LGBT POV

Folks at Netroots Nation were all a-twitter about how Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who’s in an ugly re-election battle against a nutty Tea Party star Sharron Angle to keep his seat in Nevada, mentioned recently discharged Lt. Dan Choi at the top of his speech Saturday afternoon.

But after Reid sat down to take questions, moderator Joan McCarter handed Reid Dan Choi’s West Point ring, chocking up as she explained that Choi said, “it doesn’t mean what it used to mean any more.” Surprised, Reid accepted the ring, then McCarter handed him a letter from Choi regarding his discharge.

I watched live on the streaming webcast and even hundred miles away I could see and hear and feel the whole place erupt with emotion. That ring symbolized not just the man, Dan Choi, but all the LGBT people serving in silence at home and abroad, all the LGBT people who have fought hard, played by the rules and earned rings like that because America says merit matters. And here was Lt. Dan Choi – former Lt. Dan Choi, discharged on the government’s counterfeit charge that Choi lacks military merit because he is gay – giving that ring back to the symbol of the U.S. government because the meaning of the ring had become counterfeit to Choi.

Reid appeared to not know what to do. And in a moment, he went from the leader of the US Senate to a man and a father. Holding the ring with respect, he talked about how his youngest son had played on three national championship teams and had given him one of those championship rings.

“It was terrific. But I didn’t earn that ring. My son gave it to me,” Reid said. “He [Choi] earned this ring and I’m going to give it back to him. I don’t need this ring to fulfill the promise I made to him.”

Then Choi yelled from the audience to give it back to him when the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell bill is repealed. McCarter repeated the comment, and Reid said, “Fine. I’ll keep it safely until the bill is signed and then I’ll give it back to him.”

The place went wild. McCarter pointed out where Choi was sitting in the audience and Reid got up to go over. Choi, meanwhile, jumped the stage and reached his hand out to Reid. “When it’s signed, you’ll take it back, right?” (This photo was taken by Pam Spaulding, who was sitting with Choi at the event.)

I couldn’t hear the rest of their exchange as the two men hugged briefly and chatted and then returned to their respective seats, the ring tucked safely away. No doubt burning a hole in Reid’s conscience.

Pam Spaulding has Choi’s letter to Reid.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Dear Harry:

My West Point ring has always symbolized an irrevocable promise: my commitment to serving America and my duty to defend freedom and justice. Today, with my discharge from the army for telling the truth, the ring takes on a new meaning, serving as a symbol for the enduring pain of broken promises.

[cut]

You have also made personal promises to me that the senate would repeal military discrimination before the end of 2009. Indeed, you sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary Gates, claiming that was the most you could do to save my career. You promised to lead on repeal of discrimination. I believed your promise because you are the most powerful senator in America. Truly, no one can do more. The false hope of your promise has been made real to me today with another letter: the letter terminating my military service.

But I present this ring to you, symbolizing my promise as a fellow citizen: my service continues.

I promise I will hold you accountable to your obligations to lead in the effort to end discrimination, both in the workplace and in the military. My promise is not merely written on a piece of paper or words alone, but in the hearts of every lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender American fired from their jobs because of broken promises from those who purport to be our friends. History will judge us and conclude that the greatest obstacles to justice were not the loud rants of bigots, but the quiet fears of those unwilling to stand firm in the fulfillment of their commitments. I refuse to allow my friends register themselves in history as obstacles to justice.”

He signed it:

“Sincerely,

Lt. Dan Choi, 
US Army,

Discharged under DADT”

Honoring an LGBT knight at the Camelot roundtable, let me add: Lt. Dan Choi, Lord of the Ring.

See for yourself what happened: