Daniel Hernandez, Jr., the intern who remained by the side of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffordsamong the many shot by Jared Lee Loughner, 22, Jan. 8 in Tucson, Ariz.is gay, according to the Dallas Voice.
The Arizona Republic wrote, "Hernandez was standing about 30 feet from Giffords during the 'Congress on Your Corner' event outside a Safeway store near Tucson. When the gunshots began, Hernandez ran toward them and began checking the pulses of people who'd been hit. When Hernandez got to Giffords, he used his hand to apply pressure to the entry wound on her forehead. He pulled her into his lap and held her upright so she wouldn't choke on her blood."
On Jan. 9, Giffords' longtime campaign manager, Mike McNulty, told CNN that he was confident the congresswoman would pull through, although "[t]he doctors are pretty clear that we just have to wait and see."
Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart said in a statement, "Gabrielle Giffords has been an effective leader and a steady friend to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We wish her and the other injured victims a speedy and complete recovery.
"A healthy democracy does not have room for a culture of violence and intimidation. Political leaders and judges must be able to do their jobs without having to fear for their lives. Now more than ever, we all must work to ensure they're able to do so."
Authorities have charged Loughner with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of attempting to assassinate a member of Congress, according to the Wall Street Journal. Loughner shot 20 peoplesix fatally, including U.S. District Court Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl.