Appeal Court Rules Texas Cannot Grant Gay Couple Divorce, Christian Conservative Legal Defence Organization Files Emergency Appeal Asking State Of California To Defend Proposition 8, Canadian Gay Tourism, Calvin Klein Much Younger Boyfriend Nick Gruber, Zac Efron, Peyton Manning Talks About Baby Oil And Bulges, Tim Tebow Rear View

Tuesday, Judge Kerry P. Fitzgerald of the 5th District Court of Appeals in Dallas rejected a lower court decision that two gay men who were married in Massachusetts held the right to divorce in Texas. In October, 2009 District Judge Tena Callahan ruled the men could divorce in the state and that the Texas prohibition against same sex marriage violates the federal constitutional right to equal protection. Today, Callahan was ordered to dismiss the case, Fitzgerald writing “We hold that Texas district courts do not have subject-matter jurisdiction to hear a same-sex divorce case.” Attorney General Greg Abbot, a Republican who intervened following Callahan’s verdict, released a statement Tuesday saying “Today’s court of appeals decision overruled the district court’s improper ruling, confirmed the constitutionally of Texas’ traditional definition of marriage and correctly found that Texas courts lack the legal authority to grant divorces to same-sex couples.” The two men, who were wed in 2006 and are natives of Dallas, separated in 2008 and filed for divorce citing “discord or conflict of personalities.”

The Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative non-profit legal defence organization, filed a lawsuit late Monday with the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, California on behalf of Doctor Joshua Beckley requesting that Governor Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown appeal the ruling by United States District Judge Vaughn Walker that struck down the state’s gay marriage ban, Proposition 8. Beckley is the senior minister at the Ecclesia Christian Fellowship in San Bernardino, California. The emergency order includes a declaration of support from former United States Attorney General Edwin Meese, who served Ronald Regan as president and as governor of California, acting as legal advisor. He wrote that “Governor Regan never refused or declined to defend a state law or state constitution provision, regardless of his own opposition or dislike for a challenged provision. As attorney general, I never refused or decline to defend a law on the basis that I disagreed with the law as matter of policy,” a statement which in fact not true. Attorney General Brown released a statement Tuesday reiterating his refusal to challenge Walker’s ruling, a spokesperson saying “The attorney general does not believe that he can be forced to prosecute an appeal of a decision with which he agrees.”

Toronto will host the first Canadian gay tourism conference, industry professionals and analysts gathering November 5th to discuss marketing Canada as a destination spot for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered tourists.

67 year old Calvin Klein is reportedly in a relationship with 20 year old Nick Gruber, a model, whose, um, body of work, if you are an avid reader of this blog, you already have been versed on, but here is a reminder nonetheless.

Zac Efron (and a rather ridiculous hat) seen kayaking in Hawaii, his muscles glistening just so. (Site NSFW)

A look at the unofficial college football portraits, the ones that tread well into homo-erotic territory, the pictures dating back decades, “Colts quarterback Peyton Manning says that when he played for Tennessee in the mid ‘90s, a spot in the front row was a ‘pride thing,’ and he and his teammates would arrive to the weight room as early as they could on photo day to do enough lifts and push-ups to make their muscles bulge. ’There was a lot of baby oil involved,’ recalls Manning. ‘It helps with muscle definition.’” Baby oil, bulges, pride thing? Where are those pictures?

Another side of Tim Tebow spotted Sunday night.

Tasmania Recognizes Gay Marriage, Fidel Castro Accepts Responsibility For Decades Of Abuse Suffered By Gays, Spanish Police Breakup Male Prostitution Ring, Marines Will Not Be Charged With Hate Crime Because Victim Not Beaten Badly Enough

There are reports that the Tasmanian Parliament has approved laws that recognize same sex marriage and civil unions registered elsewhere, amending the country’s Relationships Act. Attorney General Lara Giddings said that the revision will removed discrimination for gay couples in registered relationships. “This is really a small step,” she said, “but a significant and important step for those people who have registered or been through a civil union process elsewhere around the world and want us to recognise that relationship as indeed being in existence.”

Fidel Castro, in an interview with La Jornada, a Mexican newspaper, said he accepted responsibility for an anti-gay movement begun his revolutionary government throughout the 1960’s because he was occupied with other problems, including threats from the United States. The former president of Cuba said that the persecution of gays – at the time marked as counterrevolutionaries and located in labour camps – was a moment of “great injustice,” adding that “If someone is responsible, it’s me.” Cuba decimalized homosexuality in 1979, and today, largely because of the enormous efforts of Fidel’s niece, Mariela Castro-Raul, the director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education and LGBT activist, the climate for the gay community in the country has changed dramatically, including the laws advancing the rights of transsexuals.

Spain’s National Police announced Tuesday the arrest of 14 individuals, mostly Brazilians, on suspicion of operating a human-trafficking organization that brought men to the country illegally to work as prostitutes, providing them with Viagra, and recreational narcotics, the men made to be available to have sex with other men on a round the clock basis. The victims are apparently all in their twenties, and are estimated to number between 60 and 80, and were forced to give at least half, if not more of the money they earned.

On Friday, the Chatham County District Attorney offices announced that 23 year old Lance Corporal Christopher Stanzel and 22 year old Corporal Keil Cronauer will not be charged with a hate crime in the violent attack on 26 year old Kieran Daly that occurred June 12th, in Savannah, Georgia, Alicia Johnson, a spokesperson for the office, said the two will be charged with misdemeanour battery – the decision, she said, reached weeks ago. The two Marines will appear in court September 9th. After the attack, gay activists throughout the state called for the FBI to investigate the incident under the newly enacted hate crimes act since Georgia does not have a hate crimes law. According to investigators, the case contained “no merit” to be tried as a hate crime after reviewing Daly’s medical records. “I can’t speak on the specifics because this is a pending litigation, but for a crime to considered a felony (which a hate crime is considered to be) there has to be proof of a sustained injury,” said Johnson, adding that “It’s my understanding Daly suffered only a punch. Based on his medical records we could not upgrade the charge from a misdemeanour to a felony.”

