FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 7, 2009

The National Center for Lesbian Rights Urges Naval Investigation into Gay Sailor's Death

A Statement from NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell

(San Francisco, California, July 7, 2009)— On July 1, 2009, a Camp Pendelton sailor was found murdered on the base in San Diego. The 29-year-old African American sailor, August Provost, was gay and had recently experienced anti-gay harassment.

Various organizations, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) are urging the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder in order to determine if Provost’s sexual orientation was a factor and to determine whether or not the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy of the military is putting the safety of its employees at risk.

The military has a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that requires lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the military to hide their sexual orientation or risk losing their jobs.

A statement from Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

“At a time when our nation most needs talented service members, August Provost was serving his country honorably and with dedication. There is a significant basis for concern that he was targeted and murdered based on his sexual orientation. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy marks LGBT service members as inferior and sends a message that they are unable to serve this nation with honor and distinction. Seaman Provost’s death may have been preventable and the military has a profound responsibility to investigate and learn the true circumstances. The loss of Navy Seaman Provost is a deeply upsetting tragedy and we call upon the military to conduct a thorough investigation into this unthinkable act of violence and to do everything possible to protect the health and safety of our men and women serving our country from this senseless violence.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
http://www.nclrights.org/.

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