Peter Orlovsky, Louise Bourgeois, Denmark Teens Anti-Gay Hate, Cristiano Ronaldo Enlightened Supports Same Sex Marriage, Logan Springston, Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe

Peter Orlovsky, the longtime partner of Beat poet Allan Ginsberg, has died. He was 70. Orlovsky, himself a poet, met Ginsberg in 1954 in San Francisco, shortly before Ginsberg was to write Howl, the seminal work that defined an author, a genre, and a moment in time. The epic poem was the subject of an obscenity trial after it was published in 1956, and not long after the couple moved to Paris. That period is the subject of a soon to be released film – titled, naturally Howl – that stars James Franco as Ginsberg and Aaron Tveit as Orlovsky. The couple was famously photographed nude, embracing, in 1963 by Richard Avedon.

Louise Bourgeois has died. She was 98. An American, born in France, Bourgeois, who attained fame late in life, was known primarily for her sculptures – exaggerated, organic, and sexual in nature – were frightening, deliberately so, meant to suggest an obvious disconnect between need and want, and the availability (or lack thereof) of comfort.

A report from Denmark suggests that the country’s teenagers are more likely to be responsible for anti-gay hate crimes, and that frequently teens take to social media sites to articulate and cultivate their homophobia. Kenneth Engberg, a spokesperson for the Danish National Association of Gays and Lesbians, says that “young people in Denmark today are not inclusive. There is simply no place for minorities. But our association lacks the resources to start a campaign to create inclusiveness and understanding towards gays and lesbians.

Cristiano Ronaldo, seen below at a practice for Portugal’s national team on Monday, is interviewed by the country’s Pubilico newspaper, and is asked whether he has followed the politics of Portugal, including the passed legislation that affords same sex couples the right to marry, Ronaldo replying that “the Portuguese man that I am, I try to keep informed about what is happening in my country. I know the law was passed and the comment it deserves is that we must respect the choices made by anyone, because, after all, all citizens should have the exact same rights and responsibilities.”



Meet 30 year old Colorado native Logan Springston who has a lovely big, um, bulge.(NSFW)

Taylor Kitsch is all pouty and perfect.

Ryan Phillippe spotted at Los Angeles International Airport Monday, reportedly with his new paramour.

Clay Aiken On Normalizing Coming Out, John Waters On Extreme Saints And Extreme Taste, India Courts Gay Travellers, Nicolas Ripoll, Most Beautiful Men Of Italy, Five French Beauties On The Beach, Rafael Nadal Shows His Best Side

Clay Aiken, ahead of summer tour alongside American Idol cohort Ruben Studdard and in anticipation of new album, Tried and True, a collection of standard songs from the fifties and sixties, says that he has never seen Glee, and would like to collaborate with both Cyndi Lauper and Trisha Yearwood. Aiken says, surprisingly, that since coming out few fans have confided in Clay that his coming out of the closet has helped those struggling with their own sexual orientation. “Not so much, says Aiken, “it is helpful and I understand why it could be helpful. But I think the more fuss is made about it the less it normalizes it. The truth is that being gay is not news. It should be something that we strive to normalize. It’s nothing we need to broadcast. It’s a fine line. I do understand the benefit but I hope for the days when it is not news and not a headline.”

John Waters, whose new book Role Models, examine the American auteur heroes, which include Johnny Mathis and Saint Catherine of Siena, of whom Waters says “she believed that pain was the way to heaven. She drank the puss our of sick people’s hospital rooms. She whipped herself. That kind of religion is staggering to me. If I am going to pray it’s always to Saint Catherine of Siena, the most insane saint that there ever was.” The director of Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble laments the demise of bad taste, but celebrates the birth of extreme taste. “I don’t even think there is bad taste anymore,” Waters says. “American humour is bad taste – that’s what we import, that’s what television is about, reality television is based on that. I think it kind of ruined bad taste, because you’re asked to feel superior to the subject matter, which I don’t ever think I do. I think I always look up to my subjects, which is maybe what good taste is. Extreme taste is more interesting to me now than good or bad.”

According to reports India wants your “pink dollar," or "pink rupees" to be precise.

Meet male model Nicolas Ripoll. (NSFW)

Contestants from Mister Bello d’Italia.(NSFW)

From France, a reality television show translated as “5 Frenchies in Cancun,” itself translated to five seriously sexy French men in various states of undress. (NSFW)

Rafael Nadal spotted Monday post-fourth round win in the French Open.

John Raymond Meloche Charged With Hate Crime After Assault In Windsor, The City’s Second Gay Bashing In A Little More Than A Week

A man in Windsor has been charged with inciting hatred after an assault on two openly gay men in the city’s downtown early Sunday morning. According to police, the two victims were in a line at approximately 2:30AM at an area Pizza Pizza. Police allege the three men standing directly in front of the two began making loud and disparaging remarks about the victim’s perceived sexual orientation, and when one of the two confronted the loudest of the three – he told him he should be ashamed of the way he was speaking – he was punched in the side of the head so severely he fell to the ground. The second victim was then attacked, punching in the nose, suffering a broken nose and broken cheekbone which will require reconstructive surgery. The suspect fed, but was apprehended a short while later, but only after he attacked one of the arresting officers. 27 year old John Raymond Meloche of Amherstburg, Ontario is charged with public incitement of hatred, assault causing bodily harm, assault, assaulting a police officer, and resisting arrest. The two victims were treated and have since been released.

North America’s Oldest Gay Bookstore Toronto’s Glad Day Bookshop In Danger Of Closing, Roman Catholic Church Intent On Preventing Gay Men From Joining Priesthood, Jason Akermanis Fate Decided Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo Sexually Suggestive Grasp

Glad Day Bookshop, the historic LGBT bookstore in Toronto – North America’s oldest gay and lesbian bookstore – may soon be forced to close. The 40 year old store, situated along the city’s Yonge Street, up a flight of stairs to the second floor, has seen a substantial decline in sales over the last six months, and there are fears that if an improvement does not take place over the summer, the store, an archive of Toronto’s gay and lesbian past, will shutter its doors. The reasons for the lost revenue are ones familiar to stories of other independent bookstore closings: the loss of publications, including a number of gay-orientated magazines that have since stopped publishing, a decline in street traffic, particularly since the city’s once central gay community neighbouring the store has since migrated to other areas of Toronto, and lastly, competition from the internet.

The Roman Catholic Church is intent on barring homosexuals from entering the priesthood, screening candidates via a barrage of personal questions and personality tests, often administered, ironically, by seminary directors who are themselves gay. On some level, the policy seems implemented by the hierarchy because the Church fears militant gay priests seeking to advance the dreaded gay agenda from within. However, what is most disconcerting about the practice, implemented in 2002 at the time of the Church’s then imploding sexual abuse crisis, is that interview guidelines and technique perpetuates a falsehood that gay men are somewhat responsible for the pedophile problems that threatens to be the demise of the Catholic Church.

There are reports the embattled Australian Football League star Jason Akermanis has till Tuesday to decide whether he wishes to continue to play for the Western Bulldogs or continue his career in media, Akermanis given the ultimatum by team’s players, coaching staff, and administration after he authored a horribly homophobic column for the Herald Sun advising gay players to remain in the closet because coming out would threaten to “tear the fabric of the team.” Akermanis has continually denied that the piece was anti-gay and that he did no wrong.

Cristiano Ronaldo spotted practicing Monday, yet again with the sexually suggestive gestures.

Malawi Officials Warn Released Gay Couple, Malawi Gay Couple Separated Struggling To Survive, Egyptian Gay Dissident, Chace Crawford Shirtless, Austin Nichols And Jake Gyllenhaal Publically Couple Again

According to the BBC, Malawi Minister of Gender and Children, Patricia Kaliati dismissed suggestions that the Malawi president was pressured by the United Nations Secretary General to pardon Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, the couple convicted of unnatural offenses and public indecency, sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour, President Mutharika releasing the two Saturday. Kaliati said that despite reports, Malawi is not considering repealing anti-gay laws. “We have our own rules and laws which we are following, and our own constitution. Our constitution is not the same as your constitution.” She also delivered a threat to the two men, offering a warning that their release does not mean they can continue their relationship. “It doesn’t mean that now they are free people, they can keep doing whatever you keep doing,” she said, adding that the couple could be rearrested if they “continue doing that.”

