it is simple – support fasters, support equality

People are fasting for justice.

On May 27, 2010 Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo began fasting, promising to do so until their three demands are met:

DEMAND #1: End the Comprehensive Working Group “Study,” which insults the dignity of all Americans.
DEMAND #2: End “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” discharges forever.
DEMAND #3: Replace all discriminatory regulations in the military with a comprehensive non-discrimination policy.

People are questioning, critiquing, and criticizing this step.  They say it is to dangerous, too radical, too controversial.

I understand there is risk in fasting.  But I know that in this case it is being done in as healthful as is possible, with the well-being of these men being carefully considered.  I find it worrisome that people raise an uproar over fasting for a cause, while everyday we largely ignore women starving themselves for fashion, fad diets, global hunger, economic malnutrition.  When hunger has a purpose, challenges hatred and discrimination,  it suddenly becomes dangerous.

I say there is no more profound declaration of commitment to and seriousness of cause than a willingness to use one’s body to demand equality.  Certainly, this is a radical step.  This is the point.  It demonstrates the lengths to which individuals will go to have their humanity recognized.  For queer soldiers, it seems to me, seeking to love and live openly while also being allowed to serve one’s country is a cause for which fasting is wholly justified.

That it is a controversial move is the point of such an act.  As long as they fast, President Obama must live with the knowledge that he holds their well-being in his hands.  It is the type of action that makes media take notice of a cause.  It moves our movement to a new level.  It should inspire us all to further action.

The criticism from within our movement is what I find most shocking and disheartening.  Through this fast we should find greater solidarity.  Choi and Pietrangelo have made deeply personal decisions to embark on this journey – we should honor them, hold them in our hearts, and take whatever steps we are able to join them in their cause.  We should also be embracing and celebrating those people helping them, supporting them through the fast.  Friend and sister activist Zoe Nicholson once fasted for the ERA – she is now helping Choi along his own journey of fasting for justice.   As Choi’s media contact, she has received less than kind responses to her generous, insightful, loving assistance of the Dignity Fast. Dan, Jim, Zoe, and all the others working so diligently in quest for equality deserve nothing less than our support, our gratitude, our love.

Embrace them.  Send them your well wishes and thanks.  Spread the word.  Take action.  People are making history and we are a step closer to equality.

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