The Roanoke Times

Printed Sept. 29, 2000

By LAURENCE HAMMACK and KATHY LU
The Roanoke Times

Nearly 1,000 strong, they held up their lights to the darkness of hate.

Carrying flickering candles, roses, incense and heavy hearts, a large crowd turned out Thursday night for a vigil and march through the streets of downtown Roanoke.

They showed up not just to celebrate Danny Lee Overstreet's life, but to use his death to urge Congress to pass hate crime legislation that would include protection for homosexuals.

Starting at Elmwood Park, the mostly gay and lesbian group walked through the City Market in a trail of light that stretched for nearly two blocks. The procession turned left onto Salem Avenue and headed west, taking the same route that Ronald Edward Gay did a week ago today.

Police say Gay walked to the Backstreet Cafe in search of gays to shoot.

By taking the same path, the marchers declared that what happened that night will not turn them back.

"Fear will not conquer Roanoke," the Rev. Catherine Houchins told the crowd minutes earlier at the vigil. "We've come together and we've said, ‘not here.’ ”

The march was the largest public reaction so far to a shooting that killed Overstreet and wounded six other patrons of the bar, a popular nightspot for gays and lesbians. Organizers said they hoped the vigil and others across the country will help persuade Congress to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

The Rt. Rev. Neff Powell, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, urged the crowd to contact U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., whose opposition to the measure seems to be wavering.

"We can't legislate morality, I know that, but we have to regulate behavior," Powell said.

Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith said the city's heart goes out to the shooting victims and anyone else touched by what activists are calling one of the worst anti-gay crimes in U.S. history.

"To anyone who would further threaten the peace and security of the citizens of the Roanoke Valley, I say, ‘No more, not again, not on my watch,’ ” Smith said. "We will not let the darkness of hate overcome the light of our love."

It took the crowd about 15 minutes to walk to the Backstreet Cafe. More people spoke there, including Ron Biagiarelli, a coordinator of the newly formed Hate Free Roanoke Task Force. After proudly announcing to the crowd that he was gay, he urged everyone to keep the momentum going.

"We've built a bridge to city officials that did not exist before," Biagiarelli said. "Not only were the doors to the closet torn off, but the closet was torn down."

Standing near the front of the crowd was Amy Beard, who is straight.

"I'm prouder of this city than I ever have been in my entire life," said Beard, 25, who was born and raised in Roanoke. "This is a terrible thing that happened, and I'm so proud of the way the city has pulled together."

For the march, city police blocked off Church Avenue, Market Street, and Campbell and Salem avenues. Though many people spilled out of businesses to watch, there were no disturbances.
Standing in front of the Backstreet Cafe, Jeannette Kenny said she would definitely go back to it once it reopens.

"You have to be committed to the places that provide a safe haven to gay people," Kenny, 23, said. "I still feel safe here. I'm not afraid."

After the vigil, marchers left their candles and roses in front of the bar, further illuminating the dark street.

In other developments Thursday:

• John Collins, who was shot in the stomach as he talked with Overstreet, was released from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Iris Page Webb, who was shot in the neck, is the only victim still hospitalized. She was listed in serious condition Thursday.

• Downtown Roanoke Inc. passed a resolution condemning the "senseless violent act targeted at the gay and lesbian community" and called for increased tolerance and understanding.

• The Roanoke 7 Fund has collected $4,200 in pledges -- including two from California -- to help cover the victims' medical expenses.

Laurence Hammack can be reached at 981-3239 or laurenceh@roanoke.com

Let any elected or appointed official know what you think and how you feel by CLICKING HERE. Here's your chance to petition the government for a redress of grievances.