Gay soldier discharged; attacker stays

[Thom Little]

The U.S. Army Thursday honorably discharged a gay soldier who was punched by another soldier because of his sexual orientation.

The soldier who attacked 19-year old Pvt. Kyle Lawson remains on active duty. A Fort Huachuca, Ariz., spokeswoman would not say what punishment Pvt. Zacharias Pierre received by the military, but confirmed it fell short of court martial.

.......

Pierre said Lawson made "unwanted comments" which he considered "of a homosexual nature." He also thought Lawson was going "to touch his groin area" so he punched him as a "reflex."

Pierre told police at no time did he feel he was in danger of physical harm from Lawson, "he just did not like the sexual innuendo."

"Pierre did not deny he struck Lawson but he did so after provoking actions by Lawson," said the Army in a statement. "Numerous witness statements, made to the Sierra Vista police, support Pierre's account."

.......

In November, Lawson told Army officials he had been threatened with a knife at his throat by a different soldier because he was gay. Concerned for his safety, the unit moved Lawson moved to a cot near the drill sergeant's office.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network spokesman Steve Ralls said the unit's move to protect Lawson undermines Army claims he provoked Pierre's assault.

"To now say that Pvt. Lawson provoked an attack, rather than admit that they too feared for his safety at the time, is outrageous, unacceptable and beyond the pale," said Servicemembers Legal Defense Netwok spokesman Steve Ralls.



http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060106-034949-5419r

[William769]

1. I commend this guy for wanting to serve his Country, but...

Under the Bush regime, I would have gotten the hell out of Dodge!