Halifax Cabbie Requests Kissing Husbands Leave His Taxi, Omaha World-Herald Rejects Same Sex Wedding Announcement, Family Facebook Page Protest Convinces Omaha World-Herald To Revise Policy, Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry Points Out Jobs Are Better Than Gay Marriage, Paris Hilton Tells Police She Thought Cocaine Gum, Francisco Lachowski Exposed, Brazilian Boys Jump For Joy, Channing Tatum On The Run, Bleary-Eyed Robert Pattinson

Meet the very handsome Paul Laybolt, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who says that earlier in August he and his husband hailed a taxi, a Casino cab, after an evening out. En route, he and his husband shared a kiss and Laybolt says that at that moment the cabbie stopped short, and told the two to exit the taxi. Laybolt complained to Casino, who offered an apology.

Meet Jeff and Heidi Wilke, the parents of Kristy, who wanted to submit their daughter’s wedding announcement to the Omaha World-Herald, the newspaper Kristy’s great, great, great, great grandfather founded in 1885. The submission was rejected because Kristy is engaged to be married to Jessica, the two to marry next summer in Minnesota. Kristy said that her father “was told by the publisher that as a policy they don’t print same gender wedding or engagement announcements.” The family, upset, but undeterred, started a Facebook page, Kristy saying “We know we can create change without destroying an organization. This isn’t about taking the World Herald down. Just a change in policy. 2,000 people on Facebook alone – we can create this change.”

And change the Wilke family did create, late Monday afternoon the World-Herald announced it had revisited and revised its policy. “The ‘Celebrations’ page of the Omaha World-Herald has provided a place to buy space to celebrate weddings, engagements, anniversaries and birthdays. It will continue to be just that. Celebrations announcements regarding legal weddings, engagements for legal weddings or anniversaries of a legal marriage will be welcomed, regardless of the genders of the couple,” wrote the publisher of the paper, Teddy Kroeger, adding that “We will not run announcements regarding commitment ceremonies, partnerships and other non-marriage unions, again regardless of gender.” Originally, the World-Herald said that since same sex marriage was not legal in the state, it did not print same sex marriage announcements. Kroger also addressed allegations the paper’s efforts to address same sex issues, specifically gay marriage, were lacking and that World-Herald adopted an anti-gay tone. “In recent years, our News Department has given extensive coverage to this matter (gay marriage). That coverage has not been limited to the political debate or legislative and court actions on same-sex marriage. We have featured gay and lesbian couples in our Living sections. We have written editorial that consistently call for civil discourse on this emotionally charged issue. We commissioned a poll and published findings that show a majority of Omahans support either same-sex marriages or civil unions. This new organization is not guilty of hating gays and lesbians. Should we have seen this issue more clearly? Probably. Have we been too slow in reacting to this matter? Maybe. But hateful? Never.”

Republican Rick Perry, governor of Texas, campaigning for re-election – his opposition is Democrat candidate Bill White – told a crowd last Thursday “There is still a land of opportunity, friends – it’s called Texas. We’re creating more jobs than any other state in the nation ... Would you rather live in a state like this, or in a state where a man can marry a man?”

Paris Hilton, arrested over the weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada when a white bag fell out of her purse containing .8 grams of cocaine, reportedly told the arrested officer she thought the bag contained gum. She is scheduled to be arraigned October 27th on a felony charge of drug possession.

The beautiful Francisco Lachowski graces the cover of the September/October 2010 issue of Essential Homme, inside he is exposed.

Brazilian boys – male models from Joy – in an editorial that seems to celebrate pubic hair.

Channing Tatum seen near the Hyatt Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, heading for a run, with an assortment of accessories.

Robert Pattinson (and his beard) spotted Sunday post-Emmy partying.

Exodus Ministry Loses Tax Exempt Status In New Zealand Because Homosexuality Does Not Need Curing, Australian Christian Lobby Urges Legislators To Reject Bill Allowing Gay Couples To Adopt, South African Sues Rotary Club Alleging Anti-Gay Sentiment, Authorities Argue British Spy Gareth William Was Straight

Exodus Ministries Trust Board, the New Zealand charter of the American-based Exodus Global Alliance, which claims that they are able to “cure” homosexuality, has had their charitable status revoked by the Charities Commission because the trust was not performing any public benefit because homosexuality is not a mental disorder and does not require curing. In making the ruling, the commission referenced an opinion by the American Psychological Association that there exists little evidence that homosexuality can be cured, and that attempts to do cause damage.

The Australian Christian Lobby is urging MP’s to reject a bill before Parliament that would allow adoption rights to same sex couples. The bill was introduced in June, and as MPs return from a winter recess, the bill will likely be debated Thursday in the lower house. David Nutt, a director of the ACL, called the bill “social engineering” that wilfully ignored the interest of the children. “This is not,” he said,” a gay rights issue – it is, as adoption always is, about the rights of the child.”

Rhett Gardener, an attorney at the Special Investigating Unit in South Africa, argues that he was forced to resign from one Rotary Club and subsequently denied membership in two other because he is gay. Gardener, who has filed a lawsuit, has been a Rotarian since 1996, but says that in May, 2007 another member of the Rotary Club of Pretoria West sent an e-mail suggested that other members had resigned because of Gardener’s “extramural activities.” Gardener says that “As a result of the homophobic attitude of prominent RCPW members I was, after months of extreme awkwardness and tension, forced to resign my club membership.” He applied to two other chapters, but was told that his application was again denied by members allegedly objected to his sexual orientation, and threatened to quit. The clubs and the members denied any and all wrongdoing, and dismiss claims of an anti-gay climate, and argue that the problems arose after Gardener treated the clubs as his “personal domain,” and said that they were objections with the “autocratic fashion with which Gardener was attempting to control the Rotary Club.”

