THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Gay groups are opposing the promotion; they say the anti-gay atmosphere at Fort Campbell, both before and after the murder, leaves Clark unfit for advancement. They have taken their case to the U.S. Senate, which must confirm all senior level promotions. In most cases that is a pro forma exercise.

Winchell endured extended anti-gay harassment from another soldier in his unit before that soldier took a baseball bat and bludgeoned Winchell to death as he slept, in July 1999. The assailant and an accomplice are serving sentences for the murder.

"In the wake of Winchell's murder, general Clark demonstrated the poorest leadership, issuing no statements against harassment, refusing to speak with or meet the parents of PFC Winchell, or to reassure base soldiers that harassment would not be tolerated," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

SLDN received scores of calls from gay service members at Fort Campbell. More than 200 soldiers were discharged from the base under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" over the remainder of the year, most voluntarily so because they feared for their own safety.

SLDN has opposed the promotion and asked the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold an open hearing on the nomination. Most hearings of that sort are open to the public. It also has asked to be allowed to testify on the nomination and that, at a minimum, Winchell's mother Patricia Kutteles be allowed to speak before a closed session of the committee. None of the requests have been granted.

"Clark's nomination by President Bush is disrespectful to every parent who has lots a child to the shadows of hate," said Kutteles. "It disrespects our men and women in uniform and sends a dangerous message that antigay harassment is condoned in our armed forces."