From Lt. Dan Choi, as quoted in towleroad:Immediately following congressional mark-ups on the National Defense Authorization Act 2011, Captain James Pietrangelo and I will commence a fast in pursuit of Equality and Dignity. We have three demands of President Barack Obama.
DEMAND #1: End the Comprehensive Working Group "Study," which insults the dignity of all Americans.
DEMAND #2: End "Don't Ask Don't Tell" discharges forever.
DEMAND #3: Replace all discriminatory regulations in the military with a comprehensive non-discrimination policy.
This action is not organized in the name of any organization.
Dan Choi has been critical of the compromise that is now being debated, saying that it is a delaying tactic. Yes, it certainly delays repeal. As a matter of fact, there are even more stipulations for its repeal once the study by the Department of Defense is completed in December. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has stated that the proposed legislation includes "very clear language" that gives senior leaders the final say in whether it's implemented. So what if these senior leaders decide to say no? The rebellion of military leaders against allowing LGBT people to serve in the Clinton years has left many folks skeptical of any possible deal.
As for me, I'll wait and see before forming an opinion. If this compromise leads to a repeal of DADT in the very near future, then I'll applaud the efforts of this week. But if it is delayed for any significant length of time, or if the repeal doesn't take effect, then you can count me in as someone who no longer trusts the Democratic Party or its leaders.
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