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August Provost's Family: Military Said Murdered Sailor was "Found Unconscious", Not Shot Three Times

More details to suggest the United States Navy is not forthcoming in the case of Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton on June 30th. The family offers a very disturbing timeline, saying the military did not tell them this was a homicide and neglected to reveal the manner of death. 

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents Houston and Provost's family, tells the Houston Chronicle: "I am requesting a full investigation into the murder. This death appears bizarre, and more facts need to be uncovered."

Provost's mother, Melanie Provost, said Sunday the military originally told her simply that her son had been found unconscious in the guard shack and later died. "The only way I found out my son had been shot and burned was on TV," she said. Her son had mentioned to her before he died that he was being harassed by some fellow sailors, but he handled it stoically, she said.

Jackson Lee said the incident should lead the military to be less tolerant of similar harassment. "If he was being harassed, why was the bad behavior being covered up? Why was the person still there?" Jackson Lee said. The congresswoman would like to see the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy toward gay service members lifted, but says other changes are needed to prevent discrimination of all kinds. Family members say that policy played a part in Provost's poor treatment in the Navy, however.

"Because of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' he couldn't say anything," said his niece, Keonna Johnson-Jones. "He couldn't go to his superiors."

Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. Provost told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. The family belives the 29-year-old Provost was the victim of a hate crime—and the Navy says the torture, shooting and burning of a sailor at military base was a "random act" of violence.

The seaman was laid to rest with full military honors on Friday.

If the United States Navy will not even tell Seaman Provost's family how their son died in the line of duty, do we really believe their so-called "investigation" will yield the "truth"?

TAKE ACTION: Please Report YouTube User "Execute the Gays1"

UPDATE: GLAAD reports the YouTube accounts have been suspended! Thanks so much to everyone for your quick action.

A vile and disturbing user on YouTube advocates killing gays, killing "niggers" and more disgusting far-right hate speech. "Faggotry is the most severe form of mentall illness to infect the human race in history," says ExecuteTheGays1, who also posts as FagsRFilthy and GayButtRapist.

Please visit the YouTube profiles and report. If you're on Twitter, reTweet this and this message or please Tweet your own. Oh and please post to Facebook, too. Thanks.

Thanks @GLAAD and @JustinCole!

Murdered Seaman August Provost Laid to Rest, Racist and Homophobic Comments in News Coverage

U.S. Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton ten days ago, was laid to rest with full military honors in Houston,

Although the family maintains the 29-year-old Provost was the victim of a hate crime—and the Navy says it was a "random act" of violence— Seaman Provost's mother, Melonie Collins, set that question aside at the funeral, reports the Houston Chronicle.

"At one point, she left her seat at his funeral to stand beside another sailor, who broke down singing a song he had written about Provost. Her presence seemed to give the sailor, Jack Hunter, strength to finish. "We loved your smile. You made every day worthwhile. Oh, how we miss you. And we wish you were here," sang Hunter.

Friends and family praised Provost for his “powerful love” of all people, never caring about sexual orientation or race. Only one longtime family friend, Allie Harrison, alluded to concern over whether the gay sailor's death was a hate crime. "I believe with all my heart the truth will be revealed and any lies uncovered," she said from the pulpit.

Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. The seaman told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. Provost's commander at Camp Pendleton, Capt. Ed Harrington, attended the service and said "he was unaware of any such complaints" being made. Harrington tells KHOU-TV (video): "I don't think it was [a hate crime] but no one is ruling that out yet .... because the invesgtigators want to be absolutely thorough. But the evidence does not point to that."

Under the military's failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, if  August Provost reported the harassment, that would have been considered "telling" and lead to immediate discharge, notes San Diego City Commissioner Stampp Corbin, who also is black and gay. "August Provost, and others like him, are often harassed because of the perception they are gay or lesbian ... That is the quandary gay and lesbian military personnel face in these situations."

Perhaps not-so-ironically, as the Houston Chronicle reports on the funeral services for this distinguished seaman who quite likely was killed because he was black and gay, many of the readers' comments are homophobic and at least one is racist. Several readers quite Biblical passages against homosexuality. Reader Argon96 writes: "The mi8llitary is full of weirdos today,straight and gay...I doubt he was targeted for being gay,but who knows." Another comment by ULoveHuessein, apparently deleted by the newspaper, said there were "many fags" in the Marines and a reference to "jungle fruit." Provost was a U.S. Navy Seaman serving at a Marine Corps base, which is standard procedure.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents Houston, says she will demand a congressional inquiry into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III. The Secretary of the Navy has also dispatched 20 investigators to Camp Pendleton.

