FAMU alumna Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), is requesting a federal investigation into the homicide of FAMU drum major Robert D. Champion. Champion parents say the hazing incident that took their son's life might have been motivated by the fact he was gay.The NBJC, a civil rights organization dedicated to fighting racism and homophobia, has responded with a petition drive that urges “the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service (CRS) and Civil Rights Division, in addition to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, to launch an immediate investigation into Mr. Champion’s death as a potential anti-gay hate crime.”
“Anti-gay violence is not only a civil rights issue; it is a Black issue. It is a Black issue because violence against gay and transgender individuals is disproportionately affecting our Black youth. The civil rights community can no longer stand on the sidelines while our sons and daughters continue to suffer in silence. Mr. Champion is one of our own and his death will not be in vain,” Lettman-Hicks said.
Christopher Chestnutt, who is representing Champion’s parents in their planned civil lawsuit against FAMU, insists that anti-gay sentiments were not the main reason behind the assault.
“This is not a hate crime. This is a hazing crime,” Chestnut said.
But despite Chestnut’s statement, the NBJC is standing behind its call for a federal inquiry. The NBJC request is steadily picking up support among other advocacy groups that battle intolerance based upon sexual orientation, including the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Central Florida.
“Even if his sexual orientation was not the sole factor in the hazing incident, the fact that is was even a partial factor makes this a hate crime and we fully expect the State Attorney to treat it as such,” said Randy Stephens, executive director of the community center.