2nd Black gay man has died in the home of prominent liberal donor and white gay “ally” Ed Buck

A second gay Black man, 55-year old Timothy Dean, was found dead in the home of 64-year old Edward Buck, a notable Democratic donor, in as many years.In 2017, 26-year old Gemmel Moore was found dead in Buck’s home. According to the Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner, Moore’s death was ruled an accidental methamphetamine overdose.

Buck’s lawyer, Seymour Amster, told CNN, “Yes, Ed does have individuals he associates with who have problems with drugs. He tries to talk them out of it. Sometimes they bring their problems into his apartment, and that’s where the problem is.”

Amster adds that Buck and Dean had been friends for 25 years. However, Many critics are calling for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to thoroughly investigate the link between both Black men’s deaths and Buck’s activities.

In a statement, the Los Angeles LGBT Center said, “Although the investigation is in its early stages, we urge Sheriff Villanueva to keep the public fully informed as LGBT people have a considerable and urgent interest in a case that is so clearly linked to the health and safety of our community. The reports we have heard provide more questions than answers. The fact is two black men have died at Mr. Buck’s home in less than two years.”

In another statement, Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California said, “I am deeply disturbed by the latest revelations of a second death by overdose at the home of Ed Buck. While we await the results of the law enforcement investigation, I am going to donate the contributions I have received from Mr. Buck to my federal campaign over the years.”

Lieu will donate $18,500 to a couple of LGBTQ and Black organizations.

George M Johnson, a Black queer journalist and activist, writes via Twitter, “He [Buck] is not going to continue to take Black queer lives. We must be loud and unapologetic about Black lives mattering especially when they are LGBTQ.”