West Point graduate and Iraqi veteran Lt. Dan Choi announced that he was gay on 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on March 19, 2009. Because of three words - "I am gay"- Lt. Choi's life changed forever. Despite his extreme value as an Arabic speaker able to communicate quickly and clearly with the Iraqi people, one month after his announcement Lt. Dan Choi was notified that the Army had begun discharge proceedings against him. After protests, petitions, and hard work, Lt. Choi fought for the eventual repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Arrested repeatedly in front of the White House during a time when President Barack Obama was unwilling to provide leadership on gay rights legislation, or take presidential action to halt discharges, a small group of protesters continued their activism despite criticism from within the LGBT community. Lt. Choi continues to advocate for full LGBT civil rights and veteran's health. Lt. Choi has appeared frequently on national and international news programs, and serves on the boards of Marriage Equality USA and the American Foundation for Equal Rights.