It is funny that the military is there to protect our constitution, yet if you read the contitution, DADT forces our GLTB soldiers to chose whether they want to have the 2nd amendment (the right to bear arms to protect the state) or the other rights (the right to free association, the right to separation of church and state --imagine a soldier free to go to a gay church -- the right of free press -- imagine a soldier free to subscribe to the Advocate.

Of course with Judge Catholic as the leader of the Supreme Court of the US ... gay soldiers will always be second class citizens -- and other gay Americans --- well, just count them out entirely.

Some factual clarifications:

"Trial" is the wrong word. Because he chose to contest his discharge, rather than simply going quietly as most regretfully but understandably choose to do, Dan was given an administrative hearing. [He would have only been put on trial, in this regard, if he were being charged with a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice of which "being gay" is not.]

After the administrative hearing recommends discharge, the servicemember can appeal. While that appeal is in process, they remain in the military, though their assignments often change.
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach is awaiting the results of his appeal to the Secretary of the Air Force, and remains on active duty until then.

Unlike when Fehrenbach was outed, Dan was NOT "active duty" when he outed himself. He had moved from active duty with the Army to the New York Army National Guard. National Guards are "reserve" military, who are only activATED at various times by their governor or the President. The majority of the time, Guard members are allowed to hold down other jobs, do whatever they want with their time, as Dan has since June 2008. There are National Guard units who have been "activated" serving "full time" in war zones, but obviously Dan's is not one of them.

The training he was on last week was TEMPORARY, the kind periodically required of all National Guard members to keep their skills intact.

Thus, unless he specifically told Phil otherwise, his reasons for having to cancel or decline any events after this week [at least until his next periodic training] are NOT the result of the military trying to silence him.

Did he explicitly SAY he wouldn't again "be on Maddow, he won't be on AC360, he won't be on Situation Room, he won't be getting interviewed by Time, NPR and all of the mainstream media"?

As for the support of his Commander in relation to DADT repeal, it's the kind of thing that has certainly contributed to the process generally, but he's at the wrong end of the proverbial stick to be any indication of what will be decided at the other end.

Finally, it is not just repeal that we should be demanding, but a freeze on discharges UNTIL repeal. Until then, talk is just talk, as the hundreds who were discharged last year prove.

Thank you.

Wow!! Great article.

Does the image of queer people holding large guns fighting unjust wars for the United States not disturb anyone at all?!

If the media reports on him while he serves, showing pictures of him serving and reporting on his service, he will continue to be a voice for us all as he shows Americans that he is one in the same, a fellow citizen and an American soldier fighting for the freedom of this country. I don't know how you could attack that image without hurting your cause.

I don't approve of the Iraq or the Afghanistan wars, but that is a different issue from making invisible LGBT soldiers visible to the average American. If we are going to be in this mess, our fellow LGBT citizens should be able to serve to defend their country if they choose, as themselves and equal to their fellow citizens.

I really look up to this guy. He is brave in more ways that one.

I applaud the progress made and I wish Lt. Choi all the best in his tour of duty. Please stay alert and come home safe.

Victory is not often dramatic but more likely incremental. The legislation may be changing but ultimately it is the hearts and minds of the people that matters most.

The integration of openly gay members will take time and a lot of work. The pioneers will always bear the brunt of the work.

Thank you for the updates, to let us stay tuned to the continuing journey of all the Knights.

Why has someone photoshopped image 3 to make his M-16 HUGE!!?? The US military has large guns, yes, but they do not have M-16s that have been remade for giants. Drop the picture, it makes the otherwise excellent article appear less authentic.

@ Lance: please do not reinforce the MYTH that "the integration of openly gay members will take time and a lot of work." There is absolutely nothing but "sky may fall" Pentagon/Antigay Industry propaganda behind such claims; and years of evidence to the contrary.

Dan's continued out presence in his National Guard unit, even if it is only for periodic trainings lasting only a few days like this one, as well as that of out Victor Fehrebach in the Air Force for the last several months [nearly a year and a half if one includes all the time since discharge proceedings against him began], are just the most current examples proving it false.

Like them, Navy Top Gun Tracy Thorne-Begland continued on active duty after outing himself in 1992 once a judge ordered him back in, until his discharge under DADT. Grethe Cammermeyer in the Army National Guard, Keith Meinhold in the Navy, and Justin Elzie in the Marinesl...all continued to serve openly for a number of years with the help of courts. Zoe Dunning continued to be a part of the Navy Reserves for FOURTEEN years after outing herself in 1993.

And those are just the "headline" cases, the ones we know about. In 2008, SLDN documented 500 cases of gays serving while out to their peers, with an untold number more not having contacted them.

This is not to say there aren't now or won't be ANY cases of negative reactions post repeal, but, first, the vast majority of gays presently serving in silence will NOT suddenly come out evena after repeal. And, if the Pentagon does it right...and there's no FUNCTIONAL reason why they can't...that is, clearly stating that disruption BY HOMOPHOBES will not be tolerated and ENFORCING that, doubters will look back with veritable egg souffles on their face at how smoothly it went.

I saw a brief mention on CNN that they will have an interview with Lt. Choi, back in uniform. I was overcome with pride and immediately searched the web, finding this page.

The feeling I have this minute can only be compared to that when Bernie Shaw, et al first reported in 1991 from Kuwait. Their report opened with an "all's calm," but within seconds we heard the first bombs exploding in the background. Operation Desert Storm had begun. The right Gulf War was on and just days away from completion all at once.

Anyone who shared that moment can no doubt recall the immense pride we felt as a nation. It was one of those moments that I will remember vividly. America's goodness was unmistakable.

As I sit here now, welled with emotion, I know that America is today a little stronger! Even the election night 2008 pales in comparison to this moment. I am again, "Proud to be an American!"

No one is going to silence Dan! I got an email from him today announcing 13 upcoming speaking engagements! http://tinyurl.com/yjzfmth

The page also indicates he is having a public conference call tomorrow night with Sen. Gillibrand in conjunction with the Courage Campaign. Details are in the link if anyone wants to join and listen in.

I think the powers that be KNOW that if they followed through with his actual discharge, all hell would break loose.

Daniel Choi is a true American hero and leader. The U.S. Military should be ashamed that they would even consider dismissing him and other men and women with incredible dignity, integrity, and loyalty. If they do kick him out, I hope he will run for office. We need more out and proud politicians with the kind of courage and dedication you see in Daniel Choi.

Thanks for sharing these great photos Jeff!