Military Gay Rights Activist Gives His West Point Ring to Reid

[Hissyspit]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Military gay rights activist gives his West Point ring to Reid
Choi: Ring represents promise Reid made to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By Delen Goldberg
Saturday, July 24, 2010 | 5:06 p.m.

Former Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraq war veteran and leading activist for military gay rights, gave his West Point ring to Sen. Harry Reid today during an emotional meeting at The Rio.

As Reid delivered a keynote address to Netroots Nation, a gathering of politically progressive bloggers and activists, Choi passed his blue-stoned West Point ring up to the senator.

Choi, who has lobbied for years for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" mandate, found out Thursday he was being honorably discharged from the Army National Guard because he is gay. His dismissal takes effect Thursday.

"He earned this ring," Reid said to the crowd of about 2,000 bloggers watching the exchange. Reid tried to return the ring to Choi, but Choi refused it. Instead, Choi jumped to his feet to salute Reid. "When the bill is signed, I will return it to him," Reid promised, after hugging Choi. Choi said he decided to give Reid his ring last night.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/24/gay-rights-activist-gives-his-west-point-ring-reid

[BolivarianHero]

1. Not goon happen...

Reid will chicken out.

[dencol]

5. I guess I will have a little more respect for him if he follows through.

But not much. Gay rights are human rights, and we shouldn't have to kiss ass when people do the right thing... not that anybody was suggesting that. Just sayin'.

[Starry Messenger]

2. That brought me to tears. n/t

[SoapBox]

3. wow....

and that's all I can say.

[alfredo]

4. Does this mean they're going steady?

Actually, that's a great story. Thanks.

[Hissyspit]

6. Ha!

I didn't even think of that. :)

Here's the video of the event as posted by Tx4obama if you want to check it out: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x488857

[proteus_lives]

7. Powerful.

[pinboy3niner]

8. K&R

[xchrom]

9. Oh man. -- recommend

[No Elephants]

10. So, will the Mormon Church drop Reid now?

[Solly Mack]

11. k/r

[donco6]

12. I suspect Choi will get a "Dear John" email sometime soon. n/t

[Paladin]

13. Well Done. (n/t)

[w4rma]

14. Awesome. (nt)

[Veruca Salt]

15. Lt. Choi is my hero and will be immortalized in the history books

along with those who came before him in the fight for civil rights. He's the right person at the right time. :patriot: