Lawyer: Alleged FAMU hazing victim Robert Champion’s friends say he was gay

[xchrom]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/10/lawyer-alleged-famu-hazing-victim-robert-champions-friends-say-he-was-gay/



As if this story didn’t have enough incendiary aspects to it already — race, class, the culture of hazing and violence — let’s add the possibility that Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University drum major who died last November after a hellacious beating he allegedly received at a band hazing ritual, was the victim of a homophobia-based hate crime.
That’s what the attorney for the slain young man is reporting, saying friends have told him that Champion was gay. (CNN):

'Friends of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University drum major who died in November after allegedly being beaten as part of a band hazing ritual, have told his family’s attorney that Champion was gay, attorney Chris Chestnut said Tuesday. Relatives said they believe sexual orientation may have been one of many factors that could have contributed to Champion being treated more severely than other band members may have been, Chestnut said.

The family of Robert Champion, who died in November after he allegedly was beaten on a bus as part of a Florida A&M University band hazing ritual, will be suing Fabulous Coach Lines, based in Branford, Florida, attorney Chris Chestnut said Tuesday.

The bus may have been running at the time Champion was beaten, attorney Chris Chestnut said, and the bus driver might not have been aboard. The family is suing Fabulous Coach Lines, based in Branford, Florida, he said.

Champion, 26, collapsed in Orlando on a bus carrying members of FAMU’s Marching 100 band after a November football game that included a halftime performance by the group. Chestnut has charged that Champion died after receiving “some dramatic blows, perhaps (having an) elevated heart rate” tied to “a hazing ritual” that took place on the bus.'

[MarkCharles]

1. I can believe anything when it comes to how ugly homophobia is!

I'm sure it's very possible that some of those assaulting him wanted to beat on a "queer"...disgusting.

[joeybee12]

2. Yup...get a little extra in so the guy learns a lesson...

I hope Robert is at peace.

[MarkCharles]

3. So many LGBT folks have "learned" a lesson, that lesson being:

that so many human beings are so cruel to each other for no reason at all.

If we find out that this was part of the reason this young man got beat upon so ruthlessly, and that it caused his death...I say let's deliver some justice for that man, put some college kids in jail for the rest of their natural lives, let them learn about sex between non-consenting adult males (or females) there in jail.

Geeze, do I hate homophobia!