Gay Intern Who Saved Gabby Giffords Life Publishing Memoir

Daniel Hernandez, the gay intern credited with saving the life of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in the head in Tucson, is publishing a memoir.

Hernandez says he was never comfortable with that spotlight but decided to do the book for a very specific reason:

As time passed, Hernandez – who is now 22, a graduate of the University of Arizona, and a member of the governing board of the Tucson school district where he attended public school – realized that he would be interested in writing a book focusing on his public service. “I am involved in Latino and LGBT issues, and there aren’t a lot of Latinos and LGBTs featured in novels or books,” he says. “It was the fact that these groups don’t have many role models that drove me to even consider writing about myself. As a Latino person and now as a young elected official, I’ve faced some big challenges, and I want young people and adults to know that they need to overcome challenges and become involved (in) their communities.”

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Hugs Gay Intern Daniel Hernandez, Who Saved Her Life: PHOTO

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who over the weekend announced she's resigning to continue working on her recovery, today finished the Congress on Your Corner event at which she was shot one year ago. Among those attending the event was Daniel Hernandez (above), the gay former intern who saved her life.

In case you missed it, I've reposted Giffords' farewell YouTube message, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via tdw)

Gay Tucson Hero Daniel Hernandez to Sit with Michelle Obama at Tuesday's State of the Union Address

Daniel Hernandez (seen here embracing Mark Kelly, the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords), the intern credited with helping save Giffords life after the Tucson shooting, will be seated with First Lady Michelle Obama at Tuesday's State of the Union address, ABC News reports.

Said Hernandez: "I'm both honored and excited to have the opportunity to travel to our nation's Capitol for a once in a lifetime event. Also the chance to bring my father along for his first trip to Washington, D.C. The State of the Union is a pivotal moment because it is our opportunity to find where we are and where we will be going as a nation in this upcoming year."

Tuesday is also Hernandez's 21st birthday.

Watch: Keith Olbermann Talks to Gay Giffords Intern Daniel Hernandez

Keith Olbermann spoke with Daniel Hernandez following last night's memorial service in Tucson about the Congresswoman's recovery and his thoughts about Obama deeming him a hero.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Watch: Gay Giffords Intern Daniel Hernandez - 'I Must Humbly Reject the Use of of the Word Hero'

Daniel Hernandez, the 20-year-old gay intern credited with helping save Rep. Gabrielle Giffords life, was seated between President Obama and Governor Jan Brewer last night at the memorial service, and was honored as a hero.

Hernandez humbly rejected that term, calling on the assembled crowd to honor others that were there that night, and those who dedicate their lives to public service.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...