Christopher Mastromarino, a military officer who serves with the U.S. Army’s revered Old Guard, may be dismissed after being subjected to three investigations resulting from other soldiers speculating that he is gay, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). Emily Hecht, the SLDN attorney defending Mastromarino, said that ‘rumor, hearsay and homophobia have jeopardized the career of a soldier with an otherwise sterling service record.’
In New York City, Department of Corrections official Marc Carpentier was arrested at a gay bar called The View and charged with assault, criminal mischief and resisting arrest following a brawl there, according to The New York Post. Carpentier has been suspended indefinitely from his $140,000-a-year position.
The organization known as Campaign to End AIDS plans to hold a protest in Silver Hill, Ala.—where a 2-year-old was denied access to a public pool because he was HIV-positive, according to Advocate.com. Approximately 150 people plan to swim and shower at Wales West RV Park while wearing swimsuits labelled ‘HIV Positive.’
In Iowa, State Senator Matt McCoy—the state’s highest-ranking openly gay elected official—has been formally charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for extortion, according to Advocate.com. McCoy allegedly tried to take money from home-security installations for himself. If found guilty, he could be in prison for 20 years and have to pay up to $250,000 in fines.