can say for you. I doubt you even have a clue as to what the concept of community even means and if you did not doubt you would find fault with it.
So when you go to Blake’s do you move around or are you too afraid to move and mess up your hair?
September 13th, 2009 at 12:30 am
*yawn*
Anyway.
Is the staff out of prison and running the stinky brothel again?
September 13th, 2009 at 12:37 am
You know what, “Shut the place”? I’m tired of your sneering posts! And I hate Blakes people with their superior attitudes! Y’all need to kick it with the biotches at Burkharts sometime! It ain’t so ghetto as you think, and we stopped using plastic cups! “Why not” honey, come watch me perform at Burkharts, I’ll do you a lap dance you’ll never forget! *squeal!*
yours in sissyhood,
-Queefa
September 13th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Wow. Can we get someone from creative loafing to confirm that “Shut the place down” and “why not think instead” are not posted from the same IP? (that is, confirm they are not one poster) Either way, this exchange is hilarious.
BTW, leave the eagle alone, Atlanta needs its occaisional scummy spot to keep it the city I’ve come to love over the years. If [barely]leatherclad buttsex ain’t your thing, there are plenty of other places to go. I hear the Gidewon Bros. are trying to open a joint up a few blocks away that will have a COMPLETELY different theme/clientele.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I will be going to the march they are having on the police department this Sunday. I am 51 and have seen this behavior before…I had hoped it was past us.
There is mention of a fund to hire PI’s to look into the lives of the officers involved in the raid at all levels. This sounds like a good idea to me. The lawsuits will not affect the personal lives of the police, the insurance companies will pay off the suits and the only thing the city will “feel” is maybe an increase in their premium. Show the wives/husbands/significant others of these officers pics of them playing around, or send the IRS proof of unclaimed income…well, that makes it just as personal for them as what they did to others.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:58 am
I’m a het female who occasionally goes to the Eagle with my het husband. We go to support various leather events and groups from around the area. The staff there has always been very friendly and professional and most of the clientele are just plain sweet. There aren’t too many months that go by that there isn’t some sort of fundraiser going on for a deserving charity. Last weekend, for instance, the Hotlanta Rubber group raised over $2000 for a local charity. (Sorry…can’t remember the name..but I thought “wow” when I heard what they do.)
Yes, there are things that go on at the Eagle that make me a little uncomfortable. But, then again, there are things that happen in most nightclubs and bars which make me a little uncomfortable as I don’t drink and don’t particularly enjoy going to bars as a rule.
Why is it we haven’t heard of any such raids at straight bars in Atlanta? Or what about some of those sex clubs like “Little Wings”? To be honest, this seems to be a little fishy, especially given that this is an election year AND at least one person running for the Atlanta city council has an obvious anti-gay agenda.
September 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Methinks LaQueefa, Shut The Place, and Why not think are all one and the same. Especially since Shut is espousing the same things LaQueef was earlier in the thread, but now she apparently agrees with Why, even though *his* thoughts were what LaQ previously denigrated.
September 13th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Uh, G3 methinks you’re seriously wrong. Don’t mix me up with Eagle or Blakes people, I’m 110% blacque and all Burkharts, baybee!
However, have you and this one ever been seen in the same place together? I don’t think so!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvWHTEHGHCE
September 13th, 2009 at 11:22 am
The worse human being enemy is another human being for sure, especially when he was raised believing that, he can do whatever he wants (on DL) but the same is nasty when someone else wants to do the same. I been to several gay and straight bars and I’ve never seem any drug action even sex… do u know why? Because I’m not looking for such thing…. people that see it, may be…. Drugs are not a gay privilege but something all over the place sometimes even provided by parents… so people please get over… this is a 5 million people city with a small town mentality. The real estate price is outrageous for a place that has no fun life anymore. Brutality, crime, prejudice and so on. I could never understand why to close bars at 3 am for example, but to force lots of people to go home early facilitating the accidents. (u don’t tell young generation gay or straight the time to go to bed, otherwise, forcing them to do it can be even a bigger mistake)If the conservatives want a complete peaceful place to live, I really recommend them to move to the burbs, allowing Atlanta to grow again before people from all over the country decided to forget completely about this sad and full of prejudice place. Take care of the safety, but not cutting their freedom off. Carpe Diem.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Let’s not forget, Shirley’s daughter Kai, was involved in large scale cocaine trafficking. Subsequent to this Kai went out clubbing stirring up trouble resulting in the brutal beating and permanent disability of her bodyguard. Shirley is an embarrassment to Atlanta, to the state of GA and to the country.
