Local Atlanta LGBTQ bars beef up security after string of incidents

ATLANTA — Whereas Richard Ramey just lately reopened the well-known LGBTQ bar, the Atlanta Eagle, in a brand new location in Midtown Atlanta, he has additionally introduced in one thing else new — extra safety.

“If you wish to exit to a drag membership or a drag present, you must have the ability to try this with out being killed,” Ramey mentioned.

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Ramey informed Channel 2′s Justin Wilfon that he determined to staff up with Atlanta police to maintain his clients secure. The choice follows a mass capturing at a homosexual bar in Colorado final month, and one other incident this previous weekend the place North Carolina police are investigating whether or not vandals who shot up energy substations, wished to knock out energy at a drag present.

Simply two weeks in the past, Atlanta police arrested a person and charged him with making terroristic threats in opposition to two native homosexual bars. APD says the person confirmed up at one of many bars with pepper spray.

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“It’s simply actually unhappy. Right here we’re in virtually 2023 and individuals can’t simply settle for others and allow them to stay their life with out making an attempt to intervene,” mentioned Ramey.

Ramey says he has employed off-duty APD officers to work at his membership on busy nights, and he says they do carry weapons.

APD informed Channel 2 that many LGBTQ bars now rent APD officers to complement membership safety. However Ramey says all of the issues about hate is not going to have an effect on his clients’ pleasure.

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“All of it simply reminds us of the hate that’s nonetheless out right here in America, however we now have to proceed to stay our lives and be pleased with who we’re,” mentioned Ramey.

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