Queer activist beaten to death in the street as a crowd stands and watches
Some are still calling it an “accident.”

www.queerty.com/queer-activist-beaten-death-street-crowd-stands-watches-20180924?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Queer Greek Activist and Performer Dies After Horrific Brutal Beating Captured on Video

Zak Kostopoulos, a queer Greek activist and performer, died following a brutal mob beating in Central Athens that was captured on camera (above, warning: graphic).

The Athens daily Kathemerini reported: “The incident occurred last Friday morning on Gladstonos Street near Omonia Square. The victim allegedly entered the empty jewelry store and panicked when he was locked inside. Initial reports claimed Kostopoulos was trying to rob the store, but others said he was trying to avoid a brawl that had started nearby. Footage from CCTV cameras across the street published in media show the victim stumbling while trying to pick up a fire extinguisher to break the glass door. He then tried to break a street-level display window on the storefront. The store owner was alerted to the incident and returned to his store. The camera footage shows two men, one of whom is reportedly the store owner, kicking him repeatedly in the head as he crawls through the broken glass out into the street. One of the dozen bystanders called an ambulance and police. A separate video that emerged showed the victim attempting to escape after receiving first aid by paramedics, only to trip over a nearby table. It also showed a policeman beating him again as Kostopoulos is already lying on the ground.”

Kostopoulos died on the way to the hospital, according to police. The store owner was charged with manslaughter while his accomplice, seen kicking Kostopoulos in the video, is reportedly still at large.

The website Neos Kosmos reported: “A well-known figure among the LGBTQI community, Kostopoulos was an activist for both gender-related issues, as well as for the HIV-positive community, raising awareness for people living with HIV. He had been active through Positive Voice, the HIV-positive association of Greece (which works with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation). He was also a popular drag show artist, performing under the moniker Zackie Oh. A protest rally in his memory was held in Athens on Saturday night, with the participation of about 500 people.”

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Queer Greek Activist and Performer Dies After Horrific Brutal Beating Captured on Video

HRC, Equality Florida, and SAVE Endorse Andrew Gillum for Governor of Florida

HRC joined with Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization working to secure full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community, and SAVE, South Florida’s foremost advocate for the LGBTQ community, in announcing their endorsement of Andrew Gillum (D) in his bid to become the next governor of Florida.

HRC President Chad Griffin, Equality Florida Executive Director and CEO Nadine Smith, and SAVE Executive Director Tony Lima joined Gillum and other key leaders and allies for a rally in Miami to announce the endorsement and speak about the importance of the race for LGBTQ and allied Floridians.

“The stakes this election couldn’t be higher, and the choice for Florida voters couldn’t be clearer,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “HRC is proud to endorse Andrew Gillum’s campaign to become the next governor of Florida because he is a proven pro-equality leader who will represent all Floridians — not just those who look a certain way, speak a certain way, or love a certain way. As we mobilize the millions of Equality Voters across Florida, we look forward to working with Andrew Gillum as governor to chart a new path forward for the Sunshine State.”

“Andrew Gillum is a longtime champion for LGBT Floridians and his election will be a game-changer for equality in our state,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “This week, Equality Florida Action PAC is launching the largest LGBT campaign ever in a Florida gubernatorial race. Of the millions of pro-equality supporters in Florida, we are targeting nearly 500,000 for whom LGBT equality is a litmus test issue. We will use direct mail, calls and digital outreach to reach unlikely voters and show the stark contrast between the candidates. Ron Desantis has embraced the anti-LGBT extremist agenda of Donald Trump, and Gillum stands with us to protect marriage equality and secure statewide nondiscrimination protections. In Florida, elections are won or lost by 100,000 voters or less. We intend to deliver that margin for our champion, Andrew Gillum.”

“SAVE’s strong bilingual field work will be instrumental in assuring a win for Andrew Gillum, especially because of our legacy of consistent and effective outreach in traditionally conservative and Spanish speaking communities,” said SAVE Executive Director Tony Lima. “Mayor Gillum’s proven pro-equality track record will continue to advance equality and equal treatment in Florida and SAVE vows to engage all available resources to help make him our next Governor.”

“I am proud to have the support of the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Florida, and SAVE — organizations that have led the way in fighting for equality and advocating for the LGBTQ community in Florida and across the country,” said Mayor Gillum. “As mayor, I’ve stood up for the LGBTQ community and demanded equal rights when others refused. As governor, I will continue to fight to ensure that Florida is a welcoming place for all people, where everyone receives the rights and respect they deserve.”

Throughout his public service career, Mayor Andrew Gillum has proven to be a staunch advocate for Florida’s LGBTQ community. Before marriage equality was the law of the land nationwide, Gillum fought to expand domestic partner benefits for city employees as City Commissioner. As Mayor of Tallahassee, Gillum strongly opposed efforts to undermine marriage equality by extending invitations to Florida same-sex couples to marry in the state capital. He will continue to be a leader in the fight to advance full equality for LGBTQ Floridians and make LGBTQ equality a priority as governor. Gillum has also pledged to install an interagency LGBTQ task force and sign the Competitive Workforce Act — legislation that would extend critically important non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ people across the Sunshine State.

Gillum is running against anti-LGBTQ Ron DeSantis (R). DeSantis has eagerly embraced the rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ attacks of the Trump-Pence Administration. He has consistently scored abysmally on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard — which measures Members of Congress on their support for LGBTQ equality and policies.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-equality-florida-and-save-endorse-andrew-gillum-governor-of-florida?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

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Sam Smith Talks About Break-Up with Brandon Flynn: ‘It’s Still Quite Raw’

British singer-songwriter Sam Smith spoke out for the first time about his break-up with 13 Reasons Why actor Brandon Flynn in an interview with The Times of London.

Said Smith: “Brandon was wonderful. I’m still trying to figure out what I took from that relationship and what it meant to me. It’s still quite raw…All my relationships have ended in a nice way, never nasty…Seeing gay relationships [in public] is important and refreshing. You don’t see it loads.”

Added Smith: “I never want to complain about fame, it’s such a privilege, but I have to pretend that I know what I’m doing when really I don’t. It’s a mindf**k. My biggest fear in life is that I’ll never be satisfied, and therapy helps with that.”

Smith and Flynn parted ways in June. Said a source to the Brit tabloid The Sun at the time: “Sam and Brandon had a real whirlwind romance. They really fell for each other. But they are both so busy with their careers and unfortunately things just haven’t worked out. Sam is obviously devastated. This is the most significant relationship he has ever had.”

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Sam Smith Talks About Break-Up with Brandon Flynn: ‘It’s Still Quite Raw’