127: Soldier's Girl: The Murder of Barry Winchell
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<p>The 2003 film Soldier's Girl tells the true story of Barry Winchell, a young soldier stationed at Fort Campbell who becomes romantically involved with transgender performer Calpernia Addams. Their relationship develops quietly at first, but it becomes increasingly dangerous within the highly rigid and hostile environment of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” era.</p><p>As rumors about Winchell begin circulating among fellow soldiers, he becomes the target of escalating harassment and social pressure. That hostility is fueled in part by other soldiers, including Justin Fisher, who encourages and manipulates younger soldier Calvin Glover. The film builds toward the real-life tragedy where Winchell is attacked with a baseball bat while sleeping in his barracks, a violent act rooted in a toxic mix of rumor, prejudice, and peer pressure.</p><p>Sources: <br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpanzTImkE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpanzTImkE</a><br><a href="https://inmagazine.ca/2024/07/flashback-soldier-barry-winchell-dies-after-anti-gay-hate-crime-july-6-1999/">https://inmagazine.ca/2024/07/flashback-soldier-barry-winchell-dies-after-anti-gay-hate-crime-july-6-1999/</a><br><a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2000/05/kentucky-murder-200005?srsltid=AfmBOoppbiKCRONCbuReee_d9LP_ImBd8uuuNkWew3BvLsttjmk1De7k">https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2000/05/kentucky-murder-200005?srsltid=AfmBOoppbiKCRONCbuReee_d9LP_ImBd8uuuNkWew3BvLsttjmk1De7k</a><br><a href="https://www.out.com/news/drag-race-barry-winchell-murder">https://www.out.com/news/drag-race-barry-winchell-murder</a><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/09/us/killer-s-trial-shows-gay-soldier-s-anguish.html#:~:text=But%20nothing%20came%20of%20their,factors%20in%20meting%20out%20sentences.&text=Articles%20yesterday%20about%20the%20conviction,the%20Army%20account%20for%20312">https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/09/us/killer-s-trial-shows-gay-soldier-s-anguish.html#:~:text=But%20nothing%20came%20of%20their,factors%20in%20meting%20out%20sentences.&text=Articles%20yesterday%20about%20the%20conviction,the%20Army%20account%20for%20312</a>.<br><a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20000528mag-calpernia.html">https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/magazine/home/20000528mag-calpernia.html</a></p></div>
