A NY1/Marist poll released this week found that 55% of New Yorkers support the state's marriage equality law, and only 36% oppose it. 70% of the poll's respondents said they would go to a marriage for a same-sex couple if they were invited. The poll also found that 44% of respondents are more likely to support a state senator who voted to pass the Marriage Equality Act, while 30% are less likely. The Los Angeles Times examined how much of the Brandon McInerney trial has focused on the way victim Lawrence King dressed and presented himself at school. Some, including defense attorneys, have attempted to put some of the blame of King's death on the victim, making claims about the way King acted around McInerney. Simi Valley Detective Dan Swanson testified Wednesday and alleged McInerney was influenced by a street gang and some white supremacist beliefs. Two companies, Starbucks and New Balance, have recently attempted to distance themselves from possible anti-gay connections. Howard Schultz, the founder and CEO of Starbucks, this week canceled a scheduled appearance at Willow Creek Community Church, which formerly had connections to Exodus International. An online campaign was previously launched calling on Schultz to speak out against the church's anti-gay views. Following criticism from LGBT advocates over a donation given by Jim Davis, chairman of New Balance, to a "super PAC" supporting former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.), New Balance President Rob DeMartini said it was a "private donation" unconnected to the company. The National Center for Lesbian Rights on Tuesday filed a suit in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis alleging that teachers and administrators did not protect a lesbian student who was the subject of anti-LGBT slurs at Jackson Middle School in Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin School District. Teens, parents and others within the Anoka-Hennepin School District this week held the first-ever Anoka LGBTQ Youth Pride at Mississippi River Community Park. Washington, D.C., police on Tuesday arrested Christian Washington for his involvement in the assault on five lesbians on July 30. Police had previously come under criticism for not taking a report of the attack after being contacted by the women. The Metropolitan Police Department is still investigating whether others were involved in the attack. CNN’s Randi Kaye on Wednesday spoke with Bradford Wells and Anthony John Makk. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on July 26 cited DOMA when it denied Makk's application to be considered for permanent residency as a spouse of an American citizen. Makk is married to Wells, a U.S. citizen. Also on Wednesday, the White House announced that Raul Alvillar has been appointed to fill Brian Bond's position as the White House's liaison to the LGBT community as the administration searches for a permanent replacement. Finally, during a meeting with South Florida Sun-Sentinel editors and reporters on Tuesday, Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) called being gay “a behavior.” When asked if he supports so-called "ex-gay" conversion therapy. West said, "No. I like chocolate chip ice cream, and I will continue to like chocolate chip ice cream. So there's no worry about me changing to vanilla. I like to, you know, ride my motorcycle. What do you want me to do? You want me to change my behavior and ride a scooter? I'm not into that."