(
fire to an LGBT book collection in a
library.
About 100 volumes were
destroyed in the blaze at the Chicago Public Library branch in the heavily gay
The fire came just over ten
days before
holds its LGBT pride parade and a week after the Senate rejected a proposed
constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage. As well, this summer
Games.
"We are disgusted by
this book burning but we are not surprised by it," said Rick Garcia,
public policy director of Equality Illinois.
"When the president of
the
uses his office to attack gay Americans and our families and when anti-gay
extremists continue to spread hate toward gay and lesbian people is it any
wonder that there are attacks on us, our institutions or on books about
us?"
About 10 books in the
African American literature section were also destroyed.
WBBM radio reported that
the fire was set by someone using a cigarette lighter.
Police are investigating
but say at this point they are not calling the fire a hate crime.
"This was not only an
attack on the gay community but an attack on every decent, fair-minded
Chicagoan," said Garcia.
"Anti-gay activists
trade on lies about gay people and our families. Books and information are the
first things they want to target."
(
Aviance was listed in stable condition Sunday at
a vicious homophobic attack Saturday in the
Four men were later
arrested on charges of assault as a hate crime. At least two others remain at
large.
Aviance, 38, whose songs
have topped the Billboard dance chart, was attacked as he walked home from the
friends for a drink.
Police said that the
attackers yelled anti-gay slurs as they beat him.
Aviance managed to walk the
short distance to hospital. He underwent surgery for a broken jaw on
Saturday. His his publicist, Len Evans, said that Aviance's jaw is wired shut
and he will not be able to perform in the upcoming gay-pride parade.
Evans said that while
Aviance was being attacked people just passed by ignoring the bashing. Aviance
performs in drag but Evans said he was ''dressed like a boy'' when he was
attacked.
Aviance's song ''Alive''
hit the top of the chart in 2002. 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.
Police identified the four
men arrested as Jarell Sears and Akino George, both 20; Gregory Archie, 18; and
Gerard Johnson, 16.
