The Tennessean
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Memorial for slain soldier calls for hate-crimes legislation
By Kathy Carlson / Tennessean Staff Writer

Friends of Pfc. Barry Winchell, who some fear was slain in an anti-gay hate crime, gathered in Centennial Park last night to remember his life and to pledge that hate crimes never happen again.

Part of that pledge was a call from state Rep. Rob Briley to support him when he introduces a hate-crime bill in the General Assembly next January.

Briley urged enacting a measure that "ensures to all Tennesseans that the blessings of life and liberty will never be denied them because of the color of their skin, the church they choose to attend . . . or whom they choose to love." He said such a law would honor Winchell and the Constitution he swore to uphold when he joined the Army.

The 21-year-old Fort Campbell soldier died July 6 from injuries suffered in a beating in the post barracks July 5. Two other soldiers from the sprawling base near Clarksville, Tenn., have been charged in his death.

The service drew about 150 to 200 persons and included words from ministers, activists and Calpernia "Cal" Addams, who said Winchell was his boyfriend.

"Barry was not pretentious or cruel, and Barry was always just a kind, calm gentleman," Addams said, leaning forward slightly at a microphone on the stage of the Centennial Park band shell.

Eight men and women stood on the stage, four holding an American flag and four holding a rainbow banner. Between the groups was an enlarged photo of Winchell, about four feet by four feet, black on a pale lavender background.

"Barry was very new to our community," Addams said of Nashville's gay community. Addams said the slain man told him he "had felt some gay feelings throughout his entire life" but hadn't explored them.

When Winchell began to date Addams and get to know members of Nashville's gay community, Addams said, Winchell "felt like he had finally found a place and group of people that was safe and supportive of him in exploring himself."

After the service, as dozens of people lined up to offer hugs and sympathy to Addams, he said, "I appreciate everybody's work and I do appreciate the Army's efforts" in the case. A television report may have suggested "I didn't think the Army was doing anything, and that wasn't the case," Addams said.

The crowd applauded Addams after he thanked them for their support, and also applauded Briley's call for a state hate-crimes statute. Briley did not give specifics of what the bill would contain.

Several people who attended the service said they did not know Winchell or Addams but attended because they felt they needed to.

"There are a lot of people who justify beating people to death because of what their religion tells them," said Rev. Gregory Bullard of the Metropolitan Community Church. He called on those in the "pulpits of evangelical churches" to "come out against the violence, and to do any less is to deny the God they serve."