Two Of The Thousands Of Casualties Of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, No Show Westboro Baptist Protest Turns To Rally For Gay Rights, Mill Valley High School Invites Constance McMillen To Prom, American Street Preacher Charged In Scotland With Hate Crime, Taylor Lautner And His Very Big Hand

Kimberly Dozier, a reporter for CBS News, tells the story of Sergeant Lacye Presley, who, in 2006, saved Dozier and others when the CBS News team was hit by a car bomb in Iraq. Presley was award the bronze star for her heroic actions that day. On her second tour of duty in Iraq, Lacye reported a superior commander for suspected drug dealing, and in retaliation, someone sent photographs of herself and of her girlfriend, Sergeant Holly Tomson, a decorated soldier and NCO of the year. Both were discharged under the military policy that prohibits gay men and women from serving openly. This week, American Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced changes to that policy; changes that will in a sense eradicate the practice of third party outings, a practice that victimized Presley and Tomson, and effectively ended their military career. The two, civilians, this past summer welcomed a baby girl, Ava Marie.

Predictably, the purported protest by members of the Westboro Baptist Church of the Hillsdale High School’s production of The Laramie Project Saturday never materialized, so students at the San Mateo, California School who had organized a counter-protest, took the opportunity to stage an impromptu rally for gay rights. An estimated two hundred students and colleagues rallied inside the school, and then moved outside in a show of solidarity and of support for inclusion and tolerance. Hillsdale Theater Director Allison Gamlen, surveying the scene, said “It’s amazing. I have goose bumps. I am extremely proud.”

Sarah Schwartz, a senior at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, California, has extended an invitation to Constance McMillen and her girlfriend to attend the Mill Valley School’s prom scheduled for May 17th. Said Schwartz, who is straight, “being in my senior year, I know how important it is to have a prom. To have that taken away because the people around you don’t accept you didn’t feel fair at all. I felt I needed to do something.” And although she has yet to hear from McMillen, Schwartz considers her effort already a success. “At this point, I’m hoping that she’ll agree to come. But even if she doesn’t, I fell there’s been a wonderful effort by this community and a statement that we’re willing to stand behind her bravery, and accept her for who she is.”

An American Baptist street preacher, 47 year old Shawn Holes from New York State, was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland on March 18th, and charged with committing a hate crime – homophobia. Mr. Holes, who claims he was set up by a group of gay activists, pled guilty to breaching the peace by “uttering homophobic remarks” which were “aggravated by religious prejudice.” He was fined one thousand pounds; a fine made greater under a new British law that came into effect this past week. Mr. Holes was preaching on Sauchiehall Street, and was asked by a group for his views on homosexuality. “Homosexuals are deserving of the wrath of God – and so are all other sinners – and they are going to a place called hell,” replied Holes, comments which prompted the complaint and subsequent arrest. The case is being called an example of the tension between the freedom to express religious beliefs and of special protections under the law.

Taylor Lautner, last night in Los Angeles, California, accepts the Favourite Male Movie Star at the 18th annual Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, although what is implied by his gesturing is anyone’s guess.