Burke Burnett says he was punched in the eye, stabbed with a broken beer bottle and thrown onto a lit burn barrel early Sunday at a party in Reno, Texas. View more photos of Burnett's injuries below.
UPDATE: Three suspects have been arrested in connection with this crime. Read more here.
A 26-year-old gay man says he was the victim of a brutal hate crime early Sunday in Reno, Texas — a small town just east of Paris and about 100 miles northeast of Dallas.
Burke Burnett said he was at a private party at about 1 a.m. when four men suddenly attacked him, stabbing him at least twice with a broken beer bottle before throwing him onto a fire. His attackers yelled things like “pussy-ass faggot,” “gay bitch” and “cock-sucking punk,” Burnett said.
Burnett said it took 30 stitches to close stab wounds to his back and forearm, as well as a cut above his left eye. He also sustained second-degree burns and severe bruises.
“They knew I was gay,” Burnett said Monday. “I’m convinced they were trying to kill me.”
Jeff Sugg, interim chief of the Reno Police Department, released a statement Monday afternoon saying: “The Reno Police Department is currently investigating an aggravated assault that took place last weekend. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available.”
Reno police officials declined to further discuss their investigation.
Burnett said the officer investigating the case told him the attack will be classified as a hate crime. But Burnett said his attackers, whose identities are known, remain at large, and the officer told him it could be two weeks before they’re arrested.
“I’m scared for my life,” Burnett said, adding that he’s staying with a family friend. “I’m scared to go home. These guys have nothing to lose.”
Burnett said he grew up in Paris and came out as gay when he was 15. He knows at least one of his attackers personally. Two of the suspects have been to prison and may be on parole, he said.
Burnett said he’s attended several parties at the residence and was invited by his straight friend who lives there. He arrived at the party several hours earlier with three gay friends. However, the group left after someone at the party was overheard making anti-gay remarks such as, “These faggots don’t deserve to be here. Somebody needs to get them out of there.” Burnett said he didn’t hear the remarks and wasn’t aware of them when he returned to the party later in the evening with one of his girlfriends.
Burnett said he was sitting inside a large metal shed called “the party shop” when he was blindsided with a punch to his left eye. When he got up and tried to defend himself, one of his attackers stabbed him in the back with a broken beer bottle. Burnett called the stab wound “a kill shot” but said fortunately it didn’t puncture his lung.
Reno, Texas
One of the suspects stabbed him a second time in the right forearm — cutting into the muscle but missing an artery — before he was thrown onto a lit burn barrel.
At that point, some of Burnett’s girlfriends managed to slow down the attackers enough so that he could escape to a vehicle. None of the other 20 people at the party attempted to stop the attack, he said.
Burnett’s girlfriends eventually drove him to a hospital in Sulphur Springs, about 30 miles away.
Burnett said he’s hoping none of his injuries are permanent. He’s scheduled to return to the doctor on Friday.
Chivas Clem, one of Burnett’s gay friends who accompanied him to the party, contacted Dallas Voice and other media outlets about the attack Monday morning. Chivas said he fears people in the small, conservative town will try to brush the incident under the rug.
“I intend to make sure the Police Department follows through with this, and that the local press covers it,” Chivas said. “When I saw him [Burnett], I vomited because he looked so bad — and I cried.”
Another one of Burnett’s gay friends, Austin Holloman, said he’s heard police are considering downgrading the charges to misdemeanors because the attack occurred at a party. Holloman said he recently moved to Paris to live with his partner, who’s from there and has known Burnett since childhood.
“We don’t want people thinking this is OK in this area,” Holloman said. “We plan on being here forever.”
Isn’t this the same area of the country that that gentleman, lest name “Byrd” was drug behind a pick up truck by white supremacists? Well, they have moved on from black people to gay people now, it appears.
@Joe: That would be Jasper, which is a few hundred miles south of Paris, where this crime occurred.
Sickening to see this happen and see others in the same party do nothing.
I truly hope the Voice will keep us updated in this matter. I remember a killing in Tyler many years ago where another young man was brutishly murdered over a couple of days. We had to go protest to have it classified as a hate crime. May have to do the same thing in Paris to get the results so justly deserved!
This is sickening…how can people call America the land of the free and yet half it’s inhabitants won’t recognise gay rights, marriage or even tolerate it! Is it possible to sue the entire country for false advertising?
I just pray to god that people come to treat each other equally and that the law protects everyone fairly… don’t see why it’s not attempted murder rather than aggravated assault. 🙁
This is crazy ppl need to grow up I live in paris this is stupid to hurt someone for who they r is a sad sad thing
This is so sad.I hate to see anyone go thru sickening things like this in this world.Whether you are black,white,mexican,indian,gay,lesbian or whatever.Come on now.I agree people do need to GROW up.
Has anyone taken a look at Burk Burnett’s background as to his character and considered all of the facts? How can he say they went to prison when in fact he himself has been in state jail? He was not attacked randomly. He made sexual advances to the guys therefore causing the uproar. I’m not defending their actions either and law enforcement should be responding quicker to this but obviously both parties were in the wrong.
I call on Governor Perry to do something about this IMMEDIATELY and not in “two weeks.”
From some of the people that were at that party….. Stories should be posted in their entirety. First off he was slandering other races and trying to provoke straight men. He was forcing himself on people that were obviously not comfortable. You choose your own way of life. No need to push. I don’t make out with my spouse in public and hate when gay and lesbian people make my children watch them making out in public. He was calling native americans mexicans, and was asking how the straight men would respond to his sexual advances of them being cute. Grown men are going to be grown men and try to show their masculinity. I dont candone what was done, but it didn’t happen as it is being told. You should include both sides of a story before passing judgement!
This is typical of Reno/Paris Tx. And all of lamar county. Lamar Co. Is one of the most corrupt counties in the state. Glad this story was posted. People need to wake up and see what is going on here. The whole county needs to be investigated,starting with the elected judges.praying for mr. Burnette.
Actually, there was a hate crime in Paris where a black man was killed by a truck. It was on CNN a while back.
This really makes me sick… I graduated from Paris (NLHS) in 89 and it always bothered me how these things would be tolerated and swept under the rug! I would have hoped that after 2 decades it would have changed!!
@Ashley @Me Because clearly, making sexual advances is commensurate with what happened to Burnett. Four men attacking one, including brandishing a beer bottle and pushing the victim onto a fire is not in any sense of the word “[being] grown men and [trying] to show their masculinity.” It’s pathetic and sickening and your acting as apologists for these attackers is repulsive.
I wasn’t at the party, but even if he did hit on the straight guys (like a few of the people in the comments are saying) that doesn’t justify them almost murdering him. Beating someone up using their fists is one thing, and honestly I could understand them doing that if they kept being advanced on, but they STABBED him with a broken bottle and threw him onto a fire. There is no way that can be justified, and the guys that did this to him deserve what they get.
This surprises me considering who owns most of the night club there, and he is well liked.
I attended this party and know for a fact people did break this up several times and where injured in the process. There is truth behind some of the previous postings about there being another side to this story. It wasn’t completely unprovoked but it did get taken extremely too far! I do NOT condone these actions in any form! But I know these men where not trying to kill anyone and had no issues with the fact he was gay before he made these comments to them!
@Me Oh well if he was making racist comments and making sexual advance towards straight men, then I guess cutting him with a broken bottle and throwing him into a fire makes perfect sense. Just what a good Christian of Lamar Co. should do. Perfect sense for someone like you. You ARE condoning what happened by blaming the victim in this situation. You’ve justified what they did to him with your “Grown men are going to be grown men…” comment. You’re probably one of those people that think rape victims deserve to be attacked as well. You’re just another small town gossip with nothing better to do with your time than support what a group of backwoods hicks did to make their hateful point.
I live in Reno & I don’t know anyone like that. Makes me wonder what kind of drugs were served with that alcohol. From comments, he may well have been antagonistic. But that’s no excuse for a violent attack.
@ Ken Kmak,
Gov. Perry won’t do anything about it, he himself is homophobic thus he would say the “ends justify the means”. If you recall Gov. Perry held a ‘Prayer Vigil’ not too long ago and part of that ‘Prayer Vigil’ was something to do with the Gays in our country, I think it was to help them realize their sins or something like that ( i don’t have the best memory lately). It’s very difficult to find a politician who WILL stand up for the Gay Community which ends up leaving it up to US to do it instead!!!
@Elliot- I believe that both of us posted that we were not condoning or defending any of them. I was merely stating to look at all facts in this case. Mr. Burnett should be in legal trouble for the sexual harassment just like the other men who beat him. Again, no one was in the right during that incident.
Ashley, “Me”, et al: Gay panic is not a valid defense for aggravated assault. There is nothing anyone can say to cause them to deserve physical violence. Say the roles were reversed, and one of the attackers goes to a party with mostly gay people. The bigot starts talking, provoking and antagonizing the party guests. Fed up, a few of the guests decide to sneak up on the good ol’ boy when he’s not looking, stab him, beat him within an inch of his life and throw him into a fire, just because he offended them. Whose fault is it? Do you interrogate your friend about his past, his character, his behavior? It must be nice to have it both ways.
i hate that this happened to burke and all others that are persecuted for who they are. It is a shame no one was there to help him or would help at the time it accurred, Although reno maybe corrupt it is no more corrupted than any other little town in America. I notice that most of the small town are not ready to except the deversities of people, like the bigger cities, at redneck parties drug and drinking is involved the collective spirit that is there is already bad. im not a hardcore biker so i wouldn’t go to a hardcore bikers club, Im white and i wouldn’t go to a all black club, i would go to a club that is known for mixxing it up tho and is knkown for keeping trouble down, Burke i know you have the right to go were you please but if i were you i’d be pickier as to where i partied, dont put yourself in that position is my motto
The African american kid that was kill was actually hit by an African American driving a semi. The two kids white and native American were jailed for over 85 days and were wrongfully accused. The truck driver later admitted that he hit him and killed him. But the damage has already been done. We had to endure multiple black panther marches for no reason.
Thank you Elliot for your intelligent response to @me and @Ashley. And to these two idiots I would say, really? Blame the victim and gay panic defense…how typical of ignorant, backwoods, homophobic bigots. You make me sick! I can only hold my anger back knowing sooner than later, you WILL be in the minority in this country and then your vile disgusting opinions will no longer mean anything other than you are a horrible human being!
Actually the black man killed by a truck was NOT a hate crime. Initially his friends were accused of killing him, since they are white, it was obviously purported to be racially motivated. After the fact it was proven that his friends did NOT run him over, he was hit by another truck that did not see him.
All cities have some level of corruption. Paris/Lamar County is not the haven of corruption and racial/homosexual hate. Even big liberal cities have these issues. Hate and ignorance are issues everywhere.
Oh, and before you get all worked up for nothing: If this guy is guilty of sexual harassment, that’s a shame, as it always is. But that STILL DOES NOT ENTITLE ANYONE, NOT EVEN THE VICTIM, to such savagery. You guys have cell phones out there, right? Record it, document it, report it. Just like everyone else.
@Ashley
So if you’re not “condoning”, or “defending” this person’s attackers, what are you doing? Basically what you’re saying is, since Mr. Burnett made advances, (or so you claim,) towards straight men, there were in their right to attack him. Clearly you know his attackers, and are here defending them. It’s apparent, since you seem to feel that getting hit on, should warrant being stabbed, and burned.
This is why I don’t like hanging around straight people–you’re all the same.
@Me,
I don’t make out with my spouse in public and hate when gay and lesbian people make my children watch them making out in public.
How do gay people “make” your children watch them make out in public? Every time I think straight people are starting to act half-way decent, along comes someone like you.
Next time some straight guy gets on my nerves, I think I’ll stab him, and burn him.
“But Burnett said his attackers, whose identities are known, remain at large, and the officer told him it could be two weeks before they’re arrested.”
WHAT! The Officers should go to the homes of the known animals that tried to kill this young man and arrest them now. There is absolutely no valid reason for it to take up to two weeks to arrest these people. Oh, wait, yes there is. The crime happened in Texas and the victim is gay so he must be responsible in some way.
Talk about being victimized twice. First by a bunch of bigots then again by an apathetic police department. Doubly disgusting and disturbing.
Get Well Soon Mr. Burnett. I was a victim of a hate crime just like yours thirty years ago. The physical scars you get used to. The emotional ones take a bit more time to deal with. *hugs*
Anyone that thinks that a sexual advance on anyone is equivalent to attempted murder is an idiot. imagine, Ashley, if you hit on a guy who didn’t want your advances. does that give him the right stab you with a broken bottle? i don’t care how hard the advance was, there is no way that it is equal to shoving broken glass into someone’s back. i mean was this attempted rap and self-defense? even your own account says no. defend your small-minded, small town barbarian friends for this act but don’t ever think you can fool other people into thinking that this kind of brutality is anything short of attempted murder.
@Ashley – From one woman to an another I am appalled that you wrote, “He made sexual advances to the guys therefore causing the uproar.”
Unless you look like he Southern end of a Northbound Horse, chances are you have sexual advances made towards you every single day. Does that give you the right to attempted murder? Of course not. Use some common sense and logic.
@Ashley:
Mr. Burnett should be in legal trouble for sexual harassment?? Are you kidding me? With you being a female, I’m sure you know what it feels like to be “hit on” or “flirted with” by guys you didn’t want doing so. I can’t even go to a gas station without some random dude trying to make an advance towards me. It’s very annoying, however, it doesn’t mean I’m going to stab and burn them! Had Mr. Burnett been flirting with females, it wouldn’t have been an issue, but because he was flirting with straight men, he gets attacked. How do you justify yourself by saying he should be in trouble for sexual harassment?! I was born and raised in Paris, tx. and this tragedy is another example of why I’m so glad I moved out of that town and away from all its conservative, bible-thumping, no-tolerance residents.
“He was forcing himself on people that were obviously not comfortable. You choose your own way of life. No need to push.”
This is a clear example of the ignorance that perpetuates fear and hate against people who are different. This guy would have no chance in anyplace outside of east Texas.
No excuse for this. Doesn’t matter what he said, it doesn’t give anyone the reason for them to do this to another human.
s@Mr. Enemabag- Just so you have the facts, I’m bisexual. The guys that did that to him should be hauled away get what they deserve. With that said, Mr. Burnett sexually harassed them. Would you say its ok to do that? I don’t believe that behavior helps our cause of equal rights for the gay community so again, both parties were wrong. Do I believe the guys should be thrown in prison for a long time? Yes they should have the same done to them.
The people claiming he deserved it because of things he said at the party don’t even really count as human. How could anyone look at those pictures and say that?!!? They could have killed him. Frankly, I don’t even believe them, but even if they are telling the truth NOTHING they have said he did justifies this vicious attack. @Mr. Enemabag Jones: Take heart. There are lots of terrible straight people out there, but they’re aging fast and dying out. We decent straight people who are your strong allies will outnumber them very soon. And Mr. Burnett, stay safe and get well soon. Reno PD, you better arrest those guys NOW.
@Ashley- yes Burke was in state jail- for writing bad checks- as to his character, are you to judge? Does his someones past make them a target for abuse?
