Singer Kevin
Aviance attacked in NYC hate crime

A popular New York singer was attacked by four youths early Saturday morning in an apparent antigay hate crime. Kevin Aviance, the well-known drag eminence and recording artist whose songs "Din Da Da" and "Alive" have topped the Billboard dance chart, was walking home from a bar in the city's East Village neighborhood when he was beaten by the young men, who shattered Aviance's jaw, the Associated Press reports. The singer was expected to be released from the hospital Monday after having his jaw wired shut. The injury will make it difficult for him to perform during pride festivities later this month, but his publicist, Len Evans, told the AP that "he's going to try to get his strength back so that he can perform" anyway. Aviance's attackers have already been arrested on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime, according to the AP. They are all 20 years old or younger. Aviance, who had been hanging out with friends at a gay watering hole, was dressed as a man when he was attacked and not as his flamboyant drag alter ego. (The Advocate)