Texas Gay Man Beaten, Stabbed, Thrown Into Lit Fire Barrel at Party

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Oct 31, 2011 in Oh Hell No! | 48 comments

Burke Burnett shows off his battle scars.

Burke Burnett is the latest victim in a series of gay men set on fire across the world this month. The 26-year-old was attacked by four men early Sunday morning at a party in Reno, Texas.

Burke was beaten, stabbed multiple times, and ultimately thrown into a flaming burn barrel. None of the 20 or so party-goers came to his assistance, except to drive him to the hospital 30 minutes away after the attack left him with burnt flesh peeling off of his body.

The identities of the attackers are known by the victim. At least two of the men are believed to currently be on parole. Burke is afraid to return to his home because his attackers know where he lives. He describes the men as having “nothing to lose.”

When the assailants are brought to justice, it’s safe to expect hate crime charges as witnesses overheard the men calling Burke “pussy-ass faggot,” “gay bitch” and “cock-sucking punk,” as they stabbed and burned him alive.

Burnett said it took 30 stitches to close stab wounds to his back and forearm, as well as a cut above his left eye. He also sustained second-degree burns and severe bruises.

“They knew I was gay,” Burnett said Monday. “I’m convinced they were trying to kill me.”

Jeff Sugg, interim chief of the Reno Police Department, released a statement Monday afternoon saying: “The Reno Police Department is currently investigating an aggravated assault that took place last weekend. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available.”

But Burnett said his attackers, whose identities are known, remain at large, and the officer told him it could be two weeks before they’re arrested.

Wait, what? Police know exactly who did this, where the suspects live – hell, they even have their parole officers’ information – and yet it is expected to take two weeks to arrest these monsters?

I don’t know why people say not to mess with Texas. It sounds like the perfect place to get away with nearly anything!

(via Dallas Voice)

http://www.facebook.com/alexjon Alex-jon Earl

Dear bigots:

STOP SETTING US ON FIRE, PLEASE.

Thanks,
AJ
http://DeadAmericanDream.blogspot.com AngryBroomstick

Unbelievable! I hope the cops arrest those bigots and charge them with hate crimes. I’m glad Burnett made it out alive, though.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kynthia-Alice/100001009247368 Kynthia Alice

Dear haters. I am a non-smoker and would appreciate being seated in the “Non-smoking” section of your hateful little world.

This mean also I do not wish to be set on fire for your entertainment tonight.

Thank you for your co operation in this manner, it will save me this really expensive .357 ammo.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Dominic-Lyncourt/100000150236418 Dominic Lyncourt

Why light us on fire is that the new thing in bigots monthly? This makes me so mad. The men should be put through the same pain that they have inflicted on this man.
Anonymous

well the thing is these straight men will run into the wrong gay man and they will end up dead and the person that does the crime will be arrested that day
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=648288472 Scott Equality Bell

I grew up 20 miles from there. I’d be surprised in the police even arrest anyone.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Nicole-Good/1294817124 Nicole Good

AJ,
NO DOUBT BABY!!!! I stand behind you all 100%!!!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=306000454 Jessica Van Essen

you know what is sad, if it had been two gay men who did this to a straight man, they probably would have arrested them already. sad day when injustice thrives.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1664732393 Jim Self

Ok now I have to ask- what the hell kind of party was he attending. Parolees and drinking dont mix.
It’s true they don’t have anything to lose because they know they will eventually be going back in anyway. Dont put yourself in these situations to begin with.

http://www.facebook.com/wildpixie13 Dottie Taylor

You don’t always know all the people at a party before you get there… no one expects to be set on fire. Your advice, though well intentioned, is kind of like what they used to tell girls so they wouldn’t get raped. Don’t dress like that, don’t go out at night… don’t act like you have the same rights that everyone else has.

Anonymous

You said exactly what I was about to say, except for one detail: it’s not what they “used to” tell girls, it’s what they STILL tell women and girls. Victim-blaming, and slut-shaming are alive and well. That was what set off the string of “Slut Walks” protests in major cities, a stupid remark by a law enforcement official in Canada.

As we all know, rapes and gay beatings happen in all sorts of different circumstances, and all the caution about when and where we go, what we wear and what we do hasn’t done a damned thing to stop the rape culture, nor the gay beating culture. Potential victims cannot stop it, because only the culture as a whole can stop it, by making it NOT OK to do.

That said, nothing against Jim Self – it’s just that his advice could be useful to every law-abiding human who loves life and peace, not just gay folks. Try to know who you’re partying with, and if you see people getting crazy, leave. And that is merely in the interest of improving our odds, not a guarantee of safety.

Anonymous

It just does not seem that the breeding community gets it, and certainly can’t police itself. Like the outrage against Wall Street; nothing will change, it will only get worse, until we stand up for ourselves like we did at Stonewall. Is that what it’s going to take? Again?

