I have been outraged at how the media and security officials have handled Gavin’s horrific murder this week. However, I held my tongue because first, Gavin was a friend and I was devastated, and second, because I wanted us to focus on what’s important: catching the suspects.

Now that the Information Branch has hunted down the two suspects, it’s time to talk about how bad the leaks were, and how we need to make sure this stops happening every single time such a crime happens in Lebanon.

State Security Officers Arrested

Honestly, when I read that victim-blaming, homophobic preliminary report that was leaked and sent everywhere, I was horrified that they were trying to somehow justify Gavin’s murder because of his sexuality.

Even though we didn’t go public with our suspicions of who leaked it, we were in constant touch with Lebanon’s security forces and judiciary explaining how unacceptable the leak was, and how unforgivable the language and insinuations in it were.

Lebanon’s General Prosecutor Samir Hammoud proceeded to demand the leakers be identified and strict legal measures taken against them for their unprofessional behavior.

Today, two State Security (Amn Dawle) officers were arrested, and are currently in custody pending their trial in a military tribunal for the illegal leak.

Next is Arresting the Photo Leakers

After the agents that leaked the preliminary internal memo were identified and arrested, we ask that those who took the photos of the body also be arrested and legal measure taken against them so this horrible practice stops.

Imagine if you or someone you love was murdered, do you want those investigating it to take photos of the body and send it to their friends, or worse, sell it to some tabloids?

Treat Victims with Dignity

Gavin’s many friends and fans made sure that measures get taken, but less beloved and famous victims need to be treated with dignity too, and those that share such photos for money or gossip, need to know they cannot do that without being punished, especially law enforcement agents who are held up to a higher standard than passerby and ordinary citizens.

I’d like to extend my deep thank you to Joe Maalouf, a good friend of mine, and a friend of Gavin’s who has been keeping the pressure up on relevant authorities and lambasting them for the mistakes done by their subordinates. I will keep you posted with every development in this case.