John gay bar fire

Gay showed a"need for structure and supervision. Gay, a year-old drifter, had pleaded guilty to first-degreemurder and six malicious wounding charges. In court and ininterviews with police, the gunman said he was on a mission to killgay people. Gay also told police he was upset over the slangconnotation of his last name.

He had faced up to four life terms plus 60 years in prison forthe Sept. According to witnesses, Gay entered the bar, ordered a beer andopened fire when he saw Overstreet and a friend, John Collins, bendto hug each other. He shot both, then turned and opened fire on theothers. The case shocked this blue-collar city of about 95, people atthe foot of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

It also produced a newopenness and support of homosexuality. The Rev. Catherine Houchins, pastor of the predominantly gay andlesbian Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge, said shehas been swarmed with gay activists who realize they aren't gaininganything by staying quiet. The city also has seen new gay rights groups emerge, and thehomosexual community has held fund-raisers to help pay for themedical bills of the so-called "Roanoke Seven.

A prayer vigil in memory of Overstreet, a telephone operator,drew 1, people. Stream on.

Life In Prison For Gay Bar Shooting

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