Federal judge
indicates Equality Riders arrested at West Point may avert
trial

A federal judge says he hopes charges against members of the Equality Ride, arrested in April when they entered the grounds of West Point to protest "don't ask, don't tell," can be resolved without going to trial. At a hearing last week, Judge Martin Goldberg told the young LGBT activists that he expected charges against those from out-of-state would be settled without a trial, but that prosecutors would decide whether those from the Hudson Valley could be bound for trial in July. Thirty-three protesters were arrested April 26 at the military academy, 21 from outside the area, the others local residents who were supporting the Equality Ride. The 51-day cross-country trip was organized by the nondenominational faith-based organization Soulforce to draw attention to schools that bar gay students. Riders were also arrested at Brigham Young University, Oral Roberts University, and Pat Robertson's Regent University. West Point was the final stop in the ride. (Sirius OutQ News)