Authorities in England allege that there exists no evidence murdered M16 spy Gareth Williams was gay, agreeing with his family and friends, who were “furious” at suggestions that 30 year old was gay and was involved a series of sadomasochistic affairs.

Profiling The Plaintiffs In The Wyoming Gay Marriage Challenge, Toledo Ohio Pride, Victoria Blunt Traumatized By Husbands Coming Out, Alex Grove Boxer Briefs Pictures, Emmy Awards 2010, Max Cocking

On August 13th, David Shupe-Roderick and Ryan W. Dupree filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutional validity of Wyoming’s ban on gay marriage, contesting the definition of marriage as that existing only between one man and one woman, but the suit has angered and bewildered several gay activists who argue that the suit – successful or not – is an embarrassment and is apt to do more damage than good. Perhaps most disconcerting, the dubious character of the two men, who are acting as their own attorneys, in particular 25 year old Shupe-Roderick, a convicted felon with a history of mental illness. According to reports, he “served 4 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary after he, his brother, and their two girlfriends left Cheyenne in a rental car in January 2004. When they didn’t return the rental car on time, the rental company contacted police. Two days later, Shupe-Roderick – then known as Gerald Shupe – was arrested in Arkansas after being pulled over for an illegal lane change.” He is currently being prosecuted for falsifying state documents. Shupe-Roderick has also filed numerous lawsuits including one pending in federal court in which he is suing the state Department of Family Services for alleging taking a tax refund and applying the amount to an outstanding child support debt. He was paying child support to his ex-wife in order to support their 5 year old son, but in 2009 he agreed to abandon all parental rights in exchange for dropping all child support obligations. According to Shupe-Roderick, he and the 19 year old Dupree have been dating for more than a year, Dupree suffering from a debilitating combination of depression and neurological condition since birth. Consequently, Dupree is unemployed and because they cannot marry, is unable to be covered under Shupe-Roderick’s health insurance. Shupe-Roderick says he is surprised by the attention the lawsuit has garnered, saying “I kind of assumed that it would just be a quiet lawsuit.”

Toledo, Ohio celebrated Gay Pride Saturday – the day actually marked by three disparate events: an AIDS walk sponsored by the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, which attracted 400 participants; a march organized by the Toledo LGBTQ Collective, which attracted 90, and the days centrepiece, the Toledo Pride Community Connection Carnival, which attracted hundreds.

Victoria Blunt, the wife of Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, is said to be completely “traumatised” after her husband announced Friday that he was leaving her, and intended to come to terms with his homosexuality.

Alex Grove offers a preview of the Edinburgh Rugby charity calendars, the smoking sexy said Grove and two teammates in formfitting boxer briefs.

Jane Lynch, Ryan Murphy, and Jim Parsons were among the winners Sunday night at the 62nd Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Lynch won for best supporting comedy actress for her work in Glee, Murphy for best direction of a comedy series, also for Glee, and Parsons, send below, finally earned a well-deserved Emmy for best actor in a comedy series for The Big Bang Factor. Mad Men won for best drama series, Modern Family for best comedy series. The evening’s most embarrassing note: a gay joke gone terribly awry told by Lauren Graham at the expense of Matthew Perry.

Meet male model Max Cocking.

Focus On The Family Insists Gay Activists Are Real Bullies For Attempting To Advance Gay Agenda, Anti-Gay Hate Continues To Locate Home In Kentucky, Washington University Opts Out Of Target Freshman Shopping Event In Protest, Modern Family Films Gay Kiss Episode, Colton Haynes

Candi Cushman, the education “expert” for the Colorado-based anti-gay group Focus on the Family, says that the real bullies at public schools throughout the nation are gay advocacy groups, Cushman saying that anti-bullying initiatives in fact disguise an attempt to introduce policies, curriculum, and library titles to advance the gay agenda. “We feel more and more that activist are being deceptive in using anti-bullying rhetoric to introduce their viewpoints, while the viewpoint of Christian students and parents are increasingly belittled,” said Cushman, adding that she contends public schools continue to convey that homosexuality is normal and demands acceptance, while differing opinions offered by conservative Christians are regarded as bigoted and reactionary. Eliza Byard, the executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, agrees with Cushman in part, saying “Yes, we want LGBT students afforded full respect.” GLSEN says its agenda is actually to ensure that schools remains safe spaces for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, race, national origin or ability. “Bullying,” she added, “is a serious public health crisis in the country, according to no less an authority that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

Thursday, in Kentucky, two days after the Covington City Commission held a hastily called press conference to reaffirm the city’s human rights ordinance, the neighbourhood of MainStrasse was targeted with anti-gay fliers. The fliers, which the police are investigating, are attributed to the white separatist group National Alliance, but a spokesperson, Robert Ransdell, denied any involvement, but said he agreed with the message. “I think as whole, as a society, people are getting very kind of exasperated by the continued pushing of this unnatural behaviour. Unfortunately, there’s some among us who can’t channel that toward constructive efforts and unfortunately do lash out.” Covington is one of only three cities in Kentucky to have passed a human rights law protecting sexual orientation. The incident Thursday comes at a time when the city is struggling with a surge in anti-gay attacks and a perception that the police are either unprepared or unwilling to response appropriately. City Commissioner Shawn Master, who said he received calls Thursday regarding the fliers and helped in tearing some of them down, said that the incident would not interrupt plans for a rally to raise funds for an anti-hate crimes campaign. “We are still standing united on moving forward with the rally on Saturday,” he said. “I’ve shared this with the commission. Everyone is pretty appalled by the flier. It just assures us that we will stand even stronger.”

