CHICAGO -- Leaders of Chicago Black Lesbian and Gay Organizations announced a community alert Thursday morning after two recent homicides in which they believe black gay men were targeted.

Video: Activists Fear Hate Crimes

NBC5's Anthony Ponce talked with Marc Loveless, who is leading a group of gay and lesbian community organizations calling for police to investigate the two deaths as hate crimes.

"We are concerned the police department has not issued a necessary community alert," Loveless said. "We're here because we're scared."

The community organizations called their own alert in response to the deaths of Larry Bland, on Nov. 17, and Donald Young, on Dec. 23, according to a news release.

Bland, of the 6300 block of S. Wood Street, was shot in the head at his home, according to a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman. He was 24 years old.

Lynn Bland said he thinks his brother's death outside the family home started as a robbery but turned into a hate crime.

"He was the only guy in Englewood that came out. He'd tell you, 'I'm gay, your point is?'" Lynn Bland said.

Young was found unresponsive in his home about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, police said. Christmas presents and jewelry were missing from his home, authorities said.

Young was a deacon and choir director at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th St., according to a release from the church.

Young conducted choir for two decades at the high-profile black church. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. said Young "lived and breathed music."

Young also taught fourth grade at Guggenheim Elementary School, 7141 S. Morgan St.

Ponce attempted to contact Young's family, but they were unavailable for comment.

Interim Police Superintendent Dana Starks said that so far, there is no evidence linking the two crimes.

"We normally would not put out a community alert unless there was some type of activity leading us to believe there was a serial incident. And in this case, we are investigating the two incidents separately," Starks said.

Both homicides happened on the South Side, but they were more than 5 miles apart. Starks said police are keeping all possibilities open.

"In an instance where any individual may have been identified as having an alternative lifestyle, then we also look at that as a possibility of a hate crime," he said.

No arrest has been made in connection with either slaying.

A community march was planned for Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. It will start at Taylor Funeral Home at E. 79th Street and S. Wabash Avenue, and continue on to Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at 79th Street and S. Jeffery Boulevard. The theme of march is Justice-Equality-Justice-Peace, according to the release.

Additional information provided by Sun-Times News Group