@Me- very hard to say that he was forcing himself on those men, especially since he was attacked while sitting in a chair.
It don’t matter if he was hitting on straight guys if he was oh well a real man woulda just walked away but no these KIDS thought they had o act all big and bad and try to kill the dude and that is what they tried to do u don’t throw someone in a fire and think oh he will survive come on now its a freaking shame and I hope these BOYS get in a crap load of trouble!
wow a lot of shit happens in paris, tx…. a lot of hate crimes towards anybody. this is a hateful town! yes i am a resident of paris, tx…… look up the definition of the town on urbandictionary.com!!!! its a shithole town… the justice system is corrupt, most of the people are racist & judgemental…. this is not a place to live unless you r a straight white man.
@Ashley and @me I assume these men react the same way when unattractive women come onto them? I highly doubt that. And anyone who says they’re bisexual and can make statements like that is a liar or confused. Making out with other girls to get guys does not a bisexual make. If a woman hit on you, even agressively, would you have tried to kill her? Even though I don’t believe you are bi, Ashley, I don’t think you would do that.
oh hell everyone knows about the Paris, Texas area and all its hate…not far from where they dragged a black man behind a truck until he was dead.
Lovely people.
and if a person in this society can’t politely turn down a “sexual advance”, then they have no place roaming in free society. They belong in jail, where they can act like animals.
GET THIS SHIT IN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS AND ALL OVER THE DAMN TV!!! GET THE GODDAMN WHITEHOUSE INVOLVED IF NECESSARY! STOP! STOP! allowing this to happen to people! This is fucked up and must be stopped!! Dallas Voice, contact the other papers and get this story publicized! This is not just another case that we write about and then forget! GET SOME ACTION GOING AND MAKE SHIT HAPPEN ON THE GROUND! PLEASE!!!
@Ashley, so by your logic, the next time a person hits on you and you don’t like it, you get to stab him/her with a beer bottle and throw him on a fire? FAIL
@Ashley – “Just so you have the facts, I’m bisexual. The guys that did that to him should be hauled away get what they deserve. With that said, Mr. Burnett sexually harassed them. ”
Just so you have the facts I am a Lesbian. However, you are insistent upon your own set of events being reality because you repeatedly write that Mr. Burnett sexually harassed them. Where in this story is that mentioned. Prove it. Prove what you say. Heck, I don’t even believe you’re Bi. The only thing in this story about this horrible attack is, “Burnett said he was sitting inside a large metal shed called ‘the party shop’ when he was blindsided with a punch to his left eye. When he got up and tried to defend himself, one of his attackers stabbed him in the back with a broken beer bottle.”
How on earth does Mr. Burnett sexually harass anyone while seated and being stabbed from behind? Ashley you are a phoney. Stop posting your bigotry and lies because, sweetie, when you hit rock bottom you really shouldn’t start digging.
@Ashley – Assume everything you said about Burke and the situation as you described it, but now replace Burke with a straight girl. Would you be so quick to take such strong stances in your posts if the same attack was on the girl?
Ashley,
By your argument. since I am a gay man, and am repelled by the idea of sexual intercourse with a woman, the next time a woman makes a pass at me, I can beat her into the ground. Is this correct? A woman showing interest in me would, according to your criteria, be a form of sexual harrassment.
Along the same lines, if a straigh woman has a straight man make a pass at her, she is within her rights to go to her car, get her gun and shoot him. Correct?
Sorry, While I don’t believe that this man sexually harrassed these other men, it wouldn’t matter if he did. Violence is never excusable. Sadly you are one of the poor souls that always blames the victim. I am sure if you heard about a woman being raped you would ask what she did to cause it.
Your kind of ignorant thinking is why our world is still full of hate and prejudice. NOTHING justifies these kinds of actions. Please educate yourself about the truth.
@ Ashley- Unless those attackers worked for Mr. Burke, it isn’t sexual harassment. It may be an unwelcome sexual advance, but that isn’t illegal. No matter what, he didn’t deserve that attack. His background has nothing to do with what happened to him.
“How can he say they went to prison when in fact he himself has been in state jail?” What the heck does that have to do with anything? Since he spent time in jail, he isn’t allowed to point out that some of his attackers might be on parole? ” I’m not defending their actions…” actually that is exactly what you are doing.
Wasn’t Texas going to secede? I really wish they’d hurry that idea up.
@Ashley- Being bisexual doesn’t make you any less of an idiot. It just makes you an idiot who is sexually attracted to men and women. Get a clue!
@Ashley
Hey you know what ashley?? Tons of men come onto me unwarranted every single day of my life and I do not assault them physically, I keep fucking walking. So because you heard through a friend that he “made sexual advances” at them does not justify aggravated assault that leaves a man in the hospital.
And this article in addition to the local “people” who are responding is why I am so glad I got the hell out of Texas and the south all together.
Wow such a heated discussion. So what’s the next step? Are there any lgbt advocacy groups in that area that we can reach out to? It’s been fun watching you jump on ashley but I think we need to move pass that and support this young man and his friends.
To those who say Mr. Burnett was “sexually harassing” people as a legal offense – you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about. Stop pulling rabbits out of you ass to create a desired outcome. It doesn’t matter if you are sleeping with guys, girls, both or german shepherds. It still does not give an understanding of the law.
“Mr. Burnett should be in legal trouble for the sexual harassment just like the other men who beat him.”
WTF. No. Ashley, come on. I highly doubt he sexually harassed anyone. A gay man is allowed to flirt with other men, and flirting is not harassment, especially if it harmless. I don’t know what went down at the party, but I do know that stabbing someone and throwing them into FIRE is not the bloody same as hitting on someone.
Just wanted to say thanks to Chivas for reporting this repulsive behavior. I posted it on FB to let everybody know what happened. BTW, it’s been a long time since I saw you, but last time, we were Bonnie and Jerry (roller derby champs)! Ha!
If every woman who got an unwanted sexual advance from a man beat him near to death, the male population would be staggering around bloodied and bruised. If a straight man is going to get all riled up about a man coming on to him, then I have to wonder what his insecurity about.
I grew up in Paris and only moved when I got married in 03. Almost 30 years of my life. All I can say is not to judge many by the actions of a few. Not everyone in Paris is like that, and the fact that this happened sickens me. It SHOULD be attempted murder and it most assuredly should be considered a hate crime. My prayers are with everyone involved. That the attackers see the wrong in such hatred and that the man attacked recovers quickly and doesn’t give up hope for people in general. Sad that this kind of thing still happens in this day and age.
Tisha is correct. Are there advocates who will keep pressure on the police and DA to charge the perpetrators? Is there someone who can be his lawyer to file civil suits against the attackers? Is support to help him with the psychological repercussions and financial costs like hospital bills etc. available? Is he safe where he lives? Can he go to work?
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This is an outrage and needs national attention. Two weeks to catch the guys who did this … come on! We need to make sure that the authorities in Reno, TX don’t try and brush this one under the carpet and are not allowed charge the attackers with a misdemeanor. Watch the attackers try and get off with a gay panic defense!
this is disgusting . i am a straight male and have never felt an urge to assault a gay man before in my life… those men should be punished severely , maybe if they suck a few cocks in jail they’ll finally come out the closet.
i mean y else would they be so aggressive?
Disgusting animals. Karma will search them out; they’ll pay for what they’ve done to this poor guy.
As for Ashley–and all others who think it’s okay to kill a gay human being simply because he flirted with someone–how would you like to be punched, stabbed, and thrown on a fire the next time you flirt with someone? Just because someone doesn’t like you back doesn’t make flirting “sexual harassment.”
And it sure as hell doesn’t justify attempted murder. Get your priorities straight, you homophobic bimbo.
@ME A lot of straight men misunderstand when a gay man is being friendly as flirting — the same way they misunderstand when a straight woman is being friendly with them as flirting, too. It’s just part of a macho ego. A lot of his flirtatious comments could have been a joke, as well, but when mixed with alcohol people misunderstood him. Sometimes when you’re the only gay in a group of ignorant hicks, you have to joke about your sexuality in order to be accepted by the crowd (like a black-face minstrel). I know, I grew up in East TX, too. Nothing condones being shoved in a burning barrel, no matter how serious or light his “flirting” may have been. Does a woman have the right to shove you in a burning barrel if your advances come across too strong? And as far as gays & lesbians kissing in public … what’s wrong with that? Straight people do it in front of your children all the time on television, movies, buses, advertisements, restaurants, sidewalks, etc.
i dont care what views you hold.why would anyone defend in any way the actions taken against burke? this is wrong!
Just FYI it is probably taking two weeks to get the investigation done, get it to the DA, and then file for a warrant or indictment. It would be great if they could just go arrest them, but they too are bound by laws that would not allow them to just arrest for something that wasn’t done in view of the officer. Two weeks is actually a short period of time for a major case like this. I’m sure that I.C. Sugg is working very hard along with the other officers of Reno PD to bring the subjects involved to justice for the victim. I do hope they are able to do so. I wish the victim well and hope that justice is served. I just think before making statements and accusations towards the PD and the County Judicial System, we should all sit back and wait for the outcome. For once, put your faith in our system! It is not the officers’ fault that this occurred and I’m sure they are doing what they get paid to do. Thank you for reading!
I haw too comet too. You people their comet what thet boy sod doo or not doo, bhut thet meh bith him and thet is mether. In my cotry gey peple canot decler them selvs. And they cant think about going too some party or sometig like that. Hire is a sicret too be a gey. They met ichather on a sicretly places such as old bildings or parks only in night. And thous who hawe lacky to have his owen apartment they are wery wery lucy. So protect thet boy from man thet are bit him no meter what cose is. Sory for my bad english!!
I graduated from Paris High School, Paris Texas in 1989.. Paris is a very closed minded, racist, anti-gay conservative town.. I know because I lived it.. I was a victim of anti-gay bullying constantly mainly from different high schools in the area such as North Lamar. I turned the tables and confronted my bullies.. physically. I felt I had no other options. I was harassed every time I left my home. I did not care at this point and took the risk of taking on a group of “anti-gay” bullies.. I was definitely out numbered but fortunately for me it worked out and the bullying stopped.. This is a totally different bullying scenario..and is sick!! I always had to look behind my shoulder growing up there! Still live in the South unfortunately, but still nothing compares to how homophobic, racist, conservative, closed minded that Paris, Texas and the surrounding communities are there. A breeding ground of ignorance that never stops!!!
At Kevin.
You mean quit pullin gerbils out your ass. Hah I do feel bad about the situation and think the guys who done it should get punished.a sorry ya’ll just seemed like the thing to say. No offense to anyone.
As an ex-cop, the charges should be upgraded to ‘Attempted Manslaughter’ and the Police held accountable for this to happen ….as an example to all others that this is not tolerable in todays world
i love how all of you ignorant assholes turned this hate crime into a matter of sex and sexual advances.makes me realize how fucking stupid people truly are. Don’t reply. i wont pay any attention.
Ah Texas where rural life means murdering someone who isn’t straight or white or a Jew. Texans should be proud of this one. It was almost as good as a lynching for the moronic shitheads who hurt this man 3 to 1.
There aren’t words bad enough for these worthless creeps.
Ashley honey, the next time you are ata party and you look to long and too hard at a gay man, I hope he beats the shit out of you you dumb bitch!
This is horrific and will not be tolerated
I’d like to talk to the Voice and help organize a group to go up there to show our support for this man
I’d also love to find these four Nazi-like animals to see if they’d touch this 6’3 260# faggot
A wise man once said that there are two sides to every story, although nobody deserves to be beaten up that badly. If this were a straight man it would not even make the newspaper. You all need to learn that when voicing your opinions about a serious matter while using profanities makes you look just as rash, and ignorant as the attackers. Prayer is needed in times like these for both the victim, and the attackers. I know this may seem like a strange point of view, but on judgment day both parties will need forgiveness.
This is truly shocking. Good point , Kris, about guys approaching woment.
Any road up, there’s no way that this guy deserved this awful beating, no one does.
I hope that Burke recovers as quickly as possible and that the messed up perpetrators get
brought to justice swiftly.
All thoughts going to Burke, from London, England.
I contacted both the American Civil Liberties Union (under LGBT Issues/Discrimination) and the LOGO TV network (they are currently running a show called A-List Dallas, since that’s so close to Dallas TX, perhaps they can get some media attention to it.)
I urge any of you who want to make sure these four boys are PROPERLY punished with a HATE crime for their VILE, INHUMANE and DISGUSTING behavior contact both aclu.com and logotv.com and express your thoughts. Include a link to this article!
I cannot believe there are idiots who think its okay to blame burke because he may or may not have flirted with someone at the party. I can’t believe the small-mindedness of people and think tolerance classes need to be taught in our small town. I pray that he recovers physically and emotionally from the incident and justice is served swiftly. I cannot believe no arrests have been made
Let her think what ever she wants. They said calling a somonee cute is fighting words in the pen! Where they belong. All three men have priory of violence and burkes record may not be clean but his has no assault charges like all these jerks. I am the person in the article that heard them state all gay men should be killed. This was hours before this took place. They waited until he was alone and attacked him. Best part about all this is he was not stating any of these men were cute, they over heard he speaking about someone not even related to them. Pure hate. Spin up what ever lies you want but the three men who did it all have priors for assault and one was against an officer. So educate your sefl you fool.
God said sin is sin and both parties r sinning. judgement day they both burn.
What gets me is why is this gays against straights, vice/versa? Everyone was made equal, right? So what the guy is gay, it’s no reason for him to be treated differently. It also doesn’t mean that he should be defended moreso. The guy was at a party. With alcohol. When you get a group of people together with alcohol, chances are, there’s gonna be some kind of fight. If I’m harrassed, by a straight or gay person, I’m going to defend myself. Some drunks don’t know when to shut their mouths. The behavior of the 4 men was completely ridiculous and they should be punished for the injuries caused, obviously. But who are any of you to judge something that you was not there for. In stories like this, the LGTB are going to back Burnett, and the vast majority of straights are going to back the attackers. The fact that he’s gay shouldn’t have anything to do with it. And I can assure you I’m not an ignorant, backwoods, homophobic bigot. This story should simply be about a man who was harrassing other men and got violently attacked (if that is the correct story). Period. No one should be choosing sides.
noone has got the other side. I was told they even burke was drunk and on drugs. I was told they was pulled off of him more than once and burke would get up mouthing and they would go at him agian. of course no one wants to hear both sides and that they was a drunking drug party right. no we want to hear Gay got Gets attacked for no reason HATE CRIME .
WTF are you talking about wtf? The vast majority of straights are not going to back the attackers. You come off like those Alabamans that say “I’m not racist, but”. Full of s***.
Please FOCUS ON ACTION AND STOP AGUING OVER STUFF THAT WILL NOT HELP THE SITUATION! Get in touch with your organizations, senators, reps, governor and president of the US. I am very SERIOUS about this! Focus on action, not opinions right now!
Austin, please tell Burke, we’re thinking of him in NY and hoping he has a speedy recovery with no permanent damage!!!!
There is no evidence he was doing anything to deserve being attacked – nothing. The assumption that he had to be harassing them is just that — an assumption. And it’s one that just makes you sound like an apologist for abuse. Especially when the article pretty clearly states he was attacked without warning.
