Military Gay Rights Activist Gives His West Point Ring to Reid

[Hissyspit]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Military gay rights activist gives his West Point ring to Reid
Choi: Ring represents promise Reid made to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By Delen Goldberg
Saturday, July 24, 2010 | 5:06 p.m.

Former Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraq war veteran and leading activist for military gay rights, gave his West Point ring to Sen. Harry Reid today during an emotional meeting at The Rio.

As Reid delivered a keynote address to Netroots Nation, a gathering of politically progressive bloggers and activists, Choi passed his blue-stoned West Point ring up to the senator.

Choi, who has lobbied for years for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" mandate, found out Thursday he was being honorably discharged from the Army National Guard because he is gay. His dismissal takes effect Thursday.

"He earned this ring," Reid said to the crowd of about 2,000 bloggers watching the exchange. Reid tried to return the ring to Choi, but Choi refused it. Instead, Choi jumped to his feet to salute Reid. "When the bill is signed, I will return it to him," Reid promised, after hugging Choi. Choi said he decided to give Reid his ring last night.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/24/gay-rights-activist-gives-his-west-point-ring-reid