2 Arrested in Brutal Attack on New York City Transgender Woman

Two men are behind bars after the brutal attack on a 22-year-old transgender female walking down the street in St. Albans, Queens. Carmella Etienne, who has lived in the neighborhood for years, says the attack happened on the corner of 116th Avenue and 199th Street. Police and prosecutors say thugs attacked with rocks, beer bottles and even threatened to sodomize her with a baseball bat ... all while a crowd watched and did nothing.

Nathaniel Mims, 25, and Rasheed Thomas, 22, allegedly screamed anti-gay slurs and threatened to cut the woman's throat Wednesday night in St. Albans. They face charges of assault as a hate crime, menacing and harassment. "I didn't know you could get locked up for calling somebody names," Thomas said after his arrest, according to prosecutors. "I called her a bunch of names. I called her a [expletive deleted], but she didn't see me throw anything."

Etienne, hit in the leg, told cops she saw the men throwing things at her."They were yelling homophobic slurs at me. They threatened to kill me. Chunky rocks and empty beer bottles they were throwing at me," she said. "Don't ever walk that block anymore or we will slash your throat," one of the defendants said, according to cops.

The aspiring fashion designer.moved to Queens from Haiti six years ago and soon after began her transition. Etienne, who has medically and legally transitioned to female, was treated for a deep gash to her leg and has been released from hospital. She tells the Daily News: "The law will hopefully put them to justice. I love being myself."

For bonus points watch the video at NY1. The young woman interviewed never says she lifted a finger to help Carmella Etienne and complains that police arrested the "wrong" thug.

Author and activist Nathan James lives only one block from where this happened and tells Rod 2.0: "I am so upset by this, because it once again reminds me that I cannot be out, proud, and safe walking the streets of my own neighborhood. God forbid I am being beaten by my neighbors—or their children—for being gay, and people will stand around and watch it happen."

The suspects are being held on $5000 bail. They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted

Jackson Lee, NBJC, NAACP, Cong. Black Caucus Demand Investigation into Murder of August Provost

In an historic and perhaps unprecedented show of solidarity, the nation's leading black civil rights organizations join with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) to demand a congressional investigation into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor found brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton

The 29-year-old sailor from Houston—who was represented by Jackson Lee in Congress—was found brutally murdered on June 30 in a guard shack on base. Provost was shot three times, apparently gagged and bound, and his body burned. The seaman told his family he was harassed and ostracized at Pendleton for at least a year because he was gay and black. The Navy maintains there is "no evidence" to suggest this was a hate crime and insists it was "random act" of violence. Jackson-Lee—who has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign—made the initial calls on Tuesday. Now the congresswoman, other members and organizations are demanding a full investigation by the Department of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the national black LGBT advocacy organization, coordinated with the Black Leadership Forum, an alliance of over thirty national black civil rights and social service organizations, to denounce the incident. The member organizations include the NAACP—which has recently came out against California's Proposition 8—the Congressional Black Caucus, National Urban League, 100 Black Men,  and other leading groups. In denouncing the Provost murder and the slow response by Pentagon brass,  the groups said they "are joining forces to stand for equality and against discrimination and hatred toward ALL African-Americans."

The statement reads in part: "We are deeply troubled by the continuing pattern of incidents across the country—hate crimes, police misconduct, and racial intimidation—that are all-too-often tolerated and ignored by law enforcement officials and courts. Moreover, despite significant progress in the treatment of LGBT people, the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals remain a persistent and widespread problem in the US." The entire statement can be read here. 

The joint statement and call to action comes on the same day sources tell Rod 2.0 the Secretary of the Navy has dispatched 20 investigators to Pendleton. One "person of interest" remains in custody at nearby Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Two others are being sought. No formal charges are filed yet, and, there are unconfirmed reports the military is investigating a white supremacist angle.

Thanks JASPER, JASON BARTLETT and R

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Report: Secy of Navy Investigating Murder of Seaman August Provost

There are new developments in the investigation into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III, the black gay sailor from Houston brutally murdered at Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Sources close to the investigation report the Secretary of the Navy has dispatched an investigative team to Pendleton. Also, extremely disturbing  and graphic details have emerged of the so-called "random" act of violence.