September 13th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
“Just WOW, APD. I forgot for a moment that this is the 21st century and I’m not living in Redneckville.” marg_it
Sad thing is Marg_it, I used to be a regular patron of The Eagle in Tulsa,Oklahoma. Belt buckle of the bible belt. And we have NOT had the police show up to the Eagle or any of our gay bars in a hell of a long time, I’ve actually never heard of raid of our gay clubs in the past 10 years.
Maybe our rednecks, are not as closed minded as everyone would like to think.
*shrugs* My support goes out to all victims, and the LGBT Community at large in Atlanta, I’m sorry you still have to deal with this bigotry.
September 13th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
The APD and OTP police departments do the same thing to straight tittie bars and rock clubs all the time. So often it usually doesn’t make the news the one time they do it to a gay bar its a shitstorm. I genuinely hope it was over criminal activity and not the gay factor.
September 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Rudy Says:
The APD and OTP police departments do the same thing to straight tittie bars and rock clubs all the time.
Uhm, no Rudy, they don’t, at least not the ADP (OTP is YOUR problem).
While the Po-Po were busy not finding drugs in a gay bar, 3 miles away in an unlicensed club underage girls were having sex on stage with patrons. The neighborhood files at least one complaint a week, and has since at least mid-June. The APD’s response? An officer (1) came out one night (1) a month (1) ago and… ticketed some cars parked in yards and blocking driveways.
September 13th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Laqueefa, I dont need approval from anyone. However, I do think you made this comment,
“The Atlanta Eagle is a notorious bar infested with drugs and stinky, nasty men doing all sorts of things to each other”
So who the hell are you to judge. I have NEVER seen drugs in there and nasty or not, the men are atleast men.
Furthermore, I have never seen any sexual activity in there.
Atleast we agree on one thing, Blakes does suck.
It is sad that as gay people we are fighting each other more than the enemy.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Gay Bar, Straight Bar, I Dont Care! Why is busting anyone for dancing in their underwear a priority and why do OUR police officers and City Council keep forgetting that THEY WORK FOR US! Isn’t Atlanta a dangerous city with REAL crimes happening?We need to start firing OUR public servants if they abuse the PRIVILEDGE that we have given them.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:19 am
I can’t wait to get the report that shows the victim crimes that happened at the same time OUR APD was wasting our money busting adults in a bar for dancing without a permit. WOW. This is such a disgrace. I smell a LAWSUIT! Woo Hoo !!!
September 14th, 2009 at 10:56 am
if the cops want to find drugs, all they have to do is walk down the street from the eagle. i always see drug dealers and prostitutes doing business out in the open on the corner of ponce de leon and monroe. and all we hear about are current problems due to lack of police presence because of furloughs and budgetary constraints. but the cops can find enough officers and cars to bust up a gay bar? it’s obvious they’re targeting a minority. since shirley franklin has been in office, we’ve seen most of the gay bars pushed out of midtown. clearly the harassment continues…
September 15th, 2009 at 12:11 am
What are we to do? The “good ole’ boy” redneck homophobic bashers have badges. The FACTS remain, there were no drugs found and no one was arrested for having public sex. Southern culture will forever be cursed with unbelievable levels of ignorance and hate. If this were a black club and the officers would have said “I hate black people, we should raid a black bar every week” there would be riots in the damn streets. Unfortunately it will come to that, because the only way “Bubbas” learn is through violence. This is truly one of the most dark and sinister times for the people of ATL.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Sorry, but let’s have a reality check here: The Eagle is and always has been awash in drugs and second only to the Heretic in sex-trade. I have no problem with either personally, but the simple fact is that they are both against the law. And as the old saying goes, “if you want to play, be prepared to play.” So the people who got busted should just man-up and quit fucking whining about it.
