Gives Thanks

GetEqual Confronts the White House

 Our hat’s off to Kathy Griffin. But March 18 wasn’t her day to rule the gay news cycle. While the comedian and gay rights supporter spoke at a large Washington, D.C., rally to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” members of the direct action group GetEqual were more interested in hijacking the event than being in the audience. Lt. Dan Choi (pictured), who was later to be honorably discharged for coming out on national television, talked his way onto the stage and implored those in attendance to march to the White House. The rest is photographic history: Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo II handcuffed themselves to the gates with GetEqual’s support and stood resolutely until they were arrested. Since then the viral protest group has shut down Las Vegas Boulevard, disrupted congressional committee meetings, and heckled President Barack Obama at Democratic fund-raisers. Effective advocacy or counterproductive, thorn-in-the-side shenanigans? History will be the judge.