The official request for an investigation of the August Provost murder was made by San Diego's Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis, the Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel. The source says Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus "has sent 20 investigators to Camp Pendleton."

The 29-year-old sailor was found brutally murdered in a guard shack at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on June 30. Provost was shot three times and the structure was burned. Although the Navy has denied specific reports made to Rod 2.0 in a recent article at TIME.com, and claimed Seaman Provost was not tortured, relatives say they were told Provost's "hands and feet were tied, he was gagged, shot three times and his body had been set on fire."

Rose Roy, Provost's aunt who lives outside Houston, said "Provost spoke with her about being harassed and ostracized at Camp Pendleton because he was gay and black." The Navy maintains there is "no evidence" to suggest that this was a hate crime and insists it was "random act" of violence.

Rep. Bob Filner (D) of suburban Chula Vista, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, says his panel will investigate, too, and asked the Defense Department and Marine Corps to determine whether the killing was a hate crime. Filner added: "There's some disturbing elements to this. He was harassed in the days leading up to this."

One "person of interest" remains in custody. Two others are being sought. No formal charges are filed yet.

Roy says it was about a year ago when her nephew told her and his superiors he was being harassed because he was black and gay. San Diego City Commissioner Stampp Corbin, who also is black and gay, has been closely following the investigation and says Provost's lack of recourse is a direct result of the military's failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Commissioner Corbin tells Rod 2.0: "August Provost, and others like him, are often harassed because of the perception they are gay or lesbian, not because of homosexual conduct. If August reported the harassment, would that have been "telling" and therefore lead to a discharge? That is the quandary gay and lesbian military personnel face in these situations."

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, who represents Houston, says she will demand a congressional inquiry into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III. Provost will be buried tomorrow at Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A candlelight vigil will also take place on Friday at 7:30 pm outside Camp Pendelton.

Jackson-Lee to Call for Congressional Investigation into Death of August Provost

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) will demand a congressional inquiry into the death of Navy Seaman August Provost III, a black gay sailor from Houston, reports KHOU-TV.

The 29-year-old sailor was found brutally murdered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on June 30. Provost was shot three times and his body burned. Family members of August Provost say he had ongoing problems with fellow servicemen, and they suspect he was killed because he was gay. The Navy says there is "no evidence" to suggest that this was a hate crime.

Eight days after the death of Seaman Provost, authorities still have a "person of interest" in custody. No charges have been filed and no motive announced.

The announcement by Jackson-Lee—who has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign—comes at the same time other members of the Congress are pressing for action. Sources tell Rod 2.0 the Congressional Black Caucus, National Black Justice Coalition, NAACP, and the Black Leadership Forum are making a joint statement demanding a full investigation by the Department of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy. Rep. Bob Filner (D) of suburban San Diego, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, says his panel will investigate, too. Filner wants also wants DoD and the Marine Corps to investigate whether the killing of the sailor was a hate crime.

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements have been finalized for the Houston native who was brutally killed at Camp Pendleton. The viewing for August Provost will be Friday, July 10 at 10 am. at Wright Grove Baptist Church in Houston. Provost will be buried at Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A candlelight vigil will also take place on Friday at 7:30 pm outside Camp Pendelton.

23 Year Sentence for Murder of Young, Black Gay Brooklyn Man

Fifteen-years-to-life with at least 23-years behind bars. That's the sentence 19-year Omar Willock was handed down for calling a young black gay Brooklyn man a "faggot" and stabbing him to death.

Willock and 20-year-old Roberto Duncanson encountered each other on the street in Crown Heights, Brooklyn early in the morning of May 12, 2007. Willock claimed Duncanson looked at him suggestively and flirted with him, so he called him a "faggot." Duncanson yelled back at him and continued walking. Willock followed for several blocks, yelled anti-gay and homophobic epithets and fatally stabbed him. Willock was convicted of second degree murder in May 2009.

Gay City News reports the killer lacked remorse at Monday's sentencing: "In asking for 25-to-life, the maximum sentence, Howard Jackson, the prosecutor in the case, noted that Willock had pursued Duncanson. 'The victim in this case walked away,” Jackson said. 'Apparently, that wasn’t good enough for this defendant." With his hands cuffed behind him, Willock stood stoically throughout the proceeding. Asked if he would like to speak, Willock made brief, mostly inaudible comments. He motioned toward Duncanson’s mother and said, 'I feel sorry for the people.' "

Roberto Duncanson, nicknamed "Pancho", was out to coworkers and close friends but not his mother or family. In an interview shortly after he was killed, his mother said he was a loving son with "the heart of a lion."

