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*** NEXT PUBLIC MEETING IS AUGUST 2***

BREAKING NEWS: Gay soldier at Camp Pendleton murdered

Please make sure that this information from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is shared so that LGBT service members stationed in Camp Pendleton are aware to contact SLDN prior to talking with anyone. By talking to SLDN first, they know that they are being protected.

Latest News

07-02-09
SLDN Statement on Camp Pendleton Homicide Investigation

On June 30th a sailor was found dead on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego, CA. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is calling the death of 29-year old Seaman August Provost an apparent homicide and that the case is a homicide investigation. A "person of interest" is in custody.

News reports indicate the victim could have been targeted because he was gay. This may, or may not, be true. All the facts in this case are unclear or unknown. But we, as an organization that represents LGBT service members, expect NCIS to thoroughly investigate all leads and to actively pursue a full investigation no matter where the evidence leads.

SLDN encourages all service members who have knowledge helpful to the investigation to come forward - but LGBT service members should contact SLDN's legal department for a free confidential consultation prior to speaking with military authorities, to ensure the safe reporting of any information relevant to the ongoing investigation.

To speak with an attorney, contact SLDN's Legal Department by either calling (202) 328-3244 x 100 or e-mailing us at legal@sldn.org.

Original article:
07-02-09 SLDN Statement on Camp Pendleton Homicide Investigation

On June 30th a sailor was found dead on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base in San Diego, CA. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is calling the death of 29-year old Seaman August Provost an apparent homicide and that the case is a homicide investigation. A "person of interest" is in custody.

News reports indicate the victim could have been targeted because he was gay. This may, or may not, be true. All the facts in this case are unclear or unknown. But we, as an organization that represents LGBT service members, expect NCIS to thoroughly investigate all leads and to actively pursue a full investigation no matter where the evidence leads.

SLDN encourages all service members who have knowledge helpful to the investigation to come forward - but LGBT service members should contact SLDN's legal department for a free confidential consultation prior to speaking with military authorities, to ensure the safe reporting of any information relevant to the ongoing investigation.

To speak with an attorney, contact SLDN's Legal Department by either calling (202) 328-3244 x 100 or e-mailing us at legal@sldn.org.

http://www.sldn.org/

Dear All,

In the article below it describes what we know at this point pertaining to Seaman August Provost's murder. It is our intent to honor this young man whose life was needlessly taken. This will be a very somber occasion with chanting, preferably signs with his picture and the words "In the loving memory of Seaman August Provost" or "one life taken is too many." Candles will be lit.

No matter what the actual charge will be from the investigation; all know that Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) does cause a stereotyping and dehumanizing of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) people within the Department of Defense. Had it not been for DADT Seaman Provost and others could have felt safe enough to complain about harassment without fear of job loss. DADT creates for all LGBT employees of the Dept of Defense a hostile work environment.

More details on the specific location to come.
We are anticipating being outside the front part of the base.

Gay US sailor found dead after alleged harassment

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • July 2, 2009 - 18:59
August Provost was found dead early on Tuesday morning

A gay US Navy sailor who was found dead had been harassed by another person, his family said this week.

Seaman August Provost, 29, of Houston, was found dead early on Tuesday morning at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. He joined the Navy in March 2008.

A suspect is currently being held in connection with his death but no information has been released regarding a motive.

Gay activists have suggested he was killed in a homophobic attack. Ben Gomez, head of the San Diego chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, cited unnamed sources suggesting Provost had died during an argument with another sailor over his sexuality.

Provost's family told the San Diego Herald-Tribune he had been openly about his sexuality with those he trusted but mostly kept his private life to himself.

His sister Akalia said he had been harassed by someone else and his family had urged him to report it to a supervisor.

However, it has been noted that the sailor may have been unable to report the bullying if it was motivated by homophobia, as the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' rule prohibits openly gay personnel from serving in the US military.

It has also been reported that Provost's partner Kaether Cordero found out about his death from a journalist.

Nicole Murray-Ramirez, chairman of San Diego's Human Rights Commission, has called for an inquiry into whether Provost was killed because of his sexual orientation.

He said: "We respect the military, but we want to ensure that there is full disclosure, to see if this was a hate crime. A member of our community has been killed."

A post-mortem examination has been performed but authorities are awaiting the outcome of toxicology reports to determine how the sailor died.

http://dodfedglobe.ning.com/

 

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Regional Conference

(Another education program brought to you by the North County LGBT Coalition)

The North County LGBT Coalition would like the thank everyone that attended last night's Conference. There were around 70 people that attended the Conference held at the Oceanside Brooks Sunshine Theatre. Speakers included Todd Gloria - San Diego City Council, Ben Gomez - President SD Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), Lisa Kove - President of the DOD Fed Globe, Corporal Evelyn Thomas- U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army National Guard, Michael Magee Board Member for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Rev. Madison Schockley - Pilgrim United Church of Christ. The panel was moderated by Stephen Whitburn - Journalist and Community Leader. The panel was very informative and enjoyed by all.

Special thank you to the following:
· PALS (Proud Active Lesbian Seniors) would donated an afternoon to assembly the Don't Ask, Don't Tell pins.
· Everyone who made or brought the apple pies that were so good.
· Our volunteers who helped spread the work, serve food and drinks, and set-up and clean-up.
And a very special thanks to ... the DADT Committee (Tom, Nicole, Max, Evelyn and Linda)

In the coming week, we will have the video from the evening on our website. Please check back toward the end of the month.

If you would like to see more programs like this one, please email us at info@northcountycoalition.org.

Thank you again for a wonderful evening!

Links from the Conference

American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)
http://aver.us/aver/

DOD Fed Globe
http://www.dodfedglobe.com/

Servicemember Legal Defense Network
http://www.sldn.org/

Photos from the Conference Courtsey of Xena Warrior

Also a great article in the North County Times. Click HERE for the article.