The Battle is Just Beginning

Today, Lt. Dan Choi was officially discharged from the military under "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT). According to Newsweek, Choi received the call of his discharge from his commander at the 1/69 Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard. In addition, Choi says that he learned from another source that his father had received a letter about his discharge "some time ago"; Choi and his father are not on speaking terms.

This just saddens me. It saddens me that, today in 2010, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning & all the others in the community) people cannot openly serve for their country in the military. I don't understand what the big deal is. I don't buy the argument that homosexuality leads to less unity cohesion, nor the argument that allowing LGBTQ people to openly serve in the military will distract other service members. I don't understand what people are so afraid of. And if the military is built on integrity and honour, is it not honourable to live as who you are, be it gay, straight, or whatever? Can't one be seen to be filled with integrity if they live an honest life as opposed to living a lie?

I'm sure that future generations looking back at the America of today will hang their heads in shame. Shamed because they can't understand why we couldn't treat all people as equals.

To learn more about Dan Choi and his activism or Don't Ask, Don't Tell, visit these sites:

Dan Choi website

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network