Meanwhile The Guardian reports that the respective families of the two men are fair from welcoming, Kelvin Kaumira, a relative of Monjeza saying that the community was “fuming” over the entire incident. “People here are furious,” he said. “There are so many beautiful women in this village looking for a hand in marriage.” Zione Monjeza, Steven’s aunt, said “Nobody wants to see Tiwonge again in this village. If he dares to come here, he must do so with police for his protection.” An uncle of Steven’s, Khuliwa Dennis Monjeza, said “we are all happy he has been released, but we haven’t sat down with Steve to discuss the sage and determine whether he has learnt a lesson. Prison in Malawi is not a good place to be.”The Guardian added that the paper found Steve and approached him for an interview, but that he replied “I can’t talk to you. I am selling my story,” saying “I need money. Good money. I have just come out of prison. I need to survive.”

The Los Angeles Times profiles Bahaa Saber, a political activist whose fight for human rights and democracy in Egypt, under the regime of Hosni Mubarak, the 82 year old, the president who has had the country in a state of emergency throughout his tenure since 1981, is made more difficult because he is openly gay, a taboo to those Muslims he hopes to inspire and lead. His determination to bring about democracy and change is intensified – legislative elections are to take place this fall, and Mubarak is unlikely to remain in power in 2011, but Saber is routinely arrested, detained, and abused. He tells of an arrest in April of this year, after a march, when security forces drove him to a police station, where he says “an officer ordered street cops to off all my clothes and my underwear” while he was beaten and sexually assaulted, adding that “the officer said he wouldn’t stop until I said, ‘I am a faggot.’ I said it loudly to satisfy him and he stopped.”

Chace Crawford, sexy and shirtless spotted in Mexico where he is vacationing with his sister Candice and her boyfriend, Tony Romo.

Despite continual denials that the two are not – NOT – a couple, cute couple Austin Nichols and Jake Gyllenhaal get going after hitting the gym – each, ironically, wearing a beard, accompanied by gay ally Sophia Bush.

Malawi Gay Couple Return To Respective Homes, American Admiral Mullen Wishes Congress Would Have Delayed Vote To Repeal DADT Till After Review Completed

Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, pardoned and released from prison Saturday were taken back to their separate residences, according to Gift Trapence, the director of the Centre for the Development of the Peoples, a human rights advocacy organization that funded the gay couple’s legal fees. “They were taken back to their home last night by prison authorities,” Trapence said. “The prison authorities told them they had been given instruction from about that they should take them to their respective homes.”Trapence added that authorities had sent them to their village to “avoid any hostility towards them by the public.” In custody since their arrest December 28, the two were subjected to taunts and threats each time they appeared together in court to appear on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency. Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika, at the request of the United Nations Secretary General Bin Ki-moon, pardoned both men, who were sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour. Their attorney, Muaya Msuku, said he has yet to visit with the couple, but that “they need a rest ... I am glad it is over now.”

While never directly criticizing the White House, United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said Sunday that he had hoped Congress would have waited until after a commissioned review by the Pentagon how best to implement a change in policy that will allow gay men and women to serve openly was completed and not before. The study is due December 1st, and will be based on a survey of current armed service members and their families. “Ideally, I would certainly have preferred that legislation not be brought forward in terms of the change until we are completed with that review,” said Mullen. It is really critical to understand the points of view of those it will affect the most as we look at the implementation challenges, should the law change. So we will complete that review and certainly incorporate what we learned from that into implementation when that time comes.”

United Nations Secretary General Calls For Reforms Of Anti-Gay Laws Worldwide, British Coalition MP Resigns After Being Outed Over Expenses Claim, Neil Patrick Harris Surprises David Burtka, Chace Crawford, Rampage Jackson Calls Acting Gay, World Cup Of Male Models

As expected, after persuading Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika to pardon Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called upon the African country to reform its anti-gay laws, not only in Malawi but “where ever it may exist.” Ban, in a speech, repeatedly praised the president for his “courageous” ruling to release and pardon the two men, convicted of unnatural acts and gross indecency, and sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour. They were arrested December 28th, and have been held in custody since. Mutharika, despite his decision to free the two, did so while expressing disapproval, saying “our traditions and culture do not allow gay marriage. In all aspects of reasoning, in all aspects of human understanding, these two gay boys were wrong, totally wrong.” Ban, who is scheduled to tour a number of African states where homosexuality is illegal, said that “each and every member state, they have their own domestic laws, regulations, traditions, religious beliefs and convictions that we (the UN) respect. But when those values and laws and traditions, if they are not consistent with basic international human rights or basic international standards, it is the responsibility of the leaders to reform or change or adapt.”

44 year old David Lewis, the United Kingdom’s new Coalition Government’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury, has resigned barely three weeks into his tenure, after being outed, Lewis having illegally paid his boyfriend, James Lundie, a political lobbyist, an estimated $ 2000 a month for five years.

Neil Patrick Harris surprised boyfriend David Burtka with a party to celebrate David’s 35th birthday Friday in New York City, the twosome the cutest couple going, perhaps ever.

Chace Crawford, scruffy and sexy, smoulders.

Someone named Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (apparently he is a Ultimate Fighting Championship star as a well as a former light-weight boxing champion) is inexplicably profiled by the Los Angeles Times, Jackson staring in the upcoming Bradley Cooper film version of The A-Team, which was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Jackson at one point is quoted as saying “acting is gay” and that “Vancouver strikes me as a San Francisco-kind of place,” the former quote used by the Times as the headline of the waste of space.

Male model hotness and soccer equates the World Cup of male modelling.

Russian Gay Activists Stealthy Stage Not One But Two Pride Parades In Moscow, White House Statement On Release And Pardon Of Malawi Gay Couple, Wale Hates No One And Agrees To Perform At Black D.C. Pride, Dennis Hopper, Alexander Pato Stretches, Cristiano Ronaldo Thrusts, Andy Roddick

In Moscow Saturday, two Gay Pride parades proceeded without any arrests, Russia’s infamously anti-gay authorities opting not to intervene for the first time since activists attempted to hold the event in the capital city in 2006. However, the absence of police state-sanctioned brutality was like the result of cunning and planning by gay activists, instead of a welcoming by arch-conservative authorities. 25 activists participated in the first parade, a short demonstration that lasted approximately 10 minutes. Hours later, a smaller international contingent of gay activists unfurled a long rainbow flag, and chanted “Russia without homophobes!” Parade organizer Nikolai Alexeyev said this year’s absence of arrests, accompanied by violence was not due to a change in attitudes towards gays by officials, but because the activists had properly planned. “Our military planning was why there were no arrests,” said Alexeyev. “We had to organize these parades under strict secrecy, we turned away anyone we didn’t know.”

The White House released a statement Saturday regarding the released and full pardon of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga by the Malawi president, Presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs saying the two men are not criminals and that their struggle is not unique. The statement calls for an end to “the persecution and criminalization” of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Wale, the Washington D.C. based rapper who cancelled his scheduled appearance at the D.C. Black Pride Festival, abruptly late last week, without explanation, leading to speculation he did not realize the event was gay-related, announced that he intends to perform , taking to Twitter to say “I’m cancelling what I was supposed to be doin .. to go... yeah ILL BE THERE!! I’m not scared nor do I have hatred for ANYBODY.”

Dennis Hopper has died. He was 74. He succumbed to complications from prostate cancer. Hopper, who was an artist, a photographer, and a champion of modern art, was an architect of independent American film, the director and co-star of the 1969 movie Easy Rider. The film, which was written by co-star Peter Fonda and the great, late Terry Southern, seems quaint in comparison to all that has followed it – with its counterculture message of dropping out – but it revolutionized movies, and ended the dominance both creatively and financially of big Hollywood studios. Hopper may have descended into a sad self-parody in later years, but his influence resonates today.

Alexander Pato seen stretching, the 20 year old curly-haired cutie’s role for Brazil in the upcoming FIFA World Cup of Soccer in question owing to a lingering muscle injury.



Cristiano Ronaldo. What he is doing, well, um, he can do as much and as often as he like.



