Lt Dan Choi

Tonight I attended a lecture at the University of Connecticut hosed by the cultural centers and a number of organizations on campus. It was amazing to see the collaboration that was involved in bringing Lt Dan Choi to UCONN to speak on the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy from the point of view of a decorated and loyal soldier in the US Army. He has since been honorably discharged from service for the soul reason of being gay under the DADT policy.

Tonight he brought up a lot of great points that help for us to call to question why we seem to think that anyone, no matter their race, creed, color or orientation, is any better or worse than anyone else. Yesterday's historic decision from a California judge to immediately cease implementing the DADT policy may be one step in the right direction, but with continued support and guidance, the representatives of our country must have their ears and eyes directed to the heart of this movement.

And this IS a movement! A civil rights movement! Don't let anyone tell you differently. Lt Choi referenced  numerous accounts from throughout history where the people of a group and their allies stood together in unity. He said that no revolution has ever caused change to go backwards, but that there have certainly been failed revolutions. This movement, this revolution, can not fail. This movement transcends every other movement and involved every other group in this country, intersecting all of us.

Love.  He lightened up the mood by talking about how he had never been in a relationship as a yunger man, even after knowing he was gay and serving in the Army for a number of years. The crowd laughed as he joked, "28 years, I thought all of this love stuff, that's for you straight people." " I didn't understand what it meant. I just studied harder. Worked harder . . . then I fell in love." He went on to quote numerous pop songs to show he understood love including the Beyonce, the Beatles "All you need is love" and Lady Gaga's poker face (admittedly not really understanding Gaga all that well but still liking her)

His light mood, but serious passion involved and engaged everyone in the room in a way that could not only be seen, but felt. Most notably this feeling was there in unity when he spoke of the recent suicides due to bullying and harassment. But through the tragedies and the pain, there has been triumph in recent days. We will continue to stand beside Lt Choi and see the final repeal of DADT, but will in no way stop there. Every citizen in this country should be free to express themselves as whoever they are, no matter what. They should NOT be discriminated against for it, and should have the support, and love, of their neighbors, friends, colleagues and family.

Mostly, we should have the support of ourselves. We should not be afraid to be who we are for fear of ridicule or rejection. Support yourself. Love yourself. And please show the same support, love and respect to everyone you know.

Tonight, my amazing mother came with me and sat by my side, my dad asked for details when we return (he had to work) my brother joined us in-between his class and work, and my grandparents invited my girlfriend to their 50th Wedding Anniversary. I am thankful every single day for the incredibly supportive and loving family that I am blessed with!