Barry Winchell's Parents Announce Courage Award Recipient

Patricia and Wally Kutteles, the parents of PFC Barry Winchell, have announced that former Army Sergeant Bleu Copas will receive the 2007 Barry Winchell Courage Award during SLDN's 15th annual dinner on March 24th.

The award, presented by Mr. & Mrs. Kutteles in honor of their son, who was murdered in 1999 by fellow soldiers who believed Barry was gay, has previously been given to Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and former SLDN co-executive director Michelle Benecke.

Copas, an Arabic linguist stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., was 'outed' through a series of anonymous emails sent to his command. Sergeant Copas fought the investigation into his private life, but was subsequently dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Following his dismissal from the Army, he appeared on Good Morning America, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and in numerous press articles around the country.

Mr. & Mrs. Kutteles are honoring Sergeant Copas for his courage in speaking out against the ban, even while his family was not always 100% supportive of his decision to do so.

SLDN's dinner will also honor Showtime's series The L Word for its upcoming storyline related to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Series creator Ilene Chaiken, and stars Cybill Shepherd, Pam Grier & Marlee Matlin, will accept the Randy Shilts Visibilty Award on the show's behalf.

- Steve Ralls