Kathy Griffin: “It would have looked ridiculous” if she had joined Dan Choi’s “surprise” protest
Choi and Griffin at Freedom Plaza”Surprise! He kind of sprung that on me. Yeah, that’s me with the frozen smile. So, what do I say here? If I say ‘no,’ I spoil his moment. So naturally, I said, ‘Of course.’ The problem is, I had a commitment to finish the rally, so I couldn’t really go with him.
”Besides, here’s what actually happened at the White House. (Lieutenant Dan Choi and his comrade handcuffed themselves to the White House gate and unfortunately got arrested. Now, that’s a powerful statement.
”Now imagine if I had gone — yes, two soldiers who have served bravely in silence, and one potty mouth comedian? No, it would have looked ridiculous. And everyone would have said I just did it for the publicity anyway, which I would never do — ever. Besides, I actually had a rally to run.”
Comedian Kathy Griffin on her Bravo TV show, “My Life on the D List” speaking about her March 18 appearance in DC. This particular episode apparently follows Griffin as she meets Andrew Sullivan, and traverses Capitol Hill as she campaigns for an end to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the US military’s policy that forbids soldiers from revealing that they’re gay or lesbian. However, her speech at Freedom Plaza — said to be a joint effort by Bravo and the Human Rights Campaign — turned into a controversy when Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo showed up to the event “unexpectedly,” and then led an unscheduled march toward the White House. Griffin, as she notes, said she would go at the time, but did not. Some activists in the community were offended by the way the event unfolded. It was announced just today by Metro Weekly that charges have be dropped against Choi and Pietrangelo for their White House protest and another that took place in April. (“D List” at Bravo TV)
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