Ex-Lance Corporal Rudy Paul A former New Zealand Army soldier has added his voice to those calling for the court of inquiry into the self-inflicted death of Corporal Dougie Hughes to be opened up for public scrutiny. Coroner Gordon Matenga, who made a submission against marriage equality, ruled Corporal Hughes' death in Afghanistan was suicide. He did not open an inquest, and has suppressed a Defence Force Court of Inquiry into what happened. Corporal Hughes' family is concerned the soldier was bullied about his sexuality before he died and wants a full inquest into whether he was given the help he needed. In a three part series, former soldier Rudy Paul has told GayNZ.com his story of joining the army as a young man, and taking ten years to come to terms with his homosexuality. He eventually had a secret relationship with a man on base, and then in 1999 after 18 years’ service, he left the army as he was sick of hiding who he was. Corporal Hughes’ story has resonated with Paul, who tells GayNZ.com "That could have been me... that kid could have been me." He believes the Court of Inquiry should be opened to public scrutiny. “I can't understand why they are hiding it. And why they are saying that it is protect the family when his own mother wants it revealed.” Paul says it’s about finding the truth. “If it comes out that Dougie was gay and hadn't told anyone then that is fine. Or if it comes out that Defence is homophobic even though it says it is not then that is fine also, because then we can do something about it, they will do something about it because they will have no choice because we have too many openly gay politicians who I hope would go out and make improvements happen.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 1st May 2013 - 11:17am