Post-traumatic stress, depression, physical wounds and sexual trauma have inflicted permanent scars on a growing population of our generation’s war veterans. The pain from these injuries of war only escalate as the combat deescalates. … Many of us get treatment and begin our long road to recovery the moment we step back onto American soil. But for some of us, the healing cannot begin until we enlist in another war at home. Since joining the ranks of gay veterans, I have publicly called this war a battle for equality, integrity, and many other powerful platitudes that resonate well throughout the airspace of a media war-zone. But at the heart of my struggle to end unjust discrimination in the military, these bold moral principles become mere words; the motivation to keep fighting in this war resembles the motivation we realized in Iraq. We did not fight for apple pie, the Constitution, or purple mountains’ majesty. We fought for each other. Caught in this battlefield, it is easy to claim victimhood and suffocate in the sadness of national betrayal. Gay Americans, like all scapegoated and stigmatized minorities in America’s history, know this feeling all too well. But just as all the patriots who had to come home to fight for equality, we cannot heal our injuries by permanent sorrow and self-pity. The only treatment that can heal the wounds of betrayal and hatred is a recommitment to fight for each other, to stand up for each other, to love one another.
—Lt. Dan Choi, in a Veteran’s Day call to arms, of sorts [via]
Dawson
With all the love that gays love to give to boycotting, perhaps it is time that we boycotted the most unjust unfair institution in the country (the US Armed Forces). I really do not support DADT repeal based on the fact that the very notion of serving in the US Armed Forces is lending support to an unjust war effort waged by people that treat us like less than citizens in the first place. Let GW go fight in GW’s war.
the crustybastard
I figure that if gays collectively said, “we’re no longer going to fight and die for a bigoted country,” they’d not only immediately repeal the ban, they’d fucking draft us.
Dallas David
I don’t know that boycotting the military would work.
I didn’t figure out that I’m gay until I was already in. And some of us are well-suited for military life.
It’s probably best to stay focused on equal-opportunity, and keep the discussion over appropriate use of the military for another time.
Jennifer Q
Choi is an ass-hole. We don’t need him pretending to speak for the GLBT community. He just wants attention.
~R~
@Jennifer Q: Whether he just wants attention or not, he is drawing more attention to what needs to be done. I think his voice alone is more powerful than the HRC collectively. And why shouldn’t it be: he has the experience.
So, thus, Miss Q… please refrain from speaking for ALL of the GLBT community as I don’t want you putting words in my mouth. I WANT him speaking for us. You see it as an act. I see it as a genuine exchange. He is fighting for his own personal rights, which were violated. I, as a gay veteran, totally agree with him and he has my support.
Derek Washington
Though I disagree with Dan on “method”, I have to say he’s gotten way more attention for the repeal of DADT than all of the years and $$$ that Gay Inc have managed to not accomplish.
the crustybastard
@Jennifer Q:
“Choi is an attention-whore” is the siren song of the HRCbot.
Y’all need to work on your material. Your shit is way stale.
Kathy G
Choi is an embarrassment. Can’t we find a coherent and likeable activist?