Knights Out

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sue Fulton, Knights Out
sue.fulton @ knightsout.org ; 908-256-6727

OBAMA COMMITMENT TO END “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” ENERGIZES MARCHING VETERANS AT NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH
LT Choi says: “I heard the Commander in Chief give an order”

WEST POINT, NY, October 12, 2009 – A significant number of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender veterans joined Lieutenant Dan Choi at the National Equality March yesterday, after President Obama’s strongest statement yet on ending the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.  The policy, encoded into law by Congress in 1993, prevents LGBT servicemembers from being truthful about their relationships.

President Obama spoke at the Annual Dinner for the Human Rights Campaign on Saturday, bringing the crowd to their feet by declaring, “and I WILL end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” 

“I’m an Infantry Officer, and when I heard those words, I didn’t hear a political promise; I heard the Commander in Chief give an order,” said Choi.  “I heard a call to action for the Department of Defense to prepare for this change now.”

ON Sunday, a spirited group of LGBT veterans, including many West Point and Annapolis graduates, marched with a color guard, responding to military cadence calls with a twist: “We go to battle in Iraq – but if you’re gay they send you back” and “Mister Obama, can’t you see? You’ve got to end this policy!” 

Congress must pass legislation to undo the policy, but all signs are that this is in motion. Congressman Patrick Murphy has 168 co-sponsors of the repeal bill (called the Military Readiness Enhancement Act) in the House; and last week Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appealed to the President and Defense Secretary Robert Gates for their support. “As Congress considers future legislative action, we believe it would be helpful to hear your views on the policy,” he writes. “Your leadership in this matter is greatly appreciated and needed at this time.”

“We’ve served our country – some of us here are still serving, in silence – and allowing us to be truthful will strengthen, not weaken, our armed forces,” said Becky Kanis, Chair of Knights Out, West Point graduate and former company commander in the Army.  She marched alongside her friend, Annapolis graduate Jeff Petrie of USNA Out, the LGBT Naval Academy organization.

“Senator [Kirsten] Gillibrand has secured commitment for Senate hearings,” Petrie said. “Those hearings need to happen now – we need all hands on deck to win the war in Afghanistan, and that includes people like Lieutenant Choi.  The sooner the law changes, the sooner our servicemembers will be able to free themselves from the distraction of legislated discrimination and focus on their jobs.”

Choi’s speech at the rally brought the crowd of thousands to their feet, cheering.
“The time for asking is over. Because in the face of injustice, patience is not a plan; silence is not a strategy. My plan today, my plan tomorrow, and my plan forever, is to tell, and to tell, and to tell.”

Choi’s National Guard board met in June and recommended he be discharged.  A final decision has not been rendered.

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GAY VETERANS LAYING A WREATH AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN: Knights Out members Andrea Hollen, ’80, first woman to graduate West Point (’80); Anthony Woods ’03, Bronze Star winner and veteran of two tours in Iraq; and Lieutenant Dan Choi ’03; joined by retired Navy Captain Robert (Mike) Rankin. They presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, October 10.

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Knights Out is a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender alumni of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  Knights Out was formed by a group of gay and lesbian West Pointers in March of this year.  Founding member Lieutenant Dan Choi – an active duty Infantry officer, Iraq vet, and Arabic speaker – has been recommended for discharge for coming out as gay.

http://www.knightsout.org