Writes Mr. Williams:

The face of the gay rights movement has suddenly changed in the past few weeks as Lt. Dan Choi, Constance McMillen and Derrick Mason have declared that they refuse to sit on the back of the bus any longer.
 
Choi and former Capt. Jim Pietrangelo chained themselves to a White House fence to protest inaction on repealing the military’s controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve their country as long as they remain in the closet. Both were arrested while wearing their uniforms. But the two soldiers – both of whom were drummed out of the military for being openly gay -- put a human face on why DADT is not working.

Constance wanted to bring her girlfriend to the prom in Mississippi, but she was denied by the school board. She sued, and a judge ruled that her constitutional rights were violated – potentially a groundbreaking ruling on behalf of LGBT students across the U.S.

Derrick got permission to bring his boyfriend to the prom in Georgia, but his joy was short-lived because his parents then kicked him out of the house. The incident shows how some parents react to having gay or lesbian children: It’s not always with love and support.
As Ken Williams notes, these three brave people "are now on the frontlines of the gay rights movement, risking life and limb to fight for their rights. To each we owe a debt of gratitude and a big thanks for their courage."

May they inspire us!