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West Point Couple Forgives Homophobic Attacker

West Point Couple Forgives Homophobic Attacker

West Point

"The same institution that taught me how to kick his ass also taught me compassion," said Larry Lennox-Choate.

You may remember Daniel and Larry Lennox-Choate as the first gay couple to marry at West Point. You may also remember when the couple was the subject of a hate crime last summer in downtown New York City.

The 57-year-old attacker, Thomas Clabough, had no way of knowing the couple graduated from the military academy. After throwing some homophobic slurs and a punch at Daniel, Larry retaliated and punched Clabough.

Clabough has pled guilty to assault in the third degree as a hate crime. Pending three days of community service and participation in a restorative justice program at the Museum of Tolerance, he will be eligible to expunge the felony from his record and plea to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.

Although the Lennox-Choates do believe Clabough should be held responsible for his actions, they were supportive of the plea deal.

Larry told DNAinfo:

"It's a complicated thing to forgive someone who's done and said the things he did. That doesn't mean he shouldn't answer for his crime because I firmly believe everyone should have to take responsibility for his or her actions. But I don't hate him. Where would hating him get us? Wasn't it hate that got us here in the first place?"

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