September 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
That “Anonymous” dork up there who hasn’t even got the balls to be public about who he or she is, obviously hasn’t a clue what they’re talking about. Claims to have visited gay clubs even though he’s straight? Trolling for some “down low” buddies dude? I wonder if your wife knows about your proclivities.
Gay bars get rousted because the cops like it. They think it’s FUN. They usually get the green light from community NIMBIES like Peggy Denby or the vigilante teams from MPSA. Big bad gay bar patrons must be stopped, eh, Anonymous? Or is the bigger picture of that nasty, evil, openly gay man Steve Brodie going for public office? Funny this “raid” happened on the same day his candidacy was announced. I believe the city of Atlanta is trying really hard to “clean up the undesirable element” of gays in the city.
September 15th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Sammie:
The current city council rep is a lesbian, so I dont think having a gay person run for office is anything new or scary for district 6. Also, Brodie announced his candidacy way back in April (or May, dont remember).
If anything this will probably help Wan, since he is the gay rights activist candidate (judging by his campaign contributions).
I think the bottom line is that police, like a lot of the general public (especially lower educated people) are homophobic and further have no respect for civil rights.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Yeah, Stephan, how dare they complain about a police raid that was obviously targeted at a marginalized and hated minority? They’re total wussies for whining about being pushed to the ground for an hour and being insulted with homophobic slurs by authority figures with guns because they might have broken some nuisance laws that other bars get away with frequently.
You have some good ideas going on, Stephan. I’m going to lobby for license revokation for anyone caught going 2 mph over the speed limit, and when people complain, they should STFU because they broke the law, right?
Dick.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I work for a gay establishment, and am the first to agree that the drugs are a major problem. It is a real shame…
September 16th, 2009 at 1:34 am
I guess Atlanta is still as bigoted and backward as it was before. Nothing’s really changed. Thankfully I’m moving to Montreal in two weeks where there is protection for all and not just some of the citizens.
Ah, les poulets.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
hum… I went to Heretic on Wednesday, the day BEFORE the Eagle Raid and for some reason, the owners decided to change the light bulb on that back room for something really bright !
Now I wonder if the they what was about to happens at Eagle… anyone can tell me?
September 16th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
correction:
Now I wonder if they KNEW what was about to happens at Eagle… anyone can tell me?
September 17th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Did the APD take the surveillance video? It would be interesting to see this. This was not released from the Rainbow lounge. It would be educational to see what actually happened. With Digital video being fairly cheap; I do not understand why it is not used more. One thing if people knew they were being recorded they would be more discrete in their actions.
September 17th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Anonymous, I hope that one day you over come that bad case of internalized homophobia.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:04 am
It would be interesting to know what other crimes took place that same night at about that time. Having all those police resources dedicated to this versus what normally goes on in Atlanta seems a bit like a misdirection of resources. If some other armed robberies were occuring at that time at Tech, does the police department think putting police into the Eagle makes more sense than protecting the stundents and citizens around Tech?
September 20th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Simple, it’s ATLANTA! I moved away because of its corrupt and bigoted atmosphere. I am not supportive of public exposure or lude behavior. If teh club wants to have such, go private. However, if you hand cuff someone then you better have probable cause and arrest them.
Alanta, a broken down stink hole of a town where they hid ethe fact aht 2.3 rds of teh community in Fulton are in poverty. STINKS!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Bet your ass this wouldn’t have happened in San Francisco. We simply don’t tolerate it here. We’d STILL be marching.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I’m thinking of renting the back room at the Eagle and moving in permanently! My house has been broken into five times already, and APD can take up to 90 minutes to respond to a burglary call (if at all). With all the police presence at the Eagle, maybe I’ll be able to keep a plasma TV for more than a month without having it stolen.