If you need to “defend yourself” from being spoken to by a gay person, you’re a bigot too — a frightening, monstrous, potentially violent one if that is the response you want to support.
if the Lord meant for same sexes to be together he wouldn’t have created Adam and EVE… He got what God had in store for him..
@Mr. Enemabag Jones I think your remark is kind of narrow You “don’t hang out with straight people” because they’re all the same? Doesn’t that preclude you from a bunch of people and a wider variety of experience. I live in a town of 400 outside Decatur, when I moved here, just looking at population signs, I thought I was really in for it here. My mother used to tell me that I should try to find a job that didn’t take me to honky tonk land because she was afraid something horrible would happen. I found my best friend and roommate out here and he’s straight. I think it’s incredibly unfair to say that all straight guys act like this.
As far as all this, he sexually harassed them comments. Why are those remarks necessary? No matter what he did, how drunk and stupid he got, no one deserves to be treated like that. I don’t even think expose and sloppy drunkenness should provoke anything more than a shove and “Back up!” I’m sure there’s plenty of gay people who’ve done stupid things (I know I have) and made asses out of themselves. Should’ we’ve been stabbed with a beer bottle and set on fire? Hell, I made the mistake of kissing my roommate the first time I’d met him because I was drunk and stupid at a party. I didn’t know him from Adam and yet, he gave me a look and just stood there. Then and there I was aware I’d messed up. Months later we started hanging out. I can’t imagine people being so offended by someone calling them “cute” that they react in such a way. It’ kinda like dessert after a huge meal, even if you don’t want it, it’s still nice to be asked. Shame on people’s lack of compassion and tolerance!!!
The City of Reno has an online form to write the police department, city attorney and mayor. Just FYI… I’m glad that the GLBT community is so vocal and quick to act!!! We definitely have the capability to do amazing things 🙂
https://www.renotexas.us/forms.aspx?fid=41
I think that this could be attributed to ignorance and shame over one’s own repressed sexuality(in regards to the assailants). I grew up in a small north of Dallas(class of 90) and I recall the ultimate insult from the aggressors being “FAGGOT” This was usually being thrown around whilst bullying. I attended my twenty-year class reunion and was blown away by how many of the former bullies had come out of the closet and turned out to be really great people. One of my friends came out while I was in school and many of these people targeted him. I got in a lot of fights because of my friendship. I am still straight and I am still protective of all of my friends regardless of their sexuality. I read news like this and it angers me. I hope that swift justice finds these men. I also hope that Mr. Burnett heals well and can move past this pointless act.
Also, I have been flirted with and hit-on by gay men, as well as undesirable women. I view both the same way… “Sweet… but not my bag” . So to those of you straight folks that find it offensive, pull your head out of your ass, someone digs you. How is that offensive? Put a feather in your little ego hat and move on!
@Stephanie Ward … You should find a nice girl named Kim and move in with her. 😉
i wonder if this happened with everyone being involved being straight if it would cause this much of an uproar. im disgusted by what happened and i think these men should absolutely get the max punishment but im not so sure that it was completely about his sexual orientation. there were several gay people at the party this one just happened to be under the influence and kept provoking people. the guy throwing it should have made him leave and the guys that did it took it too far but i dont believe it was just a hate crime could have happened to a straight man just the same!
If you read on Topix in Paris under “Brawl in Reno” you will find comments from the person who had the party as well as so-called witnesses to the attack. I do hope the Reno police investigate and arrest the people responsible. This is just one example of the racism and bigotry that goes on in this county.
I hope at the very least that justice is sought in this matter, and that it can be used as a tool to teach tolerance and overcome bigotry. Thoughts are with you Mr. Burke!
Well if someone hitting on my gives me the right to try to kill them I’ll have to remember that the next time a girl hits on me at a club or a bar. I’m mean that’s what you people who seem to be saying is okay right? If a girl hits on me but because I’m gay and don’t want her advances that gives me the right to stab her and push her into a fire, maybe get some friends to help me try to kill her? Good to know, thanks for the tip peeps. Or similarly if a girl is hit on by a guy and she doesn’t want to be hit on by him she then has the right to get a bunch of her friends together to try to kill the person? People need to quit trying to make excuses for these pathetic wastes of space. Real men don’t gang up on someone and sucker punch them. Real men are able to use there words first and fists last.
To all the hicks claiming sexual harassment, you have no idea what it really is. Its when a person in power over you demands sexual favors in order for you to keep something.
Your Boss wants you to sleep with him so you can get that promotion or keep your job. Its the landlord that says he wants to see you nekid in order to renew your lease. The cop that wants to exchange s e x for ripping up a ticket.
Going up to someone and flirting or saying something like “Hey baby, know what I’d like to do to you” and then the person describes it isn’t sexual harassment its flirting or in this case a pickup line, and a very bad pickup line at that.
If I had killed all the men who told me what they would like to do to me I would be in jail for murdering at least 15 men. Flirting is not sexual harassment!
I just got off the phone with the Parker County District Attorney’s office, 817-598-6124. The lady I spoke with was friendly and helpful. I urge you to call to express your opinion, but please, be polite. Remember the key words: “Attempted Manslaughter” and “Hate Crime.”
Ok, new number:
903-221-2500
Reno Police
Be Polite and Remember: Attempted Manslaughter.
Don’t let them brush this under the rug!!! Small southern town cops operate in this way, often times protecting criminals because they’re part of their small community.
A. Even if he did make unwanted sexual advances. It is justified to try and kill him? No, never. And, to all of the low class, politically ignorant and stubborn prudes who believe it is. You probably deserve the same.
B. If you honestly believe “God” has anything to do with someone beating the everliving hell out of a man, you’re probably stupid. Jesus hung out with prostitutes, lepers and outcasts of society. I guarantee you Jesus would have held hands and walked with a gay man before every thinking of walking with a bigot. And if you can possibly fathom justifying this as justice under God, i feel sorry for you, because you clearly have no real relationship with him, as do the “Christians” at wesborough baptist. Pull our your bible and read it. If homosexuality is wrong, so is eating shellfish, shaving, associating with women when they are on their period, and heaven forbid having sex with an unmarried woman. All of these are “abominations” as well. Just no one takes them seriously because they do not support their prejudices. Get educated people, its the only thing that will make you not look like a damn fool.
@Joe… Why did you call Parker County? That’s Weatherford… This took place a deal north of us… But yes, i wrote Reno and Lamar County Police departments and “urged a attempted manslaughter charge with the enhancement of a hate crime.” BTW, I love that our community is filled with quite a few activists! Least we know we can get it done 🙂
@Ashley, just because your face AND your soul is so ugly, it forces you to do chicks to increase the odds of getting laid, THAT doesn’t make you “bi-sexual”… it makes you an ugly troll.
FYI, this happened in Reno, LAMAR COUNTY, Texas, not in Parker County, Texas. There is a city of Reno in both counties. The number for the Lamar County District Attorney’s Office is 903-737-2458.
HOW SAD .. why on earth would any person to that to another….Im SO glad I got away from that place when I did. . Shows what people can really get away with and I think its WRONG
Yeah, the Jews made unwanted sexual advances on Hitler as well, right?
Please call the mayors office of reno Texas at 9034915867… please act as a community!
My heart goes out to this poor guy, its never right when something like this happens to someone, I was borned in Parker County and I know there are some stupid rednecks there, and think its ok what they do because the bible tells them its ok. These people need education!!!!
I have known Burke for years, since he was a freshman in highschool,he lived with me and my ex girl at several different places. SoBelieve me he wasnt hitting on some straight guys at a party. wanna bet they were jealous of the girls he was with and like idiot drunks rednecks somehow thought beating burke up would get them laid.. oh theyre gonna get some all right cept its gonna be from a large convict named Bubba!
The comments here are troubling. I highly doubt that a gay man who knew he was going to a party that would outnumber straight to gay would even think of hitting on any of these men. I think a lot of you are under the impression that we’re all just a bunch of sexual deviants. Please don’t let the right wing bigot conservative groups get in your head. That being said, even if the victim had said anything that could be taken the wrong way, it does not warrant the beating he took. Women get hit on by men all the time, sometimes it’s very sexual and creepy, does that mean they have the right to attack said men in the same manner? Get your head out of your asses and use it for something other than sniffing your own ignorance.
What happened to Burke is horrific and heartbreaking. The hatred that some show to the gay community in east Texas is also heartbreaking. Yes, there are judgmental people, and yes, people partake in cruel, intolerable criminal acts that should not go unpunished. However, so many of you are almost as closed-minded and judgmental toward rural Texans as they are toward the gay community. I was born and raised in Paris, Texas. I graduated from Paris High School. I had a class with Burke and was friends with him. And I can tell you that the actions of 4 individuals do not and cannot represent every person from a town or area of the country. It breaks my heart to see my home slandered and maligned in such a terrible and hurtful way. There are good people there. There are loving people there. There are people who are not hateful just because someone is different from them. Don’t be guilty of the same judgement and hatred that you so despise in the actions of these four men.
As a woman, I deal with men all the time.. I get hit on.. I have been grabbed at times.. I have been cornered. Not once did this ever “make me” violent. There is no excuse. Period. God will have his say and it won’t be the attacked, but the attacker that comes under fire.
THIS HAPPENED SUNDAY TO TELL THEM WHEN YOU CALL! Please call them!
That is the wrong Reno , Tx. Their actually are two. This one is in Lamar Texas. The phone # for the district attorney in Reno , Tx where this happened is 903-737-2458.
Please call in and ask for this incidence to be classified as a hate crime and attempted manslaughter!
Burke Burnett says he was punched in the eye, stabbed with a broken beer bottle and thrown onto a lit burn barrel early Sunday at a party in Reno, Texas. View more photos of Burnett’s injuries below.
@ Joe Reno,TX is in Lamar County. Reno is about 10miles east of the city of Paris. Just FYI. I have also alerted a national news media regarding this!
A gay group should go to this town and hold a rally speaking of bullying, speaking of bigots, speaking of hate, speaking of violence. Speaking to the police department in that town, speaking to the people of that town and making sure that they DO SOMETHING about this.
If not, some “underground LGBT group” may just arrange some eye-for-an-eye mentality and go after these rednecks and give them a taste of their own medicine. I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if I read that article.
I see articles like this everyday through the advocate… where is CNN, MSNBC, etc? Why don’t they publish this everytime it happens so people get the point?
Parker County is west of Ft Worth, I think there may be 2 towns with the Reno name in Texas. Not sure why you would call Parker County for this crime.
Here is a web link to Reno Tx
https://www.renotexas.us/index.aspx?nid=295
why oh why . every time something like this happens someone has to be glad they got out of the south .. well the rest of us gay peoples who still live here are so glad you did .. the south isnt as bad as you make it out to be ..
if you have a problem with it .sorry .. but shit like this happens everywhere just not the south .. and I am sure there are others who agree with me .. and for those who dont
stay out of the south we dont want you . and if you ask anyone they will tell you just as fla isnt the south .. Texas isnt either ..
Alright I get it,
so I’m gay.. At a party… A straight girl comes and start throwing herself at me…. My first response? Try to calm her down…. If she doesn’t understands and keep making sexual advances, what do I do? Ofcourse, stab her and throw her in fire.. Coz that’s how men deal with problems….
Cut the crap, people.
I am from Paris, TX and I am not surprised at all that something like this would happen there, as you can see from the spelling and grammar above, many of the people that this young man was hanging out with are uneducated.
Many of the people in Paris are clueless about the real world. I cannot believe that people are defending these monsters; imagine if a woman did this every time she received sexual advances.
Today I am embarrassed to say that I am from Paris, TX.
All I have seen on these posts are people trying to put blame on others or excuse actions.
POINT BLANK- No matter what happened NO ONE has the right to beat, burn, and scar another human being (EXCEPT in self defense). IF he was bothering someone else THEY should have asked him to leave them alone IF he wouldn’t then THEY should have left!!!!
THIS IS NOT OK! IT doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, latin, gay, or whatever you are. Violence is not the answer. GROW UP AND WALK AWAY!
By the way, I live in Paris TX I know Burk, I have even worked with him. Get well soon hunny. God knows everything and justice will happen.
Fucking gay haters… And its in Texas, one of the states that can refuse service to gay individuals as in resteraunts etc. GO FIGURE 😛 Poor guy<3
Ooooh those pictures make my stomach turn! Thank God we at least have modern medicine to reverse such trauma which may have eventually killed the man in the natural world.
I’m female. If I’m at a party with a group of girlfriends and a guy is making advances at us that we don’t welcome, at 4 am, meaning he’s probably intoxicated, it’s ok for us to pull out weapons and proceed to attack him? I’m just trying to be about what’s acceptable behavior these days. Violence is never the answer. I grew up in this area, and moved back to Paris after having lived in Austin, Texas for 8 years, and most of the people that live here don’t live in the “real world”. It’s all about “good ol’ boys” and who you know. There are A LOT of good people in this community, which has been proven over and over since I’ve lived here when tragedy has struck, they band together and take care of their own. Unfortunately, there are a lot of uneducated, misinformed, ignorant people who just happen to be the ones that stand out. The majority of the people in this community, including myself, are outraged and sickened by what has happened to Mr. Burnett. This is an awful thing that has happened for an awful reason, but instead of sitting around throwing blame at each other, why don’t those of us who live here try to make it better? Things don’t change over night, but if no one ever tries to change them, they don’t change at all. As for the ones who don’t live here, and have never been here, I won’t come in your backyard passing judgement if you don’t do it in mine. That makes you no better than the men who caused this mess. Close your mouths and open up your minds people. We’d all get along better.
TAKE ACTION AND STOP WASTING YOUR TIME ON ARGUING! Pick up the phone please and make the calls!
This is a travesty of justice. The fact that arrests have not been made shows that bigotry is involved here, and yes, it runs rampant in Texas. These people should be locked up for life. Anyone that stodd by and did nothing, or even dialed a phone for help should be looked at as an accomplice to the crime. I may not be gay, but i do have a unique understanding of bigotry, and I too, live in this area. The people in charge of this investigation should be investigated themselves, by a federal agency. If anyone is even considering downgrading this to a misdemeanor, they should go to prison themselves. Anyone connected with this investigation should, at this point have thier badge taken away. There can be no bigotry allowed by the people who enforce the law!
I’m from Tyler and this sh*t is way too common a mentality of MANY (not all) of East Texans…
They call themselves “Good Christian folk” and the ignore this kind of hatred. Any time 4 men gang up on one man with broken bottles, etc, is no fair fight.. My daddy taught me that a real Texan doesn’t need his “posse” and weapons to beat up on one man…They should be ashamed of themselves….So should the other “20 partygoers who did nothing” while all this was going on….Has the definition of ” man” changed that much ? A bunch of “girls” had to save the guy from his attackers ? Wow…..Shame on everyone who did nothing….. And shame on the Reno police if the let this person’s orientation change their investigation. This sure doesn’t sound like some “good ole boy Saturday night bar” fight” ….It sounds way meaner.