Anonymous

Speaking as a breeder, I’d like to add the word “indiscriminate” to some of my lesser humane fellow breeders. The sort of sub-human slimebags who do stuff like this are exactly the sort to breed like the animals to whom they are inferior. I tell you, the LEAST amount of assistance my gay brothers & sister can hope to get from me is to look the other way when they take care of scum like this that the law overlooks – otherwise, I’ll be in the front of the mob with a pitchfork!!

http://www.facebook.com/anna.f.michel Anna Michel

Yet if any of us from the lgbt community were to harm anyone who was straight we would be the ones in trouble. I respect everyone’s oppinion but seriously let us have ours and dont beat us up!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XXOMATBFIP37SYJASEA2AGOOJY Linda

You know I have been reading all the in put and I agree with all of it, except I would add if they arrest them then the punishment should fit the crime. Now I am not saying people, Gay or Straight should be violent, but if you all remember not too many years ago Blacks went through the same thing. Some needs to be done. The Constitution of the Untied States saids everyone has the right to life, liberty and happiness, all men are created equal. But I do not believe that when there are illeagals here who are more protected. All straight people do not hate Gays, some even marry them, I did.

Anonymous

Actually it’s the Declaration of Independence that says that.

meh2

i honestly think im going to be sick… its so hard to not hate the world sometimes ) :
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4XDECHZILH3YMY4ZARJLJSBCZI RaveKitten667

Poor thing…thats just aweful people really need to back off hurting people because there gay is wrong
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brighton-Rose/1496281025 Brighton Rose

Ya know, bigots burn, too. Just saying. You try to set my ass on fire, I promise you, the tables will turn.
Ariel B. Dreamfalling

Anyone see I Love You Philip Morris? Apparently that movie (which is wickedly awesome and funny by the way) showed how terribly inept the Texas police are across the state that Texas moved to have the film’s release stopped because it showed how stupid they are. The movie is based on a true story for those of you who don’t know. Once you see it and realize how much the main character got away with you’ll understand even more how ridiculous the circumstances of this particular article is. This is terrible. We’ve moved not only from young suicides to people going out of their way to try and maim or even kill us.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Cook/100000628613592 Erica Cook

it’s a Texas and a gay victome, do you honestly think they care?
http://www.facebook.com/shutupcharli Charlotte Brown

i’ve never understood the “don’t mess with texas” line either. having been born and raised there, i knew that it’s perfectly fine to mess with texas as long as you’re messing with the right bits of it. in the city i grew up in it seemed perfectly fine to kill folks. twice i witnessed people convicted of murder sentenced to probation. yup. probation, for murder. and not just an ‘ooops i killed you’ murder, but a full on ‘guy took a knife to school and stabbed a boy in the heart because of a fight at a football game the previous night’ sort of murder. so, yeah, mess with texas .. it’s kind of like russian roulette.. you might kill someone and get probation or you might end up on death row. seems to be little middle ground there.
http://www.facebook.com/matthewcarrico Matthew James Carrico

hmmm when do the crosses start popping up on our lawns… cause were revisiting that kinda hate.
http://www.facebook.com/matthewcarrico Matthew James Carrico

hmmm when do the crosses start popping up on our lawns… cause were revisiting that kinda hate.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551821911 Steph Bittick

I think every single witness at that party that just stood there watching this travesty take place should all be under arrest for encouragement to commit.

It’s appalling and scary that they did not arrest the men right away.

My prayers for all my gay friends and everyone else. And my pity to all those people out their who think it is entertaining to set people on fire for any reason.
http://www.facebook.com/genedotts Gene DeWayne Dotts II

You know. Alot of the comments are so true. Had it been 2 gay on a str8… Jail and then some. Or Blk on white and so on. How about this. Screw the police. If this dude knows Where they Live and Who they are. I say An Eye for An Eye. Really. Its gonna take US GAYS TO WHIP SOME ASS TO SHOW THAT WE ARENT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE. Then maybe just maybe… They will see we are not going anywhere or away. Texas or not. I lived in Houston… There is alot of Gays there. And alot of On the DL Married guys too. Really. It dont make it right. Everyone at that party should be charged. ” Guilty By Association” And pay a fine that is to be donated to a GLBT Group home there in Texas. We gotta start Standing Up for Ourselves. Its OUR RIGHT AS A PERSON.
Sorry you had to be treated like that man. Knowing they are just made cause you was more a man then they was……
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=54706055 Jorge Núñez

I’m so sorry that in this date and age there still remain A******* that need to get their ass beat. Some str8 men think it makes them tougher to gather together to beat on gays. WE ARE ONE AND HE SAME….I don’t beat on str8′s for going out with women so what’s the deal?
http://www.facebook.com/finmagik Alexandra Moore

WTF?! That’s sick but given the history of that state, and I mean most of all lynching postcards came from it. I’m not surprised. Sick and sad times we live in.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Celine-Signoret-West/566445025 Celine Signoret West

When will humans start being civilized? Who GIVE A DAMN if this guy loves another man! IT’S LOVE not hate and here there are people hating and mistreating someone for no reason. I hope that the day I have children this bullshit no longer happens. This is one of the saddest stores ever.
Jeff Bell