Andy Roddick may have been eliminated in the third round of the French Open in straight sets to Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili, but he is adorable as always.

Steven Monjeza And Tiwonge Chimbalanga Freed

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika Saturday pardoned Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga Saturday, the gay couple convicted of unnatural acts and gross indecency, and sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour, the maximum sentence allowed. Mutharika made the surprising announcement after meeting with the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. “These boys committed a crime against our culture, our religion and our laws: however, as head of state I hereby pardon them and therefore ask for their immediate release with no conditions,” President Mutharika said. He added that “I have done this on humanitarian grounds but this does not mean that I support this,” presumably “this” meaning homosexuality, Mutharika having called homosexuality “evil and bad before the eyes of God.” Mr. Ban is scheduled to address Malawi’s National Assembly later Saturday, and is at that time expected to ask legislators to change the laws of homosexuality.

United States House Approves Defense Spending Bill With Provision To Repeal Gay Military Ban, Defense Secretary Suggest Full Repeal At Least A Year Away, Tactical Concerns Of Repealing DADT, Jason Akermanis Faces Fine And Suspension Over Homophobia Column, NHL Combine Fun With Taylor Hall

The United States House Friday, as expected, voted to advance a defense bill that contains a provision to repeal the military ban on openly gay men and women serving. The roll call was 229-186. 220 Democrats voted yes, as did 9 Republicans. 26 Democrats voted no, as did 160 Republicans. The bill contained a clause to add another $700 billion to the defense budget, and now moves to the Senate, where passage depends on 60 of the 100 votes available. Already, Senator John McCain, who is against the repeal, has stated he intends to filibuster the session. The White House suggested it may veto the bill as passed because the House version contains a $485 million allotment for an alternative engine for a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which both President Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates oppose.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the troops that he did not expect the Senate to pass the repeal for months, perhaps not until the end of the year. Gates added that even if the Senate passes the proposed repeal, President Obama must sign the legislation, and the Pentagon, pending a commissioned review, would have final approval. “Every man and woman in uniform is a vitally important part of this review,” said Gates. “We need to hear from you and your families so that we can make these judgements in the most informed and effective manner. So please let us know how to do this right.”

With the repeal of the policy informally known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” comes the transition to armed services where openly gay men and women, and where there are concerns by gays that they will treated differently is they publically reveal their sexual orientation. According to reports, there are a number of questions that require answers: will openly gay service members reside in separate quarters? What benefits, in any, will partners or spouses of homosexual service members are afforded, particularly when the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits the recognition of same sex unions? According to Aubrey Sarvis, the executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, “the reality is, getting rid of “don’t ask, don’t tell” doesn’t ensure that all lesbians and gay service members will be equal on that day. There will continue to be challenges to make full equality for gays and lesbians in the armed forces a reality.”

Jason Akermanis now faces a fine and a suspension by his Australian Football League team the Western Bulldogs after he admitted his hideously homophobic column advising gay players not to come was written entirely by him. Earlier, in defence of Akermanis, club officials suggested that some of words were added – in particular a phrase that said if a gay player came out it could “break the fabric of a club.”

The National Hockey League, the worst managed professional league, attempts to mimic the National Football League’s draft combine, and poor Taylor Hall, the 18 year old of the Windsor Spitfires, likely a top draft pick is subjected to having done whatever it is that is being done to him.

Gary Coleman, Tony Award Nominee Portraits, Marc Jacobs, Marvellous Mitch Baker, Zac Efron Courtside With Ian Somerhalder, David Beckham Joins Adam Levin, Marouane Chamakh, Cristiano Ronaldo

Gary Coleman has died. He was 42. The actor, who achieved a kind of immortal pop cultural fame as Arnold Jackson on the unlikely late seventies sitcom Different Strokes, and who later served as a kind of reminder of how cruel pop culture can often be to those it celebrates, Coleman struggling in public, suing his parents, filing for bankruptcy, arrests for incidents that including punching a female fan who demanded an autograph to domestic violence charges this year in Utah. In 2003, he ran for the governor of California – a gubernatorial recalled was in effect – among 135 other candidates that included Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler. Coleman, who said that he ran because “I want to escape that legacy of Arnold Jackson. I’m someone more. It would be nice if the world thoughts of me as something more,” placed 8th in that election. Coleman had fallen earlier this week at this home in Utah, suffering an internal haemorrhage. He fell into a coma, and early Friday, his family took him off life support.

Ahead of the 64th Annual Tony Awards Sunday, hosted by Sean Haynes, Vanity Fair offers a portfolio of the year’s nominees for the best of Broadway, including a very sexy Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, and a frightening Christopher Walken.

Self-aggrandizing fatality Marc Jacobs, 47 years old, admits to having a hair transplant.

Male model Mitch Baker, whose blue eyes and triumphant treasure trail are the least of his assets.

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Phoenix Suns Thursday at the Staples Center, the Lakers winning 103-101 by virtue of a last second Ron Artest shot (yes, that Ron Artest), to take a 3-2 game lead in the series, the Staple Center courtside full of the usual suspects including Zac Efron, and date Ryan Rottman, as well as Ian Somerhalder.



Also on hand, the tattooed duo of David Beckham and Adam Levin, sandwiching an odd looking Anthony Kiedis.



Marouane Chamakh, 26 year old half French, half Moroccan soccer star, in the locker room, an advertisement campaign for a new men’s deodorant.

Cristiano Ronaldo, so good it needs few words.

Calgary Herald Calls Attempts To Repeal Ban On Gay Men Donating Blood Bad Policy And About The Hurt Feelings Of Homosexuals, Senator Roy Ashburn On Wanting To Be Outed, Representative Mary Bono Mack On Her Own Private Homophobia, Representative Ron Paul On Doing The Right Thing

The Calgary Herald editorial that suggests – with a straight face – calls to repeal a Canadian Blood Services ban on gay men donating is about “the hurt feelings” of homosexuals,” and not about a policy created in hysteria that is discriminatory and phobic by definition.

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn, outed in March after an arrest for drunk driving, in an interview with the Bakersfield California conducted Wednesday, ahead of his surprising pro-gay stance on the floor of the Senate Thursday, during which he was the only Republican who voted in favour of motion allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military, talks about having built a closeted life predicated on a lie, and how that one lie led to many others. He also talks about having historically voted against gay rights legislation, the Senator saying “I’m sorry for that.” Ashburn says that on some level he wanted to come out, and that his behaviour forced him to confront his sexual orientation. “I outed myself, I really did,” said Ashburn, “I was drinking and doing riskier and riskier things.”

Thursday, the American House voted 234-194 in favour of amended proposal to repeal the military ban on openly gay men and women serving. Among those Republicans voting against the measure, Representative Mary Bono Mack, of Palm Springs, California, the widow of Sonny Bono defending her position, saying “this vote represents exactly why people are frustrated with Washington – why request a review on how to make significant changes to military policy if politicians are not going to wait for the results? I can deeply about our men and women in uniform and believe it is essential that a thorough review be completed by our military commanders prior to Congress enacting such a sweeping change.” According to the language of the measure passed Thursday, any repeal of the policy informally known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” may only be implemented 60 days after the Pentagon commissioned review on how best to implement such a change has been completed. The deadline for completion is December 1st.

Representative Ron Paul, of Texas, was one of only five Republicans who voted for the repeal, Paul explaining that he voted in favour because he had “received several calls and visits from constituents who, in spite of the heavy investment in their training, have been forced out of the military simply because they were discovered to be homosexual. To me, this seems like an awful waste. Personal behaviour that is disruptive should be subject to military discipline regardless of whether the individual is heterosexual or homosexual. But to discharge an otherwise well-trained, professional, and highly skilled member of the military for these reasons is unfortunate and makes no financial sense.”

United States House Passes Amendment To Repeal Military Ban On Gays

The United States House voted Friday to allow the Department of Defense to repeal the ban on gay men and women from serving openly in the military, another procedure towards dismantling the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” implemented in 1993 under the Clinton administration. The provision to repeal was adopted as a part of the annual Pentagon policy bill. The repeal would begin 60 days after a Pentagon report is completed on the impact of allowing openly gay service members. That report is due December 1st. The House vote was 234 – 194, 229 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting in favour of the repeal. Earlier Thursday, the Senate Services House Committee approved a measure supporting a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the vote 16 – 12 with one Republican, Senator Susan Collins of Maine voting in favour of the repeal, and one Democrat, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, voted against.