Target Corp, the subject of scrutiny following the disclosure it donated $150,000 to an anti-gay Minnesota-based political action committee, each year hosts a national event for freshmen students called Target After Hours Shopping, where incoming college and university students can shop, enjoy discounts, and chances to win prizes. Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, in light of Target’s activities, opted out of this year’s incarnation, Jill Carnaghi, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Washington University saying that “It’s the right decision for our campus community when we’re welcoming the class of 2014 with all the excitement and enthusiasm possible. And we really pride ourselves on saying every member of our community matters.”

Jesse Tyler Ferguson says that the much discussed kiss between his Modern Family character of Mitchell and his on-screen husband Cameron, played by Eric Stonestreet, and has been filmed. “Yes, we filed the kiss episode,” said Ferguson. “It’s a very organic kiss. People are going to very surprised when they see it.” The two reportedly practiced.

Both actors are nominated for an Emmy Sunday evening for best supporting actor in a comedy series, and Ferguson was on hand Saturday at the BAFTA Pre-Emmy Tea.



Also spotted, the smoking sexy Colton Haynes.

Nebraska Man Arrested Attempting To Mace Westboro Baptist Church Picketers, British Cabinet Minister Threatens Legal Action To Thwart Publication He Is Engaged In Gay Affair, Londonderry Pride, Manchester Pride, Glenn Beck Beckons God, Nick Ayler The Sexiest Man Alive, Packing Packages, Viva Underwear, Ryan Koening, Joe Jonas

Greg Vogel was arrested Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska after authorities there allege he attempted to spray a small group of protestors from the Westboro Baptist Church who had assembled to picket the funeral of Staff Sergeant Michael Bock. The 62 year old Vogel reportedly drove his pick-up truck and as he was passing the WBC contingent which included Shirley Phelps-Roper, founder Fred Phelps’ daughter, and sprayed a large amount of mace from an industrial sized can. More than a dozen individuals were hit by the mace, including a police officer, but none of the WBC. Vogel has been charged with 16 counts of misdemeanour assault, 1 count of felony assault of a police officer, and 1 count of child neglect. Staff Sergeant Michael Bock was killed August 13th in Afghanistan. He leaves a wife and 3 year old son.

There are reports that a married cabinet minister in England, accused of having an affair with a male Whitehall official and of having a long-term relationship with a male journalist may take legal action of those claims – which he contends are false – appear in mainstream media. It is not certain what form that action would take, but a source close to the unnamed MP says he “is happily married and not gay, it is as simple as that. He will not hesitate before taking the necessary action should someone overstep the mark and suggest something which is not true.” This report arrives as Conservative MP Crispin Blunt announced that he was separating from his wife to “come to terms with homosexuality,” the minister of prisons once having said in Parliament that homosexuality “was not equivalent to heterosexuality.”

Thousands celebrated Londonderry’s first Gay Pride Saturday, the northern Ireland city the site of a surge in anti-gay attacks, 20 reported since the beginning of 2010 compared to 9 during the same period last year.

Thousands gathered in Manchester, England to celebrate the city’s Gay Pride, the parade led by openly gay Sir Ian McKellen.

Calling for a religious rebirth, Glenn Beck addressed an audience of tens of thousands Saturday in Washington, D.C. in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the same site Martin Luther King Jr. stood 47 years to the day to deliver his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Not nearly an orator as King, Beck said “Something that is beyond man is happening. America today begins to turn back to God,” adding that “For too long, this country has wandered in darkness. This country has spent far too long worrying about scars and thinking about scars and concentrating on scars,” though he failed to ever mention the specificity of said “scars.” He referred to the event as the Woodstock of this generation, telling the mostly Caucasian, elderly audience that for decades to come people would ask “were you there?” Failed Alaskan governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin followed Beck, who told the crowd “Say what you want about me, but I raised a combat vet, and you can’t take that away from me.” Friday evening, Beck made an unannounced appearance at a convention organized by FreedomWorks – an auxiliary of the Tea Party – where he said that initially the march on Washington “was supposed to be political, and then I kind of feel like God dropped a giant sandbag on my head.”

Attitude magazine names the sexiest men alive, cover boy Nick Ayler outrageously hot. (Site NSFW)

Inside Attitude, a bike courier themed editorial titled “I’ve Got a Package For You” and an underwear editorial that celebrates the teeny, tiny, tight white brief, alongside a token boxer.

Ryan Koening: geek sexy.

He is clothed (well, in uniform, actually) and his cup seems to have slipped, but Joe Jonas makes an appearance on Guys with iPhones. (Site NSFW)

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.

Roger Ebert Reviews Barack Obama Position On Gay Marriage: Two Thumbs Down

Friday, Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert writes an entire blog entry on gay marriage, and he calls for full and equal rights for gays and lesbians. The entry begins as a remembrance of growing up, and his mother’s friendship with two women – Dee and Dollie. Mrs. Ebert was asked and accepted an invitation by the couple to act as the maid of honour for a wedding ceremony they had and how his mother did not hesitate or question the lesbian couple wanting to publically declare their committed love to one another. But Ebert also critiques President Obama’s position on gay marriage, and it is not a favourable, “two thumbs-up” review. “Now the idea of gay marriage is much before us,” writes Ebert. “They’ve been made legal in some states. They are fiercely opposed, most often on religious grounds. Politicians find it prudent to play to both sides of the street by saying they ‘have no opposition to civil ceremonies.’ I’m disappointed in Obama for taking that approach. He supports the civil rights but opposes gay marriage while citing his church’s teachings. At least you can’t accuse him of catering to his base. I would have preferred that he’d added that a religious marriage is a matter for each church, but that the state should make no distinction in the matter of a civil ceremony.” Elbert also attacks the George W. Bush administration’s anti-gay stance, seen in the wake of RNC chairman Ken Mehlman’s coming out, sadder and even stranger, wondering why men like Bush, whose wife Laura has recently come out as an advocate of gay marriage, and vice-president Cheney, whose daughter is a lesbian raising a child with her partner, would create a climate of hate and intolerance towards gay men and women. “Was it because it seemed like a popular policy at the time,” Ebert wonders. “Was it playing to the party’s southern evangelical base? Whatever the reasons, we now know that the word has gone out to the GOP’s 2010 candidates to soft-pedal opposition to homosexuality and gay marriage. Public opinion is perceived to be shifting on the topic. It seems odd to me that on this issue, Barack Obama is more conservative that Dick Cheney, George Bush, and my mother.”

