Read LGBT Activist Lt. Choi’s Speech Before His Arrest & Watch Arrest Video
- Image by hoodiefanatic via Flickr
03/18/2010- by Natasia Langfelder
Lt. Dan Choi has been fighting for a repeal to Don’t Ask Don’t Tellfor months. LGR has been covering his actions closely, as he has been a strong voice on the activist scene. As we all know by now, he has been arrested for handcuffing himself to the White House fence during a rally (with Kathy Griffin, of all people) for the repeal of DADT. There are those who say his radical actions hurt the cause. First of all, his actions aren’t that radical. When Republicans and Tea Baggers show up to town halls armed with guns, that is radical. That is disgusting and no one says it “hurts their cause.” In fact, it gets them more attention and mobilizes their base. But the minute an LGBT person speaks up, they are “radical” and “out of control.” Also, President Obamahas never said he supports marriage equality, but he has said he would repeal DADT within his first year of the presidency. He isn’t going to, Lt. Choi’s actions have no bearing on that. It’s no secret that President Obama has let the LGBT community down constantly since his election into office. On March 15th, long before today’s rally, The Advocate posted an article talking about Obama’s sluggishness regarding DADT and how little time he has actually devoted to it. Now there is a man handcuffed to his fence, now he will notice because it is staring him in the face. To read the article, click HERE
Lt. Choi is an American Hero, both for his service in the armed forces and for being out and speaking for those who don’t have a voice, his fellow LGBT members of the military and a, such as Constance McMillan. He represents all of us and he’s putting himself on the line for all of us, not for himself. Below is the speech Lt. Choi read before he handcuffed himself to the White House fence.
“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.”
UPDATE: Watch the video of Lt Choi’s arrest
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Maybe bi-nationals should start chaining ourselves to the White House?
Bi-nationals need to do something. The President took the time to comment about Tiger Woods today (he hopes his family can work it out) but I don’t believe he has mentioned the UAFA…maybe it’s time to ask the President which issue he thinks is more important.
Natasia– I know what you mean. I dont think he’s once meantioned the UAFA bill. What a disgrace.