Attorneys File Brief With American Supreme Court In Case Against Westboro Baptist Church, Newly Out Senator Roy Ashburn Implores Colleagues To Support Gay Rights, Minnesota Man Charged in Assault Claims Gay Panic Self-Defense, Rafael Nadal Sports $525,000 Watch

Attorneys for Albert Snyder, the father of Matthew Snyder, the American soldier killed in Iraq, filed a 67 page brief with the United States Supreme Court Thursday, the brief challenging the constitutional validity of protests organizing by members of the Westboro Baptist Church. The violently anti-gay quasi- religious group routinely pickets the funerals of American service members, contending that their deaths are God’s retribution for America’s tolerance of homosexuals and homosexuality. In March, the Supreme Court agreed to take the case, to be heard in the next term beginning in October, 2010.

Some surprising, but welcomed news from California, state Senator Roy Ashburn Thursday, who was outed after an arrest for drunk driving, spoke out passionately in favour of gay rights during a legislative session in Sacramento. Ashburn’s political career had historically been anti-gay, but Thursday on the floor on the Senate he spoke of the years he felt forced to hide his sexual orientation. He asked fellow senators to “rise above discrimination” and to support a resolution asking Congress to repeal a ban on gay men and women serving in the military. He also commented on a bill before the Senate meant to protect the rights of religious organizations who refuse to perform gay marriages. Ashburn has consistently courted the conservative vote, so his pro-gay stance is, at the very least, a personal breakthrough.

23 year old Keevin Clarence Otte, from Cannon Falls, Minnesota, has been charged with third-degree assault after he allegedly beat a man for being gay. The victim, who is not named, was treated an area hospital, after he was attacked by Otte who reportedly objected to the man talking in a manner to a friend that made it clear he was gay outside of a bar in Randolph. Otte told officers a different story: he said he was outside the bar when the two men began taunting him and told him he looked “like a 12 year old boy.” According to Otte, one of the men approached him “quickly” and asked if he was gay. Otte told police he reacted out of self-defense.

The watch seen on Rafael Nadal below, competing at this year’s French Open is a $525,000 RM 027 Tourbillion timepiece that weighs a little less than 20 grams. Nadal is reportedly being paid to wear the watch created by Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille.

Evan Longoria Nude Photograph Leaked

Evan Longoria, one the cutest current Major League Baseball players, the 24 year old the third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays, has a impressive bat, a years old nude photograph of the All Star surfacing, showing an impressive albeit shaved piece of wood sent to a woman Longoria allegedly stalked via Facebook when he was the 2005 Cape Cod League MVP, which stands for Most Valuable Player and not most valuable penis. (NSFW)

Russian Activists Angered By Absence Of Support Intend To Embarrass European Union, Moscow Court Upholds Ban On Pride Parade, Zimbabwe Court Frees Two Gay Activists, American Conference Of Bishops Views Employment Non-Discrimination Act As Threat To Traditional Marriage

Russian gay activists announced that they will stage a rally outside the European Union office in Moscow, protesting what they say is an obvious absence of support from the EU and its member states. The planned action arrives as gay activists again saw their attempt to plan a Pride parade banned by the city of Moscow. Activists hope to embarrass the European Union, exposing their continuing reluctance to support the rights of sexual minorities in Russia.

The announcement arrives as a Moscow court upheld a ruling by the city to ban a gay pride parade planned for this Sunday, the fifth straight year the celebration has been banned. Organizer and activist Nikolay Alexeyev said that he would appeal the decision to a higher court, and added that the parade would likely take place permit or not. “Just as we conducted our actions (previously), we will continue to conduct them even despite the absence of permission,” said Alexeyev.

A court in Zimbabwe has freed the two employees of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, held in custody since their arrest six days ago on charges they possessed indecent material and with contravening Section 33 of the Criminal Law Act for allegedly undermining the authority of President Robert Mugabe. A framed letter from former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown praising the work of GALZ and condemning Mugabe’s continual oppression of gay equality was hung on the walls of the offices. Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhambi were released on a $200 bail each, and are to appear again in court June 10th at which time they will faces either imprisonment or a small fine. Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe human rights legal aid that is represented the two filed a complaint against the conduct of the investigation officers, alleging that they deliberately misinformed them about the whereabouts of the two GALZ employees. They also contend the two were mistreated in custody, routinely denied medical care and beaten by police.

Predictably, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Congress to oppose passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act – or ENDA – a law that effectively eliminate the ability of employers to discriminate in any and all way based solely on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The USCCB released a statement that read in part that the group continues to oppose “unjust discrimination against people with a homosexual inclination, but we cannot support a bill – such as ENDA in its current form – that would legally affirm and specially protect any sexual conduct outside of marriage.” The statement suggests that laws like ENDA are part of larger movement to redefine marriage as that including “two persons of the same sex.”

Queers Against Israeli Apartheid Vow To Defy Ban And Intend To Participate In Toronto Pride, Admiral Mike Mullen Supports Repeal Of Military Ban On Gays, John McCain Opposes Repeal And Urges Delay, Ryan Kwanten On Nudity And Gay Vampires, Joe Jonas And His Cute Assistant, Jake Gyllenhaal

Queers Against Israeli Apartheid Wednesday said it intends to march in this year’s Pride Toronto parade despite a ban being placed on its name. Elle Flanders, a spokesperson, said “QuAIA’s voice won’t be silenced. However that takes its form in the parade this year, QuAIA’s voice won’t be silenced.” Her proclamation comes the day after a contentious news conference by Pride Toronto that explained its decision to ban the group because its name violates the City of Toronto’s non-discrimination policies; a news conference at which members of QuAIA shouted out the official speakers, all while, ironically, contending their right to free speech was being denied. Pride organizers have already said that the threatened participation of QuAIA has compromised funding and involvement.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America’s top uniformed military official, said Wednesday that he believes it is now time to repeal the military ban on gay men and women serving openly. “Personal opinion? I believe it’s time. I believe we need to change it,” said Mullen, while addressing an audience at the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee intends to vote on overturning the 17 year old ban.

Admiral Mullen’s announcement arrives as Arizona Senator John McCain, who is opposed to the repeal, solicited and obtained a letter signed by all four leaders of the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy objecting to a compromise reached by the White House and leading Democrats Monday that would vote to repeal the policy, and that asks for a delay on voting until after a December 1st deadline, at which time a Pentagon commissioned review of the implementation of a repeal of the military ban on gays serving openly would be completed.

Ryan Kwanten says that although he would never strip for Playgirl like Levi Johnston, he thinks that he would sexy if True Blood co-stars “Stephen (Moyer) and Alex (Skarsgard) can do a little tandem.”

Joe Jonas spotted in West Hollywood Wednesday post and pre-workout, Joe newly single and if you believe idle gossip, the boy in black accompanying the Jonas brother, his gay assistant, was the source of the breakup with Demi Lovato, but then who believes idle gossip?



Jake Gyllenhaal in Toronto to promote the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Windsor Police Arrest Second Suspect In Attack On Gay Man But Hate Crime Charge Unlikely, Angry Queers Against Israeli Apartheid Agitate In A Bad Way, Calgary Gay Film Festival Underscores City’s Homophobia, Massachusetts Attorney General Challenges Defense Of Marriage Act, Oakland Pride, Ryan Bertroche, Brad Goreski All Shirtless And Sexy, Brandon Flowers, Zac Efron

Police in Windsor, Ontario have now arrested the second suspect in the violent attack against 26 year old Chris Rabideau, who was beaten in the entrance to the lobby of his apartment building early Friday after being followed by two men for blocks. Police have charged 45 year old Stephen Lambert, arrested Monday, with robbery, chocking, assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, mischief, and resisting arrest. 27 year old Michael Allard arrested Tuesday, with robbery, assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, mischief, and escaping lawful custody. Rabideau says that during that attack, both suspects employed a number of anti-gay slurs (at one point telling him because he was gay he deserved to be beaten), but police are not investigating the incident as a hate crime, saying Rabideau was not initially targeted because he is gay. “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time walking by himself,” a police spokesperson, Sgt Brett Corey, said. “These guys saw a crime of opportunity. He was the victim of a robbery. As the events unfolded, it appears that’s where the anti-gay slurs were being uttered. We don’t doubt it took a turn that way, but we don’t believe it was a targeted attack against a gay member of the community.”

