Dan Choi being interviewed by Washington Blade Senior Correspondent Lou Chibbaro Jr.
Photo By Brody Levesque
By Mark Singer (Washington DC) DEC 14 | Word came earlier this evening that former U. S. Army Lieutenant Dan Choi, a leading spokesman and LGBT activist for repeal of the "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" policy, has been hospitalized in a Veteran's Administration hospital suffering from an undisclosed mental health issue. Choi himself was discharged under the policy and has traveled the country advocating its repeal and has participated in several well publicized protest events including being arrested by the U. S. Park Police on three separate occasions for handcuffing himself along with other activists to the White House fence.
Pam Spaulding, Editor and Autumn Sandeen, deputy managing editor and contributors to Pam's House Blend disclosed the following tionight:
Today brought news to our inbox that Autumn and I wanted to share with Blend readers in what we feel is an appropriate context. We learned that Dan Choi, who sacrificed his privacy to take on a high-profile role as one of the public faces of the impact of the discriminatory policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, has been hospitalized and is in the hands of professional mental health practitioners at a Veterans Administration facility.
Dan explained in his email:
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.
At the same time, those who have been closest to me know that I truly appreciate their gracious help and mentorship. I am indebted to their hospitality and leadership.
Read the complete article here: [ Link ]If you could share the info and sentiment I'd be most grateful.
Clarification: Pam's House Blend editor Autumn Sandeen clarifies that while Choi sought help voluntarily, he was committed involuntarily.
UPDATE From LGBTQNation: “I was involuntarily committed to the Brockton MA Veterans Hospital Psychiatric Ward on Friday Morning after experiencing a breakdown and anxiety attack,” Choi wrote in an e-mail Tuesday to blogger Pam Spaulding, editor of Pam’s House Blend.
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1 comments:
I truly hope that someone keeps a good eye on this situation. Somehow, being involuntarily committed by and to the same organization that has been disrespecting one, doesn't strike me as the best of situations. More like something you might expect to hear from some far or middle east country. Of course under the guise of 'protecting his privacy' there will be no more word heard...if the situation progresses in the 'normal' way.
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