Presbyterian Court Convicts Reverend Jane Spahr Of Misconduct For Performing Legal Gay Marriages, Condemning The Stupidity Of Anti-Gay Jason Akermanis, Ben Cohen Signed Jockstrap Up For Auction, Yoann Gourcuff Medical Exam, Sam Bradford Leads Once Lowly St. Louis Rams To Preseason Victory Over New England Patriots

A church court has found retired Presbyterian Reverend Jane Spahr guilty of misconduct for her role in officiating at the weddings of 16 same sex couples at a time when gay marriage was legal in California. The church’s judicial commission ruled that Spahr violated the Presbyterian Church doctrine since the church’s constitution defines marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman. Spahr’s attorneys had argued before the six member commission that her actions were motivated by the church’s teaching on diversity and inclusion. The commission intends to rebuke the 67 year old, but not suspend her from ministerial duties. An appeal is likely.

Rob Mitchell, of Australia’s Sport Governance and Inclusion Project, who played a critical role in the Australian Football League Player’s Association’s anti-homophobia campaign, says that the current trend of outing gay AFL players, evidence by the recent stupid statements made by former player Jason Akermanis, is putting young Australians struggling with their sexual orientation at risk. Mitchell calls Akermanis and his actions – including the infamous column advising gay players to stay closeted that resulted in Akermanis being fired from the Western Bulldogs – “grossly irresponsible,” adding that Because research tells us, and Jason Akermanis knows this research, that the people who are at the highest risk of committing suicide are the people who are thinking of doing so to avoid disclosure of their sexual orientation – whether it’s gay, bisexual, or whatever. So for Jason Akermanis to be engaging in this sort of behaviour, I think he seem to intent on keeping funeral directors busy.” Mitchell also attacks the apathy of the AFL in dealing with an obvious antigay climate both on the field and in the stands, among fans. “It escapes me, it eludes me completely, why the AFL is not going at this with hammer and tongs,” said Mitchell. “At this point there are two thing they’ve (the AFL) got to do. Firstly, they’ve got to make it abundantly clear that they think what Jason Akermanis is doing is incredibly harmful ... the second thing they’ve got to do is genuinely start doing some outward-facing work on kicking homophobia out of football. The problem is not with the players. The problem is with the administration. It’s not up to speed.” AFL Players Association president Brett Burton concurs with Mitchell, condemning Akermanis, saying that it “flabbergasts me” that Akermanis would even think to speculate publicly about who among current AFL players may or may not be gay. “We’ve worked so hard as a playing group to send a message to the general community that we support difference in the community, whether it be differences in culture or whether it be sexual choice,” said Mitchell. “We’re not trying to ‘out’ people. It’s all about trying to make the environment and the community a place where people can feel comfortable if they choose to come out.”

Ben Cohen, gay ally and icon, in addition to be a star rugby player, is showing his support for Britain’s Gay Sports Day August 30th by showing his, um, support, the hotness signing a jockstrap and tee-shirt for auction. Proceeds from the event, to be held at Spring Gardens in Vauxhall, will go to GMFA, the gay male’s health charity, as well as to two organizations that support the local Vauxhall community.

Yoann Gourcuff, the smoking sexy soccer star, joined his new team Lyon and the entire event – including a medical exam – was documented on French television. (Site NSFW)

Sam Bradford, the NFL first round overall 2010 draft pick, helped lead the St. Louis Rams to a 36-35 victory over the New England Patriots Thursday, Bradford, a Nick Jonas look-alike, very impressive completing 15 of 22 passes for 189 yards, including 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. So impressive was Bradford in fact, that Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick was forced to play starting quarterback Tom Brady well in the fourth quarter to try and win.