Jason Nabors, 23, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter for aiding and abetting the murderers of California transgender teen Gwen Araujo, Advocate.com reported. Araujo, 17, was beaten, tied up and strangled on Oct. 4, 2002, after the men learned she was biologically male. Two men were sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in the slaying; another pled no contest to manslaughter and received six years in prison.
Edwin Ramos, a homeless heroin addict, has implicated himself in the killing of Martin Barreto, a gay aide to former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, WCBSTV.com reported. Ramos apparently told investigators that the pair met randomly on the street and claimed the death was accidental. Barreto’s nude body was found in the bedroom of the Greenwich Village apartment of a cousin; he had apparently been strangled.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has entered into a partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and has begun discussions with activist groups about extending domestic-partnership benefits to its employees, according to Advertising Age. Not surprisingly, a backlash is taking shape among conservative groups such as the Family Research Council and the American Family Association.