Patricia Kutteles Calls on Fort Huachuca Officials to Hold Attacker Accountable

KANSAS CITY, December 23, 2005 (SLDN)  –  Patricia Kutteles, mother of slain Army Private First Class Barry Winchell, issued a statement today in response to reports that Private Kyle Lawson, 19, was attacked by a fellow service member at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, after fellow soldiers learned Lawson is gay.

In 1999, Kutteles’ son was brutally murdered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, following months of pervasive harassment which went unchecked by the base’s command. 

“My husband Wally and I are outraged to learn that yet another Army Private has been the target of harassment and violence at the hands of a fellow soldier,” she said.

“In 2000, following Barry’s murder, the Pentagon announced it would take concrete steps to curb anti-gay harassment in our military and to hold accountable those who harass and condone harassment.

“Nearly six years later, Pentagon leaders have failed to keep their promise.

“The time has come for them to do just that, or for Congress to hold them accountable if they do not,” she insisted.

“The attack on Private Lawson is inexcusable, as is the Pentagon’s failure to train its personnel, hold attackers accountable and treat every service member with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“According to Sunday’s Arizona Daily Star, officials at Fort Huachuca have refused to prosecute the attack on Private Lawson as a felony assault, as recommended by local police.  Instead, they appear to have revoked the attacker’s weekend pass and asked Private Lawson to sleep on a cot in his drill sergeant’s office.

“Words cannot express how upset we are to learn that no appropriate punishment has been ordered in this case.

“Private Lawson’s mother told the Star that she has been crying herself to sleep and is afraid for her son’s life.  I understand her pain.  ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ impacts every service member – gay and straight alike – by creating a weapon to end careers and endanger service members through accusations, finger-pointing and rumor.

“Unless Pentagon leaders finally get a clue and lead the way in combating harassment and discrimination, I fear that attacks like these will continue to make headlines.”

SEE ALSO

 I’m Afraid for His Life, Gay Soldier’s Mom Says.  The mother of a gay American teenage soldier has told a newspaper that she is afraid for his life, following a homophobic assault, allegedly by another soldier, in Arizona.  “I have been crying myself to sleep,” Sheila Lawson told the Arizona Daily Star which revealed the case of 19 years-old Private Kyle Lawson.  (UK Gay News, December 19, 2005)

Arizona Daily Star - USA:  Gay Soldier Leaving Army After Assault at Fort Huachuca.  By Carol Ann Alaimo.  Fear is keeping Pvt. Kyle Lawson awake at night — not of the enemy, but of his fellow soldiers.  For weeks, the 19-year-old Tucson native has been sleeping on a cot in his drill sergeant's office to protect him from further attacks because he is gay. ( Arizona Star, Sunday December 18, 2005)

■  For more information on the Anti-Harassment Action Plan, visit the SLDN website