@Abbi Foreman
I’ve been to the area six times over the years, spoken to a lot of people on-line as I have local family and tend to know a lot about the area in terms of statistics, laws etc (nerdy I know, but as you say with regards to looking at for people, my folks are thousands of miles away from the rest of us, and my aunt is having a divorce with a messed up husband, so I had to do some preliminary work until her attorney was hired).
I love the community spirit in Texas, everywhere I’ve been you tend to see it much more than in a lot of places…but it seems so old fashioned – but then again, I call any state or government that won’t push through equal rights for homosexuals old fashioned.
I love the way so many people are being supportive of Mr Burnett, and as a Christian I pray he recovers speedily and is left with as few reminders of this incident as possible.
However, the fact that anyone can offer a mitigating factor is disturbing, the fact that according to the voting statistics Texans still won’t grant homosexuals the rights they deserve is also disturbing – and if that’s the majority, it leads me to worry how extreme the minority will be, if that makes sense.
I ask that anyone who sympathises acts against these acts by intervening where possible, discouraging religiously and condemning the extremism…if possible by helping to introduce more effective protective measures for all citizens of the United States of America.
I love the FCKH8 campaign and with relation to it’s success, God bless America, God bless equality and God bless tolerance.
OmG! Get over yourselves!!! Obviously this handful of monsters have done time and will surely do some more! I live in Reno and we have a handful of police and are in between police chiefs. I moved my fam here from Dallas a decade ago to escape Amber Alerts, pollution, drugs and drivebys. If you want trouble, take a walk through the inner city!!! I have and I know the difference. Yeah, we have a few jerks but so does every other place in the world! STOP JUDGING MY TOWN BY WHAT A HANDFUL OF THUGGY CRIMINALS DID! Everyone I know stands against this incident and expects to see justice served! Idk what happened to Joey, our black police chief for a handful of years, but apparently we don’t have one here now. Maybe this and trouble identifying everyone is slowing the investigation. What happened equates to attempted murder. But all this blame our whole town mentality is really hurting your cause. Check yourselves!!!
@Tom-ay I have contacted MSNBC, CNN and of course Dallas Morning News and Ft Worth Star. I left FOX out, I don’t trust them LOL….
This is sad and sickening on so many levels. It makes me feel physically ill and feel real hatred. I am not a hateful person, but this sort of thing is so disturbing that it makes me want to act out in negative ways as well as in productive ways. I hope these scum bag pieces of crap get what they have coming to them. I can’t believe that the bystanders just stood there and watched this brutal assault take place. It doesn’t matter if this guy was flirting with other dudes or if he was flamboyant. This does not make a violent assault ok. That would mean that it was ok to try and KILL anyone who flirted with you at any time. Does that sound ok to you ignorant bigots? If it does then perhaps you should move to the middle east. I hear Afghanistan is nice this time of year.
I am a 55 year old gay man and have listened to words of hate & judgement almost all of my life! Fortunately, I have never been beaten up for being gay…but I have been swarmed and ganged up on… I wonder if the people in our world will ever consider “Live & let live” as their daily philosophy. What is it to another person who they are or what they like? My buisness is mine…yours is yours! Seems simple enough…a no-brainer!! I’d say that those who bother otheres for pleasure have issues aroound low self-esteem and it’s sad they feel the need to bring others down with them….it’s an illness… Hope those kind find the help they so desperately need! Hoping that Mr. Burnett is diong well and is feeling much better!
Reno Texas? land of homophobe Gov. Perry. not far from OKC home of Sally “KKK” Kern. the elected leaders in this backward part of the country are the leaders of bigotry. racism and homophobia runs rapid from the elected officials, school teachers, parents down to the children.
If these scum who tried to kill this gay guy for “sexual advances” (per Ashley), they best prepare for the ride they are about to go on in prison where an “advance” means you take it up the ass! Hope these animals enjoy their new hell on earth!
I hope he recovers soon and justice is served. I also hope that this will bring the community together in support of Mr.Burnett rather than. divide it.
Dear gaymen why don’t you carry a gun or a club so when you are attacked shoot them or beat them back fuck the police they do not care straight bastards donot care if you re murdered !
This is abhorrent. Animal like behavior out of cretons that have no regard for individual rights or personal safety. These moron’s should be punished under the hate crimes bill and to the fullest extent of the law. Attention all GLBT men and women…you are never safe in a society that promotes hatred, bigotry and discrimination….i.e. the GOP…any GLBT man or woman that claims to be a part of this political party is akin to the chicken who would vote for Colonel Sanders. You mean nothing more to them than a vote towards their hate filled and anti-gay agenda. Wise up folks. God’s blessings upon this poor guy, may he recover and rebound with renewed energy from this atrocious crime.
First of all, I am straight and female. Now lets for instance assume that Burnett was hitting on one of those guys in a very physical manner (which I doubt) and that such an act warranted the male persona to defend his “manhood”. In what sick and twisted world is it “manly” to go 3-to-1 with weapons on an unarmed man? This was no mere man fighting another man over a disagreement; that could be accomplished well enough 1 on 1 with fists. The only place this is acceptable in any situation regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation is prison, where these men obviously deserve to spend the rest of their lives. This is a hate crime, I have no doubt, but take away the fact that the victim is gay and it is still worth a felony sentence.
Now to straight men, if you feel that someone deserves a beating for hitting on you, take a look in a mirror, have you ever given a woman unwanted sexual attention? I bet the answer is yes. I bet you never got stabbed for it either. How about you say “I’m straight leave me alone” and be done with it. I’ll bet they are a lot easier to get rid of than a straight man hitting on a woman.
So let me get this straight… WOMEN did something about this while the MEN just sat back and sipped their beers? WTF?
I hope that wasn’t the case.
What is the status of the phone calls, what are yall saying to promote pressure on this county for swift justice?
4 macho men w weapons to take out one gay guy? WOW! That’s rather embarrassing now, isn’t it? Sounds like a bunch of cowardly wimps with serious self esteem issues or perhaps they fear their own repressed homosexuality, just sayin’ … They came from prison. Maybe they’re anxious to get back there.
Well the fact of the matter is regardless of what happened at that party, or the circumstances surrounding it. You cannot put your hands on an individual intentionally meaning to cause harm in the state of texas. Considering the stabbing with the bottles that automatically makes the charge aggravated. Depending on how good of a lawyer attempted murder. You can look at it from many different aspects but when it all bowls down to it. You are suppose to keep your hands to yourself and be the bigger man and walk away, some people have a problem doing that. The outcome is this incident alone. Burk is a good friend of mine and how every you wanna put it no one deserves to be assaulted or harmed no matter what the circumstances are.
This is only one incident we’re hearing about in Reno TX. Mind us, there has been plenty before, and god forbid, but we all could be sure there will be more. That is why, the media and (I agree with Harpo) the law enforcements have to really put a strong stand against these hate crimes. The world needs to know the real consequences and punishments they could get from it. Please, don’t tell jokes by saying they will reduce the charges to a missdemeanor. Seriously??
Dear, the government of the world, please handle this situation with the utmost love and care. We’re all just human being trying to make it and survive until its our time to go. And mind us all, that’s not our choice to make, only the higher power can dermine that.
Good luck in the after life haters!
*sigh
This sort of thing happens to people gay or strait all the time, but because of it being a gay person dosent mean we should all throw a pity party for this guy none of you know what really happened all you want is to get attention on sombody elses problems.
.
Very stange how people are putting down the people at the party that did not call police and how people here are not calling either, I read where one guy called CNN and left out fox(smart guy). NO one wants to do anything and leave it up to the next person to do. Nothing want get done……
Bottom line, regardless of sexual orientation, it is never okay to do this to another human being. The fact that he is gay makes it scarier that these idiots will do it again and again to other gays. But this behavior should NEVER be tolerated, gay, straight, purple, Republican, whatever, it is not okay to do this to another human being, no matter the beef you have with him.
“Hate” crime? that is so stupid, why do gays get special treatment in assault cases.? Yes, it was absolutely horrible and the person’s responsible should be brought to justice but get off the hate crime b.s. A crime is a crime, no matter what race, gender, or sexual preference. If he was a straight guy noone would bat an eye, it would be just another drunken brawl at a party, but since he’s a little light in the loafers it’s all of a sudden a national media event
there is absolutely NO justification for four men beating the hell out of one man. i don’t care what he did or didn’t do or say: those men are hateful cowards, and so are the jackasses who defend them. i hope they all go BACK to jail for a long, long time.
Dear Kliff,
I am a gay person that was attacked by a motorcycle gang with a baseball bat back in the 1980s. Tim Curry the DA of Tarrant County made a bargin with these guys to give one of them 3 months probation and the others got off with nothing. Every swing of that bat he would yell at me “I’m going to kill you f….ts. Over and OVER he yelled this at me, I never knew this guy, never talked to him, I just walked down a sidewalk and passed him by, I didn’t even look at him. This is how things work and why gay people get so upset when this news breaks becasue we know they will get off and we have to stand up for each other. This is NOT A PITTY PARTY!!!!!!
If you really want to see the hate the guy who had the party is spewing; look on Topix.net for Paris,TX. The two threads are Burke Burnett and Brawl in Reno! Some of the things this guy is saying not just about gay people but about other races is appalling! and Yes I called the Lamar County District Attny’s office as well and CBS11.
I live in Paris, TX and I’m educated.
Before the New Law in the BIble, the leaders wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery….I’ve always wondered why they didn’t want to stone the man. But, Jesus said, “whoever has no sin may cast the first stone.” No stone was thrown as they left with their heads down.
Jesus told the woman to go and sin no more.
There is way too much hate in every part of the world. Alot of people “hate” anything and everything they either do not believe in or do not understand.. The are “afraid” of things that are different. We all need to be more loving and acceptable of those that are “different” from us. I have to wonder if Jesus was crucified for the fact that he was “different” from those that were around him. Don’t hate, abuse, bully or treat someone badly because they are different than you are. Wouldn’t this be a horrible boring world if we were all the same?
I pray for your full recovery Mr. Burke and also pray your assailants be arrested and punished severly. If not the next time they try to kill someone for being different it may be someones daughter for being cute or someones son for being a redneck cowboy.
People…. Please! I used to live in Paris/Reno and my mother still does, I visit regularly. This is NOT an isolated incident, and the only reason this story has made it this far is beacuse the man is gay.
I lived in the area for a good 6 years and can testify that this sort of thing happens at parties there all of the time…. gay, straight, male, female, young and old. The heart of this problem is that the people in the area are bred to think that a drunken party fight, or jumping as the case may be, is acceptable and the norm.
Most of the locals while not exactly undereducated, but are mostly cowardly and don’t want to stick out in the crowd.
Defending an individual who is unpopular, outcast, different in any way is generally shunned among peers and will cause you to be socially ostricized yourself. Bullying is very common across all social groups in the area, as most of these peoples self confidence is so low that this is their only way to boost themselves.
This of course, is not true for all of the citizens of Lamar County, many of my friends who still live there are vastly educated and confident individuals with strong social presences (yall know who you are). But any of you who actually are from the area I’m sure can remember more than dozens of times that this type of situation occurs without recourse.
Anyone remember Monty who died along ther Red River back in like 1998 after disappearing from a party?… Just Sayin
Katie,
Can you dummy down what you just stated?
Too bad the victim wasn’t able to defend himself by taking advantage of the lenient CCW laws in Texas.
I would like to let everyone know that there are two Reno cityies in Texas. This happened in Lamar County NOT Parker county
Richard
Locals are bullies, most likely from being raised in rural TX
I just spoke with the Mayor of Reno and he assured me that Reno will do the right thing here. He said he has been getting a flood of calls and made his aware that this is national and he will be inundated with reporters, investigators, groups, organizations yada yada yada. He was very nice. When you call please be polite. We do not want to represent ourselves negatively. We want to show that we are humans that behave and act just like anyone else. Thank you!
@Richard D
Very nice! Such a shame that people over seas had to hear about this too…. I’m in the UK.
I’m actually in Washington, DC! But we stand as one people!
Omfg I would have beat the fuck outta all four of them, grab a fuckin rock and beat their asses…this is bulshit! Those idiots should be in jail and no one stopped it so all of them are accessories and should be held accountable. Fuckin stupid ass people! I’m gay, and this type of shit makes me fuckin psycho! Man I hope you get better, and don’t stop fighting the cops, the city and the county, and the police department, because if they don’t do anything, sue their asses! Make sure you file a form in court within 6 months of the incident, and file a civil suit and you could sue for millions of dollars in damages.
@Richard D
I take that a little further, to stand as one species! Black sites, enhanced interrogation techniques, (many other things I wont’ mention in case there are conservative republicans in the audience) and these sorts of crimes should come with heavy prices!
I would call for equal and human rights to be fully recognised by the US federal government, with no ‘buts’ and ‘howevers’ in tow…
It scares me that this type of behavior still exists and the police departments (no matter the location) are still playing such matters down. It was obviously a hate crime due to the utterences of the “gay, pussy-ass fag” comments. Josh S, you are just as bad as the rest of the people at that party that didn’t do anything to assist this poor man. I don’t care if it is considered “normal behavior” to you and the people of that town… it is wrong and should be handled accordingly. I agree that the people at that party should all be held accountable for not helping… such a shame…
Very shocking story I’m sure there is good people in the region too, my heart goes out to the victim in this as he can’t move on from this as he’s scared to go home:(
bloody disgrace!! but then again texas? they dont have a brain half of them a cowardly cowardly attack my best wishes go out to that poor guy I hope he recovers quickly not just physically but, mentally as well best wishes to the guy and 2 weeks they know who it is but they need that time please!!
It’s sad to hear of this incident, but not surprising.
I grew up in the Paris and Reno area and I’m glad I moved away from there. There are constant hate crimes in the area, but yet they seem to get away with it because of the local government.
A Reno police officer, Officer Ballard specifically, once instructed me to start attending church. Even if I weren’t Atheist, this statement should never come from a law enforcement agency.
Why can’t the police department make the arrests? They wouldn’t have a problem arresting them immediately if they had been called to the scene. Reno PD is a joke and they treat every incident as one.
Blacks hate gays. When will you pc folks accept that?
Ppl these days should really grow up and get a life. They should really start thinking if they have children of their own. Who knows what and who they gonna turn out to be. I live in CANADA in a very small community with the population of close to 1000 and as a GAY guy im more then welcome then any straight lol. Anyway, My heart goes out to Burke Burnett.
These stories infuriate me! How on earth can we be in the 21st century and still have ignorant fools beating on a person because of their sexual orientation? And it is absolutely outrageous that no man stepped forward to help this guy. What a bunch of pathetic excuses for human beings. If I EVER see such a scene unfold, this is one straight man that will be right in the mix to kick ass and defend the victim with a ferociousness not typically scene in humans – not to mention … I carry. One thing that I will NEVER tolerate, is violence born of intolerance. I hope Mr. Burnett has a speedy recovery. Now, let’s get this story OUT THERE. Pressure the Reno police department, pressure the local media and national media to pick up this story. Let’s put enormous (albeit respectful and reasoned) pressure to make sure this is treated as a hate crime and the four subhuman perps are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
ok so maybe he is getting more hype because he is gay. The thing is, had anyone stepped up and done something like that about any of the other incidents maybe they would have gotten the same hype. This was clearly a hate crime either way these people were wrong! i have never seen or heard a fight at a party that was this bad and no one stepped in to help when there was over 20 people. If this wasnt a hate crime please show me one…..
