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Openly Gay Soldier Still In Uniform
Lt. Dan Choi is back in uniform, despite previously being discharged from the military under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
Choi was supposed to host a workshop on ending DADT last week, but sent his regrets because he had been called to train with his National Guard Unit.
Though Choi has not been put back on active duty, he was drilled with his National Guard unit this week on critical infantry tasks with his soldiers.
"Apparently, Lt. Choi's commander has always been in full support of him, and even after Lt. Choi came out on The Rachel Maddow Show, his commander did not press for his discharge," says Jeff Sheng.
"The military did eventually serve Lt. Choi a discharge notification - essentially firing him from his job, but he was allowed to fight this at trial, and as it currently stands, the discharge has not been finalized."
Jeff Shang, artist and photographer, is currently involved in the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” project, a series of photos documenting closeted men and women serving in the military.
"Given the current state of how DADT is in such flux, and also, in my opinion, the prominence and celebrity of Lt. Choi, his discharge might never be fully enforced," adds Sheng.