British Spy Found Murdered May Have Been Victim Of Sadomasochistic Game Gone Wrong, His Family Disputes Claims Gareth Williams Was Gay, British Conservative MP Comes Out, Openly Gay Kansas Democratic Candidate Receives Death Threat, Does It Matter If Murdered Durand Robinson Was Gay

The family of 30 year old Gareth Williams, a M16 British Intelligence Officer found dead Monday, said Friday that they are “very, very upset” at continued claims Williams was gay, and that bondage and sadomasochism equipment were discovered at the crime scene. Williams, who badly decomposing body was found in bag in a bath at the apartment he rented, is thought to have been dead for at least two weeks. Family and friends have portrayed Williams as a shy, socially awkward man, a mathematics genius, passionate about cycling. He worked at GCHQ, an eavesdropping and security centre, and worked regularly with the United States national security agency that intercepts and analyses foreign communications. Police continue to investigate, examining his cell phone and financial records, in addition to CCTV cameras from the streets surrounding his home. There were reports that evidence was discovered linking Williams to a male escort. The family disputes these claims, describing them as an attempt to cultivate a smear campaign.

Crispin Blunt, the Tory Member of Parliament and prisons minister, has come out, releasing a statement Friday that said he “wishes it make it known that he has separated from his wife Victoria. He decided to come to terms with his homosexuality and explained the position to his family. The consequence is this separation. The 50 year old Blunt has been the Conservative MP for Reigate since 1997, and was married in 1990. The couple have one daughter and one son.

Mike Manning, the Democratic Kansas House candidate found a note threatening death clipped to the outside of his apartment door early Saturday morning – the note, arranged with letters crudely clipped from newspapers and magazines which read “DISTRICT 91 Democrat Dan N. Manning, 29 production supervisor, manningforkansas.com 2010 State House Election Will DIE, FaGIT (sic), Kill HOMOM, MURDER, Head OFF.” Manning reported the police, who took the note and continue to investigate. Manning, who is openly gay, said that “If their point was to intimidate me, they did,” but added that “The only thing it really accomplished was to strengthen my resolve.” Manning says he believes his sexual orientation is not an issue in the election; the economy and education are. Nonetheless, Manning acknowledges elected Democrats in the state have privately urged him to hide that he is gay. “They just think it would be better for me and better for Kansas politics if I didn’t make it known,” said Manning. “I have more faith in the people in my district and the people of Kansas.”

While Atlanta police continue to investigate the murder of 50 year old Durand Robinson, shot during an alleged argument in the early hours of Wednesday, and left to die in a street, there are contradictory reports regarding Robinson’s sexual orientation, and assertions that his killing could not be deemed a hate crime. Robinson, who would have celebrated his 51st birthday September 2nd, was the co-owner of Traxx, a popular gay club, as well as they organizer of Atlanta Gay Black Pride. His brother, Prince, says that although never married “I do think he was in the process of getting married (to) ... his girlfriend of 2 ½ years. He comes from a Christian background. A community activist. Never drinks. Never smokes. Didn’t have an enemy in the world.”

Might Morphin’ Power Ranger David Yost Comes Out And Alleges Anti-Gay Hostile Work Environment, Atlanta Police Continue Search For Clues In Shooting Death Of Durand Robinson, New York City Clerks Required By Law To Inform Gay Couples Where They Can Legally Marry, Meth Use And HIV Infections Continue To Rise Among Gay And Bisexual Men

David Yost, who appeared on the show Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, has come out, but the 41 year old actor, reveals that he routinely harassed on the series. “I was called ‘faggot’ one too many times (by the show’s) creators, producers, writers, and directors,” Yost says. In a lengthy interview conducted for the Power Rangers fan community “No Pink Spandex, at the 2010 Anime Festival in Orlando, Florida, Yost reveals that after leaving the show he spent time in a gay reparative therapy program – Pray the Gay Away – in an attempt to cure himself of his sexual orientation. Subsequently, he says, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized for five weeks.

Police in Atlanta, Georgia continue investigated the shooting murder of Durand Robinson, the 50 year old co-owner of Traxx, a gay club in DeKalb County and also the organizer of the city’s annual Black Gay Pride festivity. As I posted previously, he was found dead in the middle of Hadlock Street in Atlanta’s southwest at approximately 1:30 am, shot in the chest. According to authorities, a resident on that street called 911 to report that she heard a loud scream, looked, and saw a man lying in the street. Investigators do not know of a motive for the shooting, but do know Robinson argued with someone before shots were fired, but beyond that will not speculate if the murder was motivated by Durand’s sexual orientation. The 13th annual Atlanta Gay Black Pride celebration begins next week. Robinson will be honoured with a candlelight vigil September 1st.

New York City council Wednesday passed a measure that require city clerks to offer information to same sex couple who register as domestic partners as to where they can legally marry. The information will also be available online and at the city’s marriage offices. Openly gay City Council Speaker Christine Quinn says she hopes that the law – Intro 260 – which was approved by a vote of 47-1 is “a message to the State Senate of how sick and tired we are of waiting for marriage equality.” In the United States, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont are the five states that offer gay marriage.

