DADT: Choi on Trial, Homosexual Magazine Debuts, and More
Noted below:
- Former Army Lt Dan Choi on trial for White House protest
- “OutSource” homosexual magazine to debut at military posts
- Homosexual Soldier says heterosexual married guys get picked on more
- NYT highlights homosexuals attempting to re-enlist
Former Army Lieutenant Dan Choi, an outspoken advocate for open service by homosexuals in the US military, is fighting federal charges for handcuffing himself to the White House perimeter fence, the third similar incident.
Choi’s attorney argued he is being treated different because of the substance of his protest.
Choi’s attorney Robert Feldman said…people arrested for protesting at the White House are usually charged in local court where the penalty for disobeying a police order is a fine of between $100 and $1,000. But Choi was charged in federal court, where he faces both a fine and jail time of up to six months.
The article notes, even if Feldman doesn’t, that the 12 other people arrested with Choi were treated the same way, and they have already pled guilty in the federal court.
The Associated Press photo accompanying the article shows Choi in uniform, though as a former servicemember he would not be authorized to wear the uniform under these circumstances. Choi has repeatedly worn the US Army uniform in his political protests as a civilian.
The presiding judge “put his trial on hold,” apparently indicating Choi may actually have shown he was being treated uniquely.
OutSource (the magazine of homosexual advocacy organization OutServe) will be available on US military bases on September 20th, the same day the repeal of the policy most often known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” goes into effect. It will apparently be free. The group OutServe reportedly has 4,000 members.
Some military members are “struggling” with the decision to tell their peers about their homosexuality. One servicemember noted it’s not really that big of a deal anymore. Heterosexual married guys are getting “picked on” more than homosexuals:
“You still have guys teasing other guys for acting ‘gay’ once in a while, but the straight married guys are the ones getting picked on the most. I don’t think anyone would be surprised to find out I’m gay, but I never get picked on.”
Someone is always getting “picked on” in most small unit military cultures, some of which are barely one step above the high school locker room. It seems sexuality will still be a valid “target,” just not homosexuality. After all, is someone really going to complain about being teased because they’re heterosexual?
The New York Times has a column on former servicemembers attempting to re-enlist after having been discharged for being homosexual. It notes they will have no special status and must compete equally with everyone else. Former Air Force Major Michael Almy and his co-plaintiffs are suing to overcome that by suing to be reinstated. Even homosexual advocates admit a blanket policy of reinstatement would probably be impractical.