Willock had been charged with murder as a hate crime which would have meant and automatic life sentence. The hate crime charges were dropped in March 2009 because the prosecution’s main witness, Belinda Toon, who saw the entire altercation and called police, "gave testimony that was less detailed than what she told a grand jury.... [Prosecutors] say Toon has been 'the subject of constant threats, harassment, and taunting about being a snitch,' Jackson said.""

Gay Man's Murder5 Gets at Least 23 Years [GCN]

Some Background ...
Guilty Verdict in Murder of Black Gay Brooklyn Man [R20]
Brooklyn Murder Trial Goes to Jury [R20]
Trial Begins in Brooklyn Gay Hate Crime Murder [R20]

Navy: There is "No Evidence to Suspect Hate Crime" in Torture and Killing of Black, Gay Sailor

And so it begins. Despite reporting anti-gay harassment for at least one year before his death, and ultimately being tortured and killed in a horrific manner, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service says the brutal killing of U.S. Navy Seaman August Provost III at Camp Pendleton was "a random act unrelated to the his sexuality."

"There is no evidence or information that suggests this is a hate crime," Capt. Matt Brown, director of public affairs for Navy Region Southwest, tells the UPI. "The military also couldn't confirm that Seaman August Provost was harassed in the days before he was killed, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported."

The family is outraged and says otherwise. Provost's sister says family members advised Provost—who had a boyfriend and was open about his sexuality on Facebook and MySpace—to "tell his supervisor" about the repeated homophobic harassment. And more confirmation plus chilling details in the Houston Chronicle: "Rose Roy of Beaumont said her nephew had complained a year before about being harassed for being gay. The Houston native was found dead Tuesday at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego. Roy said the family was told that Provost was shot three times, had his hands and feet bound, his mouth gagged, and body burned."

Meanwhile, the political fallout begins. Democratic Rep. Bob Filner of suburban San Diego wants the Defense Department and Marine Corps to investigate whether the killing of the sailor was a hate crime. The powerful Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman will also hold hearings because he was at Pendleton "for over 5 hours the day of the murder and no one in the Navy thought it was important enough" to tell him, says San Diego Commissioner Stampp Corbin in a scathing op-ed. Corbin, who also is black and gay, slams anti-gay Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray, whose district includes Camp Pendleton, as "missing in action."

Corbin writes at SDNN: "Bilbray has not been a friend to the LGBT community and I have to wonder if his silence has to do with Provost being a gay sailor. I cannot imagine Bilbray ignoring the murder on the base for any other reason. The murder has taken place within Bilbray’s district, he is an avid supporter of the military, but he has said nothing, absolutely nothing about the Provost incident. Bilbray is also a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. So Bilbray is a murder at Camp Pendleton unimportant because you don’t like the victim? Are you embarrassed that your support of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell creates a situation where gays and lesbians in the military, like Provost, may be hesitant to tell superiors of harassment because that would be 'telling?'"

NCIS has released the one person held and another "person of interest" is reportedly in custody. When will Naval Investigators charge someone with this brutal homicide? And how much longer will the military continue to pretend torture, shootings and firebombings are routine and "random acts" on United States military installations?

Related ...
Black Gay Sailor Killed, Hate Crime Suspected [R20]
Congressman Wants Investigation into Sailor Murder [R20]

India Decriminalizes Homosexuality

An impromptu rally in the streets of Mumbai as gay rights activists and gays celebrate a groundbreaking ruling by the Delhi High Court that decriminalizes homosexuality

The court repealed Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that treated consensual gay sex as a crime . The justices wrote gays and lesbians were "denied moral full citizenship [as] Section 377 IPC grossly violates their right to privacy." The decision continues: "The Constitution of India recognises, protects and celebrates diversity. To stigmatise or to criminalise homosexuals only on account of their sexual orientation would be against the constitutional morality."

The decision is the first of its kind in India, which is the largest democracy in the world and the world's second most populous nation. The ruling applies only in New Delhi but is expected to have national implications. The decision will undoubtedly bring some much-needed freedom for gays in this deeply conservative country.

Anjali Goplan is executive director of the Naz Foundation, a sexual health organization, which filed the petition. Goplan says they could not have asked for more. "I think it is historic," she tells the Voice of America. "I think we have finally taken baby steps into the 21st century."