Activist Lt. Dan Choi appeared at the Holmes Student Center Monday night to discuss activism and his personal struggles as an openly gay member of the United States military.

A West Point graduate, Choi has been an active opponent of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy since his return from Iraq in 2008. Choi’s father was a Southern Baptist Minister, and he expressed more fear of coming out to his parents than coming out to the military.

“I wasn’t afraid of “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the military; I was afraid of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ at home,” Choi said.

With a smile, Choi made light of his status as not only a Korean-American, but as a homosexual Korean-American.

“For convenience’s sake, I’ll call it Gaysian,” Choi said.

Choi said his struggle began while serving in Baghdad, participating in tribal meetings between Sunni and Shia Muslims. He said he felt like a hypocrite telling Shia Muslims not to be ashamed of their identities when he was not allowed to express his own identity.

Choi was arrested on four separate occasions while campaigning for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” and said he would do so again.

“I will go to jail for six months again and again and again until I am an equal citizen,” he said.

Choi said the feeling of the handcuffs and shackles hindering his movements when he appeared before a judge after being arrested proved to be a metaphor for his activism.

“I was in jail because I wanted to fight for my rights,” Choi said. “The chains around my wrists, waist and ankles matched the chains around my heart because of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.'”

Choi said he does not regret any of his actions while campaigning against the policy because he believed the issue to be one of morality and that he is prepared to face the consequences of his actions.

“You should be willing to accept the full consequence of what you do,” Choi said.

Choi is being prosecuted for his last arrest, which occurred in November.

Although Choi has been discharged from the military since March 2009, he said he felt the military made him a better activist because the military taught him how to fight for what he believes in.

Choi said he would also like to continue to serve in the military after the full repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which he said is expected to happen at the end of the summer.

“Equal rights is what all Americans should expect from one another,” Choi said.

The NIU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center sponsored the event, along with 12 co-sponsors, including the Campus Activities Board, The Latin Resource Center and the Student Association.