Lawrence O'Donnell On Netroots Nation

NETROOTS: Choi Rips Up Obama Flyer

Igor Volsky reports at Think Progress: "Lt. Dan Choi ripped up an Obama For America (OFA) flyer this afternoon during a panel at Netroots Nation when he was confronted by an Obama volunteer who attempted to explain away the President’s opposition to same-sex marriage."

NOTE: The Obama administration is prosecuting Choi for chaining himself to the White House fence during a DADT protest. Earlier this week Choi's trial date was set for late August.

UPDATE: Choi later said to Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson: “Sometimes love comes in harsh forms. I love my detractors enough to let them know when they are misguided and I only regret that we are both suffering under a second-class citizenship imposed by politicians who smile pleasantly while denying our fight for justice. The harshest treatment would be our acquiescence to the view that we do not deserve equality.”

Dan Choi's Trial Set For August

Yesterday a federal court set August 28th as the date that Dan Choi will be tried for DADT-related civil disobedience at the White House. Chris Geidner reports at Metro Weekly:

Former Lt. Dan Choi was in federal court today, the lone individual still facing charges from any of the 2010 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" protests that took place at the White House. He also was in uniform, a reminder of the symbol for repeal that Choi and other active servicemembers became during the course of the 2010 debate over ending the 1993 policy and instead allowing out gay, lesbian and bisexual service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Sitting at the defense table in Courtroom 7 of the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse, Choi was silent throughout today's brief conference where U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay set an Aug. 29 trial date for Choi on federal charges of violating a federal regulation prohibiting "interfering with agency functions," specifically disobeying a lawful order of the National Park Service.

State Dept Condemns Moscow Arrests

The U.S. State Department has issued a letter condemning the arrests of gay activists in Moscow over the weekend.

STATEMENT BY MARK TONER, DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON

Concern about Freedom of Assembly in Russia

We note with concern that in Moscow on Saturday, May 28, a peaceable demonstration of Russians advocating for the rights of gays and lesbians, joined by international supporters, was forcefully disrupted by counter-protesters, and that Russian security forces then detained people from both groups, including American citizens. Some protestors were seriously injured according to media reports.

Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right all members of the OSCE committed to, including in the Moscow declaration and as recently as the Astana summit. As nationwide legislative elections approach, constraints on the ability of Russian citizens peacefully to gather and express their views will be closely watched in evaluating the integrity of the electoral process. We call on Russian authorities to work with municipal officials to find better ways to safeguard these fundamental freedoms.

Dan Choi Shouts "GLASNOST!" As Moscow Police Arrest Him At Pride Protest

RUSSIA: Dan Choi Among Activists Arrested At Moscow Pride Protest

UK Gay News is running a live blog from the pride protest in Moscow. Here are the latest entries at this writing:

14:00. Andy Thayer is confirmed as having been arrested, along with Dan Choi and Louis-Georges Tin, Anna and three other Russian gay activists.

13:40. Report just in that four Russians participats in Pride have been arrested outside Moscow City Hall.

13:31. Dan Choi and Louis-Georges Tin both confirmed as having been arrested.

13:29. "All participants of Moscow Pride at Alexandrovski Gardens was been "brutally arrested", Chad Meacham has just reported. The arrest were made as participants arrived at the Gardens. One person, Louis-Geroges Tin was allowed to give an iterview with the world's TV and press. No names of those arrested are not known, apart from Anna.

Dan Choi On Bin Laden's Death

Starts at 7:40.

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean Chapin)

Filed Under: WTF?

Dan Choi Refuses To Pay Army

Lt. Dan Choi has issued a public letter to the president in which he says he will not pay a $2500 debt the Army claims he owes as a result of being discharged early under DADT. Embiggen the above image for the complete letter.

One Year Of GetEQUAL

Tweet Of The Day - Lt. Dan Choi

Alan Cumming & Friends For Ali Forney

Alan Cumming, Justin Bond, Dan Choi and others (including me) speak in support of the Ali Forney Center, which has seen its funding dramatically cut by New York City. You can help. Hundreds of gay kids will spend tonight sleeping on the subway or worse.

VIDEO: Dan Choi Gets His Ring Back

PROMISE RING: Lt. Dan Choi Gets His West Point Ring Back From Sen. Harry Reid

Sen. Harry Reid has returned Lt. Dan Choi's West Point ring, fulfilling a promise he made to Choi at Netroots Nation in front of hundreds of progressive writers, including yours truly. Upon receipt of the ring, Choi tweeted: "The next time I get a ring from a man, I expect it will be for full, equal, American marriage.

Dan Choi For Senate?

An interesting little tidbit pops up in the final graph of this interview with Dan Choi.

"I found a truth throughout this year that I might not have seen when I first started: action and sacrifice speaks much more loudly than the best crafted, eloquent speech." With that said, Choi offhandedly mentions, "the Libertarian party has asked me to run for Senate, because I am old enough in 2012." While Choi will not confirm whether he will run, he reiterates his dedication to equal rights, stating, "success for me would be to deeply fall in love again, have a family, and really become something of a professor without portfolio for equal rights."

There's no mention of what state Choi might run from, but that Libertarian Party thing is obviously a non-starter.

Tweet Of The Day - Robin McGehee

Tweet Of The Day - Lt. Dan Choi

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean Chapin)

Dan Choi: McCain Must Have Lost A Screw

Also: Choi has been released from the hospital.

Sen. Harry Reid Tweets Lt. Dan Choi

HomoQuotable - Lt. Dan Choi

"I did not initially want to publicize this but I now realize it is critical for our community to know several things: veterans gay or straight carry human burdens, Activists share similar burdens, no activist should be portrayed as super human, and the failures of government and national lobbying carry consequences far beyond the careers and reputations of corporate leaders, elected officials, High powered lobbyists, or political elites. They ruin lives.

"My breakdown was a result of a cumulative array of stressors but there is no doubt that the composite betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders and gay organizations as well as many who have exploited my name for their marketing purposes have added to the result. I am certain my experience is not an isolated incident within the gay veteran community." - Lt. Dan Choi, revealing that he has been involuntarily committed to a Veterans Administration mental hospital.

Please join me in wishing Dan a speedy recovery.

UPDATE: Pam's House Blend contributor Autumn Sandeen clarifies in the comments that Choi sought help voluntarily, but was committed involuntarily.

(Via - Pam Spaulding)