danchoi
On March 19, 2009, Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Iraq veteran fluent in Arabic, announced that he was gay on The Rachel Maddow Show. Because of three words – “I am gay” – Lt. Choi’s life changed forever. Despite his extreme value as an Arabic speaker able to communicate quickly and clearly with the Iraqi people, one month after his announcement Lt. Dan Choi was notified that the Army had begun discharge proceedings against him. He was one of only eight soldiers from his graduating class who majored in Arabic.
At West Point, Lt. Choi recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught him to “choose the harder right over the easier wrong” and to “never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.” The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.
Following the Honor Code isn’t always easy, but honor and integrity are 24-hour values. That is why Lt. Choi refused to lie about his identity.
Lt. Choi served for a decade under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: a policy that forces American soldiers to deceive and lie about their sexual orientation and forces others to tolerate deception and lying. These values are completely opposed to what he learned at West Point. Deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a fighting force.
On June 30, 2009 Lt. Choi faced a military trial under Don't Ask Don't Tell where the primary evidence against him was his simple statement of truth. Despite the board's recommendation for discharge, the case was never finalized and Lt. Choi continues to serve in his military unit, completely exposing the falsehoods, fear-mongering and outright bigotry of repeal opponents, many of whom he debated frequently on TV and radio segments throughout his coming out, discharge proceedings and continued military service.
On March 19, 2010 Lt. Choi with former Army Captain James Pietrangelo, chained themselves to the White House fence and were arrested with over a dozen patriots around the country in the pursuit of justice. Choi and Piterangelo spent the night in prison. The protests, coordinated by a bold group of LGBT Americans, GetEQUAL.org, expressed the moral urgency for government leaders to enact full equality and manifest the American promise without delays or excuses.
They were arrested again and spent the night in prison with four other military veterans on April 20, 2010. The day following release, Lt. Choi reported to weekend drill with his infantry unit and continues to serve as an army officer.
"Dan's 7/22 Statement on Don't Ask, Don't Tell Discharge:
This morning I received notification of my honorable discharge from the army under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." After 11 years since beginning my journey at West Point and after 17 months of serving openly as an infantry officer this is both an infuriating and painful announcement.
But my service continues. To all those veterans who have endured similar trials and injustices or prematurely ended their military service because of the unjust policy: our fight has only begun.
The true honor and dignity of service does not come from a piece of paper, a pension or paycheck, a rank or status; only an unflinching commitment to improve the lives of others can determine the nature of one’s service. From the first moment we put on our nation’s uniform and swore our solemn oath, we committed ourselves to fight for freedom and justice; to defend our constitution and put the needs of others before our own. This is not an oath that I intend to abandon. Doing so at such a time, or remaining silent when our family and community members are fired or punished for who they truly are would be an unequivocal moral dereliction that tarnishes the honor of the uniform and insults the meaning of America.
" Yesterday, was a sad day in America. One of our nation's heroes was told he was not allowed to do his job of protecting our country because of his sexual orientation. Lt. Dan Choi honorably served this nation at war in Iraq and now, at great misfortune, has become a casualty of war that still rages in our homeland; the war for equal rights for all Americans. For the sake of your legacy and the legacy of one of our nation's greatest attributes, its tolerance of diversity, Mr. President, it is now the time to put the security of our nation first over the intolerance of others and re-instate Lt. Choi to his National Guard duties. d.