In Toronto Tuesday, a news conference by Pride Toronto explaining the group’s decision to ban the use of the phrase “Israeli Apartheid” which effectively eliminated the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid from participating in any and all Pride events, turned, well, unfortunate, representatives from QuAIA behaving a manner that befit Pride’s decision, the protestors disrupting the conference, and acting in a way that seemed to secure their role as incendiaries less interested in celebrating Pride and more interested in promoting a particular political message without contradiction, in a vacuum, so to speak

A look at the Calgary’s Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, now entering its 12th year, underlining the continual fact that homophobia in the city is obvious and insidious.

The office of Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley Wednesday challenged the constitutional validity of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in a Boston court, Assistant Attorney General Maura Healy arguing that states have historically been afforded the right to define marriage. She said that the because of the federal law that defines marriage as that only existing between a man and woman, same sex couples legally married in Massachusetts – legal since 2004 – are routinely denied Medicaid and other federal benefits allowed to opposite sex couples.

The city of Oakland, California is celebrating its first Pride since 2004, scheduled to being September 5th. In advance of the celebrations, a fundraiser is being held this Saturday.

New Polaroid’s of Ryan Bertroche.

Brad Goreski visits Terry Richardson and channels his inner hotness – never before has geek sexy seemed so shirtless and so smoking!

A new editorial featuring the easily edible Brandon Flowers.

Zac Efron spotted at the premiere of Get Him to the Greek Tuesday evening.

Steven Monjeza Moved To Different Prison, Anglican Church Of South Africa Asks South Africa President To Intercede On Couples Behalf, HIV/AIDS Groups Meet With Malawi President And Ask For Release Of Steven Monjeza And Tiwonge Chimbalanga, Malawi Law Society Says Conviction Motivated By Prejudice

Gift Trapence, the executive director of the Malawi based human rights organization Center for the Development of People, says that Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, the two gay men convicted last week of unnatural acts and gross indecency, and subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour, have been separated, Monjeza moved to a different prison. It is not clear why Monjeza was transferred – the two men were being held in separate cells, but they were able to see each other from time to time, according to Trapence. The Malawi Law Society condemned the sentence, saying the prosecution of the two gay men was motivated by prejudice not jurisprudence. Trapence said while an appeal has yet to filed, “they lawyers are going to submit the papers either this week or next week. The court is going to give the dates for appeal, so we can’t speculate right now because the court has not given the date.” Attorneys are hopeful the sentence can be either reduced or discharged.

Meanwhile, the Anglican Church of South Africa is asked the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, to intercede on behalf of the two men, the church contending that “the sentence that been handed down is a gross violation of human rights and that they condemn such sentences.” The church also said it is concerned with the “violent language” being employed against gays and lesbians in Africa.

Also expressing concern, the head of the UNAIDS Michael Sidibe and the head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, Michael Kazatchkine, who met Tuesday with Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika. Kazatchkine said that “criminalising sexual behaviour drives people who engage in same-sex relations underground and hamper HIV-related programmes aimed at addressing their needs.” He added that “opening a societal dialogue on these sensitive and critical issues is the only way to guarantee access to health services and restore dignity to all.” Mutharika, who, during the trial of the two men, called homosexuality “evil and very bad for the eyes of God” as well as un-Malawian, reportedly said after meeting with the two that he was “confident the cultural, religious and legal dimensions of the debate generated around this case will lead to a positive outcome.”

American Military Allies Advise To Get Over Gay Fear, Senator Ben Nelson To Vote In Favour Of Repealing Military Ban On Gays, Without Passage Of Military Readiness Enhancement Act Of 2009 And Repeal Of Defense Of Marriage Act Overturning Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Accomplishes Little

Major Peter Kees Hamstra of the Royal Dutch Army, Leif Ohlson of the Swedish Armed Forces, and Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones, retired from the Royal Navy of Britain – all openly gay and all with years of service in their respective armed forces – participated in a Brookings Institute/Palm Center conference in Washington, D.C. where representatives from the world’s militaries discussed the repeal of the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly. The three author a somewhat scathing and apt editorial advising America to “get over the gay fear” and repeal the policy of “don’t ask don’t tell” reminding those in charge of lifting the ban that “the military is also about projecting values – and the discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy undercuts America’s commitment to the democratic values of fairness and equality under the law. The policy puts you in the company of Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China and Yemen. Is that the kind of company you want to keep?”

Meanwhile, ahead of assumed vote Thursday on the repeal, a report that Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska will vote yes, the Senator in favour of overturning the ban and the measure sponsored by Senator Lieberman and Senator Levin. According to the report, Nelson believes that the amendment does “remove the politics and puts policy at Department the Defense first,” and the current policy is “just not honest” and “just not the way it should be handled.”

Amid all the news, an editorial that rightly points out a simple repeal of the American military policy prohibiting gay men and women from serving openly does little more than take the armed forces back to the date prior to 1993 when the Clinton administration instituted the policy as a kind of misguided compromise and when the military itself set policy. There will be no non-discrimination clause based on sexual orientation created until Congress passes the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 that is pending passage in both the Senate and Congress. And until the American government is prepared to pass a law repealing the ludicrous Defense of Marriage Act, little will, in actuality, change.

Massachusetts Senator Says He Will Vote Against A Repeal Of Military Ban On Gays, Leader Of African Progress Panel Calls Homosexuality An Abomination, Australia Refuses Gay Asylum Request Because It Does Not Believe Applicant Gay, Brazilian Male Model Lust, Francisco Lachowski, Nick Jonas Brazilian Soccer Stud, Channing Tatum

Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts late Tuesday said he will vote against an immediate repeal of the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly. Brown said he believes a vote should be delayed until the Pentagon institutes a proper plan for implementing openly gay service members. “I am keeping an open mind,” he said, “but I do not support moving ahead until I am able to finish my review, the Pentagon completes its study, and we can be assured that a new policy can be implemented without jeopardizing the mission of our military.”

Olusegun Obasnajo, a former president of Nigeria, commended the sentencing last week by a Malawi court of two men – Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga to 14 years in prison with hard labour, the two gay men convicted of unnatural acts and gross public indecency – and said that homosexuality was an “abomination” and that consenting adults do not, under any circumstances, have the guaranteed right to privacy. “I believe that God who man, male and female, is a wise God, is to me a God who doesn’t make a mistake,” said “Obasnajo. “If he wants sexual relationships between man and man, and between woman and woman, God will not have created them male and female. For me it is an abomination in my part of the world and if anybody practices it then he must be unbiblical, and anything that is unbiblical for me as a Christian is not right.” When questioned about the right to privacy, he said “What is the privacy of your home? Why don’t you take an animal and say look, the privacy of your home, you want to make love to a horse? Bestiality. You say that is right? No.” Mr. Obasnajo and his lunacy would easy to dismiss if not for the fact that he joins former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annam, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Bob Geldof, of the Africa Progress Panel, an advocacy body that monitors development across the continent.

An Australian Refugee Review Tribunal Wednesday ruled that a 44 year old Pakistani man cannot be granted asylum even though he fears persecution in his native land because he is gay. The man arrived in Australia in July, 2007 and applied for protection based on his sexual orientation. According to court records, the man was married to a woman and had four children. The tribunal was not satisfied that he was in fact gay or that he feared persecution.

An editorial featuring Francisco Lachowski and Max Motta that appears to be about both men’s pubic hair. (Sort of NSFW)

The smoking sexy Diogo Rodrigues. (NSFW)

Nick Jonas seen in Beverly Hills Tuesday rocking a Nike Brazilian soccer shirt.



Channing Tatum spotted in West Hollywood Tuesday, rocking some sort of look.

