Atlanta Gay Bar Raided Last Night!
Wrong! Extremely wrong!
While we were at our concert last night, a local gay bar in Atlanta was raided by police.
At around 11:30 p.m, 10 cop cars and 15 police officers were seen pulling up to the The Atlanta Eagle allegedly searching for drugs, but witnesses at the scene called the official's actions "harassment".
Several staff members, dancers and patrons were arrested on site for charges that are still unknown and some patrons complained about the “aggressive treatment” from the police.
Reports state that the police ordered everyone to get on the ground, even those patrons who were just dancing or standing by the bar.
Many people are also complaining that several individuals were "handcuffed indiscriminately."
No one was allowed to leave the bar before showing identification and most of the club goers are furious over the outcome of the incident.
Boo! Shame on you! We hope that in the end, true justice will prevail!
[Image via WENN.]
Leibovitz Lucks Out!
Her Madgesty Still Reigns Supreme!
THIS WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE THE SPOKESPERSON FOR GOD. I THINK IT'S NOBODY'S DAMN BUSINESS WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DO IN PRIVATE. TO ALL THOSE COPS: GET A LIFE! YOUR OWN LIFE THAT IS.
no one was arrested. if you're going to report something, you could at least list the facts. oh, wait, this is a "gossip site". carry on.
Many people are also complaining that several individuals were "handcuffed indiscriminately." Yes, I would complain too! I prefer to be handcuffed discriminately, especially at the Eagle baby! I am sure the clients had more cuffs than the cops.
i dont understand why you are so quick to say that the police didnt have probable cause. Bars in Bloomington are known to be raided when underage drinking is suspected. Dont be so quick to judgment on this one perez, not everyone is a gay basher and especially a semi progressive southern city like atlanta. Thanks for your time.
Please tell me someone punched you ? please make my weekend.
The south was,is and will always be one big bigoted cesspool of a collection of the most homophobic trash. Mainly when the demopgraphics are mainly southern republican white trash and low-income bible thumping blacks those groups will abuse gays and their rights. What they have in commont the rightwing gop thugs and the low income blacks is a lack of eduction and dime store old-school southern influenced hateful religon not to be confused with other christians and religons.
Gay people don't deserve any rights.. well except Ellen, she has a lot of money.
Share the whole story Pugly.. One source told APN that unlicensed dancers prompted the arrests. And carding people isn't unusual if they suspect underage people there. We still don't have the full story. Even a commenter that said they were there said to calm down over it, because the facts aren't out and if there were drugs there, it was a reasonable action.. to quote the commenter… Im trying to report "MY" experience and I have to say it wasnt pleasant but I wasnt mistreated or discriminated against in any way.
Ya,because gay people don't partake in drugs or under age drinking….get real.
This is no surprise at all. What I would like to see in this told is a black bar raided, but that will never happen. When you have a mayor that has a son inlaw that was the biggest drug dealer in the south east and she had no clue what can you expect in this town.
Re: collectdust – Re: collectdust – Who cares if no one was arrested! Fucked up!!! This isn't Stonewall!
I've been to a gay bar here in San Diego, and the stuff I saw would get you kicked out of any other establishment. Granted it was Karaoke Night. Other places I go don't have people doing lines out in the open, they at least go to the bathroom. People aren't basically fucking up against the bar, and guys aren't walking around in their underwear….Just sayen
Dear sillies, I have lived in Atlanta for 10 years, and lived within 15 miles of Atlanta my entire life. This raid was completely unnecessary. And in fact PEOPLE were arrested, 8 people total. Look it up. They were all released today.
I am a straight woman and have spent many after hours dancing my ass off and having a blast at The Eagle.
how can any man be gay? wtf! chicks are so hot!
the eagle's been there for awhile… it doesn't make any sense for the cops to suddenly decide to harass them now without probable cause. Especially given how many other gay/lesbian bars there are in Atlanta. Would you be reporting this if the cops had raided any other nightclub in town? Not likely.
WTF? Damn it,people need to quit this shit. Cops are the worst of homophobes!
What the fuck were they doing? Maybe they got paid,by the overzealous Christians! (I know,not ALL Christians,just the homophobic,bigoted ones!)
this makes me sad. shame on those cops, shame on people hating because of somebody's lifestyle choice. none of anybody's damn business. nobody was breaking any laws here as far as it sounds.
