Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 17:57:52 -0400 From: Scott Mindeaux Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] SERVICE REFLECTS BROAD COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice Rhonda White, Co-chair, 615-297-4753; rhondawhite@juno.com Bill Turner, Co-chair, 615-890-2831; drturner@mindspring.com NASHVILLE LGBT COMMUNITY HOLDS MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SLAIN SOLDIER SERVICE REFLECTS BROAD COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Opportunity for Soldiers, Veterans, and Nashville Community to pay their Respects Numerous organizations in Nashville will hold a memorial service for Pfc. Barry Winchell on Wednesday, July 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Centennial Park bandshell. Everyone who is concerned about the circumstances of Winchell's death is welcome to attend. We especially encourage the participation of soldiers and veterans. "Many people in the Nashville area are concerned about the circumstances of Barry Winchell's death," said LGCJ Co-chair Bill Turner. "This is the sort of situation in which we need to come together as a community, pay our respects, and pledge to monitor the situation until it is resolved." Four religious leaders will conduct the memorial service honoring Winchell. Dr. Joyce Arnold is executive director of the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community Services. Rev. James Hawk is Pastor of the Stonewall Mission Church. Rev. Cindy Looper is pastor of Holy Trinity Church. Rev. Greg Bullard is pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is the world's only Christian denomination of and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons. Other speakers will include State Representative Rob Briley, a supporter of pending legislation to increase penalties for hate crimes, and a representative of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). SLDN is a national organization dedicated to helping soldiers who are under investigation, or suffering similar harassment, under the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue policy. "I've worked with many different organizations here in Nashville," said Rev. James Hawk of Stonewall Mission Church. "I find it very encouraging that so many community leaders can cooperate so effectively in response to the tragedy of Winchell's death." There is evidence to indicate that the attack on Winchell was a hate crime. Winchell died on July 6 at Vanderbilt Medical Center of injuries that he sustained during an attack in the barracks at Fort Campbell. The Army has now arrested two soldiers and is investigating the possibility that Winchell's sexual orientation was an issue in the attack. LGCJ applauds the Army's promise to conduct a full and fair investigation of Winchell's death, and calls on them to release all relevant information to the public once the investigation is complete. Other sponsoring organizations include TVALS, Tennessee's social and support group for transgendered persons; Integrity Nashville, the local chapter of the gay Episcopal group; the National Organization for Women of Tennessee; the Human Rights Campaign's Tennessee Steering Committee; the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. LGCJ and SLDN are investigating Winchell's death as a possible hate crime. Anyone with information about the incident should contact LGCJ at 615-298-LGCJ (5425), lgcj@lgjc.org; or SLDN at 202-328-3244, sldn@sldn.org The Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice is Tennessee's voice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered equality. P.O. Box 22901, Nashville, TN 37202 - 615-298-5425 - lgcj@lgcj.org_________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.