Defense Secretary Gates Condemns Leak Of Pentagon Survey On Repealing Military Ban On Openly Gay Service Members, Cindy McCain Connects Anti-Gay Bullying To “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” Finland State Church Sanctions Prayer For Domestic Partnerships, Florida Family Association Erroneously Asserts Its Targeting Of Kodak Led To Corporation Dropping Sponsorship Of Degrassi, Kellan Lutz, Jake Gyllenhaal

AFP reports that American Defense Secretary Robert Gates Friday condemned the leak of a Pentagon study on the effects of repealing the military ban on openly gay service members, Gates’ press secretary releasing a statement that read in part “The secretary strongly condemns the unauthorised release of information related to this report and has directed an investigation to establish who communicated with the Washington Post or any other news organisations without authorization and in violation of Department policy and his specific instructions,” adding that Gates “is very concerned and extremely disappointed that unnamed sources within the department of Defense have selectively revealed aspects of the draft findings” of report, the leak of which was designed “presumably to shape perceptions of the report prior to its release” suggest the statement.

Cindy McCain, wife of the Republican Senator from Arizona, participates in the NOH8 campaign, and, according to CBC News, in a just released anti-bullying video she contradicts her husband, John McCain, the failed GOP candidate for president continuing to threaten to filibuster its repeal in the Senate. In the video, available at the link, McCain connects anti-gay hate to the military policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” saying “Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future. They can’t serve our country openly and our government treats the LGBT community like second class citizens, why shouldn’t (bullies)?”

AFP also reports that the state church of Finland will finally, after years of debate dating back to 2002, permit a “prayer moment” for registered domestic partners, a statement from the General Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s highest administrative body reading in part that “The proposal offers a positive opportunity to minister to church members who are sexual minorities.” The final vote by the synod’s representative of ministers and bishops was 78 for and 30 against.

On October 27th, the Florida Family Association encouraged its members to e-mail the sponsors of Degrassi: The Next Generation on Teen Nick, because the show “targets teens with gay propaganda and other immoral behaviour,” and, according to the Sunshine State News, the FFA claimed victory after it alleged that Kodak announced it was stopping its sponsorship of the series. David Canton wrote that “Teen Nick boasted that Kodak was the sponsor of their show Degrassi: The Next Generation and aired dozens of their advertisements just before Kodak received thousands of e-mails regarding the program’s irresponsible content. Kodak has not advertised during the past week. Clearly it appears that Kodak pulled their advertisements from this program after receiving thousands of e-mails from Florida Family Association supporters.” Unfortunately, Canton’s declaration of victory is false, Kodak releasing a statement that they stopped their ads as a part of “planned pause” in their schedules and will resume advertisements next week.

Kellan Lutz spotted leaving Katsuya Wednesday, sans seatbelt, still sexy.



Jake Gyllenhaal (bearded, natch) spotted in London returning to his hotel sans reported girlfriend Taylor Swift.