Re: TEXAS TREAT – Thank you
KIRK CAMERON TALKS ABOUT GAY EXPERIENCE THAT TURNED HIM TOCHRIST ON CHRISTIAN TV. HE ELUDES TO NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AS THE OTHER TEEN BOY…. GO TO YOUTUBE AND SEARCH FOR kirk cameron is gay. 2 videos
Fuck them! Homophobia has got to go!
"Boo! Shame on you!" Oh, please.
The police wouldn't have gone into that bar without evidence that drugs were readily available. Give me a fucking break. Everyone who has ever spent any time in the club scene knows that the "good" drugs are at the gay bars. I don't feel sorry for these people. In reality, it could happen at any bar where drugs are dealt too indiscrimately.
They have no business being gay!
I LOVE IT!!!! Keep up the good work Atlanta P.D. bust these AIDS bags and gas em all.
What's the issue? Are gays supposed to be allowed to run amok with none of the unpleasant experiences that people who go to straight clubs have to endure? Surely drugs would NEVER be present in a gay bar. The people in that bar need to understand that when they try to frisk the cops back, they're gonna get in trouble…
So I guess if you scream "homophobe" and "abuse" the cops will never go into a gay club where they suspect illegal activity. That's bullshit. I never really had a problem with gay people but I sure do now. You want special treatment or you will call foul and that just doesn't work for me.
Thanks for stopping the hate Perez!
Re: Serenity Kline – lol
i love ellen .. thats abt it !
Re: GayinPDX – - gay people deserve all the same rights as straight people, they also deserve the same due process. if a straight club had girls in just their panties being paid to dance, with rumors of drugs, and a noise complaint the cops would have been there too. by reporting this as "lots of people got arrested" it seems like people who like to play the victim want to liken this to the (deplorable) actions of the fort worth police and TABC. it's just not that type of situation by what's been (correctly) reported so far.
why does it matter that there are no arrests? because there were no arrests and Perez "reports" that there were. lying to further your cause gives you not a leg to stand on.
I can't believe law enforcement is still pulling this kind of hateful bullshit!
THE ONLY THING I DISLIKE ABT GAY PPL IS THAT THEY TRY TO MAKE THEMSELVES DIFFERENT . YEA GAY PPL SHOULD HAVE JUST AS MUCH FREEDOM AS EVERYBODY ELSE BUT NOT IF THERE GONNA ALWAYS MAKE THEMSELVES OUT TO BE THE VICTIMS . STFU AND BE GAY THEN GOSH IDC ! GOD WILL STILL LOVE YOU ! BUT STOP MAKING EVERYBODY ELSE BE SYMPATHETIC FOR YOU JUST CAUSE YOUR GAY !
google this:
Did MTV Conspire Against Michael Jackson?
Re: knowitall – WHAT??? IF THE SOUTH IS FULL OF THESE TYPE OF PEOPLE YOU DESCRIBE, THEN WHY IS GAY MARRIAGE STILL BANNED IN THE MAJORITY OF THE US. NOT JUST THE SOUTH. HOMOPHOBES COME IN ALL SHAPES COLORS AND RELIGIOUS WALKS OF LIFE. PLEASE DON'T STEREOTYPE.
Re: knowitall – I've lived in Atlanta for most of my life and I'm a biracial, lesbian woman. I went to great schools down here, as well as Vassar in NY so I know the differences. You know nothing about the south, obviously. We aren't all racist or "low-income bible thumping blacks." You are so much more ignorant than the people to whom you are referring.
You make me sick.
Re: dilesbo – I AGREE!
This is all your fault Mario. You showed the world that gays can be silenced with a good beating. After all, you're not calling Fergie names any more. I guess it works.
Hmmm Fat Ass….I have a couple of friends who own hip hop and rock and roll bars , here in OKC…and this is a fuckin GIVEN….Shut the fuck up about the hate shit….It HAPPENS … Popo goes there to check IDs , , check wrist bands VS IDs ( if thats the kind of bar) and if people get MOUTHY, LIKE IM SURE U AND URS WOULD and start SCREAMING descrimination , and ' bowing up "..and I dont mean with a feathery boa , then HELL to the YEAH…yer ass NEEDS to be CUFFED til they figure out what the fuck…….FUCK U AND UR RACIST WAYS fatass !!!
That's a lot of cavaties to search, most were over heard saying "would you double check that"………..
