Judge Rules Jury In Brandon McInerney Trial To Come From Santa Barbara County, Calgary Man Charged After Actions Force Limousine To Hit Patrons Outside Vancouver Gay Club, No Same Sex Couples Make Today Show Modern Wedding Cut, GLADD Announces Advertising Nominees, Modern Family Gay Kiss Hype Begins, Dance Academy Explores Same Sex Attractions, Joe Jonas Sandwiched In Spandex

Monday, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles Campbell ruled that the jury for the trial of Brandon McInerney will be selected from Southern Santa Barbara County residents, while rejecting the defence attorney’s argument for a change of venue motion. Campbell did concur that that Ventura Country residents have been so “saturated” with media coverage of the murder of 15 year old Lawrence King – for which 16 year old McInerney stands accused – that his right to a fair trial was threatened. Brandon McInerney is being tried as an adult, charged with first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement for the shooting death of King, who identified as gay and who reportedly expressed a romantic interest in McInerney, who was, according to prosecutors, was allegedly humiliated by the attention. Judge Campbell said that the logistics of the jury selection will be explained in full Thursday, at which time he will also hear a motion from defence attorneys to suppress evidence. Campbell said that there would be a “pretty significant emotional response from any juror” given the issues of sexuality the case will generate, adding that “this has got a lot of hot button issues” that would exist wherever the location of the trial.” Campbell, commenting on his decision to select a jury pool from another country that “hundreds of bloggers” have made “extraordinary statements” about the case, including one newspaper commentator who wrote that there should be a gallows built in front of the courthouse in order to hang the defendant.

Vancouver police have charged 22 year old Calgary resident Kyle Allan Wugalter with resisting arrest and mischief after his bizarre, threatening actions early Sunday morning caused a limousine driver to veer, jump the curb and hit at least nine individuals who were waiting in line to enter a popular gay club, Celebrities. All nine were treated and released from hospital. Police have yet to determine whether to charge the driver.

Monday, The Today Show announced the four couples chosen to compete in the Modern Wedding Contest, and none of them are same sex. In July, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and a public protest convinced the producers of the NBC show to revisit and revise its regulations for the wedding contest, allowing gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to compete, NBC issuing a statement at the time saying “Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive to all couples.” The morning show’s initially balked at the idea because gay marriage remains illegal in New York State, where the show is situated.

GLAAD announced its nominees for the 2nd annual Media Awards in Advertising on Monday, the awards honouring positive and affirming LGBT images in advertising, to be presented in New York City September 29th at an event hosted by Bryan Batt and Bethenny Frankel. Among the companies nominated are Absolut Vodka, Bertolli, Hyatt, K-Y Brand, and Levi Strauss & Co.

The much discussed kiss between ABC’s Modern Family’s Cameron and Mitchell is happening, but according to executive producer Steve Levitan the same sex smooch was planned well ahead of a public campaign demanding that the couple, played by Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson respectively, exchange public displays of affection. “We’ve had an episode planned for a long time that dealt with that subject of (Cameron and Mitchell’s PDA), said Levitan, “so it almost bothers us that there was a bit of controversy about it. Because we don’t want to appear that we’re answering that criticism. But sure enough, we’re dealing with public displays of affection, and the power of a kiss. Seems simple, but intriguing – I hope.” Stonestreet said “I think it’s great that people care so much. I am always confused why they don’t worry about shows that don’t have any gay characters on them. They should put some focus on them as well, but we’ll give the audience exactly what they need.”

With little hype or hysteria, an Australian teen network drama titled Dance Academy is exploring sex same attraction.

From the Jonas Brothers’ Jonas LA Disney film, Joe and Kevin in, um, skin tight-fitting latex body suits that leave little to the imagination. (Site NSFW)