Anti-gay murder suspected
Groups demand Army release details
By
Leslie Feinberg
"The Army must come forward immediately with the details of
this brutal attack," demanded Richard Haymes, a member of the
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. Haymes made this
demand after the beating murder of Pfc. Barry Winchell.
Winchell was attacked in the early hours of July 5 in his
barracks at Fort Campbell, Ky. He died as a result of his
injuries on July 6.
NCAVP and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network are
working together to investigate this killing. Both groups
reported receiving many calls about Winchell's death.
SLDN sent staff members to the Fort Campbell area to
interview people who might have more information.
"SLDN takes allegations of hate crimes seriously and asks
for the public's help in ascertaining the facts of this case,"
said SLDN Co-Director Michelle Benecke.
SLDN provides legal aid to military personnel accused of
homosexuality.
Earlier this year, on Feb. 26, the Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network released "Conduct Unbecoming: The Third Annual
Report on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue.'" The report
revealed that in the years since President Bill Clinton's
"don't ask, don't tell" policy went in effect, there has been a
sharp increase in anti-gay harassment and discharges.
During his 1992 election campaign Clinton pledged to end the
ban on lesbians and gays in the military. He not only failed to
end the ban, but his "don't ask, don't tell" policy has
actually intensified Pentagon oppres -sion of gay and lesbian
service members.
Service members are still routinely asked about their
sexuality and forced out if they admit to being gay, lesbian or
bisexual. They are also forced to point out others who they
know or suspect to be gay. After someone has been accused of
being gay, lesbian or bisexual, the nightmare begins.
This includes physical abuse, death threats, verbal
harassment and constant anti-gay slurs.
That's why, said Richard Haymes, "If Winchell's murder was
the result of an anti-gay attack, the military must own up to
it, and admit that their policies put people at risk."
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