Gay Mafia, are you seeing this?
Jeff Bell

Wait. Are you sure he’s really gay? He’s wearing Hanes underwear!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Christine/100000944617566 Chris Christine

hello i am chris christine this is a outrage what happend to burke burnett i am a 53yr old gay man myself i thought we have come futher then this but there will always be gay bashers if they dont answer on earth god will get them u dont get away with this kind of thing please tell burke i am praying for his recovery he is my prays and thoughts here is my cell no if u need to contact me 479 226 1296 yours truly chris christine thank u
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=547261992 Erynn Schwellinger

Don’t mess with Texas is the slogan for their anti-litter campaign. That’s why they say it. FYI.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Annick-Muto/100000891769069 Annick Muto

This is just horrendous, I will be following this to see if the police arrest the attackers (since they know who they are) and what they will be charged with. I hope a hate crime, since that is what it was, but knowing how things in reality are i doubt that. if they get arrested the charge will be aggravated assault. it should be attempted murder and a hate crime.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Joey-Mitchell/1406675470 Joey Mitchell

Dude… This shit is fucked up! My thoughts go out to these people and their families… Take the law into your own hands – my mom had to and she found the people involved in her home invasion in 2 days after 3 weeks of cop investigation… It doesn’t take anything but a keen mind to get people! Go get those people, screw being peaceful! There’s a point where enough is enough! They only do it because they think they can get away with it – just like the bullies! Don’t let them get away with it!!!
http://blog.luislondon.com Luis London

This is a coward act, stupidity at the max. We need to stop this.

How can partygoers didn’t do anything, people together can make things happen. Look at the people against Khadaffi, look at the heroes of the 911 planes. Look at many other examples. Then act.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1099232362 Cheryl Michels

Stop judging people God will make the judgement. I am not for it or against it they are people.It’s not my place to judge.And it’s not your’s either.Sorry this happened to you by people who will be judged for there actions.
http://www.facebook.com/logan.vega Logan Vega

Not all Texans are Hating People. As a Texan I do agree ” Don’t Mess with Texas” Because there are a lot more good Texans then there are bad Texans. Texas itself means allies or Friend! We have a strong HRC presence and what this needs is a petition and media coverage to promote pressure and the swift Justice this Fellow Texan Deserves!
Robert Moore

There are pockets of Texas that I like, but 99% of the state is pretty awful.
Anonymous

The fact that this happened Sunday and today is Tuesday and the only places you see it reported is in the Gay press shows that Texans could care less. The police will probably never arrest anyone and if they do the good ol’ boy justice system in Texas will let them go free.
http://twitter.com/Whitefurre Daniel Barker

Ok Bigoted Guys. I understand that sometimes, gay men are called “Flamers” or “Flaming”.

It is not to be taken literally. We are not actually meant to be set aflame.
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=701316225 Jennifer Zimmerman

Ironic how this person was called such derogatory remarks and yet survived this attack by people so terrified of one person’s way of life they had to gang up on him. Seems the other way around to me.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000035047164 Gus Anderson

I’ve been to Texas several times to visit family members over the years. For the life of me, I can’t understand why any gay person would choose to live in Texas.
Anonymous

1JaillID150676Confined06/22/2010Released06/22/2010DefendantBurnett, George Burke – 07/03/1985ChargeCRIMINAL MISCHIEF >=$50=$20<$500 BY CHECKDepartmentPARIS POLICE DEPT.

1JaillID128624Confined06/14/2003Released06/19/2003DefendantBurnett, George Burke – 07/03/1985ChargeASSLT PUBLIC SERVANTDepartmentPARIS POLICE DEPT.

1JaillID126834Confined11/19/2002Released11/20/2002DefendantBurnett, George Burke – 07/03/1985ChargePOSS MARIJ <2OZDepartmentPARIS POLICE DEPT.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Marissa-Doubleyou/509253583 Marissa Doubleyou

It breaks my heart to see that we’re going back to the times of having to wear whistles around our necks incase we’re attacked. These stories make me sick, and I don’t understand why all of this is happening. As soon as some progress might be made, the world regresses into the 50′s and 60′s. I’ll be buying a whistle, if for no other reason, but in honor of the people who needed to be saved.
Pingback: Men Who Threw TX Gay Man into Lit Burn Barrel In Jail on $250,000 Bond | Gay Blog | Gay News
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Anonymous

That is ridiculous!!!! Seriously come on. Those men that did this need to be shot! I may not be a gay man but I’m a bisexual woman. This offends me just as much as it offends a gay man!!!!! To me gay guys are the best people to be friends with! I have a gay friend and he’s the sweetest guy ever! No one deserves to get the shit kicked out of them unless they did something. In this case a beating is not enough! To all the gay men stand up and tell people that u will not take their shit anymore. Or come to Vermont!!!!
Anonymous

That is ridiculous!!!! Seriously come on. Those men that did this need to be shot! I may not be a gay man but I’m a bisexual woman. This offends me just as much as it offends a gay man!!!!! To me gay guys are the best people to be friends with! I have a gay friend and he’s the sweetest guy ever! No one deserves to get the shit kicked out of them unless they did something. In this case a beating is not enough! To all the gay men stand up and tell people that u will not take their shit anymore. Or come to Vermont!!!!
http://twitter.com/nastybeth beth

texas what a shit hole
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