Dan Choi DADT Repeal Reaction: 'I'm Sure That This Is Sending Shockwaves' (VIDEO)

Former army lieutenant Dan Choi -- who was discharged from service under the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy after coming out and since has emerged a powerful voice advocating for repeal -- spoke out over the weekend about the Senate's landmark vote to lift the ban.

"We know that when you're on the right side of justice and history, you don't ever go backwards," Choi explained in an interview with CNN anchor Don Lemon. "I'm sure that this is sending shockwaves to all of the closeted and fearful and self-hating people all throughout America, who are afraid to came out because they're gay."

He added, "They're saying finally, the government is saying that we're taking steps closer for you to access your integrity and that's why it's amazing."

Choi wrote in a blog post published on the Huffington Post on Saturday:

No revolution towards justice ever went backwards. To all the supporters of equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell's death, I am so grateful. The road has not been easy. We have learned many important lessons about social justice, movements, supporting each other, and speaking out against discrimination.

He said, "The mission is not finished; it has only just begun."

WATCH (2:30):

Comments

[tbrdfx96]

07:05 PM on 01/03/2011

Lt. Choi, you're a real American hero. Thank you for your guts, bravery and sacrifice. You have benefited millions of people to come.

[PitBull6]

12:24 PM on 12/21/2010

Well at least the author got it right that it's "former army lieutenant Dan Choi" I still don't understand why he (or HuffPo) uses his former title in his by-line

[Drew Sargent]

01:51 PM on 12/20/2010

I applaud your courage and tenacity. Keep up the meaningful work pal. One for the Spartans among us. You're an eagle in my mind.

[Andrew W]

11:16 PM on 12/19/2010

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

Bil Browning at Bilerico says Dan Choi suffers from "mental illness." Who knew?

http://www­.bilerico.­com/2010/1­2/comment_­of_the_wee­k_andreww.­php

[SPQR1052]

04:48 AM on 12/20/2010

Quote: 

".....I don't challenge Choi's enthusiasm or his commitment, but his tactics - from the suicide by starvation, to the plastic handcuffs and finally the press release announcing his "breakdown...."

[David Olson]

10:43 PM on 12/19/2010

Cheers to this!!!!

[Jdaddy1951]

06:35 PM on 12/19/2010

Dan Choi is an American hero. I look forward to following the rest of his career, not only when he returns to military service but when he becomes a civilian in his later years.

[SPQR1052]

08:02 PM on 12/19/2010

His military career is over ... dont hold your breath on that. Officer  must be mentally sound, I ought to know I am one or was ....   He perhaps could have got back in  but last week when the media announced he was  hospitalized for "exhaustion" well  let's  just say  he won't ever receive a command especially not a field one if he miraculously  does get back in.

Also you cannot be a camwhore while in service -- nor say anything negative about any elected official  especially not  the CiC. 

He is gonna go down and I am gonna write AH and tell her I TOLD YOU SO.

[jeremyv1980]

08:22 PM on 12/19/2010

maybe he can enlist?

[David Olson]

10:36 PM on 12/19/2010

carefull your envy is showing.........

[PitBull6]

12:20 PM on 12/21/2010

I would hope he were not permitted to continue his career. I believe he was separated as much for his form of protest as he was for outing himself. This suggests a believe system that he'll only follow orders he believes in, which is just as bad as the guy who wouldn't deploy to Iraq because he didn't believe it was legal or the other one who wouldn't deploy because he didn't believe the president was a citizen.

And I'm surprised I couldn't get a comment posted a few days ago for questioning his use of his former title in his authorship. Shame on HuffPo.

[Jdaddy1951]

12:41 PM on 12/21/2010

Not knowing the nature of your comment, it's hard to say. Sometimes censors choose to edit your comments for the WAY you say them, not for the actual comment. I suggest you write to the moderators and ask for an explanation. It may not always work, but I have had some very good exchanges with them backchannel about why certain comments are censored and others are not. Sometimes they will actually reinstate a removed comment --- I can tell you one thing they don't like is people using the comment boards to gripe about the censors. I've tried that and it usually doesn't work.

Peace.

[gold rock]

06:23 PM on 12/19/2010

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to LT Choi for his courage, his vision and his leadership. That is the kind of man I want leading our troops!

[David Olson]

10:35 PM on 12/19/2010

agreed and fanned.

[SPQR1052]

08:43 AM on 12/20/2010

Won't happen especially after  the   public  press release declaration of  "exhaustion."

The US militray has standards for  command officer and one of them is mental hygiene. 

And for anyone to request a pass for him to be given a command is reckless endangerment  of young lives of my brothers in arms.

[captainindustry]

04:41 PM on 12/19/2010

Hey Dano...

Can we get back to work now?

-The Military

[lendmeanear]

11:54 PM on 12/19/2010

I'm sure they'll be very happy to put him back to work since he speaks Arabic.

[captainindustry]

07:52 AM on 12/20/2010

America, who are afraid to came out because their gay." He added,

Passable Arabic. English? Not so much.

[SILVANUS]

02:03 PM on 12/19/2010

Go, Dan, Go! Thanks for your strength.

[SPQR1052]

08:43 AM on 12/20/2010

Haven't you heard he was hospitalized for exhaustion.

[SILVANUS]

04:30 PM on 12/20/2010

He'll recover.

[bushlies]

01:16 PM on 12/19/2010

Dan, you should be our first openly gay President! Keep up the good work, but slow down a little and stay healthy. Hope you're feeling better especially since your work has been successful.

[Mamadiez]

12:41 PM on 12/19/2010

I love this guy. Thank you for your service and for your advocacy.

[mplsdiva]

12:24 PM on 12/19/2010

Thank you President Obama for being on the right side of history and supporting the end to this law.

[blucaller]

12:29 PM on 12/19/2010

And thank the US House and Senate for proceeding with a stand alone bill and not waiting until after START was passed, as POTUS wanted as recently as last week. Last thing we needed was another hostage going down.

[alephnull]

07:18 PM on 12/19/2010

Only all about what you want eh

[SPQR1052]

07:57 PM on 12/19/2010

Dont forget  PATRICK MURPHY who lost his congress seat for  this. NO THE GAYS DID NOT HAVE HIS BACK.  NOR DID PROGRESSIVES.

[TresJolie7]

08:06 PM on 12/19/2010

They sure didn't have his back! Disgraceful!

[amtheone]

10:24 PM on 12/19/2010

F&F again-SPQR1052-
They should have had his back!

[Michael Garvin]

12:19 PM on 12/19/2010

If this doesn't illustrate how pathetic our nation has been over the pat 50 years I don't know what will.

How this was a big deal in the first place is beyond me. People are gay. Who cares. For them to be discriminated like this is absolutely ridiculous.

[SILVANUS]

02:03 PM on 12/19/2010

Totally

[Shaun Dawson]

02:11 PM on 12/19/2010

That's the bottom line. Well said.

[blucaller]

12:12 PM on 12/19/2010

Thank You Dan Choi, who's tireless advocacy and courage will never be forgotten and had a very direct impact on this struggle. Am happy to learn you are now out of the hospital, and please take care of yourself.