Burke, keep your head up you have so many out there that are behind you on this! im praying for you a speedy and painless recovery. GET WELL SOON!!
This story makes me sick. I live in paris texas and am gay. What now am i supposed to fear for my life everytime I want to go to the store. The fact that 20 people were at the party and did nothing to stop it, as far as im concerned, they should all GO TO JAIL. This kind of thing is the reason i dont leave home with out at least 2 knifes and pepperspray. THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
I WANT JUSTICE NOW, OR I GUARANTEE I WILL BE ONE OF THE PROTESTERS!
Ok now this is disgusting how some one can get done like this over who they are and these people stood by and watch as this man fought for his life. i am sickend by how people can do this to one another . How can yall say that yall was this mans friends and stood back and let this man get tourched because he is gay now that is disgusting to me . How could yall live with your self after doing this to a innocent man he deserved none of this . I wouldnt dare stand back and see my friend get beat within an inch of his life . I dnt get how another could do some one like this . Me personally my bestest friends are gay and i love them for them who a person is, is not to be harshley judge like this because this is pure evil to me and i hate it i wish that the people that did this get the maximum punishment MEANING DEATH SENTENCE or LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. because people like this dont deserve no less and to say aggravated assault my ass screaming hate comments why commiting the offense thats not assault thats attempted murder in my eyes and deserves no less. because people shouldnt have to live in fear because they are gay . ughhhh this just makes me sick and i hope the right justice is awarded to this man and for all other gay people because stuff like this shouldnt be PUSHED UNDER THE RUG. Thanks i will be protesting if nothing is done about the matter and ment that !!
Good thing I don’t live in Texas, because if I did the first thing I’d get is a CCW and start packing a semi-automatic What those goons did is attempted murder and if they did that to me, well put it this way they might not be around the next day, its called self defense.
assuming jobless, alcoholic losers hanging out at parties and beating people, its not right. having an older gay friend whos like an uncle, who looked after me when i moved here really opened my eyes, id rather take my gf to a party full of homosexuals than a bunch of alcoholic rednecks anyday, i broke up a lot of fights in just the couple of years i went out on the weekend,
In fact offers one of Burt’s friend, Austin Holloman:
“We don’t want people thinking this is OK in this area. We plan on being here forever.”
Which is a good thing and maybe a bad thing, because eventually all them gays are going to be wiped out or maybe just maybe all them hate mongering criminals will eventually find themselves locked up and forced to re consider not just other people’s identity but their very own.
https://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/11/being-a-homo-in-texas-is-now-an-ill-advised-idea/
Thats fucking horrible dude that guy is burke my sister Bethany smith’s friend
In fact offers one of Burt’s friend, Austin Holloman:
“We don’t want people thinking this is OK in this area. We plan on being here forever.”
Which is a good thing and maybe a bad thing, because eventually all them gays are going to be wiped out or maybe just maybe all them hate mongering criminals will eventually find themselves locked up and forced to re consider not just other people’s identity but their very own.
https://scallywagandvagabond.com/2011/11/being-a-homo-in-texas-is-now-an-ill-advised-idea/
Why are you all criticizing “rednecks” when in every recent major gaybashing (the two in Austin, the one in Galveston) the perps have been African-American? I wouldn’t doubt they are in this case too.
i have friends there, educated and tolerant STRAIGHT friends. sadly, they have told me how the good christians of that area are about homosexual deviants who they think are al child molestors. this is hardly the first time it has happened and will not be the last. Unfortunantly.
How can any of u say things about this that is so aweful ..ur acting just like the people who were there who didn,t break it up or stop it .U cannot put a whole group of people together and call it right ,,U can,t say all blacks do this or all mexicans do this or all whites do this ,,and so on , ..I am from the Paris area and still live here . I personally don,t know anybody who has not at one time or another run around with gay guys or girls ,.It is the person not the race or the religion.Some people just want to start a bunch of crap over things that shouldn,t have happened in the first place .yep get a bunch of red neck Texans together and u have got problems ,,what ever .. I pray for Burke Burnette ,,that he gets well and has no mental issues over this .. it makes me sick at my stomach also ,to think any one could do this to anyone. Yes the POLICE DEPT should have already arrested the guys and I don,t understand why They haven,t but I will also be following this story and keep putting my 2 cents worth in ,,.as soon as this happened someone should have called the cops ,,and they should have gotten arrested that same night ,, but it will come back and bite them in the ass I am sure ,,
Well people, I am overseas in some “remote” corner of the world (6800 miles from my beloved Texas), and came across this artical. I moved to the Greenville area a few years ago, from CALIF. This certainly paints a “dark picture” my/our community. This certainly brings “unwanted attention” to the simple fact we have far to many “inbred retards” living in this part of Texas and reinforces the notion Texas is a backwards state full of “hicks” and “rednecks”.
While I know “bashings” can occure anytime, in any place, this certainly re-affirms my belief that (we) GLBT’s need to arm themselves using the CCW laws of our state and use MORE “common sense” when dealing with people outside our community-like “dumbass rednecks.” They are everywhere not just in Reno, Texas. I also find myself asking, “why would this guy go to a party where “convicted felons” are at?” This is NOT blaming the Vict of this horrible crime…just a simple question. If a person has been to prison-ANY PRISON, chances are they are not someone we should associate with. Convicted felons are “predators” and we should expect the worst from them. Like all predators, these people “prey upon” those they deem as weak, meek, and inferior. These are certainly stereotypes of gay men and our community and they could lead these types of people to think that we are easy prey…hench the need to protect ourselves with a gun. That way when trouble comes looking for us like this- we can promptly “dispatch them” right to hell where they belong!
This shit is fucked up!! it really pisses me off how people are in this fuckin town! all these damn homophobes will get whats coming to them one day and ill be there laughing in there damn faces!!! Burk didnt deserve any of this, those guys should be thrown in jail for the rest of there miserable lives!!!!
I am very sorry this happened to you, if you are even reading this. Sadly this happens every day across the country for being gay, for being black, for being mexican and for being white. Just depends on what part of the country it is. Me personally I always step in to help. Never turn and walk away. Everyone at that party who did not help should be ashamed of themselves and know that GOD knows what they didnt do that night. Being from Texas doesnt make someone illiterate hicks as I got the impression from a previous commenter. Im from East Texas. Im white and Im straight. I stepped outside the bounds when i married my hispanic husband. I get dirty looks from time to time but over all everyone has been very accepting. I believe some are giving Texas a bad name as if Texas citizens are of a different breed. A breed of hatred and stupidity in which they arent. Blame the idiots who done this. I do and I do expect them to be help accountable. I will share this story. Im hoping that having some friends of my own in the right places will help put the pressure on this community of good ol boys and stop this mess.
Every please call and send letters to the Mayor, this will be the only way to keep this in the light. I used to live in Paris, I actually just visited Burke and other friends a couple months ago….and NO this doesn’t happen all the time. It’s not the norm so please don’t treat it as such. We will get justice, I can guarantee you that.
Maybe he should stop being so gay.
@Richard Mongler – Maybe you should stop being so straight.
If they know who the attackers are, why is it gonna take two weeks to arrest them???
seen a guy get his face bashed in by 4 guys in lamar county they got a slap on the hand. seen a guy in bowie county get a hammer upside his head the guy got 90 days in jail and the other guy stayed several weeks in the hospital. another guy got shot at in bowie county the shooter just got a fine and a slap on the hand. in bowie county guy got stapped twice and the stabber got 100,000 dollar bail and thats as far as it went.
MONEY BUYS EVERYTHING
For those of you saying that texas is always like that, no it isnt, i live in paris texas, and i have for the past 20 years, its not always like this. and to this Richard guy, you really need to shut tha hell up, if you dont like this, then dont read any of it! what gives you or anyone else to right to judge him or any homosexual for that matter. I fully support homosexuals they should have every right as heterosexuals!
Not sure what you are talking about! Take action! The conversation is not as important as taking action. I’m sure you can do both! I just hate whining when we can get national coverage and get justice for this. Organize a huge group and go to this town and protest! Trust me this will get way more than you could ever think! It might even help with Texas legislation!
Sadly, this sort of behavior is condoned even in classrooms in the area. I attend a high school near Reno, and many of my peers would simply ignore or simply give a “tsk tsk” to this news. The teachers have not made any mention of this in any conversation I could catch, and the only public mention I know of is a re-post of a Facebook status by one of my friends. This area is very close-minded; you will find churches dotted about like freckles and a very homogeneous culture regarding lifestyles. In fact, one of the new pastors in the area preached a message that included condemning homosexuality on the night his new church voted for him; he was accepted with a 98% approval by the members in attendance. If this news were to be on the front page of The Paris News tomorrow, my jaw would literally hit the floor. If this is on the town’s Topix forums, I can only imagine the overwhelming majority of homophobic messages already online now. So Internet, meet Paris, Texas: the most conceited, hateful small town in the Friendly State. Enjoy your stay. -from a closeted gay student living in fear.
Shame on the Dallas Media!!! Report moreonthis hate crime immediately.
Damien Garcia
shut up already.get a life.shit happens and im tired of hearing about hate crimes.get a life
This is a terrible story — any crime like this is a hate crime. Please encourage other Dallas media to report on this story, and keep in contact with the police and officials in this town to make sure this man is protected and that his attackers are brought to justice. This is intolerable for a society that wants to consider itself part of the first world.
Poor guy.
-and to everyone hating on Texas, well I guess your state/country must just be perfect and there would NEVER be a hate crime committed there. Nope, all those ill-bred, uneducated, hateful people, they all live here. So you all must be safe. Please.
What if this person were fat instead of gay? Just sayin’…
@ Turk……… well lets just hope someday someone you know or care about isnt a victim of a hate crime…. cause I’m sure if that was your friend or loved one you would be rather pissed that someone said to “shut up” and that they are tired of hearing about this and they need a life…. Guess was moron someone almost lost his life cause of thinking similar to that… thinking in any sense that any Hate crime should just not be talked about or publicized and made it clear that most people that have you know a soul wont stand for this….. but i pray that you never have to or a friend or love one ever has to go thru this horrific trauma…. see what that is its call compassion you might want to get some……. On a non-tangent note, my heart goes out to him and all victims of hate crimes till the world sees that we are all equals gay, strait, male, female, black, white, beige, that we are all one race… the human race and as such we should all treat each other equally things like this will keep happening and lets hope that if they do that the perpetrators will always be brought to right and swift justice….
As a straight, white middle-aged female who was raised and lives in the Paris, TX area I would like to say that Paris is no stranger to ‘hate crimes’ or protests. There have been KKK marches, Civil Rights marches, NAACP rallies, White Supremacy rallies… Come to think of it, maybe it is time for a LGBT march. Just know these got National attention when they occurred, but it did not change the minds of the people of this Bible-belt region. Schools and law-enforcement are behind in the times because that is the way the public majority wants it. I am not saying it is right, because no one should be beaten like Mr. Burnett was. Yet, there are questions that come to mind. Why did he choose to go to a hospital in another town several miles away instead of going to the outstanding hospital in Paris, TX? That one step would have helped his case “locally” with both the community and law enforcement. Why did he leave with a group who was aware that remarks had been made against gays (reason they left) and then return to the party with others saying he wasn’t aware of what his friends knew? Just how messed up was he? It is not good judgement to return to a drinking party once you have left…just inviting trouble. I am sorry for what happened to this man, don’t get me wrong. I just have to stop and wonder about the situation. I do not see anyone being “afraid to go home” in Paris, TX other than an abused spouse or child.
As for the inappropriate “gay” comments that were supposedly made, I have heard too many straight guys say the same things to their straight friends in jest. As several have said, that is just the way it is here. It is not lack of education, social unawareness, being a “hick” or “redneck”…it is ignorance and/or simply just not caring enough for our fellow man the way God intended.
Just so you know, I have a daughter who is gay. As a mother I worry about her safety when she goes to Dallas…not here. I guess she grew up in the environment and is accustomed to it. She is not afraid. She does party in Paris though she doesn’t live here.
I guess what I am trying to say is that for all that you do with your actions and words, it is doubtful you will change the minds or hearts of the majority in Lamar County. Good luck if you would like to try. Law Enforcement agencies are broke enough however, without having to try to handle even the smallest of riot situations. Try some education instead of retaliation. Food for thought…
Burke, I went to Jr high with you back in Deport. It was heart breaking to hear of this attack. I hope these people are arrested soon so that you may live in peace. I currently live in Germany and have moved around since living in Paris, TX…hate crimes should never be down played or ignored because of the “good ol’ boy system”. I know small towns sometimes lead to small minds and in this case..that’s exactly what these people have. You have a huge case against your attackers and I hope it turns out in your favor. Hope you heal smoothly and take care!
Amanda
It’s true, this was only publicized so much because it is a hate crime towards a gay man, just like how the media was full of racial segregation and protest during the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. This is devastating. However, we must stand together, gay and straight, for equality and a movement to stop homophobia!
I’m a transplant living in San Antonio, Texas (originally from San Diego) & I can personally testify that Texas is not the gay-friendliest of places. What is even more astonishing is there are not Hate- Crime laws established to protect us (Thank you Rick Perry!). After reviewing quite a number of replies posted here, i’m noticing how quick ‘local(s)’ are to defend and/or explain & even justify the situation. Such as; Straight guys use homophobic slurs to each other all then time (in jest), or we’re not hicks, rednecks, hillbillies. If you’re easily offended, please do not continue reading what I’m about to say! TEXAS: You are by FAR the ugliest, trailer-park ridden State in the Union, severely infected with ignorant, dim witted, closed minded, arrogant, overweight , uneducated, bad driving HICKS! There is a huge World out there with people from ALL walks of life. The ways of Texas are NOT the ways of the World, & trust me on this. Not only is Texas a joke to others in the US. but also by the rest of the world. Thankfully, I am selling my home & moving out of this God forsaken State, very shortly 😉
well i dont hang around gay i dont think its right i dont want my kids hanging around gay people. its like a drug you dont want your kids hanging around drugs, or alchol. thats just my belief! and dont think it was right for the 3 guys to jump him. but why be little babies and go to all the news and stuff let the court deal with it if that dont work
YOU GET YOUR BUDDIES AND GO GIVE THEM A GOOD OL’ TEXAS/COUNTRY ASS WHOOPIN
i dont hang out with gay folks. dont believe in it. and i damn sure dont want my kids around it. but i dont think the 3 guys should had done that to him.
and i also dont agree on gettin all the press and stuff involved. let the court in lamar county take care of it. if that dont work YOU GO GET YOUR BUDDIES AND GIVE THEM A GOOD OL’ TEXAS/COUNTRY ASS WHOOPIN. if you know how. dont be cry babies.
thats whats wrong with this country these folks aint got no backs. they dont get there way they go cryin. have a backbone.
go back to the hanging days. you didnt see them gettin the pressed you kill some one for no reason you get a PUBLIC HANGIN!!!
true they need public hangins again stuff like this would not be happening as munch wether white black orange or green. girl boy or a tranny
@Ryan Condry Gosh, Ryan, guess you have never been to AR, LA, AL, MI, GA or FL. I hope you are moving back West and not East. As for the statements made in my comment…not speaking for others comments…I was simply stating facts. Was not trying to justify anything, but trying to explain an ignorant mind-set. If the same thing had happened to a straight guy, a woman, a black, a Hispanic, etc. it would have been just as wrong! What happened was terrible and the people who were involved and those who allowed it should be punished appropriately. (BTW, Mr. Burkett looks like he might live in one of those parks you described…cigarette tucked behind his ear and all.) You are right about the huge world out there. It is very different from here and if you are happier there… There are places in TX where the schools are the most diversified in the world…and fortunately my girls attended some of them. They have a well-rounded education and can tolerate the ignorance and lack of caring here because this is where they choose to raise their families in spite of the things happening around them.
ok try this again i dont like gay peolpes ways. dont want my family around it. its like drugs i dont want my family around it because i dont think its right.
now for the 3 guys that jumped him they should be punished.
and i dont agree with gettin the press and stuff involved. let the lamar county court take care of it.
if you dont like the reuslts.. then you get all your little buddies and take care of business.
not sayin kill them, just sayin go give them a TEXAS/COUNTRY BUTT WHIPPIN!
wow.
after reading the above comments, i just have to say…thank god texas is so big. otherwise some of you people would end up living near me.