King County, Washington health agencies and counselling centres have initiated an outreach program aimed at offering counselling and support to crystal meth users in the gay community, where the problem remains persuasive – data collected from Public Health continuing to suggest that on average 10-percent of gay and bisexual men have used meth in a given year, that number doubled for men under the age of 30. A correlation between meth use and HIV infections rates has long been established. According to Arnold Martin, of NEON, a program for gay and bisexual men struggling with meth addiction, “while meth affects everyone because it is so highly addictive, it’s a particular problem for those in the LGBTQ community. The shame of being gay and an outcast, the low self-esteem ... the drug allows you not to feel, to not care; it knocks down the barrier around self-esteem.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hundreds Celebrate Pride In Kathmandu, Polish Activists Ask Textbook Teaching Gay Can Be Cured Be Pulled From Secondary Schools, Lady Gaga Alter Male Ego, Madonna Scrubs, Jensen Ackles Shirtless, Sweaty, And Smoking Sexy

Hundreds of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered gathered in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu Wednesday, participating in gay pride parade organized by Sunil Pant, the country’s first and only gay legislator, Pant largely responsible for the remarkable strides in advancing equal rights for gays and lesbians, having filed a petition that prompted the Supreme Court to order the government to enact laws guaranteeing equality as well as Pant having sponsored a gay marriage measure currently before Parliament. Wednesday’s event, timed to coincide with the Hindu festival of Gai Jatra, was the first international gay pride parade held in the city. 21 year old transsexual Karuna Adhikari, wearing a flowing white dress, said “We want to raise our voices and ensure that third-gender people get the same opportunities as everyone else.”

In Poland, the Association for Diversity, a gay advocacy group called on the government to withdraw a textbook authorized for use in secondary schools that portrays homosexuality as an illness that can be cured. The educational ministry dismissed the complaint, saying that the textbook - a previous edition of which had equated homosexuality with incest and pedophilia - were approved on the advice of experts and that teachers had the option to determine which textbooks to use or not use. However, Diversity spokesperson Przemek Szczeplocki said that the book in question “remains silent on the problems of homophobia and discrimination and presents the theory that homosexuality is something one can reject and that one can return to ‘normality,’” adding that “this kind of attitude deepens the lack of acceptance for gays, lesbians and bisexuals and perpetuates a belief that some sexual orientation are weird, and this is hurtful.”

Jo Calderon graces the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan, and inside the newest male model reveals that he hails from Palermo, Sicily, that this is the first time he has been photographed, and describes Lady Gaga as “fuckin beautiful, and funny, and interesting,” funny since Calderon is in fact Stefani Joanne Angelina Germnotta, who is in fact Lady Gaga.

Ms. Ciccone or Madonna on all fours, scrubbing the floors, featured in the Fall/Winter 2010 Dolce and Gabbana campaign naturally.

Really, who would enjoy seeking a shirtless, sweaty Jensen Ackles, what with his bulging biceps and glistening abs?

Toronto Gay Couple Insist They Were Not The Target Of Anti-Gay Hate And Want You And Everyone You Know To Stop Talking About It

Another update on the story from Toronto and the members of the Highfield Road Gospel Hall church who allegedly targeted two gay men – a couple – and the neighbours who came to their defence. The couple, 45 year old Blair Chiasson and his partner 47 year old Paul Collins, say they have never felt targeted and that the parishioners publically preached on the street long prior to the arrival of the two 13 years ago. Chiasson says the parishioners are a “part of the neighbourhood” who are exercising their right to free expression and underlined that the neighbours who responded “overreacted.” Said Chiasson “we don’t even know the people that started this, so the people who apparently our defenders, we don’t even know who they are.” He added “I don’t like how the whole issue is being distorted. Nothing happened. Nothing happened. I just want this to stop. Stop discussing it. Stop talking about it. It’s really kind of spiralling out of control.

If anything, the incident seems to serve as another reminder that in the neither world of the internet, nothing is ever as it seems. Dan Savage – whom I loathe – started the scenario wherein the members of the Gospel Hall congregation attacked the gay couple, employing the most incendiary rhetoric, Savage saying that “O They Will Know We Are Christians ... by the people we intimidate and harass. Christofacists in Toronto protest in front of the home a gay couple – not only because the couple did anything in particular to the church. But the couple exists ...” Savage’s attempt at social commentary might have been better served if he attempted to access the facts, or at least apply a critical analysis to what he watched online second-hand thousands of miles away.

Gay Couple In Toronto Say They Have Never Felt Targeted By Highfield Road Gospel Hall, Suggest Neighbours May Have Overreacted, Gospel Hall Denies Targeting Anyone Based On Sexual Orientation, Neighbours Admit Making Assumptions

A gay couple who were allegedly targeted by members of the Gospel Hall Highfield Road congregation Sunday night in Toronto, Ontario, say that the church delegates chose to read the Bible on the sidewalk in front of their house because there is a fire hydrant which prevents any cars from parking in the spot. The two say that they have never felt targeted by the church congregation because of their sexual orientation, and have never heard any homophobic comments from the congregation. They added that the neighbours who came to the defence may have overreacted. In fact the neighbour, who filmed the alleged confrontation and immediately uploaded it to YouTube, where the story was spawned, now says he did not hear any anti-gay comments and simply assumed the group was attacking the gay couple.

Meanwhile, a member of the Highfield Road Gospel Hall says that the church has never targeted any home or individuals based on perceived sexual orientation, the man asking not to be identified. “You know,” he said, “we’re very sorry that this has happened. We’re hurt that this has been misconstrued. If they feel they’re being targeted, we feel sad about that. They’re not being targeted. We’re there for everyone to hear the gospel. We’re not there to preach to just one house. That would be discrimination.” He added that the group regularly hosts outdoor sermons and does so in a manner “not just so on household can hear it, so many can hear it. Of course it’s not a common thing anymore. It’s not like we’re going, forcing religion down people’s throats.” He reiterated that the gay couple were not being specifically targeted, saying “We have a love for souls regardless of their origins or orientations. The gospel message is for all. We’d never go to any house and target them because they have an alternative lifestyle. That’s a lie. I’d be very definite about that.” James McKay, one of the first neighbours to confront the congregation, perceives things differently, saying that he has seen the group gather four times in eight years in front of the same house – which seems more happenstance that deliberate – however, he remains convinced that the Gospel Hall “do it to force people out of the neighbourhood. That’s how we see it. Maybe that’s not how they see it.” His wife Kristen added “All I can go by is that they were standing directly in front of a person’s house who was gay. That’s all I can go by.”

