Parents worry over gay Florida A&M University drum major's hazing death probe

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER, ASSOCIATED PRESS

ORLANDO, Fla. -- In the three months since a gay Florida A&M University drum major was beaten to death, his parents have waited as authorities arrested seven people in a pair of other hazing cases tied to the school's renowned Marching 100.

Four FAMU band members were arrested last month for punching and paddling band pledges. Three more band members were charged in December with hazing after a female band member's beating left her with a broken thigh and blood clots.

Both of those episodes happened within weeks of Robert Champion's fatal beating on a FAMU bus outside an Orlando hotel after a performance, but no one has been charged in that case.

His parents, Robert Sr., and Pamela, trust the process but find the investigation's pace troubling, said their lawyer, Chris Chestnut.

"It's very disheartening, discouraging and disappointing to see arrests made for hazing with minor injuries but none for a murder," Chestnut said.

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Classmate testifies: Tyler Clementi's roommate said he used his webcam to see if Clementi was gay

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL, ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- A Rutgers University student who says she saw a webcast of a classmate's intimate encounter with another man says one of the men had his shirt off but nothing more graphic than kissing was shown.

Rutgers student Cassandra Cicco testified Friday in the trial of Dharun Ravi (DAHR'-uhn RAH'-vee), a former Rutgers student accused of invasion of privacy and bias intimidation.

The case sparked a national conversation about bullying of young gays after Ravi's roommate, Tyler Clementi, committed suicide days after the webcast in September 2010.

Cicco says Ravi told her he wanted to use his webcam to see if his roommate was gay. But she said he didn't seem to have a problem with homosexuality.

To convict Ravi of bias intimidation, prosecutors would need to show he acted because he was anti-gay.

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YoungArts Miami celebrates young South Florida winners Friday, Sunday at South Beach theaters

YoungArts Miami continues this weekend on South Beach.

YoungArts celebrates the 2012 winners from South Florida. From February 22 to 26, these 57 young artists will enjoy the rare opportunity to take master classes and interdisciplinary workshops from world-renowned artists, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Tilson Thomas, Edward Villella, Maria Martinez-Cañas, Daniel Arsham, Roberto Juarez, and other South Florida masters in a variety of artistic disciplines.

Click here for more information. Here are details for performances Friday night and Sunday afternoon:

Women's Winter Party presents Pa'Ella on Friday, March 2, at The Stage in Miami's Design District

From Lynn Bové of icandee events:

Friday, March 2, 2012

Pa'Ella

10:00 PM - 03:30 AM

The Stage
170 NE 38th St, Miami
Passes: Women's

GA $12 advance/$15 day of - Buy Now

Feel the heat at one of Miami’s coolest live music venues for a special performance by Jesse, Angie & Nicolle of The Chirino Sisters and their band. Plus DJ GiGi spins a musical mix of classic salsa & merengue, sexy reggaeton and pulsating Latin house. All these sounds will be served up at Pa’Ella, our signature Latin event co-produced by Icandee Events. The rhythm is sure to keep you on the dancefloor all night enjoying plenty of caliente eye candy. This event is sponsored in part by Tampico.

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom told, 'Pick up the flag and carry it with pride!'

Written by Broward County HIV/gay activist Michael Emanuel Rajner to Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom for South Florida Gay News:

For several years LGBT activists have lobbied and been vocal with Fort Lauderdale’s elected officials and candidates vying for office, to recognize our needs and value us as a marginalized community of people.  While officials continue to make appearances and promises at LGBT-events and functions, their promises often go unfilled and action has been cowardly and slow.

Click here to read Rajner's complete article.

Opening statements start in New Jersey for Tyler Clementi webcam spying trial

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL, ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- A prosecutor says a former Rutgers student charged with using a webcam to spy on his roommate's intimate encounter with another man was troubled to learn that he'd be living with a gay man.

Opening statements began in the trial of 19-year-old Dharun Ravi. He faces 15 criminal counts, including invasion of privacy, bias intimidation and charges that allege he tried to cover his tracks.

The case touched off a national discussion about bullying of young gays after Ravi's roommate Tyler Clementi killed himself in September 2010, days after the alleged spying.

Prosecutor Julia McClure told jurors Friday in her opening statement in Ravi's trial that he began telling friends he was unhappy to have a gay roommate soon after he got his first-year housing assignment from Rutgers in August 2010.

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