Zoning board revokes permit for black gay program

Posted on July 22, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

The city of Atlanta’s Zoning Review Board voted unanimously July 10 to revoke the permit of a Grant Park facility that was licensed to provide transitional housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, but which has instead been operating as a drop-in community center for black gay youth.

“I think we have a situation here where we’re comparing apples and oranges,” David Payne, zoning board vice chair, said at the hearing. “We’ve got oranges today, but we approved apples originally.”

In 1994, the city granted a “special use permit” to the National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities for the HIV/AIDS non-profit to operate Gerald’s House in a residential area of Grant Park. Gerald’s House provided temporary housing for more than 100 black men living with HIV/AIDS from 1994 until March 2006, when it closed to undergo extensive renovations.
Zoning board revokes permit for black gay program
Southern Voice, GA