Straight bars get raided this way all the time too, why don't you "report" about those?
i was there last night - during the raid.
No excuse for the derogatory comments, being forced to the ground and frisked.
No reason to be told to STFU.
No reason to overhear cops saying they hated gay people…
Whoever said straight bars get raided 'the same way' is greatly mistaken…
So, why do you never comment on other bar raides? Just because it was a gay bar automatically makes it unlawful or not right?
Here's the thing…of COURSE harassment is wrong. But illegal actions (i.e. drug use) can hide under the umbrella of sexual orientation. If it is a gay club and there are drugs in play, I don't really care how aggressive the police become. Break it out. And yes…for the record, police should be just as vigilant against "straight" clubs. But to say that gays should be treated with a white glove and tender hand because of the fear of discrimination laws is just as reckless and injust as the allegations put forth on this website.
I love how you want to be like me, but still admit you're an ass by adding "colon" to your name.
I'm flattered. And your an ass.
@collectdust get YOUR facts straight. employees were arrested. thank you so much for posting on this Perez, and people obviosuly need to read up more. I hope everyone in Atlanta goes to the rally on Sunday @ 5!!!
ok that sucks and everything… but were drugs found? if so, then the police are completely justified in the raid.
and i'm NO homophobe, so don't go name-calling.
I wish everyone would calm down and think to look at what happened here! Everyone is freaking out and screaming bloody murder about the raid that was justified. The Atlanta Eagle has had sanctioned Thursday night sex parties for a long time. They turn out the lights in a back room and let the guys do what ever they want. The eagle is not a licensed sex club. In addition they have been getting loads of complaints from all the adjoining communities of noise and lewd public behavior. It was only a matter of time.
The Eagle was in the wrong, has been in the wrong and anyone who uses their brain knows it was a recipe for police attention. I stayed out of that place on Thursday nights for this very reason. If they choose to continue offering sex parties the city will raid it again.
So PLEASE stop screaming discrimination blindly and think for a second.
Well princess perezy, thats how they handle suspicion of drugs in bars. gay bar straight bar, thats what they do. cops aren't exactly the nicest people and have to be strict. im sure your bending some truth in this story like you always do in your gay rights post.
In this society we have codes and laws that civilized people need to follow. There's no such thing as an "anything goes" social gathering place.
So the police we're a little rough and harassing? When aren't they? The gays want to be treated equal right? or do they want a special "gay" task force?
Come on, the police in my area just tazered a grandma during a traffic stop.
im pretty sure the raid wasnt about them being gay…probaby for some illegal stuff going on inside
Re: jmarlz – C0MPLETELY AGREED
Re: dilesbo – preach it girl!!!!!!
Re: mouserz – You wanna make a bet? Cops do the same shit to straight people. I've had friends who work in bars and clubs this has happened to, and they definitely were not gay bars. You just don't hear about it, because people like Perez only scream about the times it happens in the gay bars.
No excuse for the derogatory comments, being forced to the ground and frisked.
No reason to be told to STFU.
No reason to overhear cops saying they hated gay people…
Re: ih8gays –
that is disgusting. you should be ashamed of yourself.
Get over your persecution dillusions. There was obviously some sort of illegal activities going on there that night or going on for sometime before a raid was decided. Two things will result from this: Jack, Shit.
It only makes news when it is a "gay bar". Clubs are "raided" in the ATL on a semi regular basis. There had been complaints about illegal activity going on and they treated those complaints juat as they do comlaints on any other bar in town. There were arrests made for ILLEGAL ACTIVITY and last I checked that is what we cops are supposed to do. I try not to judge people's choice in lifestyle…it is THEIR CHOICE but it was MY CHOICE to become a cop and I am going to do my job…if it offends you…GET OVER IT!!!!!
Re: knowitall – You want to judge we people that are from the south? That's funny, you don't know me, so who is discriminating? Furthermore, you want to proclaim that we are uneducated…LOL…kind of ironic that you can't even spell the word. "knowitall"….it's obvious that moniker is a joke.
Re: dilesbo –
well said!! I was thinking the same thing when i read that post, and I'm actually totally the opposite. I'm a straight, tattoo'd, white gal living in Atlanta … & I don't fit into the sweeping generalization of that ignorant post either.