Judge Vaughn Walker Will Not Permit Proposition 8 Closing Arguments Be Broadcast, Critical Republican Senator Will Vote To Support “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal, Harvey Milk Castro Camera Dedication, Facebook Founder Hears Your Concerns, Twinklight Goes Where Twilight Won’t

Chief United States Judge Vaughn Walker issued a notice Tuesday the final arguments in the federal lawsuit challenging the constitutional validity of the California gay marriage ban will not be broadcasted either on television or the internet. A number of media outlets earlier in May had renewed a request for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom. Final arguments are scheduled to be heard June 16th.

Republican Senator Susan Collins said Tuesday she will support legislation to repeal the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly. Collins is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is expected to vote this Thursday on whether or not to include a provision to repeal the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” in the 2011 defense authorization bill. Her vote is considered critical to the successful passage of the vote.

An estimated 200 hundred people crowded a sidewalk along Castro Street Saturday as the City of San Francisco dedicated a plaque honouring slain gay civil rights leader Harvey Milk, on what was the inaugural celebration of California’s Harvey Milk Day, and on what would have been Milk’s 80th birthday. City Supervisor Bevan Dufty unveiled the plaque at 575 Castro Street in front of Castro Camera, Milk infamous former camera store.

Mark Zukerberg writes an open letter in order to assuage your concerns that Facebook is an open book, and that privacy is non-existent – again.

Twinklight, a homage to Twilight, set for release June 30th, purports not to be gay porn, but an actual film, with love and betrayal and twinks all having copious amounts of engorged, exaggerated sex. However, having said that, like all gay porn, it makes me laugh and little else.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates On White House Deal To Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Immediately, CIA Wanted To Portray Saddam Hussein As Gay, American Army Investigating Facebook Future Gay Terrorist Video, Cory Monteith Makes Another Appearance On Guys With iPhones, Clay Aiken Cute In Cargo Shorts

Late Tuesday, American Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he somewhat support a new White House agreement for a vote in Congress to immediately repeal the military ban on gay men and women serving openly, although, in a statement, Gates said that he “continues to believe that ideally the Department of Defense review should be completed before there is any legislation” that would alter the law. Monday, the White House and high-level Democrats reached a deal to repeal the ban, and a timeframe, but agreed that the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” would not be overturned until the president, the defense secretary, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff agree that all branches of the military were ready. A vote is likely Thursday.

According to a new report, in 2003, the Central Intelligence Agency’s Iraq Operations Group, among the ideas considered to discredit Saddam Hussein to the nation of Iraq was to create a video contending to show the dictator engaged in sex with a teenage boy. “It would look like it was taken by a hidden camera,” said one former CIA official, adding that it would appear “very grainy, like it was a secret videotaping of a sex session.” That source confirms that the CIA did in fact create a video that showed Osama bin Laden and accomplices around a campfire, drinking, talking about their sexual conquests with young boys.

The American Army is investigating a Facebook video posting by Specialist Robert Rodriguez that shows two young Iraqi boys being taunted by a unseen solider, asking them if they’re gay, if they perform certain sexual acts on each other, and if they will “grow up to be a terrorist.” In the video, which is roughly 30 seconds in length, it is clear the two boys do not understand what is being asked of them, but they smile and give the solider a thumbs-up. An Army spokesperson said “the incident is currently under investigation, and the Army will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation, adding that by military standards the video is “disgraceful and clearly inconsistent” with policy.

Corey Monteith (and his very cute stylist) makes yet another appearance on Guys with iPhones. (Site NSFW)

Clay Aiken spotted Tuesday in Los Angeles, mad for plaid, sadly without his very flexible boyfriend Reed Kelly.

New Study Suggests Canadian Blood Services Needs To Repeal Policy Banning Gay Men From Donating

A report released Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says that a 27 year old ban on all men who engage in sex with other men prohibiting them from donating blood is antiquated, discriminatory, and hypocritical and that the ban itself is being sustained by the families of individuals who were infected by the blood supply in the early 1980’s. According to researchers Mark Wainberg and Dr. Norbert Gilmore, the ban on sexuality active gay men needs to be repealed. “Here we are 27 years later, still stuck with policies that antiquated. And in our view these policies that are not only discriminatory in regard to gay men but they are also policies that do not serve the Canadian blood system well because they result in far fewer blood donations,” said Wainberg, who is the director of McGill University AIDS Centre at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. Canada, like other countries, initiated the blood donation ban at the height of the AIDS hysteria in the early 1980’s when information on the disease was in its infant stages, and when tests conducted on blood failed to detect the virus that causes AIDS, HIV. Canadian Blood Services now tests all donated for HIV, however, according to Ron Vezina, the director of media relations for the CBS, eligibility rules for blood donations are based on population risk assessments, not individual risks, and men who engage in sexual activities – safely or not – still represent the highest risk group for HIV infection in Canada. Weinberg contends that therein lays the obvious hypocrisy: while gay men, who may be in a long-term monogamous relationship cannot donate blood, sexually active straight individuals who may have multiple partners can.

Cristiano Ronaldo Does Not Share Covers With Anyone

A report that Cristiano Ronaldo is none too happy with the most recent cover of Vanity Fair upset that he was placed next to rival Didier Drogba, Ronaldo’s Portugal playing Drogba’s Ivory Coast in the two team’s opening World Cup match on June 15th. A source says that the 25 year old Ronaldo “is freaking out. He says he wants to sue Vanity Fair for using his image to promote the issue everywhere. Even though this is pretty standard practice in the magazine world, he and his managers insist only they have control of this image and where it can be used. But not legal action has been launched, and there are whispers that what really upset Ronaldo was that, having stripped off to his underpants for the shoot in Madrid, he didn’t envisage sharing the cover with another player photographed in Milan.” Neither the magazine nor representatives for Ronaldo would comment. Meanwhile, the smoking sexy star was seen Sunday in practice, um, pleasuring both him and the onlookers.

Arrest Made In Windsor Ontario Alleged Hate Crime

Police in Windsor, Ontario have arrested one man and are preparing a warrant to arrest a second man in connection to the horrific, violent assault on 26 year old Chris Rabideau early last Friday. The two suspects followed Rabideau for blocks from a convenience store to the lobby of his apartment building, robbing him and beating him badly because he was gay. Rabideau, who participated in the Windsor Pride march Monday, has a concussion, broken nose, two black eyes, and a badly swollen face from the attack, some of which was captured on the apartment security camera, which aided police in capturing the suspects. Rabideau said he is somewhat relived arrests are being made. “I want to see the face of hate,” he said, “I want them to look into me, and look at what people who hate people, and who are not sensitive to other people’s needs, what is does and what it looks like.”

Jake Raynard Receives Full Discharge In Odd Canadian Court Case, White House And Democrats Agree To Deal Repealing Military Ban On Gays, BP Oil Spill Five Weeks Old With No End In Sight, Lindsay Lohan Ordered To Wear Alcohol Monitor Device, Matthew Morrison, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joe And Nick Jonas All Get Mets/Yankees Fever

Jake Raynard, the 30 year old Thunder Bay, Ontario native who said he and two companions were attacked outside a gay friendly bar in the city September 5, 2009, in what was described as a gay bashing, appeared in court Monday, April 27th, 2010 for a pre-trail, accused of two counts of assault with a weapon, which were withdrawn, and one count of assault, which Raynard pleaded guilty to. The Crown granted him an absolute discharge. The day after, Raynard said “what happened yesterday was quite a surprise. In the process I did have to acknowledge some of my miss doings for the evening. In defending other people, I might have acted a bit brash. No more brashly than the people who harmed me.” According to Crown Attorney Debbie Kinsella, there was no reason for a conviction at the conclusion of the pre-trial. No explanation has been offered as to why Raynard – who initially appeared to be the victim in the incident – was on trial as the perpetrator.

According to reports the White House and leading Congressional Democrats have reached a tentative deal on the legislative language and the time frame for repealing the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly, however it is not clear whether the agreement has the obtained the needed votes to pass both the House and the Senate. Under the deal, legislators could vote overturn the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” implemented under the Clinton administration 17 years ago as a compromise that has proved nothing but contentious. If passed by both the House and Senate, the change in policy would not transpire until sometime after December 1st, at which time the Pentagon is expected to complete a review of the military readiness regarding the new policy. Joe Solmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, said that the agreement “puts us one step closer to removing this stain from the laws of our nation.”