Anti-Gay Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum Loses GOP Primary, Marine General James Conway Says Most Marines Would Not Like To Be Billeted With Openly Gay Service Member, Pentagon Sends DADT Survey To Military Spouses, Necessary Covert West Point Gay Community, Notre Dame Quarterback Dayne Crist Gay Ally, Anti-Gay Jason Akermanis Allegedly Names Gay Australian Football League Players, Yoann Gourcuff Shirtless And Sweaty, Taylor Lautner Diva

Business executive and political neophyte Rick Scott has defeated Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for Florida Tuesday, Scott accepting the GOP nomination after earning the victory by a narrow margin. McCollum, who opposes the adoption of children by gay couples, famously hired now thoroughly disgraced Doctor George Rekers, a former board member of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality as an expert witness to testify at a case defending Florida’s ban on adoption for same sex couples.

United States Marine Commandant General James Conway said Tuesday that “very religious” Marines with “moral concerns” about homosexuality might object to sharing living quarters with gay and lesbian service members. Conway, thankfully retiring, is on the record as opposed any and all efforts to repeal the American military ban on gay men and women serving openly, and took Tuesday’s Pentagon briefing to reiterate his oppositions, saying that “an overwhelming majority would not like to be roomed with a person who is openly homosexual. Some do not object. And perhaps, you know, perhaps a voluntary basis might be the best way to start without violating anybody’s sense of moral concern or a perception on the part of their mates.” Conway added that in certain “instances we will have people that say that homosexuality is wrong and they simply do not want to room with a person of that persuasion because it would go against their religious beliefs.” Asked why the General thought that the Marines, more than any other branch of the armed services outright opposed eliminating the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” Conway said “we recruit a certain type of young American, a pretty macho guy or gal, that is willing to go fight and perhaps die for their country.”

Meanwhile the Pentagon last Friday sent out a new survey on repealing the military ban on openly gay men and women serving, 150,000 military spouses asked 44 questions, including “How important a factor would a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be to you in making decisions about your spouse’s future in the military” and “Assume Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and you live in on-base housing. If a gay or lesbian Service member living in your neighbourhood with their partner, would stay on-base or would you try to move out?”

How has the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” affected the gay community of the cadets at West Point?

Dayne Crist, the 20 year old expected start this season at quarterback for Notre Dame, having successfully rehabbed a torn ACL suffered in 2009, is a welcoming addition to the growing group of gay allies, according to a profile, this July, “arrived early for an appointment in July at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex in California, wearing red workout shorts and a black T-shirt. On the shirt’s front, in large white lettering, was a slogan: ‘StaND Against Hate,” the shirt a reminder of a week-long period of activism in April when over 100 students and faculty marched, calling on Notre Dame administrators to add sexual orientation to the school’s anti-discrimination policy and acknowledge the Catholic university’s LBGT Alliance.

In Australia, anti-gay rugby player Jason Akermanis, fired from the Western Bulldogs in part for authoring a column that strongly suggested gay players should stay closeted, is again causing controversy. Akermanis appeared at two separate public events in Mildura in August and at one he named three current Australian Football League players he said had used illicit narcotics and another named AFL players he insisted were gay.

Yoann Gourcuff post-soccer match, shirtless naturally (and thankfully). (Site NSFW)

Is Taylor Lautner something of diva? There are reports that the Twilight hotness ordered a $300,000 personalized trailer for work on the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania location of his new film Abduction co-starring Sigourney Weaver. Apparently, the trailer did not arrive on time or arrived without meeting Lautner’s specifications, so the actor is suing, claiming “emotional distress” and “annoyance.”

Police Issue Canada-Wide Warrant For Calgary Resident Dustin Ward Paxton Wanted For Confining And Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting Dustin LaFortune

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Dustin Ward Paxton on charges of aggravated assault, forcible confinement, and sexual assault alleged to occurred in Calgary, Alberta between December 1st, 2009, and March 2nd, 2010, as well a charge of aggravated assault alleged to have taken place in Regina, Saskatchewan between March 15th and April 16th, the day before Paxton, apparently pretending to be the cousin of the victim, Dustin LaFortune. According to reports, LaFortune moved to Calgary from Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2008 to work for Paxton, a friend, who owned a moving company – Two Guys and a Truck. They shared a home in the city’s Highland Park neighbourhood. It appears that in during that period, Paxton repeatedly sexually assaulted the man, and that he was being held against his will. The victim’s family noticed a dramatic weight loss, as well as unexplained injuries in September, 2009, which the victim said were work-related. In February, the victim’s family lost all contact, and in April filed a missing persons report. Four days later, he left at a Regina hospital, barely alive, weighing around 90 pounds, his face badly beaten, his lower lip missing, officials saying it had been cut off. LaFortune remains in hospital and is recovering. Police warn that Paxton is dangerous and is not to be approached, but to call the authorities if identified.

Wyoming Gay Couple Files Suit Challenging Constitutional Validity Of State Law Limiting Marriage To That Between One Man And One Women, California Senate Approves Bill Revising Anti-Gay Mental Health Policy, Family Fears Man Killed Because He Was Gay, Pete Wentz And Ashlee Seen Shopping At Target, Chord Overstreet Confirmed As Kurt Hummel’s Boyfriend On Glee

David Shupe-Roderick and Ryan W. Dupree of Cheyenne, Wyoming, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging the constitutional validity of a state law defining marriage as that only existing between one man and one woman. The couple says that the Laramie Country Clerk’s Office refused to issue a request for marriage license and the two – who are acting as their own attorneys – have requested that Untied States District Judge Alan B. Johnson stop the state from enforcing any law that prevents gay and lesbian couples from access to civil marriage.

