CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
In a second round of civil disobedience at the White House organized by the grassroots group GetEQUAL, six LGBT service members were arrested after handcuffing themselves to the perimeter fence Tuesday afternoon to protest "don't ask, don't tell."
The protesters included Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, who handcuffed themselves, in uniform, to the same fence last month. Pietrangelo was discharged from the military under the gay ban, while Choi's discharge is pending.
Shortly after 12 noon Eastern time, the six protesters unceremoniously approached the fence in uniform. Police officers did not realize the group had handcuffed themselves to the fence for several minutes. The stealth protest is in contrast to last month, when Choi led part of a separate Human Rights Campaign rally to the White House. He and Pietrangelo were then arrested for failure to obey a lawful order.
A U.S. Park Police spokesman told The Advocate that the six were arrested after three verbal warnings and were taken into custody. All have been charged with failure to obey a lawful order (the second such charge for Choi and Pietrangelo) and are currently being held at the police's Anacostia station. It is unclear if they will be detained overnight prior to a court hearing, as Choi and Pietrangelo were last month. (Continued on following page)
On Tuesday, Choi called directly on President Obama to submit "don't ask, don't tell" repeal language to Congress for inclusion in the defense authorization bill, which is presently being considered in the Armed Services Committees of both the House and Senate. "We call on our commander in chief, the president of the United States to take bold action, to show firm resolve and real leadership on his promise to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Choi said. "To make good on that promise, he has an opportunity to transmit to Congress for the defense authorization bill repeal language."
When a reporter asked, "Do you feel the president has let you down on this issue?" Choi fell silent and remained silent for the rest of the action.
The group also included Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, Cadet Mara Boyd, and Petty Officer Larry Whitt. (Continued on following page)
GetEQUAL cofounder Robin McGehee later proceeded to use a bullhorn in protest, also demanding that DADT repeal language be included in the defense authorization bill. "President Obama has claimed that he is a fierce advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. We are expecting bold action," McGehee said.
On Monday night GetEQUAL members interrupted President Obama for several minutes as he gave a speech at a Los Angeles fund-raiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer's reelection campaign.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
Gay U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen bridges divide in rural Illinois
November 01 2024 3:38 PM
For trans people reliant on federal programs, this election could change everything
November 01 2024 3:36 PM
Donald Trump threatens Liz Cheney with guns 'trained on her face:' The full context
November 01 2024 3:22 PM
Jill Stein's running mate, Butch Ware, caught in transphobic comments
November 01 2024 3:06 PM
These 24 violent extremist & anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy groups pose a danger to LGBTQ+ people
November 01 2024 2:45 PM
Iconic Harris-Walz camo hat costume dazzles D.C.’s pre-Election Day High Heel Race
November 01 2024 2:36 PM
New York Dem Ritchie Torres discusses the fight for LGBTQ+ representation as election looms
November 01 2024 2:22 PM
Texas Republican leader openly uses 'gay' and the R-word as insults, faces no consequences
November 01 2024 12:16 PM
The Advocate saved my life. Here's how you can support our important work.
November 01 2024 10:59 AM
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig battles for reelection to continue path toward LGBTQ+ equality
November 01 2024 10:54 AM
Mark Takano is leading the charge for LGBTQ+ representation and equality in Congress for 2024
November 01 2024 10:48 AM
Equalpride launches The Advocates with Sonia Baghdady
November 01 2024 9:00 AM