Emily Bartelheim
News Editor
Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraq War Veteran who was discharged after publicly disclosing that he is gay, will share his story during a visit to The College of Wooster on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at McGaw Chapel at 7:30 p.m. College of Wooster students, faculty and staff may attend for free, and admission for area residents is $5.
After graduating from West Point, Choi “announced his sexual orientation to a national audience on the Rachel Maddow Show in 2009,” according to a press release. One month later the Army began discharge proceedings against him.
The military board decided to discharge him for violation of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” The case was then publicly appealed to the Secretary of Defense, during which Choi served openly in his unit and publicly protested for the repeal of the policy. Additionally, he served as a national co-chair of the March on Washington for LGBT Equality.
Five months later, “he handcuffed himself to the White House fence with a fellow gay veteran,” according to a press release. The two were arrested and imprisoned, only to repeat the demonstration one month later with four other veterans.
According to the press release, “after a final arrest at the White House on Nov. 15, 2010, Choi attended the bill signing that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and restore the honor of service to millions of American veterans.”
Choi continues to advocate for full LGBT civil rights and veteran’s health. He has served as Grand Marshal for several LGBT Pride Parades, appeared frequently on national and international news programs, and currently serves on the boards of Marriage Equality USA and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. He is currently at Harvard University graduate school.