Big Update: This may explain the curious silence. I recieved an email from Lieutenant Choi. He told me:
"I haven't been informed yet. I don't have a copy of any such discharge papers."
Apparently, if this report is true, Lieutenant Choi was the last to know.
And yet another lesson on checking your facts before you run with the story:
"It's also strange to hear this information from the reporter AFTER he writes the article. That I'm supposedly discharged. He did not know if it was an honorable or "other than honorable" discharge because he must have not seen the reported papers either."
So, discharged? Not discharged? Stay tuned.
He also just tweeted.
No, I have not seen any discharge papers. When/if they come, I'll show and tell. #DADT
I presume we can stop speculating at what price he sold his silence?
News broke last night in the Gay City News that Lieutenant Dan Choi's long-pending discharge order was quietly finalized on June 29.
He has finally been "separated from service," the preferred Department of Defense euphemism for "fired" or "kicked to the curb."
If true, it's odd to me that Choi and his friends at GetEQUAL were so quiet on this development. Undersell is not usually their MO. And discharging the most recognizable face of the repeal movement certainly offered a fantastic opportunity to put the unjust reality of this policy back into the American public's face, who seemed to have moved on.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" lives, for now, and the indefinite future, as far as anyone can see. No matter if anyone is trying to tell you otherwise. His is just the most famous of hundreds of men and women who will doubtlessly be discharged this year. More than a 1,000 have been kicked out of the military for being gay under Commander-in-Chief Obama's watch.
Whatever the reason for Choi's silence, the development is another sad and shameful chapter in this country's history. Choi has demonstrated intelligence, courage and incredible leadership skills. As a West Point graduate, an arab linguist and an Iraq combat veteran, there is no conceivable way this is a net plus for our national security.
Just as Dan refused to respect the law, I do too. I refuse to strip references to veterans' titles who are discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. Whatever the official rules are, I reject the military has any such authority based on a law that is wrong, unjust and immoral.
I will continue to refer to him by title, as I will Captain James Pietrangelo and all the other brave men and women who served our country and got kicked the the teeth in thanks.
The military may be able to physically strip the uniform off their backs, and the stars and stripes from their shoulders.
But they cannot strip from me the respect I have for their service to our country. They cannot strip from me the recognition of their humanity and the injustice our country is perpetrating upon them. And I will continue to honor their service, not this country's homophobia. Call it my own civilly disobedient contribution to the cause.
The lieutenant's discharge is no more valid than law on which it is based. We all know, in our hearts, whatever our politics, the oppressive, regressive DADT law is a shameful American abomination. We know any process that codifies baseless bigotry into law is invalid under our Constitution. And I trust soon the Supreme Court will agree.
It is, however, the gay community's good fortune we will now be free to claim this great man--this great leader--as ours and ours alone. The forces of bigotry and oppression will surely snatch defeat--not victory--from having "won" this battle. An unencumbered Lt. Dan Choi will be a very formidable force for Equality and Justice.
We salute your courage and strength Lieutenant, the community stands at attention, awaiting your command.
The picture of Courage and Leadership: Lieutenant Choi, with Constance McMillen and Judy Shepard and family at New York City's Gay Pride March, June 2010. This picture was taken two days before his discharge order is alleged to have been finalize.