Get over your double standards perez
everybody is manhandled by the police in raids and for all you know they could have had good reason to believe somebody was dealing
how dare you imply gay people should be able to elude the law
i highly doubt they raided it because they were gay you mong
Re: mouserz – I've worked in straight bars that have been raided the same way. I've never once seen a friendly raid where the cops said please and thank you… and shushed someone kindly over shouting for them to shut the fuck up
Ummm…I know that automatically assuming that it's a 'hate' raid is the easiest option, but I live in Midtown, a mecca for homosexual men and 'gay' bars. I'm straight, I have many gay friends (who have frequented the bar in question) The raid had nothing to do with the patronage and more to do with the fact that there had been complaints by the patrons (yes, people who are actually gay) that they had been accosted and propositioned (for money) and that the bar had been tacitly promoting this. In any kind of bar (excluding strip clubs)- gay, straight, white, black, biker etc… this is called providing adult entertainment without a license. It's against the law. Get over yourself, and quit adding to the problem.
Would it be news if it was a straight bar? They were there looking for drugs. Boo Hoo. If the patrons had behaved in an orderly & polite fashioni, there would have been no trouble.
Atlanta has a history of sending out the cops and news folks into situations that do not match their "Bible logic".
Of course everyone there would say it was harrassment. Police have better things to do than to raid an innocent club. There was something going on there and most people there knew what it was. I don't believe it was a target of the police for no reason Perez. You should get the whole story before you spout off like this. But the more I read your website the more I've come to understand that's the way you operate. That's not right. Shame on YOU!!
I'm gay and I grew up just outside of Atlanta, still live here, and honestly, I'm not surprised by this at all. And when I say that, I'm not talking about alleged prejudice by the APD, I'm talking about The Eagle getting raided. This place and the Heretic (or "Hairy Dick" as some of us locals used to call it because of all the sex in the backroom) are not exactly what I would call high brow establishments. Haven't been to either in a while. The go-go dancers are/were somewhat new from what I had hear before the raid.
But, for the love of God, quit trying to act like The Eagle is being treated unfairly. City and county police departments, including the APD, are busting straight clubs and bars all the time for all the prostitution, or illegal gambling (i.e.: video poker), that's going on in them. And, if you read the account in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of the bartenders at the Eagle said he did not hear any officers using homophobic slurs. Then, in the same story, a patron who was complaining about the raid said he also did not the officers use homophobic slurs. You can't just go around accusing people of saying something you did not hear them say.
…damn hillbilly cops. The probably suck c*ck in the dark.
Re: candycaynegirl – …I always love your comments candycaynegirl and respect you but being gay isn't a choice.
Re: Pegomyhart –
I got news for ya, Pegomyhart. I work in local media. I've covered raids for all kinds of things. If the owners of the Eagle wanted to see real harrassment, the police could have used compression grenades (which I once saw one literally rattle the front of a raided house when it went off). Also, it's pretty much standard procedure for all the local law enforcement departments to tell people to get on the ground, with their hand behind their heads, so the police can frisk the person to make sure they don't have drugs or WEAPONS, and then handcuff them if necessary. Everyone has to do that. If you just busted in on a place, you wouldn't know who's engaging in illegal activity, and who isn't. You can't make that decision in a split second, so it sounds to me like they followed normal procedures.
Civil Rights! What's new??
This is Bullshit!!
Self-righteous assholes!
I do not discriminate but it seems to me that whites and straights are the only ones that never get to hollar hate!
If it involved drugs, then I guess this was fair play. But I don't like the idea of police abusing their power in a situation like this.
fucking HATE COPS!!! they suck and there never there when you actually need them! cops are a bunch of racist homophobic assholes
Oh c'mon Perez!! The reason bar's get raided is b/c the police believe that illegal activity is going on!! I don't see you blogging about when heterosexual bars/ clubs get raided!!!
Re: LoveLabels – Re: B-MoreBabe – so true! Perez is always biased
It's just a shame that even in life, we haven't come as far to accept anyone for who they are. This makes no sense. The law is bullshit and may people will discirminate no matter what.
It makes you feel really privileged to live in Canada. I hope some day americans can live free.
Oh em gee, I was in Memphis last weekend and the gay bar (called Backstreet) I was at was raided too! Fuck the popo!
Good thing they didn't raid it on "Crisco Wednesdays".. they would have had a hard time catching them
| I've been to The Atlanta Eagle. | Atlanta bars reek of smoked puke. |
I logged into PH.com just to type:
THOSE HOMOPHOBIC PIGS!!!
