Washington, DC (EGCM) The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is
urging the international headquarters of Amnesty International to support the
case of a former U. S. Navy sailor who has been imprisoned for two years after
a highly disputed consensual sodomy conviction. Tanya Domi, director of the
NGLTF Military Freedom Initiative, will meet with representatives of Amnesty
International while she is in London to attend gay and lesbian pride
festivities at the invitation of Stonewall London, a gay and lesbian
organization.

Larry Meholick, a former U.S. Navy sailor who served 18 months of combat duty
in Vietnam and won a Bronze Star, was charged with sodomy in 1990 and
originally sentenced to 12 years in prison, which was later reduced to six
years. Both witnesses who provided statements against him later recanted their
testimony. Meholick has been repeatedly moved and mistreated during his
imprisonment, facing harassment from guards and solitary confinement. He is
currently imprisoned at the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, a
military prison.

Domi will present the Amnesty International headquarters with a letter from
members of the U.S. Congress urging the organization to take up Meholick's
case. The Washington, D.C. office of Amnesty International is supporting
Domi's efforts.

"Meholick's lengthy jail sentence and abuse in prison despite his
distinguished service record highlight the most heinous aspects of the
military's anti-gay policy," Domi said. "We believe Amnesty International
should press for Meholick's release because he has been unjustly persecuted
and imprisoned because of his sexual orientation."

Domi has been instrumental in bringing media attention to the plight of
Meholick. During a 38-city bus tour promoting an end to the military ban
sponsored by the Campaign for Military Service, Domi organized a press
conference outside of Fort Leavenworth to draw attention to Meholick's case.
NGLTF has also provided support to Meholick's attorneys.

For more information contact:  The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force; 1734
Fourteenth Street NW; Washington, DC  20009; Voice 202-332-6483; Fax
202-332-0207.  Be sure to mention in your correspondence that you heard of this
through The Electronic Gay Community Magazine.

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