The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that a 29 year old U.S. Navy man (pictured at left) has been found apparently murdered at Camp Pendleton. Some gay activist believe the death was a hate crime that occurred after an argument over the victim's sexual orientation. A "person of interest" is being held for questioning. Sadly, because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, LGBT servicemembers have nowhere to go when threatened because of their sexual orientation and likewise cannot seek counseling without likely ending their military careers. As a result, they are often sitting ducks for simple harassment and/or worse. Here are some story highlights:*
CAMP PENDLETON — The body of a 29-year-old sailor was found in a Camp Pendleton guard shack Tuesday, and a “person of interest” was taken into custody in connection with the suspected homicide, Navy officials said yesterday. The body of Seaman August Provost of Houston, Texas, was discovered about 3:30 a.m. on the western edge of the base, said Doug Sayers, a spokesman for Navy Region Southwest.
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An autopsy was completed yesterday, but authorities were waiting for results of toxicology tests to determine a cause of death. A “person of interest” was being held in the Navy brig at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. No charges have been filed.
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The death has local gay activists calling for a formal investigation into whether Provost was slain because of his sexual orientation. “We're definitely monitoring this and trust and hope the military will investigate this in the professional way it should,” said Nicole Murray-Ramirez, chairman of San Diego's Human Rights Commission. Murray-Rameriz also has contacted Reps. Susan Davis and Bob Filner, asking that they make official inquiries to the military concerning an investigation. The Navy would not comment on whether Provost's orientation had anything to do with the death.
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Provost's boyfriend, Kaether Cordero, said yesterday that Provost was openly gay but kept his private life quiet for the most part. “People who he was friends with, I knew that they knew,” Cordero said from Houston. “He didn't care that they knew. He trusted them.” Provost had recently complained to his family that someone was harassing and bothering him, and they advised him to tell his supervisor, said his sister, Akalia. “He's the type that if someone comes at him, he walks away. He never stands and argues,” she said. “He didn't deserve anything but a good life.”
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As I have stated over and over again, the blight of DADT needs to be repealed NOW.
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