It’s people like these clowns who give Texans a bad name in general. It saddens me to no end that hatred of this form still exists anywhere in the world, especially in a place I consider my “backyard”.
And reading some of these comments … my God, everyone seems to be filled to the brim with hate for those who are different. Seriously, who are we to judge how others live their lives? Being gay isn’t a disease, your children can’t “catch” it, and the morals of a gay person are no different than the morals of a straight person. All of the friends that I’ve ever had that are gay are actually upstanding Christians – some being banished within their own church families. Now, how can a Christian have bad morals, despite who they love romantically?
Needless to say, the ignorance of the majority of the comment writers is outstanding.
And no, we don’t need to give these boys a “good ol’ country ass whoopin'” – what they need is justice served to them as they deserve it. Give them plenty of jail time, and while in jail as well as once they’re out, make them attend anger management classes, anti-hate groups, etc. They need to learn from their own personal experience how acts of violence like this really affect others, despite the motivation behind them.
To Burke … you keep being gay and fabulous! I love you and support you for standing up for what you believe in! 🙂 I’ll be praying for your case, and the cases of others unknown.
Love, a bi girl from Houston, Tx
@ HAHA…..What is wrong with you?!?! Saying you dont like gay people and that you dont believe in hanging out with them. And you damn sure dont want your kids to be around it?!?!?! WTF are you teaching them, TO BE like you….RACIST against gays?!?! Shame on you!!! You might as well be classified in the same category as the @** holes that did this to Burke! My Kudos belong to Burke for coming out to the public after this tragic ordeal!! I hope your kids dont grow up to be bullies or racist people for that matter. Because teaching them to dislike “GAYS” is unacceptable and practically letting them know its ok to treat people that way…which its not by any means necessary. Whether your Gay, Black, White, Fat or Skinny you are a human being and are the same on the inside as everyone else!! And as far as getting the press involved their doing it because the people that did this to him need to be punished to the fullest extent. He didnt ask to be “Gay” nor did he ask to be beaten up and treated like that. If your opinion to resolve this problem is with hanging then you need more help then Burke Burnett. Backbone??…..the best way to handle situations like this is to get law enforcement involved before things get more out of control then they already are. These individuals deserve what they have coming. Seriously what is wrong with people these days!!
id rather be gay than an inbreed like haha idiot!!! man do you guys give the south a bad rep. losers like you are reason why us city people think you guys are the scum of the earth.
I have concerns about publizing this in the manner it has been performed. 3 days after the attack airing photos that should be in an investigation NOT on the internet makes one wonder what went on to begin with. It takes time for an investigation even in Reno, Texas. I think the plan here was to actually sensationalize the attack. You go back to a Dallas site to do so?? The whole thing smacks of someone who wants to start a whole lot of trouble. Let’s talk about your friends..you know, the ones who ‘overheard’ thoe deflamatory remarks & left: WITHOUT TELLING YOU or warning you. What kind of friends are these? Ones I suspect you can do without if this is true. No, there is more to this than what is being let on. There is no denying the injuries…this should be investigated & not tolerated. It would be interesting to hear ALL of the story…but now that this person has seen fit to publicize it..well…it won’t be treated fairly in Paris. I think that was the goal…to move it out of Paris & involve people outside the community. This happened here & should be given the chance to be handles accordingly here.
lamar county must not be a place to live paris high has racist problems reno has hate problems prairiland dont have blacks at the school chisum has teachers sleeping with students and north lamar has a dang good prinipal that stands up about drugs.
Well Mr. HAHA – What are you going to do if one of your kids is gay?
And comparing homosexuality to drugs? That is so ignorant it barely warrants response. Homosexuality is better compared to something like hair color, skin color or gender … something biological. A homosexuality/drugs analogy is one of the most stupid things I’ve ever heard. Get an education for crying out loud.
GET ON THE PHONE WILL YOUR CONGRESSMAN, SENATORS, GOVERNOR, NEWS REPORTERS, HUMAN RIGHTS POLITICAL ORGS. HONESTLY THIS IS A DUMB CONVERSATION BEC IT DOES NOT HELP ANYONE! I learned a long time ago to get into action. This anger , tolerance or intolerance of this act is Not helping! I just sent an email to our senators! Please make calls and send emails!
Thanks,
Richard Dweck
Oh and a hate crime is defined as when attacking someone and calling them names of a certain type of class, that is considered a hate crime bec it is attacking a certain class of people when certain words are used! Read the law! Thank god the Matthew Shepard act was passed nationally and can be used here!
dear lord what is wrong with people i mean ok i have lived in paris for just a month or two going to school and i mean hell i went to a bar called madeas with some friends and had a fucking gun pulled on me cause i was gay and out of place never going there again i mean why do people hate gay ppl so much we are not hurting any one and will how in the hell is being gay anything like drugs shut the hell up i mean its not like we chose to be this way we were born with a different out look on life i mean you dont go kick a guys ass in a bar if he was born with out a leg so why kick us out we are there to get a drink and hang with friends just like everyone else but any why grow the fuck up peace out 🙂
Wtf is wrong with you people!!! Gay or not he is a human and deserves all of the freedoms and rights we have!
@Ha and others with similar beliefs.
Homosexuality does not need to be explained or justified, for support I refer to the Western world – Europe, Japan etc. Furthermore, you do not need to like or, my pet hate phrase, ‘believe in it’. You do not need to believe in evolution, but it is what happened, and is happening today.
Your kids wouldn’t suffer for hanging around with ‘gay people’ as you put it, homosexuality is nothing like a drug. Much in the same way as, to take a leaf from the FCKH8 campaign, don’t change ethnicity for hanging around Afro-Caribbean people.
Lastly, your kids better not be learning from you if you’re encouraging a ‘GOOD OL’ TEXAS/COUNTRY ASS WHOOPIN’ because that is a terrible lesson to teach. Violence fixes violence?
I urge those who have portrayed themselves and their communities in this way to put things right by fighting alongside the gay community for equal rights, an end to homophobic stigma and violence and a nation in which all are born equal. Instead of reinforcing the stereotypes of Texas repeated above, Texas has a lot of nice people and good qualities…but these few issues such as homophobia and bigotry are not good.
Gay rights, gay marriage and no gay-bashing.
Wow. God bless Burke Burnett and any gay person—or, from the sounds of it, any civilized person—in this part of Texas. And God bless those who are being brainwashed that this is the way to act at a party, or anywhere. You don’t like someone one of the hosts of a party has invited, YOU leave. Nobody with an ounce of humanity in them attacks somebody like this, not for any reason.
And they might be arrested in two weeks? WHAT?!?! He can identify his attackers, they acknowledge this is a federal hate crime, but they won’t bring these people in, particularly convicted felons on parole? I want to hear from the Texas police on what exactly the reason for waiting is. Are the police scared of these guys, or what? And if local officials are unwilling or unable to handle this, doesn’t this being a FEDERAL hate crime mean that federal officials should take over the case? Please print a follow-up with an explanation of that police reasoning.
Update! https://m.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ftheparisnews.com%2Fnews%2Ffront_page%2Farticle_a9e54eca-0560-11e1-b248-001cc4c03286.html%3Ffb_ref%3Dstory-top%26fb_source%3Dhome_oneline&h=CAQEDzJCe&refid=28
@ Matt:) dang! I’ve never heard of Madeas. Where is it? Try The Depot, Buffalo Joe’s, or Crosswire. You won’t be treated that way. And seriously, if Madeas doesn’t want you there, DON’T GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS!!!
After reading some of the above comments, i am horrified!! Comparing someone’s lifestyle to being as bad as drugs is just ignorant. People like you are what is wrong with this country. It’s a big world out there. Maybe you should get out more and see what it is actually like. Our society will never progress. while people keep passing down these ideas of hate and close mindness to the next generation. It’s terribly sad. My heart goes out to Burke!! My only words of advice are, GET THE F@CK OUT OF THAT TOWN AND AWAY FROM PEOPLE LIKE THE AFORE MENTIONED!!
Matt I have seen the outside of Madea’s. The name alone should have been warning (yes, I know it isn’t funny!), but may I suggest you contact Crosswire. I am not sure of the schedule but they have a particular day & time of the week set aside to provide special service just for the gay community. I believe the Depot would welcome you arms wide open also, and Buffalo Joe’s would do the same. There is also a club at the old Holiday Inn that is smaller but friendly. My daughter and her girlfriend go there sometimes. She also goes to the Depot. Have fun in Paris, as you should, and be safe dear.
Not everyone in Lamar County is ignorant or redneck! Hope your time here gets better fast!
The Reno Police Department wrote me back this morning with thanks for my input and a PDF of the following statement: “The investigation by the Reno Police Department with assistance from local law enforcement has resulted in the arrests of Daniel Martin and James Mitchell Lasiter aka Tray Lasister in connection with the aggravated assault that occurred in the early morning hours of Oct 30, 2011 in Reno, Texas. This investigation is ongoing [signed] Jeff W Sugg Interim Chief of Police.” Just thought I would share. Glad we’re all working together as a group; amazing things can happen when people work together.
all this butt whoppin could escalate into a massacre…texas has too many morons, guns and redneck cops. texas does not have enough brains
Dear Garrett
Thank you so much for the good news and also your help in getting these thugs arrested, more work will still need to be done for this city of Reno to understand people rather than putting them down
Steve… Anytime! Like I said in some of my previous posts, I’ve done some crazy, stupid stuff at parties that probably could’ve easily caused problems for myself but luckily for me, nothing happened. Like I said, one of the first times I met my roommate, I was so drunk I kept fawning over him and even tried to steal a kiss. That could’ve got me into serious trouble. Eventually (many months after that particular party and embarrassment) we moved in together and have been best friends since. Reading this story struck a cord because, no matter how sloppy drunk or stupid, no one deserves to be treated like that. NO ONE! NO MATTER WHAT! And then, when I play devil’s advocate more often than not, when I read some of these posts about drug induced craziness and seeming justification for the assailants, I knew I had to try to do something -no matter how small. All I can think is that I would want someone to do the same for me. Rest assured, I’m still writing the DA in order to urge a attempted manslaughter with hate crime enhancement but it seems it will all take baby steps -which is always better than taking no steps at all.
this make me severly ashamed to live in a state where not only someone is attacked for being themselves but other people agree with this attack or agree it should be kept quiet or low-key. This should be heard and should be dealt with ASAP. I have been a victim of an attack and these attackers needto be put away for a long time so others can feel safe. This can not be ignored !
All of the homophobes posting in here, you are why this happened. Your ignorance is what caused it. You are complicit in the attack of people like the man depicted in the images above.
I am sorely tempted to tell you how I feel when I see your hateful comments, but I know that they will not change your mind, only confirm your opinions.
So instead I submit to you a challenge. Imagine your children were gay, that for whatever reason, be it genetic or not, your kids were gay. Irrevocably, as it is the case with sexual attraction, attracted to the same sex.
What would you do? Now imagine the tables are turned. Being straight is what’s condemned. People procreate only just to make more kids, but gay is ‘normal’ and straight is ‘wrong’. Could you adapt and be gay to fit in with society?
What are your secular reasons for disagreeing with homosexuality? Why do you really feel that it’s wrong?
Do you think it’s not natural? Then why does it occur in mammals, and birds very often? Is is immoral? If so, isn’t all sex immoral?
If it does come down to religion then again, turn the tables on yourself, your holy book now says that being straight is sinful, could you do it? Could you really deny your physical urges to satisfy god? Could you turn gay to make god happy?
Examine your thoughts and your minds, and I hope that the people you encounter only find you after you’ve found that your homophobia is baseless.
Ok, I read this story and I have to put my two cents in to the conversation. It disgusts me that something like this would happen in Texas, but I am not surprised. Like some of the aforementioned comments noted, it is stuff like this that gives the South a bad reputation. I am from Indiana, and I very much would love to live in the south someday, but the senseless and irrational beating of a gay man is what makes me rethink my decision.
Make no mistake, there are some of you in the South who are accepting and open about the gay population, and it is much appreciated, but for those of you who are not I really suggest you open your eyes and realize that the LGBT community is getting more and more of the recognition and rights that we deserve and that is something your just going to have to deal with whether you like it or not!
As for Burke, stay strong and realize that there are a whole lot of people who care about you and are standing behind you. These 4 men need to be brought to justice under the full extent of the law.
And for those of you who are homophobic realize that HATE IS MUCH MORE OF A CHOICE THAN HOMOSEXUALITY EVER WILL BE!
PLEASE… STAY SAFE
OP is a phaggot
ITT sexual preference is a “race” and to hate gay people is to be “racist”
LOLZZZ. if you can take it up the ass, you an take an ass beating!
shoulda done them dipity dip dipsons
I dont believe in hate. But i do believe in sucking cawk.
I’m absolutely disgusted by some of the comments people have left. Burke is a HUMAN BEING. What happened to him is beyond horrifying and the people that brutally beat him should be severely punished. The amount of close-minded people in this country is astonishing. Gay people are just that…people. Like you and me. They are no different and shouldn’t be treated differently. Their romantic choices are none of your business and doesn’t affect you in the least. What do these people think is going to happen when they decide to beat a gay person up? It’s as if they’re trying to prove to everyone that they’re not gay…that they’re better than them. Some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met happen to be gay and as a straight woman their choices don’t alter anything in my life. Also, the people who comment about not wanting their children to be around gay people; shame on you. Why are you choosing to make your children as simple minded as you are?
Gahhhh there are so many more important issues in this world than who’s kissing who!!!!!
To HAHA – you are one ignorant human being, gay men are just as human as straight men… and get a backbone? why dont you go ahead and get thrown into a fire and sucker punched 4 to 1 and lets see who crying liek a little baby trying to get some justice in
good ole america REDNECK
Let those guys fry in jail and have it taken up the *** night after night.
