WASHINGTON (AP) - A gay former Army lieutenant who handcuffed himself to the White House fence to protest the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy may be closer to having charges against him dismissed after a judge put his trial on hold.

Continue reading

Dan Choi is a West Point graduate who was dismissed from the Army after revealing that he is gay. He's been on trial in federal court in Washington since Monday. Choi and his attorneys claim he is being harshly prosecuted because he is gay and outspoken. They want the charge against him dismissed as a result.

On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the case said he believes Choi has shown - at least for now - that he is being treated differently because of the subject of his protests.