DAY 45: DADT Update

I've been talking a lot about Dan Choi here and will continue to keep you updated, but I wanted to let you know about other areas of DADT as well. Later today, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), a veteran of the Iraq war, the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers United, will announce the launch of a national tour urging the repeal of "Don't Ask/Don't Tell." He will be joined by gay, lesbian and straight veterans, including Eric Alva, the first wounded veteran in the Iraq War; Jarrod Chlapowski, a former U.S. Army Korean linguist who opted to not re-enlist because of DADT and is currently a public policy advocate at the Human Rights Campaign; and Alex Nicholson, a U.S. Army veteran fluent in Arabic discharged under DADT and current executive director of Servicemembers United. More details on that later in the week.

Do you realize that "Don't Ask/Don't Tell" is the only law in the country that forces people to be dishonest about their personal lives or be fired or possibly imprisoned? How can someone be taught to be open and honest and then told they have to lie and hide? Lt. Choi has it right when he says: "Don't lie. Don't Hide. Never Give Up!"

My friends, there is still much to do. Get those letters written. Make those telephone calls. Let people know how you feel. Let the know that DADT is a BAD policy!