Please CALL the Mayor of Reno and let him know we will not stand by when a hate crime happens and is not persecuted as one! Call and email your Senators and anyone else you can… Below is the Governor, Senators, White house and the mayor of Reno, Tx!
https://hutchison.senate.gov/
https://cornyn.senate.gov/public/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Web Site: http://www.governor.state.tx.us
E-mail: Contact Via ‘Web Form.’
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Honorable Buddy Heuberger, Mayor
City Hall
160 Blackburn Street
Reno, TX 75462-7152
Phone: 903-785-6581
What’s even more disgusting than this crime are some of the comments posted below this article.
If you morally object to the “homosexual lifestyle,” then please either A) keep your comments to yourself, or B) culture yourself (for your children’s sake).
Science has proven that a human’s sexuality is determined in the womb and is based on the chemicals that touch the fetus. It’s nature, not nurture.
Therefore not allowing your kids to be surrounded by homosexuals is a fruitless mission. Your kids are already straight, gay, or bisexual. They were born that way.
The press needs to get involved. Press=Dialogue=Education=Tolerance=Acceptance=Equality.
Also, the number of gay suicides in on the rise all around the world. So, please, think before you post hateful comments.
Lol, this faggot got what was coming to him.
Fuck them all.
Seriously? These comments about gays being a drug are just down right stupid. If your kids turn out to be gay, are y’all ganna give them upfor adoption? Some of my family members are gay and I love them with all my heart! Homophobia is pretty messed up, but when you make a HUGE deal about it then you’re not as different as the person who injured this poor man!
That’s what’s wrong with this country now you say we have freedom to do whatever we need to do. You say we are free to love whomever we want! We are free to move to any part of the world we chose! But you all lye and thats a shame. I’m heterosexual and i don’t care about what someone is doing behind closed doors that’s there business. So to try and hurt some one because they don’t conform to your beliefs, you try and hurt or maim or killed them in the name of god. If you don’t understand something ask questions don’t just assume your the judge jury and you can trampled someone else’s rights to get your point across. You are nothing but a got damn coward or a demon spawn from hell.
It amazes me what white trash will respond with.
“I don’t believe in it.” like homosexuality is something like the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.
Don’t want your kids around it? Afraid they’ll catch gay?
Most of the people being derogatory to gay people are the same ones who troll the m4m section on Craigslist.
hahaha that gay fag deserves it!
damn why that inhuman monster is still alive he needs to die in a most brutal way
@ CitZen, HaHa, and the other “predators” like you two think this young kid had it coming-this is nothing new in our world…I have seen LOTS of people just like this in my life and it usually ends badly for you/them. Thugs like you, single out others, who YOU THINK are “weaker” than yourself, less of a human, the wrong skin color, or just different from you. So this some how justifies your attack in your minds, and you attack them without mercy, or compassion. I have something for each of you to think about using those little Jurassic brains of yours….not ALL of your potential victims are as you believe.
I have often walked down a dark street in the gayborhood in both Dallas and Los Angeles HOPING some fool (just like you) see’s me and makes the MISTAKE of assuming I am some helpless, weak, pathetic “faggot”. You see, once your attack is underway, you will quickly find out, you have “locked horns” with a RETIRED police officer, who brings to the fight combat experience, tactical police experience, as well as the courage and willingness to employ deadly force-there wont be any “handcuffs” in your future if we meet like this. I would expect that you would probably NOT survive the encounter, because I have every intention of “finishing” what-you; my opponent starts.
You see “Haha” and “CitZen”, I am a gay man who in no way fits your twisted stereotypes-I am a retired urban police officer who is NOW a “government contractor” deployed “overseas” who trains daily for violent confrontations- yes I am gay, but by no means “helpless”. I welcome the day the news headlines read, “GAY MAN SHOOTS AND KILLS WOULD BE GAY BASHER”…this is the only way to get peoples attention and get a “bullies” attention…you “dispatch them” right to the God they claim to believe in. I worry not about the publics perception or response….I firmly believe you stop violence using OVERWHELMING violence when need be and justified.
Lastly, if I don’t get you, I have faith that the State of Texas will, and put you to death down in Huntsville, just like they did a few months ago to the creep who shot and killed a store clerk in Dallas right after 9-11-01…so either way, you loose and you loose badly.
@Unknown fag hater
I’m guessing you’re compensating for your own insecurities by hating homosexuals… it’s the only decent explanation, and it could be a variety of insecurities.
I hope somebody has the patience to educate and enlighten you, because I sure as hell don’t
Jesus. H. Christ. Can’t these fucking rednecks learn anything from their holy little book about tolerance? “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” This world will be destroyed by the hatred of men like these, and anybody who will stand in support of them.
I would like to note how everybody who is posting ignorant and hateful comments on this article seem to have a problem with spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Could there be a correlation between intelligence and ignorance?
What kind of bullshit comments do you leave behind here?
It’s terrible what happend to thay boy, and only because he is gay. Yeah, so he is gay? So am I!
You can’t decide who you love, men or women.. deal with it
and for @HAHA I hope all your children become gay just so you can deal with the gay people and respect them!
IT WASNT A HATE CRIME IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF HE WAS STRAIGHT… HE STARTED IT AND WAS STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES… THEY TOOK IT TOO FAR AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED BUT IT WAS NOT BECAUSE HE WAS GAY! AND AS FOR BURKE HE KNOWS THIS AND IS TRYING TO EXPLOIT IT AS A HATE CRIME FOR FAME!
@lisa
Love the message! But they would be born gay 😉
@Just sayin
Shut up…
unknown fag hater well there you go heres the true homophobes comin out good old arseholes u are nothin but, a total twat and you dont deserve to be classed a human being. well done to our friend who finally got the police off their backsides to get that scum charged at least it was before two weeks but i’ll bet if he hadn’t got onto them they wouldve done nothing I hope that 3 get life and I hope they get kicked something stupid in jail
it was cos he was gay thats rubbish what ” pussy ass faggot” gay bitch and cock sucking punk means then IDIOT this WAS a hate crime all because he wanted to be the way he wanted and some rednecks didnt like it LAND OF THE FREE really? sometimes wonder same as the uk there is scum that tied a gay man to a lampost after battering him and then set him on fire he was caught couple of days later not 2 weeks or later and they say this is a free country really? the scum is everywhere and unfortunately the guy didnt survive he leaves behind a loving family mother father and I think brothers.
I’ve known Burke since I was in school and I can tell he’s never changed. Still an alcoholic and on drugs! Hell if you’re going to have someone represent your cause, find someone that’s not a criminal! I have no issues with gay or lesbian people but a criminal is a criminal.
A criminal is a criminal…irrelevant. Something happened, the circumstances can be interpreted.
This crime shouldn’t happen regardless of sex, age, race or sexual orientation.
But equal rights are needed anyway!
Oh shut up ..Ashley regardless it should not have happen..he’s not doing this for fame…and if you dont have nothing to say positive…BE Quiet! It’s A Shame… Burke what ever happen..you did not deserve to be treated this way…..From a Parent with a Gay Child…Stope the Hate Crime for those who are ignorant!
Get off the hate crime bullshit. Burke has beat the hell out of numerous people so let’s just say that his white trash ass had this coming a long time ago. Anyone that knows him knows how violent he truly is when he drinks and gets on the drugs. Defend someone who deserves to be defended!
KNOW WHAT DEFINES A HATE CRIME!!
Oct 28, 2009
Obama signs hate-crimes law rooted in crimes of 1998
https://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/10/620000629/1
—————————————————————————-
https://www.justice.gov/crs/pubs/htecrm.htm
Definition of Hate Crimes-
Hate Crime
Hate crime is the violence of intolerance and bigotry, intended to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religious, sexual orientation, or disability. The purveyors of hate use explosives, arson, weapons, vandalism, physical violence, and verbal threats of violence to instill fear in their victims, leaving them vulnerable to more attacks and feeling alienated, helpless, suspicious and fearful. Others may become frustrated and angry if they believe the local government and other groups in the community will not protect them. When perpetrators of hate are not prosecuted as criminals and their acts not publicly condemned, their crimes can weaken even those communities with the healthiest race relations.
Of all crimes, hate crimes are most likely to create or exacerbate tensions, which can trigger larger community-wide racial conflict, civil disturbances, and even riots. Hate crimes put cities and towns at-risk of serious social and economic consequences. The immediate costs of racial conflicts and civil disturbances are police, fire, and medical personnel overtime, injury or death, business and residential property loss, and damage to vehicles and equipment. Long-term recovery is hindered by a decline in property values, which results in lower tax revenues, scarcity of funds for rebuilding, and increased insurance rates. Businesses and residents abandon these neighborhoods, leaving empty buildings to attract crime, and the quality of schools decline due to the loss of tax revenue. A municipality may have no choice but to cut services or raise taxes or leave the area in its post-riot condition until market forces of supply and demand rebuild the area.
One’s sexuality is not a choice. Literacy is a choice. Gay people don’t force thier sexuality on everyone, but these semi-illiterate morons are forcing thier obvious lack of education and proof of ignorance on all of us. One’s sexuality is thier own business and it’s social acceptability is irrelevant. However, communication is the primary requirement of society. It would make more sense to retaliate against those whose don’t fit into society.
However, there is never a reason for violence in a civil society. The next time you feel the need to hurt someone for any reason, think about someone doing the same to your mother or father.
Stop hate, it’s such a waste of emotion
As I said in my comment a while back, there seemed to be something not quite right with this story. For one thing, it has been one-sided all along. Now that people are beginning to add another facet to it, no one wants to listen. Everyone here who has been so against hate crimes is correct in being against hate crimes, but you were not there and don’t know if a hate crime truly took place. You do not know who incited the fight or truly the reason why. As previously stated, one doesn’t leave a drinking party and then return without either wanting to cause trouble or wind up getting into trouble! That is just a common sense rule.
Now people who know this man have tried to tell you a bit about his character…and you refuse to consider he might not be telling what really happened.
Even someone who was there tried to tell you it didn’t happen as it was laid out, but you refuse to listen. I know the HATERS who posted make it hard to think straight! The people have been arrested and they may be terrible people who did a terrible thing, but they will have their day in court to face justice. It is not our duty to make that justice one-sided.
In the definition of hate crimes, it talked about community upheaval & police being stretched beyond what they might could control. Well, the way this format has blown things so possibly out of proportion…this could happen to yet another small town. Why? Because some people who don’t really know what is going on stick their noses into it, incite others to do the same, and before you know it…
I suggest now that the people have been arrested you should let the judicial system and the justice system do their jobs. Leave the poor mayor of Reno alone. He doesn’t control the law and he doesn’t control the courts. He is simply an elected official trying to do the best he can for his community. You seem to think he can make or break your cause. Well, he cannot.
The LOVERS and the HATERS need to back off and as the term has been so rudely used, SHUT-UP. I think this horse has been beaten to death. It is time to move on to something else. As the Sheriff would have said in the Western movie (before there were issues such as this but people still thought hanging was the answer to justice), “Why don’t you all just settle down and go home!” Use some common sense and apply your energies in a more positive way.
I think it’s called attempted murder + a hate crime. These 3 are getting off easy. Spoken from a straight lady.
been there thanks for the suggestion, if it bothers you to read this stuff, don’t
@ IamJason…well stated. You do need to stop w/ the “think about if it were your mom or dad” stuff because a LOT of disturbed people did not have good relationships with their mom and dad…and this makes them even more violent when they think about them!
@zoemoire…it is called Sensationalism, which is what this has turned into. Apparently you did not read closely. The police have arrested TWO people in connection with this incident. One had an alias listed, so maybe that is where you got three. Either that, or you haven’t paid attention to facts and just jumped on the HATE CRIMES>>>THIS IS ONE bandwagon. It may or may not be a true hate crime. The courts will determine that. Attempted murder…also for the courts to determine. And even if it were, they may have attempted to murder him because he was being a an obnoxious, drunk ass prick and not because he is gay. He was raised in Deport, TX and if you know anything about anyone raised there…they are not weak little pansies, no matter what their sexual orientation. He was a bully in school and has apparently remained one. If he had been weak and truly afraid, as he has intimated in his story, he would have left the area a long time ago. He chose to remain because he likes it there and feels comfortable there. I am beginning to wonder just who the ignorant are in this thread? There are the obvious, uneducated ones and then there are the educated ones who apparently just want to be ignorant.
Also spoken from a straight lady…with a gay daughter whom I love more than the world! ,,,with parents whom I love and would never want to see anything bad happen to them (because it is not my job to judge and they will have to answer to a higher power in the end. I have forgiven because that is what I am supposed to do, but one never forgets.)
As previously stated, this horse has been beaten to death…and now kicked yet another time. Let us ALL move on…
I think I saw the horse move, someone kick!!
@George M…I don’t see how reading this could not “bother” anyone with any bit of heart or feeling, but then maybe you don’t have that! After all, you have just proven you would kick someone when they are down!!! You should be ashamed, but I am sure you are not. Why don’t you and others spend their time educating about bullying instead of being one. Please read the following story:
A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stamp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty is was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said ………………they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home. Copy and paste this if you are against bullying!
I meant if it bothered you to read the comments don’t, the 2nd one well if you didn’t get what that meant o well. What I take from reading your comments is blaming the victim, maybe that’s not what you mean. I’m glad you live there I hope you stand up for people it sounds like you do. You have a right to your take and to suggest that people move on but thats all it is, a suggestion. I’m glad you’re an advocate for your daughter, the community needs more of you and more of you there. But you are not gay, I am you don’t know what it feels like to read this you don’t it’s different for you. People are going to respond the way they need to and as a gay man I’m going to see it different then you. I do see it different. Personally I don’t care what he did, it didn’t deserve that. Buts being a prick and everything else you said he was didn’t raise to that. I’m sure your daughter has been called all sorts of things, I’m sure she said things back but hopefully they didn’t kick her ass. I’ve been spit at called things I still don’t know what they meant (over seas) and called a pedophile holding my boyfriends sons hand… In the north can you believe that lol it happens all over. It does help sometimes for people to post it gets something out. I bet most of the people here are fair minded people who just need to say something
Bottom line is it’s going to follow the steps it always does. Courts next the proscuter will decide to file hate crime charges or not. The guys will fight and say he tried to pick them up same story different day. I think it will work out in the end, sunshine is good for every small town, including mine
You are truly a very hateful person for accusing him of doing this for publicity (the correct terminology for your word ‘fame’. Sorry this happened to you Burke. I hope you heal quickly and start a movement in your town to support the gay community! God bless you!
That boy can even start a movement out of bed much less for gay rights! And yes, its a publicity stunt!
WELL IVE KNOWN BURKE SINCE WE WERE 5 AND YES EVERYONE HAS FAULTS BUT IM A CRIMINAL, N REGARLESS OF YOUR PAST, OR PRESENT, NOBODY DESERVES WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY, YES HATE CRIME……………AND THEY WILL PAY….
@Megan
You shouldn’t be out to get revenge; justice and to stop it happening again should be your goals. Along with the full rights of gay people, regardless of whether Burke is a complete Berk, this shouldn’t happen.
Everyone needs to stop!!! Gay or srtaight know one deserves to be beaten that bad, sounds like both sides were wrong…..The real problem is he is hurt and a couple of other guys may have just ruined their life……there is no winner here and now there is more fighting in this small town….stop going to these parties and hurting each other….so much talk about hate …..worry about yourself and let everyone else do the same unless you can help make each others life better…:-) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I know this might not be the ideal time or place… But I think Burke is really cute. I just wanted to say “hello” and a speedy recovery. If you’re ever in Colorado I would love to take you out to dinner.
We don’t need to gay right stuff going on in this town they can keep that stuff in California and in them Yankee states!
Ok…regardless of his criminal drug and alcoholic past he is a human, maybe they attacked him because he was gay maybe not,maybe he egged it on,maybe not the bottom line is, they attacked him…it shouldve never happened they werent attacking a gay man they were attacking a human being above anything else…ITS WRONG thats just like a straight woman being at a party and 3 people raping her or beating her up regardless of her sexual orientation, its a crime…hes a person gay or straight it doesnt matter…
And this ain’t no gay community. We may have a few gay ones. But a lot of them move off for some reason. Lol
With all the calls and emails sent to news agencies, has anyone seen this on the local news or anything? National news?? This should be on, just as they have the Texas judge daughter video getting beaten…
Ok I’m a red neck hillbilly honkey. But I do talk to gay folks as long as they don’t hit on me. So how are some of ya’ll gonna defend fags. And then hate on folks like us. Not all of us have hatred don’t make since does it? That’s what I thought!
i love all of the Republican rednecks here
who keep bashing this poor man’s character because he is gay.
Hey look I can do it:
I’ve know this faggot since high school, he uses crack, and is an illegal imigrant, he also fathered kids with Justin Beiber.
Happy now everyone! I made fun of a gay guy and so did you. You should all be so proud of yourselves!!!
I understand that you had an experience with someone doing crack that you knew was a homosexual. This is a small representation of the Gay community. Some do drugs also bec. they feel very unworthy to live bec of how they are treated. They have low self esteem from being religiously persecuted, bullied and outcasted from family. This is not an excuse, but because it is psychology, it does show some of where this comes from. As homosexuality becomes more accepted and people treated better in society, you see people fighting for marriage, adoption and people that contribute great things to society. Many are very charitable, volunteers, work in social work and teach children. So things are changing and allowing homosexuals to be a strong force in making the world a better place.
Please CALL the Mayor of Reno and let him know we will not stand by when a hate crime happens and is not persecuted as one! Call and email your Senators and anyone else you can… Below is the Governor, Senators, White house and the mayor of Reno, Tx!https://hutchison.senate.gov/https://cornyn.senate.gov/public/ E-mail: Contact Via ‘Web Form.’PO Box 12428Austin, TX 78711-2428Phone: (512) 463-2000Fax: (512) 463-1849Honorable Buddy Heuberger, MayorCity Hall160 Blackburn StreetReno, TX 75462-7152Phone: 903-785-6581
Proud Redneck
You sure you’re not one of the haters??
@ Richard D… Okay, I think it is about time you butt out too! You finally spoke what you really want. You talk about different ones being persecuted and treated wrong otherwise. The you turn around and want people to contact others so they can make sure ‘others’ get persecuted…quote straight from you last entry:
Please CALL the Mayor of Reno and let him know we will not stand by when a hate crime happens and is not persecuted as one!
Didn’t you mean to say PROSECUTED…I doubt it. You let the truth out. You want someone else to “persecute” yet another couple of people without knowing what really happened.
Sure, play us a video w/ exactly what happened, like the judge whipping his daughter w/ a belt. If there were a video this would get the attention it deserves…whether it be national, or none at all. It would be great if there were a video.
Not sure what you do in Washington, DC, but you need to stop encouraging people to waste the time of important people in Texas…especially if you don’t truly know if it is justified! And you don’t!
God bless you for caring.
Thank you for the corrections. People should be prosecuted for hate crimes. This will deter others from acting immorally, hurting and killing people based on sexuality…
Horrible. These people should be prosecuted. I strongly believe in an eye for and eye. This man should be allowed to puncture one of their eyes, stab them with a broken beer bottle and throw them on a fire. PERIOD.
i dont hate anyone. i may get pissed off at folks and get in fights but just about every time we have got up off the ground shook hands and drank a beer together afterwards no mater who won.
but then again i aint ever been jumped or whooped like that either.
and just askin when we get called rednecks are we bein hated on. thats like callin a gay person names, blacks a nigger, mexicans a wet back, and on and on…
here is another QUESTION if a blood gang member kills a crip, is that considered a hate crime? i mean they hate each other! just sayin
here is another question why send some one to jail for 10 years if they are 18-30 they get out all they are gonna is prison they get out they cant get a job so they back on the street probably gonna do worst then attempted man slaughter..
plus thats free livin for them no bills just live off of tax payers. they get in fights they get put in consalidation where they aint got to be worried about gettin rapped.
change the subject a little go back to @HAHA i agree we need to bring back some public hangin, i bet the crime rate will drop DRAMATICALLY!!!!!!
Well I didn’t call you a redneck thats the name on you Acct. I don’t know is it an insult to you? A hate crime is a crime based on a classified group of people. I’m all for getting rid of hate crime laws as long as we get rid of them all, woman, race Religion, sex Everything. If a crip kills a black man because he’s black yes it’s a hate crime, that’s the way it is. Your the one using fag in your comment so yeah if it flows easy out of your mouth maybe you are a hater, don’t really know don’t know you from a hole in the ground. I’m in favor of prisons so I disagree with you on that one. If they do 10 years at 30 I really don’t give a shit. Their big boys I’m sure they will be just fine when they get out. So if you start a movement to remove ALL hate crime classifications and I mean all of them (you dam well know that will never happen) sign me up
@Blake B… So two wrongs make it right? His eye didn’t get punctured. It got punched. He did not get thrown onto a fire. He came into contact w/ a barrel that had a fire in it. The wounds are where his skin was burned by the hot metal. To date no pictures have surfaced showing the so-called stabs he received to the back! No wounds are showing on his back from the pictures posted. Look again! And, no, two wrongs do not correct the situation to make it right! As for the bloods & the crips…there is a Gang Unit that handles that crime. LOL
@ PROUD REDNECK… Yep, according to their definitions if you are called a Redneck or trailer trash (not the same thing) you are being hated on!!! Sorry, dude. I use the term Redneck lovingly, but then some blacks can use the N word toward other blacks & say it is lovingly…but if someone else uses it it becomes a hate word. I agree that jailing young people instead of rehabilitating them gives them free room & board at taxpayers’ expense and teaches them how to be REALLY BAD PEOPLE who come out not being able to survive in the free world and ultimately do something else to get back inside because they were institutionalized socially when they were locked up that first time instead of being rehabilitated. I’m divided on the public hanging. I guess the key word is public…if more people saw the result AND the hanging were done in accordance w/ the law and not by some angry mob…maybe it would work. On the other hand, the death penalty in Texas doesn’t seem to slow the crime down and look at all the inmates getting 3 square hot & a cot, a/c, tv & a lot better facilities than much of the free world. They get nice tats & for fun can throw their feces on the guards who deliver their meals. Life isn’t fair…no matter how you look at it!!! You know, hangings might just take care of a LOT of our debt, too. REDNECK you have some very valid points!!! Redneck is a way of life just like being gay is a way of life…and if they want to argue, it is in your genes also! Hang in there & keep shaking hands & having another beer after those fights. Be happy & be safe.
@PROUD REDNECK…part of the comment meant for you about the Bloods & Crips somehow “jumped” up to @ Blake B…so hope neither of you got too confused. 😉
Uh… violence is for under educated, ignorant fools who really have no business making any contribution to this thread; the same goes for the ignorant homophobes. Please, stop commenting unless you have something worth saying…in my opinion.
@Josh – You’re exercising your right to free speech and so is everyone else on this thread. You guys are speaking out for rights yet you want to ask others not to say anything that believe differently than you? Great job on being inconsistent!
Oh come on…there’s being consistent and there’s putting up with the same rhetoric.
I don’t get why this thread has even continued.
I know one of the guys arrested and hope the best for him. Doesnt sound nothin like him to just up and beat someone . Ive seen few say this victim was a bully and acted arrogant when drunk or on drugs, maybe he was runnin his mouth. idk but will find out the truth in future
Just because they uttered slurs during a fight doesn’t mean it was specifically a hate crime. If they were fighting for any reason, and someone starts name calling, it’s part of fighting. If I’m in a fight with a woman with red hair I might end up calling her ‘a red headed *u*t” but the fight itself has nothing to do with that.
This man could have been the victim of a hate crime, I don’t know the details of the event in question, but someone name calling during a fight doesn’t make it that.
Mandia your right you say things when fighting. To make it a hate crime the fight would have had to a been motivated by a protected classification, being gay, being black or woman just to name some. So yeah if you fight someone and bring her red hair in to it it’s just a fight . You kick her ass because she’s black well you may have a hate crime on your hands. Im not going to sit here and say it’s right, I don’t really think it is.
But you’re right it will all come out at the end
To those that think that because someone decides to participate in drinking or doing drugs that they are to be labeled a criminal should really spend some time to think about what they are saying. I am quite sure that you, as almost anyone, has people in your family that engage in activities that are “illegal”. Does that make them a criminal that no longer has basic rights? Under no circumstances is it acceptable to harm another to this degree, even if “he started it”. That is not a justifiable defense of actions. FYI: If you are in prison and assault another prisoner it is still assault, even if the person you assault was convicted of murder. Your though process is obviously skewed and lacks any logic. I was born and raised in Paris and have experienced the same type of hate directed at other friends and myself personally.
I agree with the REDNECK. All of Paris watch a guy that is a convicted felon over 2 times for the same reason get hung on the square at noon on a Saturday will think twice before they act.
Watch his feet kick as is nervous system is shutting down. Or the sound of his neck breaking. Yeah that gives me chills just thinking about it.
Hahaha I got the dead horse comment George M, I laughed. Shouldn’t we be talking about something a lil bit more umporatant than some stupid fight from a party. If there’s alcohol involved there’s gonna be a fight….so it just happened to be a gay guy that got beat up. Who cares if he’s gay, straight, bi, black, white, yellow, christian, islamic, jewish….or whatever. How bout we discuss, the freakin economy or gay marrage or animal. Shit anything but this stupid story. My mom told me about it cause I’m a lesbian who lives close to Reno but I think it’s a crock of shit.
WOW, gay marriage, what’s your take?
I hope to some day
Why fight for the right to get married hell none of them last now days its all just a piece of paper and cost more to break up right… haha who knows some one that dated and lived together but the year they got married was the year or even month they got divorced?
Any ways how about homo and his cowgirls. They gonna win Sunday?. Yeah I doubt it to!
Paris
I hear ya on the divorce thing lol
I’d still like to give it a shot and join the club
If divorce law exists, there can be no argument against gay marriage…
It’s already been de-sanctified.
Jesus clearly said that divorce was a no no and relationship post-divorce are adultery. Sorry, I’m a student.
Do what are you saving? I have never cheated on my wife and I have never been divorced. So does that mean I can believe being gay is a sin?
Paris as a gay man to me it doesn’t matter if you think it’s a sin or not, the real question is how you treat people who happen to be gay
paris guy, I don’t give a rats a** if you believe being gay is a sin or not, it is not a sin, it is just nature doing what comes naturally. Oh and be careful when walking out of the door of your trailer, you might bumb your halo.
You idiots I never said I thought it was dumb ass
F*** a fag, but bring on the bi lesbians! Haha
haha very typical, do you contribute anything to society
Paris you never said what was dumb?
Can we grow up here. Calling names and arguing back and forth does not help with any progess. Use the passion you have and take action. Get in touch with your legislators. Trust me they will listen when they get enough calls. Call the mayor of that city and express how you feel. Organize a rally or protest that goes up to Reno, Tx. LET US USE THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE! WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU NEED TO KNOW EVERY VOICE COUNTS AND YES ONE PERSON CAN CHANGE THE WORLD….
Its terrible. Homofobia people throw them in jail and keep them for a while. Homofobia people are not people or human beens. They are beasts. they hate themselves and everyone in the hole world. Greetings from a gay guy from the netherlands that works for the security.
this is all stupid ive seen girls beat up worse than this and the cops didnt wanna do nothin then yy now.. just caz hes gay one of the dudes bein charged for this is bi lik really tho wth this is all bull shit if he wasnt gay no one would be locked up this dude prolly even started the fight
and just sayin your completely right all this dude wants is fame.. and hes fukkin with ppls lives and it isnt right he drug it on..
and this whole story if very one sided and if you arent from paris what do you even care really? you just wana jump in all this so you can feel cool for bein on the computer talkin s***? none of these people are against gay’s or bi’s so really learn everyones side and see what one dont fit why would they take him to the hospital if it was really a hate crime be serious really tho…..
Ok LOL
I’ll keep that in mind
Yeah don’t no one want to hear both of the sides. They just go with the first one they heard. What if the dude that got his ass kicked would had been threatening the guys that beat him. And everyone told him to leave but he didn’t so he got the shit beat out of him now he is screaming hate crimes! I’m just saying what if?
How do we get past the homophobia and treat one another with dignity and respect?
Attention friends and supporters of Burke: please sign this petition. Please make sure that the “people” that attacked Burke are charged with the proper crime. Help get the word out… https://www.change.org/petitions/petition-lamar-county-texas-da-to-charge-hate-crime-appropriately
Here’s the deal when you THROW A HUMAN BEING ONTO A FIRE AND STAB THEM… they should be FULLY PROSECTUTED!!! No excuse!
Just going to point out… I don’t support violence outside of police action, only using necessary force, and military action in according to Just War theory.
So I’m going to criticise anyone who mitigates the charges or supports the crime regardless; and no matter who Burke is, I’m also going to continue kicking up a fuss based on gay rights.
Richard, I agree with you 100%. Sounds like they don’t want to charge that way.
Well said Richard… nice quick summary 🙂
In mainstream christianity homosexuality is not a worse sin than anything else, “fornication”, adultery etc.
Love thy neighbour, do unto others as you would have done to you!, Thou shall not judge,
Thou shall not kill! Whoever among you here is without sin cast the first stone.
May the perpertrators of this HATE CRIME
be caught! God Bless!
I don’t think that’s right at all it’s cruel
what bothers me, with as bad as this is, why there are a good 4 or 5 articales about this in the DV, but yet, and young lady from San Antonio was severly beaten at around the same time (date, give or take a few), and there is only ONE short article about that incident – again, not to shadow this one, or say one is more important than the other – I’d just like to see some equality in our own media outlet.
Okay, first of all, a guy was THROWN ONTO A F***IN FIRE because of things he cannot change. HOW THE F***IN HELL IS THIS NOT A HATE CRIME?!
FREE THE RENO 3!!!
You choose your own way of life. No need to push. I don’t make out with my spouse in public and hate when gay and lesbian people make my children watch them making out in public. He was calling native americans mexicans, and was asking how the straight men would respond to his sexual advances of them being cute. Grown men are going to be grown men and try to show their masculinity.