What a hero!
During the Human Rights Campaign march this morning in Washington, DC, Lt. Dan Choi, who famously has been under fire from the US Army for serving his country out of the closet, announced that he was chaining himself to the White House to protest the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy!!
Choi, who appeared on stage while comedienne Kathy Griffin was there supporting the LGBT community, read this statement before heading to the White House:
“Hello. My name is Lt. Dan Choi. I am being discharged from the US Army because I am gay and dared to say it out loud.
Today, I am here on a mission with Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, and we are asking you all to join us. We’re calling you to action because we are at a turning point — a moment in time where talk is no longer enough, and action is required.
Equality is not going to happen by itself.
You have been told that the President has a plan. But Congressman Barney Frank confirmed to us this week that the President still is not fully committed to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year.
And if we don’t seize this moment it may not happen for a very long time.
Some may tell you that I am one of the lucky ones. I have been welcomed back by my unit with open arms. And it would be easy for me to stay quiet and hope that change will happen.
But what I was taught at West Point and learned in war is — hope is not a strategy. As officers, James and I both find it a dereliction of our moral duty to remain silent while thousands of our brothers and sister are not allowed to serve openly and honestly.
Capt. Pietrangelo was honorably discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2004 and I will be subject to the same shortly. As officers we are here today fighting for those in the ranks, and we need our Commander in Chief to do the same.
Our fight is not here at Freedom Plaza, it is at the White House. We are walking to the White House right now to send the President a message. So…take out your cell phones and your cameras. Document this moment. Join us as together — we make history.”
He then proceeded to march to the White House, and as we write this, is still chained to the fence with a crowd of supporters!!
As of now, only one woman, Robin McGehee, has been arrested for helping Capt. Pietrangelo handcuff himself to the fence on the grounds of 'disorderly conduct.'
Stand strong!! We are 100% behind you!!
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!
[Image via Ty_DC.]
Olivia Wilde
Megan Fox
Bar Refaeli
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