While no one – the White House, the oil and gas conglomerate BP, and Gulf Coast officials – seems either able or willing to control an oil spill that is now entering its fifth week uncontained, patience among the public is worn, the Environmental Protection Agency has informed BP is has less than 24 hours to find less toxic alternatives than the chemicals it has been using to try to break up the oil – those toxins contributing to the ecological disaster.

Los Angeles Country Judge Marsha N. Revel Monday issued an order that forbids Lindsay Lohan from consuming alcohol, random drug tests, attend weekly alcohol treatment classes, and wear an alcohol testing device. Lohan missed a mandatory court appearance last week, opting instead to party in Cannes. Her attorney told the judge that Lohan needed to travel to Texas to film a movie, however the request was denied and the film’s shooting schedule will presumably be delayed.

Who was not at the New York Mets and New York Yankees game Saturday night? Glee’s Matthew Morrison sang the National Anthem, while Sarah Jessica Parker and husband Matthew Broderick – both avid Mets’ fan – looked on, accompanied by their adorable son James Wilkie. Also spotted in attendance, was two-thirds of the Jonas Brothers – the sizzling Nick and curiously cute Joe.

Posted Letter From Former SF Mayor Willie Brown Condemning Zimbabwe President Mugabe Opposition To Gay Equality Led To Arrest Of Two

An update from Zimbabwe and the arrest of Ellen Chadehama and Ingatius Mhambi, their attorney David Hofisi saying that police in Harare raided the offices of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, where the two are employed, and charged them under the country’s censorship laws after discovering a letter from former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown criticising Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s vehement opposition to homosexuality and to extending homosexual equality posted on the wall of the GALZ offices. The letter also praises the local gay rights advocacy group as a champion of gay equality. The police said the letter “undermined the authority of the president,” which is an offense under strict sweeping security laws that carries a punishment of a fine or brief imprisonment. Hofisi said he has not been allowed to visit the two in jail. “We asked the police to release them to us so we can come with them to court on Wednesday,” he said,” but they have denied that.” 86 year old Mugabe, who has been in power for three decades since separating from British rule, is on record saying that same sex couples are “lower than pigs and dogs,” but the arrest of gays is rare. His tenure as leader has been fraught with allegations that he and his government regularly abuse human rights, and there have been repeated calls for Mugabe to face trial at the International Criminal Court of charges of political violent, vote rigging, and violations of human rights by state agents.

Zimbabwe Police Raid Gay Rights Advocacy Office Arresting Two, Gallup Poll Reveals Fewer Americans Oppose Gay Marriage, Sean Haynes Not Too Gay For Tony Awards, Openly Gay Director Earns Top Award At Cannes

Defence attorney David Hofisi says that police in Zimbabwe arrested two members of the advocacy group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, Ellen Chadehama, 34 years old and Ingatius Mhambi, 38 years old, Friday, and that the two were arrested on allegation under Zimbabwe’s censorship laws. He says police raided the offices of GALZ and removed documents and computer files. Hofisi says that he has not been permitted to visit the two in jail despite having warned police that Chadehama is a diabetic. It remains unclear what charges, if any, will made against the two, however they are expected to appear in court late Monday.

A new Gallup poll suggests that Americans’ opposition to gay marriage is easing slightly and that although opponents of same sex marriage still outnumber those who support gay marriage – 53-percent to 44-percent – the opposition number is the lowest Gallup has measured.

Sean Haynes, a 2010 Tony nominee for his performance in the revival of Promises, Promises, and one of the main targets of that unfortunate, unspeakable Ramin Setoodah Straight Jacket Newsweek piece that posited gay actors cannot play straight but straight actors can play gay, has been named as the host for the 64th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards. Haynes said “I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Tony Awards. As the new guy on Broadway, it’s an honour to be included in the established alumni.” The Tony Awards airs live on CBS June 13th from Radio City Music Hall.

Openly gay filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s move Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The win was considered an upset, and although the movie earned the top prize, it left Cannes without an American distribution deal. Boonmee tells the tale of a man who takes a mystical journey as he dies of kidney failure.

New Report Suggest United Kingdom Immigration Practices Institutional Homophobia, Savannah Georgia Gays Rally For Equality, Prom Cross-Dressing Queen Wins And Looses, Votes On Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Expected This Week, Brazilian Beauties, Jake Gyllenhaal Picks J.J. Redick Up Courtside

A new report by Stonewall, the United Kingdom gay rights advocacy group, suggests that the British immigration system practices an “institutional homophobia, returning a stunning 98-percent of gay asylum seekers to their country of origin where they are apt to face death or persecution. The report, titled No Going Back, found that between 2005 and 2009 almost every case involving individuals claiming asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation were refused by the Home Office. Most of the cases refused were done so because someone fleeing a country where homosexuality is punishable by death or by hard labour was told to return and “live discreetly.” The report arrives as the new Home Secretary, Theresa May, said she would block a manoeuver by the Ugandan government to force the extradition of Ugandan gay asylum that fled to the United Kingdom. Proposed laws in Uganda threaten to punish anyone found guilty of homosexual acts with imprisonment and that law would extend to Ugandan nationals living abroad, who would face extradition. The Home Office said Saturday that the United Kingdom would only extradite individuals to their home countries if their crime was an offense in the United Kingdom.

At a rally honouring the birthday of Harvey Milk in Savannah, Georgia, hundreds participated in The Out of the Closet and Into the Streets event. The event was organized by Jesse Morgan, who, along with his best friend, was threatened, told they were going to be shot dead because they are gay. “We were terrified,” Morgan told the crowd. “That one incident has been such a push for me to help the community for equal rights, adding that “Savannah is in desperate need of a change. Our politicians keep failing us, and we need to make sure that change happens.”

Omar Bonilla, a senior at Flanagan High, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, came out earlier this year, and one month ago told administrators at the school he wanted to run for prom king, but wearing a dress. At the time, school authorities sought and received from the district and told Bonilla that he might run for prom queen, an idea the 19 year old liked better. He campaigned, and came close to winning, but quite quickly the story took an unfortunate turn. The school suddenly told Bonilla he could not wear a dress to prom – citing safety concerns –and instructed him to don a traditional tuxedo. Omar objected, and this Thursday suspended him from school for two days for “unruly behaviour” – he parked in an area off-limits to students. The suspension, timed as it was, meant that regardless of what Bonilla wanted to wear or not wear, he was unable to attend prom, which was held Friday evening. This Saturday, however, he did attend the Pridelines Youth Services gay prom at Florida International University in full drag, and was promptly crowned queen, Bonilla saying Sunday “I was really happy about it. I always wanted to win for prom queen. I felt accepted in many ways. People were very touched by what I have done ... I feel courageous.” His courage, sadly, has come at cost; Bonilla was told by his parents Sunday that he was no longer welcomed at home, and they asked him to turn in his keys. “I got all my belongings in the car,” he said.

This week, in the United States, the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote on an amendment to annual defense spending bill that would repeal the military ban on gay men and women serving openly, Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Committee, in favour of the repeal, but it remains unclear whether he has enough votes. The House as well is too vote on a similar measure to overturn the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a measure sponsored by Representative Patrick Murphy, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, and a veteran of the Iraq War. The House Armed Services Committee declined to act on the bill when it passed its version of the defense spending measure last week, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she will permit a floor vote is there is enough support in favour of a repeal.

Some sexy shirtless Brazilian beauties spotted backstage at Brazil’s Fashion Business week.

Jake Gyllenhaal caught courtside in Boston at Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Celtics and the visiting Orlando Magic, Jake sharing a moment with former Duke Bulldog cutie J.J. Redick.

Inaugural Slovakia Pride Targeted By Protesters, Dustin Lance Black Speaks On Harvey Milk, Equality California Disinvites Dustin Lance Black From Sharon Osbourne Fundraiser In Favour Of Perez Hilton, Humanizing Gay Struggles, Kirk Walker, John Waters Literary Favourites, Lance Bass

The first ever Gay Pride Parade in Slovakia, with attendance estimated to be in thousands, held in Bratislava, was unfortunately interrupted by anti-gay protesters, including members of the far right-wing fringe People’s Party, an extremist group that pelted the participants with eggs, rocks, and threw tear gas cans at those gathered to celebrate Rainbow Pride Bratislava 2010. Despite the presence of police – estimated to be more than 200 hundred – aggressive anti-gay protesters disrupted the parade. An after-party was to be held Saturday night, police attempting to secure the area.