Really, this joke of a city will never be taken seriously by the rest of the country until the political machine is dissolved. If Sherman made another pass through Atlanta, it would be a blessing! Then we could start over with all new politicians and police.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
What fool let’s their house get broken into five times? Do you expect the police to make up for your lack of common sense?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I was also thinking of taking a trip to Atlanta myself but in light of this nonsense I’m going to Toronto where gay people are left alone.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:05 am
I’d just like to add that if you don’t like what goes on there, then turn around and leave. No one is forcing you to stay if you don’t want to see a “a notorious bar infested with drugs and stinky, nasty men doing all sorts of things to each other.”
If you don’t like it, go home.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I have been reading many articles in reference to the raid at the Atlanta Eagle and I would like to add my 2 cents. I will never stand for the mistreatment of anyone regardless of whos doing it but I owe it to myself and to the intelligence of the human race to make educated, and reasonably prudent decisions. I feel that there are certain people (some involved in the raid as patrons) who are taking what happened and embellishing it to a point where they are dehumanizing police officers as a whole.(completely wrong of them to do that). I read one blog where someone wrote that the APD GLBT liason should have been notified before the raid. Are you kidding me?! How about we have a latin liason that we notify before we arrest anyone latin or a african american liason we contact before we lock up any african americans, people please WAKE UP. Police deal with situations on a daily basis that although it doesnt give them a right to violate peoples rights those situations do harden them and they tend to treat everyone the same. Doesnt matter if you’re a lawyer or a crack dealer, their both going to get spoken to the same way, thats life and in many ways thats what we pay them to do. To the people complaining to such a great degree about what happened that night, I hope the choose to come out and support blacks in zone 4 when they get thrown to the floor and their clubs get raided all the time, oh thats right, their black and their drug dealers or violent criminals so they deserve what they get right? I DONT THINK SO. to the people truly hurt by what happened and who had no knowledge of the illegal activity going on there, I sympathize with you, to the people jumping on the bandwagon to inflate an already tense situation, GET OFF!
November 25th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
If anyone would like to take their shot at setting the record straight, feel free to blog with me, trust me you will get honest responses from me whether im right or wrong. http://www.settherecordstr8.blogspot.com
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Honorable Mayor Shirley Franklin,
I writing to you concerning a SWAT team intervention in a gay bar in Atlanta.
Please read on.
I have gone to ATL as a tourist and on business regularly. In fact my next short term goal was to buy property in your city which I love for its diversity and urban flare. I have visited the Aquarium and normally attend a few shows during my stay.
Our next visit was planned for the end of December 2009. We have already rented a vacation home in Tennessee and were planning transitioning and staying in ATL for a few days prior to going to Tennessee.
We have now changed our plans.
As a professional who travels extensively all over the world I really need not be anxious about the fact that I’m gay. Certainly, not of all places like ATL.
In the past I truly enjoyed the quality of hotels, restaurants, shows, nightlife and the diversity and of your city. But a SWAT team intervention at a gay bar for what amounts to possible administrative violations as certainly change my opinion.
Atlanta had certainly won my heart in the pass and I’m sincerely saddened to bypass it now. But as a foreigner I cannot risk the humiliation, harassment or criminal record for benign and harmless behavior. As a tourist (or a new habitant) of Atlanta why I would put myself at risk of being the prey of a police SWAT team for having a few drinks in bar. This smacks of overkill to say the least. Xenophobia and homophobia also comes to mind!
So until I hear and see where the administrative and judicial arm of The City Atlanta is moving on this I will avoid traveling there.
I’m sincerely sorry!
As to avoid being tag and filed in some USA police list, unfortunately, I will not sign this letter. A first for me.
But I will give you my profile.
Committed relationship
Volunteer, socially active and respected in my community.
Professional, educated, multilingual
Healthy and well travel
And I leave some…