Dustin Paxton Arrested, Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman Comes Out, Atlanta Black Gay Pride Durand Robinson Murdered, Marine Sergeant Pleads Guilty To 17 Counts Of Abusing Subordinates, Does It Matter That Judge Vaughn Walker Is Gay, Tyler Kenyon, Ryan Kwanten Wears Superhero Rubber Suit, T.R. Knight

Dustin Paxton was arrested late Tuesday in Edmonton, Alberta, the 30 year old wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for multiple charges connected to the systematic, sadistic torture of his former roommate, 26 year old Dustin LaFortune alleged to have taken place over a period of months beginning in November, 2009, and ending in April, 2010 when an emaciated LaFortune was left at a Regina hospital by a man pretending to be his cousin – presumably Paxton. LaFortune was badly beaten, burned numerous times, and had parts of his lips and tongue cut off. Paxton, who had been living for months in Edmonton under an assumed name, is charged with a number of counts including aggravated assault, forcible confinement, and sexual assault. Police believe that there may be more victims. Paxton is to appear in court August 27th.

Ken Mehlman, the former Republican National Committee chairman and former campaign manager for the 2004 re-election effort by George W. Bush has come out. In an interview, Mehlman said “It’s taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life. Everyone has their own path to travel, their own journey, and for me, over the past few months, I’ve told my family, friends, former colleagues, and current colleagues, and they’ve been wonderful and supportive. The process has been something that’s made me a happier and better person. It’s something I wish I done years ago.” It is unfortunate he chose not to, since under his watch the GOP amped up the anti-gay rhetoric, led largely by Karl Rove, the chief strategic advisor to President Bush. However, Mehlman’s coming out is timed to coincide with his involvement in late September with the American Foundation for Equal Rights at a fundraising event, AFER the group that championed the successful legal challenge to the constitutional validity of California’s gay marriage ban, Proposition 8. Mehlman is to date the most significant Republican to come out – and by extension support full and equal rights for gay men and women. According to Dustin Lance Black, “Ken represents an incredible coup for the American Foundation for Equal Rights. We believe that our mission of equal rights under the law is one that should resonate with every American. As a victorious former presidential campaign manager and head of the Republican Party, Ken has the proven experience and expertise to help us communicate with people across each of the 50 states.”

Durand Robertson, co-owner of the an Atlanta gay club Traxx and an organizer of the city’s annual Black Gay Pride festivities, was found dead early Wednesday in the middle of Hadlock Street, shot in the chest. The 50 year old Robinson will be honoured with a candlelight vigil September 1st, that according to In the Life Atlanta, the non-profit that organizes Atlanta Black Gay Pride. A statement posted on the group’s website read that Robinson’s “light will be missed, but his spirit and the shared memories will live on in our hearts and the hearts of his family, friends, loved ones and those in the community who knew him.” The 14th annual Black Gay Pride takes place this Labour Day weekend. Police have neither a motive nor suspect in the killing.

Marine Staff Sergeant James McCoy plead guilty on Tuesday to mistreating 17 male subordinates by inappropriate touching in the groin, repeatedly making offensive sexual comments and gestures, and accusing them of being gay. McCoy could have faced 17 years in prison, but the judge in the case sentenced him to year in confinement, reduction in rank, and bad conduct discharge. McCoy acted as the non-commissioned officer in charge of a training company at the Navy’s Northwest Annex base in rural Chesapeake, a role that required him to oversee Marines, many of whom were teenagers, who were there to begin a security training course. All of those he abused were well below him in ranks. Military law dictates that each case of “maltreatment” of a subordinate – an act defined as cruel, oppressive, or sexual harassing – is punishable by up to a year in prison. In exchange for McCoy’s guilty plea, the government dropped 24 other charges against him that included 14 counts of sexual misconduct and 3 counts of assault. The case and testimony heard belie a culture of sanctioned homophobia.

Is there a substantive case to be made for citing the sexual orientation of United States District Judge Vaughn Walker, who recently ruled to strike down Proposition 8 – the California gay marriage ban?

Tyler Kenyon models a pair of teeny, tight, white Emporio Armani briefs, and yes, you want to go to there.

Ryan Kwanten stars in the Australian film Griff The Invisible, the movie premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the terribly cute Kwanten spending a good deal of screen time dressed in a form-fitting rubber suit, naturally.

T.R. Knight at the cast photo call for A Life in the Theatre, a New York City revival of the David Mamet play co-starring Patrick Stewart about two actors at very different points in their careers, the production in previews September 21st and opening October 12th.