Saturday morning, Dustin Lance Black spoke at an event sponsored by Equality California about the inaugural Harvey Milk Day, Dustin, as always, articulate, passionate, and thoughtful.



However, despite the persistence presence of Lance in the battle for equality, Equality California reportedly uninvited Black from an event Saturday afternoon at the home of Sharon Osbourne, hosted by Sharon and daughter Kelly, because EQCA wanted the higher profile Perez Hilton, a pig, to attend to the fundraiser. Black has confirmed he was uninvited, but would not comment further and no one from EQCA has commented; the decision a disgrace given the work Lance has done for EQCA alone, and the damage done by Perez to the LBGT community with every action and every word.

The Los Angeles Times reports that later Saturday, Equality California marked the inaugural Harvey Milk Day by organizing a door-to-door canvassing Saturday of neighbourhoods throughout the Los Angeles that voted prominently for Proposition 8 – the constitutional amendment that effectively eliminated the right of gay men and women to legally marry. Marc Solomon, marriage director for EQCA, said that the goal is and will be to humanize the cause of equality, and to share the struggles of gay men and women in a way that challenges long-held perceptions about homosexuals. “We become human when we tell our stories,” he said, “that are why across the state we’re going out and talking to people who aren’t with us. Harvey Milk was an activist, a fighter and believed so strongly in personal stories as a way to make progress happen. So it’s very befitting to do that.” Raymond Moya and Byron Moya, 38 and 32 years old, who were married before Proposition 8 passed, took their twin 3 year old daughters along as they went and shared their battle for equal rights with residents of their neighbourhood. “Harvey Milk once said that we should be open to the world, to our friends and family so that they know who we are, said Raymond Moya, adding that “we’re just like your neighbours next door, the only difference is that we’re a same-sex couple.”

The New York Times profiles Kirk Walker, the women’s softball coach at Oregon State, who happens to be gay.

John Waters offers a list of his favourite six books, including Suicide in the Entertainment Industry by David K. Frasier as well as The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell, described by John as a “harrowing, repulsive, and witty thousand-page, gay-Nazi –Final Solution novel.”

Lance Bass spotted Saturday lunching with friends – all of whom are smoking sexy by the way – in the West Village.

26 Year Old Windsor Ontario Man Badly Beaten Because He Is Gay, Call For Congress To Repeal DADT And Let The Pentagon Do The Rest, New York Times Calls For Full Repeal Of DADT, Lady Gaga Envies Bravery And Courage Of Gays, Andy Murray

Chris Rabideau, a 26 year old gay rights activist and the director of one-act play in Windsor, Ontario about tolerance is in hospital, recovering from injuries he sustained when he was robbed and savagely beaten by two men early Friday morning who said the attack was justified because he is gay. Rabideau says a man approached him outside a convenience store asking for money, and a block later, another man joined the first suspect. The police say that the two tried to take Rabideau’s wallet, forcing him go to an ATM to withdraw money. Instead, Rabideau ran to the lobby of his apartment building, but the two men caught him, violently assaulting him, choking and kicking him, leaving him on the ground. “I think it was drug-related,” said Rabideau, “I think they wanted money. It became a hate crime because they started calling me faggot, homo and everything in between. They said not that you’re gay, this gives us more reason to do what we’re doing.” The attack was captured on an apartment security camera, and Windsor police are asking the public to assist and come forward if they witnessed any of the attack.

Retired American Army general John M. Shalikashvili writes in the Saturday Washington Post that Congress need only repeal the military ban on gay men and women serving openly and avoid taking any and all action on a non-discrimination statute – in other words repealing the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” without ordering the Pentagon what to do, to continue studying “and implement the change as the military deems fit, while fully respecting the review that is underway.”

The New York Times editorial from Friday urging Congress repeal the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly, the Times’ writing that “don’t ask, don’t tell is a culture war scar on military honour that finds the nation alone among the major Western allies in denying qualified gay men and lesbians the chance to defend their country. Military generals from Britain, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and Israel were in Washington last week offering assurances that ending the gay ban became a nonissue one their services were justly integrated.”

An exhaustive, fascinating profile of Lady Gaga from the London Times, Gaga at one point saying that the new video for Alejandro is about the “purity of my friendships with gay friends, and how I’ve been unable to find that with a straight man in my life. It’s a celebration and an admiration of gay – it confesses my envy of the courage and bravery they require to be together.”

Andy Murray spotted Saturday during a practice session at Roland Garros ahead of the first round of the French Open, Murray apparently enjoying whatever it is he is doing.

Pride Toronto Bans Queers Against Israeli Apartheid From Participating In Any Pride Events, Romania Gay Pride March Peaceful Attracting200 Participants, British Government Considers Withholding Foreign Aid To Malawi

Pride Toronto’s Board of Directors voted Friday to ban the term “Queers Against Israeli Apartheid” from all Pride-related events, a reasonable reaction to the growing condemnation by both the gay and straight community that the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is in fact anti-Semitic and discriminatory, and that the use of the word apartheid is reckless. A spokesperson for the group, Elle Flanders, said that although the group has yet to apply to participate in the 2010 Pride, they are “still in shock,” adding that “we’re reeling; we’re disappoint ... we are not in violation of any anti-discrimination policies. We’re very sensitive to issues around anti-Semitism and in no way do we believe that talking about Israel’s state policy is anti-Semitic ... I think this has been raised to a level of hysteria.” She said that the organization will contest the decision. The City of Toronto had hinted that it was prepared to pull municipal funding for Pride unless the organization invoked city’s anti-discrimination policy and denied an application by QAIA to participate in the parade. No one from Pride Toronto would comment, although a press conference has been scheduled for Tuesday.

In Romania Saturday, an estimated 200 people participated in Gay Pride march through the capital city of Bucharest, despite a rally that was held hours prior to the parade by anti-gay activists condemning homosexuality. Unlike previous years, the Gay Pride march was peaceful. In 2000, Romania, pressured by the international community, decriminalized homosexuality.

The British government Friday said it will begin withdrawing financial funding to Malawi if that government refused to free Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza. William Hauge, the Foreign Secretary wrote that “we, along with our international partners, will make urgent representations to the Government of Malawi to review its laws to ensure that it meets its commitments to human rights.”

Will Munro, Harvey Milk Day Celebrations, Iowa Congressman King Suffers Homosexual Hysteria, Sydney Swan Sexiness, Cristiano Ronaldo Cools Off

Will Munro has died. He was 35 years old. The cause of his death was brain cancer. Munro, iconic and influential, was an artist, but that word is too meagre in meaning to describe Munro, who helped redefine Toronto’s gay community, expanding it and making it more inclusive and by extension changing the city’s Queen West – full disclosure: Munro and I met two years ago during Toronto Pride at his beloved Beaver Cafe, and he was warm, witty, and quite wonderful.

Saturday, May 22nd, is the inaugural Harvey Milk Day in California, on what would have been Milk’s 80th birthday. While most of the day’s celebrations will be California-centric, Harvey’s legacy will be honoured throughout America.

Iowa Representative Steve King released an odd statement Wednesday, the day the state’s Department of Public Health reported that the majority of same sex marriages performed in Iowa between April 27th, 2009 and March 31st, 2010. King, in hysterics, arguing that “when the Iowa Supreme Court decided to ignore Iowa law and grant same sex couples the ability to get married in our state, I predicted that the decision, absent action by the state legislature to enact a marriage license residency requirement, would turn Iowa into the gay marriage Mecca.” King, anti-gay, contends that the recently released report “reemphasises the short-sightedness of the court’s decision to enact a same-sex marriage law from the bench, and it provides even more evidence of the need for a residency requirement and constitutional amendment to repeal it.”

Two smoking sexy stars of the Australian Football League, Campbell Heath and Nathan Gordon of the Sydney Swans, spotted in a practice session Thursday.



Cristiano Ronaldo wets himself during practice for Portugal’s national soccer team Friday.