Cross country.

1 MARMET, W.VA.

A special-needs student told a fellow fifth-grade boy he was gay, professed his love for the youth, then grabbed his butt in their elementary school bathroom, prompting a sexual harassment complaint and a possible lawsuit.

2 ASHEVILLE, N.C.

The Reverend Howard Hanger, a United Methodist minister, announced his resignation on March 26 in disagreement with his church's opposition to same-sex unions, joining two other local pastors who are also protesting their churches' stands on the matter.

3 SANTA ROSA, CALIF.

With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, a straight blogger warded off a challenge from "ex-gay" group Exodus International after he posted a parody of its "reparative therapy" ads that said, "Straight?

Unhappy? www.gay.com."

4 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD.

A judge reversed a four-year-old Virginia court ruling that prohibited a gay father from living with his partner while sharing custody of his son with his ex-wife, thanks to evidence that his son suffered hardship because of the order.

5 QUINCY, MASS.

After struggling for weeks with city government, which was concerned about causing a "circus atmosphere," the historic United First Parish Church was finally permitted to hang a 34-foot banner proclaiming "People of Faith for Marriage Equality."

6 WAYNESVILLE, N.C.

Three men were arrested on, among other charges, felony castration, after local authorities discovered they were operating a sadomasochistic dungeon in their home, where at least six men were voluntarily castrated.