Hello Everyone!
So today I woke up thinking about Dan Choi. I know a lot of you probably don't know who he is, so I just wanted to write a little blog to keep you all updated on things! Dan Choi is considered a hero to many of us in the human rights movement. Why? Not just because he went to West Point, or served a tour in Iraq, but because he is a BRAVE man who truly stands up for what he believes in, and as you all know by now, I highly admire people who like to break barriers and speak their minds!
On national television he PROUDLY told the world that he was a GAY soldier. *Standing Ovation* But then soon after he announced that he was GAY, the army IMMEDIATELY gave him the boot! Now keep in mind, this is a man who proudly enlisted himself in the army, possibly endangering his own life, just so that he could help protect our country and be a PROUD SOLDIER TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! For him to get the boot just because of what gender he chooses to LOVE is absolutely RIDICULOUS to me! HORRID! Unfortunately, he isn't the first to be discriminated against, and unless President Obama acts fast, and keeps his campaign promise to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy" in the military, he will not be the last!
Being an openly bisexual woman myself and having a lot of close gay friends, I have always HATED that policy, which pretty much tells people that in order to serve our country, you have to live in secret. You can't openly embrace the person you love or tell others about them. What kind of message does that send? Well, clearly its one of shame. Very shameful and quite sad.
Think about it, this outmoded policy sends a horrible message to young people, straight or gay, that the military is trying to recruit. It tells them that the military is an intolerant place that does not value diversity, fairness, and equality. More than 12,500 gay and lesbian soldiers have been discharged since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" began in 1993. The soldiers were brave enough to lay their lives on the line to protect the country they love, and for all of us here in America, but they were not good enough live openly and proudly as they are. The message that this sends, is that the military sees no problem with discrimination- and how is that "American" exactly? This country is supposed to be all about "EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL" So they should honor that commandment! We have come a long way, fighting for equal rights so why stop now?
So now I am looking to our superhero President to do what is right! President Obama says that he will REPEAL the DADT policy, but so far, we don't have a date as of yet.....all we have is just a campaign promise that really gave us all hope during that time that a change was coming! We shall all be free! I for one, trust the words of our President. I trust that he will continue to fight for our rights from within the White House walls just like he promised he would. As a matter of fact, I would like to applaud him for extending partner benefits to federal Gay employees, calling on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, meeting with Mathew Shephard's mom(the same Lady who turned away Perez Hilton for his recent anti-gay slur) about hate crimes, and repealing the HIV travelers ban...so yes, I will give Obama credit where it is due! Our guy, is on the move and I love him for it.
However, we still need a date Mr. Obama. When will you give us that date to repeal the DADT Policy and continue be the Superhero that you can be! We are here, we are queer, and its about time that the military gets used to it!!! Discrimination is so 2000 and Late! The time is NOW!!!!!! YES WE CAN, BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN! I hope you get a chance to read this Mr. President! I know you have it in you to be one of the greatest Presidents our time!
Yours Truly,
Ms. Tila Nguyen