In California, the LGBT community honored the life of murdered sailor August Provost ( pictured ) July 10 at Camp Pendleton, according to Gay & Lesbian Times. On June 30, Provost was found dead at the camp's Assault Craft Unit Five compound; he was the victim of several gunshot wounds. Several gay-rights groups, including the National Center for Lesbian Rights, have called the killing of the out serviceman a hate crime and want an investigation.
The San Francisco Zoo will not be the same. Popular male Magellan penguins Harry and Pepper have broken upand a female is to blame, according to KTVU.com . Harry and Pepper had been together since 2003, but a female, Linda, befriended Harry earlier this yearcausing Pepper to become violent. Pepper is now by himself, and Harry and Linda actually were able to successfully nest.
In Washington state, Protect Marriage Washington leaders claim to be closing in on the 125,000 signatures neededfor a ballot initiative that would oppose the state's domestic-partnership laws, according to Advocate.com . Larry Stickney, president of the Washington Values Alliance, which runs Protect Marriage, said that 75,000 is their best estimate, but "we think we're closing in on 100,000 now." The deadline for the group is July 25.
In New Jersey, a transwoman apparently died during a voodoo ritual, according to CBSNews.com . Authorities are investigating how Lucille Hamiltona 21-year-old originally from Arkansasdied in what is being called a "voodoo cleansing ritual." The Philadelphia Daily News reported that Hamilton hired voodoo high priest Houngan Hector to perform a ritual known as a "Lave Tet," which, according to ezilidantor.tripod.com, involves "the cleansing, fortifying and ... baptism of one's head."
In Utah, a police report connected to a same-sex kissing incident seemingly supports the gay couple that was detained, according to On Top Magazine. Security guards for the Mormon Church handcuffed and detained Matt Aune, 28, and Derek Jones, 25, as they walked across a church plaza, and were reportedly cited for trespassing. However, details of the report do not agree with the church's statement that the pair was not discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
In New York City, 19-year-old Driton Nicaj has been arrested and charged with committing three anti-gay attacks in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, according to NY1.com . Police say that Nicaj was part of a group of men who robbed Joe Holladay, 36, June 28; Nicaj also allegedly attacked and robbed two 19-year-old men May 31.