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)