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November 2009, Cover Stories, GAY PRIDE AND LESBIAN JOY
Interview with Lt. Daniel Choi
Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans for their service and their sacrifices. In honor of our LGBT soldiers and vets, 10,000 Couples Publisher Delena Wilkerson spent time with US Army First Lieutenant Daniel Choi and his partner, Matthew Kinsey. They were very generous with their time and as a result we have a two part series. Part 1 focuses on Lt. Choi, his experiences as a young soldier, his work on behalf of LGBT soldiers who risk their lives on America's behalf, and his thoughts about our fight for equality. Part 2 will focus on Matthew's experiences as the partner of an Iraqi vet living under Don't Ask Don't Tell, and his advice for other spouses.
Now, I know that there are many things that are worth fighting for, and I've fought for many of them, and I will tell you that some of those are very, very expensive. But of all those things that are worth fighting for, love is worth fighting for. We've sacrificed so much. Some of us have been rejected by our families and our communities and our churches and our workplaces; but I will tell you that love is worth it. And many of us have been discharged from the service because we told the truth. But I know that love is worth it. We love our country, even when our country refuses to acknowledge our love. But we continue to defend it, and we continue to protect it, because love is worth it.
Like so many others, I joined the military because my country beckoned me. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." But when we're telling the truth about our love, our country slaps us in the face and orders us, "Don't ask," and orders us, "Don't tell." Well, I am telling you that the era and the time for asking is over. I am not asking anymore! I am telling! I am telling! I am telling! Will you tell with me? Asking is over. We will tell, because in the face of injustice and the face of discrimination, patience is not a plan. In the face of discrimination, silence is not a strategy. My plan today and my plan tomorrow and my plan forever is to tell, is to tell. And we will tell! We will tell! We will tell!
Excerpt from Lt. Choi's speech on October 11, 2009, at the National Equality March, Washington, DC
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Delena is the publisher and editor of 10,000 Couples magazine. Over the past 25 years Delena has published many articles, edited a national newsletter, and been both author and editor of several how-to books on financial management for nonprofits. Some of these experiences might even help with this latest venture. For certain, her experiences at the helm of a local nonprofit organization taught her how to get the job done with minimal resources. She is a graduate of Livingstone College in North Carolina and the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. Delena currently lives in Oak Park, IL with her spouse and son, cat and koi.
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A True American Hero
Saturday, November 21, 2009 Jeffrey