Following the touching sunrise vigil at Congressional Cemetery, the vigil participants went over to Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office to check the status of repeal and to ask about the whereabouts of Dan Choi’s Wespoint Ring.
The Veterans took the long trip up to the Senator’s Office in hopes of meeting with the Senator.
At the entrance to the office, the Sen. Reid’s Deputy Chief of Staff came to speak with the petitioners, but little answers were given. No firm commitment on repeal before thanksgiving, no commitment on the strategy for lame-duck repeal, and no commitment that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell language will stay in the National Defense Authorization Act.
This is a crucial aspect of today’s events. The action demonstrated that our community is trying to get specific answers, and attempting to be a part of the process. It reinforces that we stand on the side of justice and equality and are doing our part to make this happen. Common criticism of Direct Action groups such as GetEqual is that they aren’t interested in participating in the legislative process, only agitating from the outside. This morning’s events followed by the lobbying attempt in Sen. Reid’s office are part of a coherent tactical effort to push this issue over the finish line.
Stay tuned for the next part of today’s events, with exclusive photos and coverage.
Talk About Equality 
Thank you so much for documenting this! I wish I could be there! blessings and luck to all of you!
As a fellow 15 year veteran of the US Army and one that was also tossed to the street for nothing more than being gay, A soldier who was willing to give his life for his country. A military person who was not allowed to adorn his military uniform on his exiting from the service due to receiving a general discharge under honable conditions for being gay. I wish I was there in Washington with you today. With the Viet Nam campaign medals that I received, I also returned with cancer from Agent Orange, and many other war time illnesses only to be tossed out of the Army as a second class person. My one wish is that I see Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell abolished before I claim my small piece of land that the va has promised me. – Please hurry!