Detail of tomorrow's DADT bill signing ceremony have been leaking out, and there was a rather welcome surprise:
@SpeechAdvice, to the uninitiated would be Robin McGehee, Executive Director of GetEqual. Robin might popularly be described as queen of the noisy gays, having been the one of the driving forces behind some of the controversial actions behind DADT repeal, ENDA and others.
News that the White House has extended an invitation to her and to Lt Dan Choi is welcome.
More from Metro Weekly
Today at the White House briefing, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that President Barack Obama "likely" will sign the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal bill into law on the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 22. No official guidance has been given by the White House to the media about the event at this point.
[UPDATE @ 7:20 PM: The White House has announced, "On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, President Obama will sign the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law in a signing ceremony at the Department of the Interior." Per the news advisory, the ceremony is to take place at 9:15 a.m.]
I'm hearing an audience of 500 is expected. I'm glad a big handful of my friends will be there. John Aravois of Americablog, was extended an invite (he's in Chicago for the holidays and will not atttend), Pam Spaulding, and her fellow Pam's House Blend barista, Keori, who posts here by the same handle. (Pam, too, will be missing it as her recent surgery precludes her from traveling.)
My friend Justin Elzie, also known as the "patient zero of gay Marines," having been the first service member discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I mentioned him in my diary on Saturday.
From what I'm hearing, the White House office of public engagement and Brian Bond has made an excellent good faith gesture to move past some of the unpleasantness over the disagreements some have had with the administration.
I'll say, I did not imagine Dan Choi or Robin McGehee (or John Aravois...) would be extended the invitation to share in the moment. And while, I would have disagreed, I wouldn't have thought their reasoning for exclusion to be unreasonable.
This is a gracious action on the part of the White House. Well done.
Update: Before the invitation was extended, Choi had said he was disinclined to attend. An interview posted on Monday:
While Choi admits that he will not be invited to the White House bill signing and has never been asked by SLDN (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network) to speak at a press conference, he explains, "I prefer not to be there at this point. It is not out of bitterness; it is really out of my soldier's instinct. To seek recognition and fame is counter to the ideals of service."
I know there are many people who hope he changes his mind. I am among them. I feel his presence is both appropriate, and will serve as an inspiration for a generation of young people who see him as a hero.
Update 2: Via Twitter:
The commander in chief invited me to attend tomorrow's bill signing; I am honored to report for duty.
Reclaiming my West Point ring at 1p in the majority leader's office. I'm grateful for his leadership, service, and safe-keeping.