August Provost, Gay Sailor, Found Dead On Base In Suspected Homicide

San Diego Union-Tribune:

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.

Read the whole story: San Diego Union-Tribune

Comments

[Palemoon]

While everyone is trying to strip DADT and set the movement back 200 years in the process.... when is just 1 person like me gonna ask that they make it LEGAL and get it over with? DADT doesn't harm anyone. DADT was a bad attempt to put a bandaid on a bullethole. But it's better than nothing. It was a step in the right direction. Without it, NO gays would be in the military period.

So when will President Obama get unbusy from golf, parties and other things? Congress is out of session and on vacation. I'm sure President Obama will be taking an extended weekend of relaxation taking in the festivities. BBQ's, probably some golf, watching fireworks, all while our brothers and sisters die right here at home from an enemy within that he doesn't care to stop.

All it would take is 5 minutes out of his busy schedule to write an executive order to his subordinates in the Pentagon, ordering them to allow gays to serve freely and openly. I can't think of a more patriotic thing for him to do on this most patriotic of weekends.

[klandish]

Your brilliant idea has the taste of exceptional timing.

[ladyvader]

There where gays in the military before DADT. They just lied on the paperwork that asked if they where a homosexual. That question is off the forms now.

They would do time for lying on the form and have a dishonorable discharge on their record.

[Steamboater]

Some of us didn't lie. I didn't when it was on the form and they said they would take IF I underwent psychiatric counseling so I asked, "Do I have to be nuts to join the military?". You should have seen the face of the psychiatrist? LOL I walked out and never looked back. The hell with them.

[PlaceboStudman]

“While 'Don't ask, Don't tell' is in place, anybody in the military who is a homosexual has no place to go to get assistance or counseling,” said Ben Gomez of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group for gays in the military.

This says it all. This could have possibly been prevented if the soldier had been able to talk to someone in charge and have someone intervene. From the sounds of things, it doesn;t sound like this was an isolated incident and was probably premeditated

[NoblesseOblige]

Yes. This tragedy might have been prevented. And, this story (as usual) is near the bottom of the page. Where is the outrage? Most progressives (straight as well as gay) will be aghast and disgusted with this "latest development". This tragedy will embolden the gay community even more. I guarantee it. We've had it with the debacle of DADT and DOMA. The president MUSt address these issues immediately or else alienate his base entirely.

[PlaceboStudman]

Someone needs to send this story to the president, every member of Congress, and SOD Gates. 2 honorable soldiers lost in one day (Lt Dan Choi's case has been settled today) had bettter push people over the edge and get us motivated to push harder.

[NoblesseOblige]

He was openly gay and had a boyfriend. This is so goddamned tragic. President Obama, you have GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, NOW! No more excuses or delays! NOW!

[jnutlfam2]

Many gays were killed/harmed while in the military under bush. Did you demand the same from him? Why is it now Obamas fault and his burden? because it's important to you?

[AbstractImp]

I think every gay person in the military should WALK OUT on the same day.
(Yes, there have been labor strikes in armies before!)

And I also think that hundreds of thousands of gay people should enlist, and then withdraw at the same time..

Keep doing it, and the recruitment structure will collapse.

Would YOU fight to defend a society that hates you?
I wouldn't fight to defend republicans who refuse to give me health care!
They only care about "one kind" of people . . .

[klandish]

I would normally totally agree with you on a strike but in this Economy they have you between a rock and a hard place. Where I think they like to keep us.

[AbstractImp]

Yes, it is unwise to promote such things,
and cause people difficulties.
These things occur when necessity drives them.

[Steamboater]

I would think a hate crime resulting in murder is enough neccessity. As to a boycott, a major boycott of stroes, city transportation services etc until DADT is overturned and by everyone commited to not having anything like this ever happen again should do it. So if the economy suffers, too bad. Why should we support an economy when a country shows us such lack of empathy in regard to equal rights. Let's see what these Gay rights organizations come up with. This should be very interesting. They don't have a way out now. Money is what talks in this country and that's a power card we can play and play well.

[NoblesseOblige]

God, another Matthew Sheppard story. This is insane! Please make it stop!

[Steamboater]

It won't stop until those who call themselves progressives stop making excuses for Obama's inactions and playing the race card every time someone is outraged by those inactions. It won't stop until those who say Obama is working on it and he's only been in office 4 months, 5 months etc so be patient. Equal rights is literally a matter of life and death. No one should be patient waiting for violence and death.

[AbstractImp]

Don't ask Don't tell,

but sit there and listen to all those macho men
talk about their conquests of hookers they paid for . . .

[AnimalsRTasty]

It is the double standard of comradery. When you are around folks 24/7 99% of the time thats what you get. Its why DADT is still needed because 95% of the military cannot accept Gays yet. Its why Obama cant just repeal it as all you non serving gays want him to. It will have to be done right and proper in order to protect the few gays serving.

[maryjflyfree]

****there is a reason Clinton elected to adopt DADT, like President Obama, they are genuinely concered about people's safety. the danger is REAL! I posted something here just last night speaking on this same subject but it didn't get approved, I guess. so here we are! Condolences to the family and friends. He was from Houston, where I live... so sad****

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.

[klandish]

But he couldn't tell his supervisor could he? Because although the harassment should have been illegal under proper Military laws - DADT literally murdered him. If Clinton and Obama were genuinely concerned about this issue and horrible crimes like this then Obama will end DADT now and create similar Military Laws that protect innocent people against Homophobic bullies who have no right to conduct themselves this way. This idea that violent Homophobia is considered "normal" behavior in the Military for psychopathic men is not only wrong it is a complete outrage.

[Palemoon]

You are so wrong! A coward Marine murdered him, not DADT.

You do realize, that without DADT, this type of thing is practically legal to do right? I mean, if DADT didn't exist, there would only be a cursory investigation, probably ruled a suicide, everything swept under the rug and forgotten as quickly as it happened.

I know, I've been there, I've seen it for myself how even wing commanders condone such brash, illegal behavior.

[AbstractImp]

San Diego again . . .

[HGfromOmaha]

Yes, Camp Pendleton is a Marine base but ACU-5 unit is right off I-5 near the Edson Range area with access to Red Beach. This is a Navy section and very few Marines go over on that side unless we're being hauled around on an LCAC (hovercraft).

While we don't know the circumstances around this murder, it's still a tragedy. Gay or straight. Should have never happened. But until people are educated about what it means to be "gay", and tolerance is taught and followed, then Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a waste of time and lives.

[ricchase]

This is the kind of stuff gay people are willing to risk to serve their country. Camp Pendelton is a "Marine" base, by the way.