Mob In England Attack Gay Couple, Suspected Arson Destroys Pride Float In Anchorage Alaska, Hawaii House Not Being Called Back For Veto Override Session Meaning Governor Alone Decides Fate Of Civil Union Bill, Lilith Fair Cancels Month Of Dates, Chris Evans Gets Nude, Anderson Cooper And Boyfriend Ben Maisani Village Bike Buddies

Police in Bradford, England are appealing for the public’s help to solve a disgusting, disturbing attack on two gay men Thursday evening by a mob of fifteen men and women who stalked the two men, assaulted them with makeshift weapons, all while employing a number of anti-gay insults. According to police, the two men, 21 and 37 years old, were treated for head injuries suffered in the bashing. Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, leading the investigation, said “This was an unprovoked attack on two men walking towards the city centre. Because of the language used by the group towards the victims I believe that this attack was based on the men’s sexuality and is therefore being treated as a homophobic hate crime.” He added that the police “take this incident very seriously and detectives are investigating this offence now. We will not tolerate people being targeted or singled out due to their sexuality.”

In Anchorage, Alaska, police and fire officials are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a gay pride float that was to make its debut in the Anchorage 4th of July parade. The float, which was being built in the driveway of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Butner, was set ablaze in the early hours of Friday, the fire scorching the sides of two homes, destroying a garage and the float. According to Scott Koeller, the builder of the pride float, the creation is built every year for the Imperial Court of All Alaska, and he hopes to rebuild in time for the parade Sunday.

Hawaii House Speaker Calvin Say said Friday that unlike previous years he will not call back House members into a special session to override any of Governor Linda Lingle’s veto’s, meaning that the governor will have the final say on which bills become law, including House Bill 444, the measure that would legalize civil unions in the state. Lingle announced that she will take until Tuesday, July 6th – the deadline – to make a decision whether to veto the bill, sign it into law, or let it become law without her signature. Her office, according to reports, has received thousands of comments on the bill, which would extend gay and straight couples in civil union all the rights, benefits, and protections of traditional marriage, the majority of the comments in favour of Bill 444. The civil union bill passed 18-7 in the state Senate and 31-20 in the House.

The Lilith Fair announced that it is cancelling ten show between July 12th and August 16th, the reborn summer concert series debuting this past week in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. According to a posting on the Lilith Fair website by co-founder Terry McBride, “we are in the midst of one of the most challenging summer concert seasons with many tours being cancelled outright,” and he added that “Everyone involved with the tour would like to apologize to the fans and artists scheduled to play in these markets, and express appreciation for all the support for the festival’s return. Lilith remains the only tour of its kind, and we are confident that fans will be amazed by what each date has to offer.”

Chris Evans, one of the many dreamy male stars of the new film What’s Your Number, stripped naked next to female lead Anna Faris while filming in Boston, Massachusetts, Evans, set to star as Captain America, offering an eyeful. (NSFW)

Anderson Cooper, reportedly ready to leave CNN, spotted Friday leaving David Barton’s gym with boyfriend Ben Maisani, the two biking through the West Village wearing matching black tees. Cooper and Maisani make such a cute couple.