CNN's Don Lemon chats Dan Choi and Michelangelo Signorile

Somebody update Michelangelo Signorile, he still taking about the "segregation" piece about DADT. That was debunked weeks ago.

Message in a DADT Bottle

At Netroots Nation, Sen. Harry Reid addressed Dan Choi's discharge in a speech

But Dan had a letter to give to Reid...

July 24, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader:

Dear Harry:

My West Point ring has always symbolized an irrevocable promise: my commitment to serving America and my duty to defend freedom and justice. Today, with my discharge from the army for telling the truth, the ring takes on a new meaning, serving as a symbol for the enduring pain of broken promises.

America was founded on the principles of inalienable rights, equality, and the promise of justice for all. But today, Americans remain segregated from that promise. Fired from our jobs, discriminated in the military, denied equal access to our own integrity and acknowledgement of our families, we cannot conclude that our country has manifested its own promise, over 230 years later.

You have also made personal promises to me that the senate would repeal military discrimination before the end of 2009. Indeed, you sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary Gates, claiming that was the most you could do to save my career. You promised to lead on repeal of discrimination. I believed your promise because you are the most powerful senator in America. Truly, no one can do more. The false hope of your promise has been made real to me today with another letter: the letter terminating my military service.

But I present this ring to you, symbolizing my promise as a fellow citizen: my service continues.

I promise I will hold you accountable to your obligations to lead in the effort to end discrimination, both in the workplace and in the military. My promise is not merely written on a piece of paper or words alone, but in the hearts of every lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender American fired from their jobs because of broken promises from those who purport to be our friends. History will judge us and conclude that the greatest obstacles to justice were not the loud rants of bigots, but the quiet fears of those unwilling to stand firm in the fulfillment of their commitments. I refuse to allow my friends register themselves in history as obstacles to justice.

I commit to you my renewed pledge and continued service. To you and all those "friends" who manipulate, deceive and exploit our community, I will serve as a reminder of the consequences we all pay when allegiance to political careers takes higher priority than allegiance to America's promise.

Sincerely,
Lt. Dan Choi
US Army, Discharged under DADT

Reid has sent a message to Obama to end DADT

source

Here's Dan Choi's Discharge Memo

Here is his response

Dan Choi has been Discharged

Interesting news... Gay City News reports:

Choi lost his battle with the Pentagon on June 29 when his discharge from the Army under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was finalized. While Choi’s National Guard unit informed him by registered mail and with phone messages, he has not disclosed the action.

He did not respond to an email seeking comment. Generally, Choi’s protests and media appearances have been well received in the gay and lesbian community, though there are some voices, notably Bil Browning at the Bilerico Project, that have questioned the effectiveness of his advocacy.

When the May hunger strike that Choi and Pietrangelo began and ended in seven days without achieving any of its goals, Browning posted a piece on bilerico.com titled “Choi's Hunger Strike Lite: Now With More Calories,” writing, “With all of Choi's recent actions, tons of media appearances, chaining himself to the White House fence and this hunger strike, many in the community think Choi’s gone off the deep end. They say this has become more about his ego than a smart strategy to repeal DADT quickly.”

Choi has made a number of appearances at explicitly political events in his uniform. That may violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He attended his July 14 court date in uniform, and that may violate federal law as he is no longer entitled to wear it following his discharge. Any legal issues aside, some in the military and some veterans are offended by those who wear the uniform while engaging in politics.

“There are a lot of gay servicemembers who are a little concerned that this kind of activity could cast them in a negative light,” said Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, a think tank at the University of California that studies Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “Others believe that the community has to do what it takes to end discrimination.”