Re: collectdust – You idiot, I was at the bar when this happened and more than 10 people were arrested, get your facts straight…
Re: Greenivy – There were no drugs found at all on any person in the bar, I work there and was there when the raid happened, thanks…
Re: C-Nasty – There were no drugs found at all in the bar.
Re: AtlantaGirl – I work for the eagle in Atlanta and all of the dancers that were arrested had legal licenses. There were also no drugs found at all in the bar (the alleged reason for the raid) so please get your facts straight before posting. This was a blatant raid on a GAY bar because of its patrons.
If you are gonna tell a story Perez, you need to tell the truth. It was not a 'raid' on a gay bar. It was the arrest of the owner and several employees for not having proper licenses, no one had a license to work in a bar, and the bar's permit was expired. Not one customer was arrested. Stop trying to incite hate.
Sounds like the police have taken some ideas from an episode of Queer as Folk.
Seriously, I'm consistently amazed that juvenile and hateful things like these still happen. in the 21st century.
ummmm bars and clubs get raided for drugs all the time. just because it was a gay bar now means that it was raided because they are gay? GET REAL…are you serious? stop using being gay as an excuse.
Re: knowitall – what the fuck are you talking about. most republicans are rich you idiot.
my god i am so glad to be living in canada. when will americans finally join the 21st century. sometimes when i watch the american news stations and see some of the things that go on in america like the proposition 8 thing i am just in shock how ignorant americans are when it comes to human rights issues. come on america it is time to join the 21st century!
I lived a few blocks from the Eagle…. It has been in Midtown for years. Atlanta cops are trying to shut it down because the "NEW" midtowners are complaing about parking in the area at night, and the "NEW" midtowners say that bars bring prostitution and drug abuse into the area (ridiculous claim). 5 years ago they were successfull in getting the last 24 hour gay bar (or any 24 hour bar) shut down by using these excuses. It will not solve the crime issues and all of the "NEW" midtowners should be quite aware of the nightlife in that area before moving there…… If u dont wanna be around it….. MOVE TO THE BURBS.
ive been to that bar. its near my old house.. very sketchy bar. i think there has been a shooting or two there.
Re: candycaynegirl – Hey candycaynegirl! Being gay is not a choice. I know where you are coming from in your comment and appreciate the support…but you deserve to know the truth.
Re: collectdust – Um IDIOT you need to read the news article.
Dearest Dust Collector, Are you deaf blind or just plain retarded? I mean if you can even read you would be able to clearly see all the news reports that have been submitted through out this ordeal. For your correct information there were eight, should I count to eight for you? Eight innocent people were searched forced face down on the floor and arrested. SIMPLY FOR BEING IN A GAY BAR. Thank you Perez for supporting our outraged community hear in Atlanta . Please continue to keep this story alive. PS Dust Collector I can loan you a dust buster to clean the dust out of your eyes and ears. Wake up Dusty.
Re: LindsayPoo – Oh Lindsay Poo poo don't get your Laura Ashleys in a wad sister. I mean I bet if you were forced face down on the floor of the local Frat bar you would be as pissed. I mean you and your soroity sisters may break a nail or get puke in your bleached and brittle hair. I mean o ma god. You've gotta be kidding me dear wake up clueless.
Re: D-INCARNATION – I'm for hearing all the facts before making judgments, but juvenile anti-gay jokes about "cavaty" (i.e., cavity) searches don't help your case. Anyone else notice how the 'phobes posting here usually can't spell/write their way out of a paper bag? Ignorant and proud of it.
Re: TexasBadBoy – Dear dear granny tazer….. Are you drunk? or have you been riding your horse to hard? I beg that you read between the lines here. Gay people all over this country are not asking for equal rights we are demanding our human rights. People were targeted at the Eagle gay bar in Atlanta. 25 officers and 62 partons no drugs no sex were found. Not one person was arrested for sexual activity or drugs for that matter. Still the Atlanta police dept continued to violate these innocent patrons by running back ground checks on each without any permission. This my long ranger is a direct violation of civil rights. Finally after degrading these people the police decided to release them and warned they would be back. I mean I don't know but maybe they should have tazered all these innocent people the way you do it in TX. Or maybe the APD will take a trip and zapp your ass or your civil rights. Take your pick cowboy….