Friday December 30, 2005 SGN.org |
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Volume 33 Issue 52 |
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Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
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Mother of slain Army Private 'outraged' over reports of continued violence and harrassment of Gay service members |
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| Mother of slain Army Private 'outraged' over reports of continued violence and harrassment of Gay service members | |
| She called on the Pentagon to implement anti-harassment plan
Patricia Kutteles, mother of slain Army Private First Class Barry Winchell, issued a statement today in response to reports that Private Kyle Lawson, 19, was attacked by a fellow service member at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, after fellow soldiers learned Lawson is Gay. In 1999, Kutteles' son was brutally murdered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, following months of pervasive harassment which went unchecked by the base's command. "My husband Wally and I are outraged to learn that yet another Army Private has been the target of harassment and violence at the hands of a fellow soldier. In 2000, following Barry's murder, the Pentagon announced it would take concrete steps to curb anti-Gay harassment in our military and to hold accountable those who harass and condone harassment. Nearly six years later, Pentagon leaders have failed to keep their promise. The time has come for them to do just that, or for Congress to hold them accountable if they do not. The attack on Private Lawson is inexcusable, as is the Pentagon's failure to train its personnel, hold attackers accountable and treat every service member with the dignity and respect they deserve. According to Sunday's Arizona Daily Star, officials at Fort Huachuca have refused to prosecute the attack on Private Lawson as a felony assault, as recommended by local police. Instead, they appear to have revoked the attacker's weekend pass and asked Private Lawson to sleep on a cot in his drill sergeant's office. Words cannot express how upset we are to learn that no appropriate punishment has been ordered in this case. Private Lawson's mother told the Star that she has been crying herself to sleep and is afraid for her son's life. I understand her pain. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' impacts every service member - Gay and straight alike - by creating a weapon to end careers and endanger service members through accusations, finger-pointing and rumor. Unless Pentagon leaders finally get a clue and lead the way in combating harassment and discrimination, I fear that attacks like these will continue to make headlines." An SLDN press release |
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