In California, Jonathan Campos—who was accused of murdering openly gay sailor August Provost in Camp Pendleton—committed suicide by apparently choking himself with toilet paper, according to the Los Angeles Times. Campos, a petty officer 2nd class, had been charged with murder, drug possession, burglary and other crimes. When U.S. Navy officials announced charges against Campos, they said there was no evidence of a hate crime.
Author E. Lynn Harris died of heart disease complicated by high blood pressure and a hardening of the arteries, according to a New York Times item. Harris died July 24 while on tour to promote his most recent book, Basketball Jones. Harris published more than 10 novels and a memoir, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.
Dwight DeLee, 20, of New York has been found guilty of first-degree manslaughter and committing a hate crime in the death of a transwoman, according to the Los Angeles Times. DeLee—who killed Lateisha "Teish" Green outside a house party last year—may receive up to 25 years in prison. Last November, while sitting with her brother in their car outside a house where several people yelled anti-gay slurs at her, DeLee walked up, raised a .22-caliber rifle and shot Green. Just 11 states, and the District of Columbia, have laws that protect gender identity.
Queerly Wed, a new online wedding directory geared to the LGBTQ community ( at www.queerlywed.com ) , launched July 23. In addition to the vendor directory, Queerly Wed also features couples who have already walked down the aisle in a weekly interview, planning tips, relationship advice, legal information and more. Queerly Wed currently lists queer-friendly wedding vendors throughout the United States, and Canada. The owners plan to include international listings by 2011.
Republican Charles Baker, Jr.—who is for marriage equality—has entered the race for governor of Massachusetts, according to Advocate.com . Baker, who is a socially moderate fiscal conservative, recently said, "My brother's gay, and he's married, and he lives in Massachusetts, so I'm for it. Is that straight enough?'' The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.
Committee OKs
Sotomayor
Judge Sonia Sotomayor—in line to become the first Latino/a member of the U.S. Supreme Court—was approved 13-6 by the Senate Judiciary Committee July 28.
The vote was largely along party lines, with five of the six Republicans opposing her confirmation. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina was the only member of the GOP to support Sotomayor.
The committee will send its recommendation to the full Senate; the legislative body is expected to confirm Sotomayor's appointment next week. If confirmed, she would replace retired Justice David H. Souter.
