Blog Roundup: Don’t Ask, McMillen, and Giving a Damn

It’s been a crazy week, so here’s my attempt at a brief recap of the stories that stuck with me.

• Constance McMillen, the Mississippi high school senior who was banned from her own prom if she brought her girlfriend, was dupped into attending a fake prom.  The other students invited to this fake prom?  Those with learning disabilities.  Pam Spaulding points out that this is not unlike what black students faced 40 years ago.
• Following a major legislative fail (that highlighted the cruelty of the legislation), the Oklahoma State House killed a bill to undo federal hate crimes legislation.
• Governor Baldacci, who was the second Governor to sign marriage equality into law, is hosting a fundraiser for Preble Street, the charity that lost funding for its support of marriage equality.
• The White House today distanced itself from the Department of Justice defense of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
• There continues to be confusion around the status of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  The Secretary of the Army, John McHugh, announced discharges wouldn’t be pursued…only to clarify that they would be.
• The Marriage Ref, a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine, is going to have its first gay couple.
• Jason Mraz joined the “We Give A Damn” campaign (worth a watch!).  Kudos.  Anna Paquin joined the campaign and revealed she’s bisexual.