Monday, the California Senate approved a bill that revises a law passed in 1950, formally ending a requirement contained in the original that the Department of Mental Health research the causes and cures for homosexuality. The bill – AB2199 – carried by Republican Senator Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield, recently out, passed without debate 36-0. It now moves to the Assembly where it is expected to be fully approved.

The family of 31 year old Matias Mondragon stabbed and killed in the early hours of Sunday in a bar in Broomfield, Colorado, fear he was attacked because he was gay. Mondragon died after receiving a single knife wound to the chest during a fight at the Night Owl Lounge. He was found by police one block away, transported to an area hospital where he died. 30 year old Matt Joe Weber has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, and is being held without bail. Angel Mondragon, Matias’ niece, said that the family had heard he was being harassed at the bar because he was gay. She said that he had come to Colorado from Ranchos De Taos, New Mexico to live with a new partner, and that “he never judged anybody, he was always happy, always will to help to us. He lived in different places and tried out different things; he was just trying to find himself.”

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and husband Pete, who have participated in the NOH8 gay marriage campaign, and are as gay a straight ally can be without actually being, well, gay, were spotted shopping at Target over the weekend in Los Angeles, a transgression of sorts since Target Corp and Best Buy remain under a boycott directive by the Human Rights Campaign after donating $150,000 to an anti-gay Minnesota-based political action committee MN Forward, who in turn donated to the campaign of anti-gay gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

Jane Lynch confirms that iCarly cutie Chord Overstreet, seen below attending the FOX 2010 Television Critics Association reception August 2nd, has been cast to appear on Glee as Kurt Hummel’s boyfriend. Chord will play Sam Evans, a student transfer who becomes the star quarterback. Lynch, who could not remember the actor’s name, said “He’s tall, boyish with straight blond hair and big fat, pouty lips.”

Gospel Hall Toronto Congregation Prays For And Preys On Gay Couple Prompting Neighbours To Defend Street, Retired Presbyterian Reverend To Stand Trial For Performing Gay Marriages, Gay Geese, Canadian Track And Field Athlete Diane Cummins Calls Caster Semenya A Man, Cristiano Ronaldo

A terrible sight Sunday night in Toronto, Ontario members of the anti-gay Gospel Hall Highfield Road congregation descending on the home of a gay couple in the city’s Leslieville neighbourhood, where they prayed for the men’s salvation. The evangelical Gospel Hall has several congregations throughout the province – several, in fact, in the Toronto area - and apparently preaches their own particular form of perverted Christianity door to door in the area, and has done so for many years. It is not known why they targeted the gay couple - although the Gospel Hall contingent says they are "living in sin" - but neighbours, as the video within the link demonstrates, came to the defence of the two men, calling the police, who arrived after the Gospel Hall delegation had long left.

Retired Presbyterian Reverend Jane Spahr accused by church officials of publically, deliberately, and repeatedly violating church doctrine when presiding at sixteen same sex marriages between June and November 2008 will face a church trial, to commence Tuesday in Napa, California. All of the services were performed within the window when gay marriage was legalized in California before the passage of Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban. This is the second time the 67 year old has been censured by the church; a regional church court convicting her for marrying two lesbian couples, although the conviction was soon overturned by the church’s highest court who contended that the ceremonies did not constitute real marriages.

Gay geese: literally.

Sunday, South African sprinter Caster Semenya competed in only her third race since having been ordered by the track and field governing body to undergo gender verification tests, Semenya taking the 800 metres in a time of 1:59.90, despite an almost eleven month absence. She is training for the Commonwealth Games to be held this October, and the crowd in Berlin, Germany Sunday – the same stadium she won the same race in last year, prompting the gender authentic testing – welcomed her back. A number of fellow athletes, however, have not, angered by the ruling by the International Association of Athletics Federation to allow the 19 year old to return to racing. Most troubling, comments from Canada’s Diane Cummins, who finished Sunday’s race eighth, said of Caster “Even if she is a female, she’s on the very fringe of the normal athlete female biological composition from what I understand of hormone testing. So, from that perspective, most of us feel that we are literally running against a man.”

Cristiano Ronaldo spotted in Madrid, Spain, attending an exhibition basketball game between Spain and the United States.

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)

Gay Activists And Catholics Clash In Mexico, Defarra Gaymon And Edward Esposito, John Barrowman Garage Sale, Chris Evans, Sexy Sean Sullivan, Philip Fusco, Joe Jonas, Michael Phelps And Ricky Berens

There are reports of a conflict between a group of Catholics and of gay rights activists Sunday in Guadalajara, Mexico, an estimated 200 gay rights activists staging a rally at a plaza near a cathedral while an equal number of anti-gay marriage protestors prayed at the doors to the cathedral.

48 year old Defarra Gaymon was killed in the early evening hours of July 16th by 29 year old Edward Esposito, an undercover officer for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, both men in Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey. Esposito alleges he was acting in self-defence, having informed Gaymon he was under arrest for public lewdness, the chief executive officer of an Atlanta, Georgia credit union reportedly having engaged in public sexual act now fleeing across a part of the park near a pond, where Gaymon, according to prosecutor’s office, “threatened to kill the officer,” adding that “Mr. Gaymon then lunged at and attempted to disarm the officer while reaching into his own pocket.” Esposito, according to the report, fired once, “fearing for his life.” No one will ever know what happened – there are no witnesses – but it appears that evening both men acted in ways deeply contrary to their character.

John Barrowman insists he is intent on remaining in Wales, despite having held a gigantic “USA garage sale” Saturday and Sunday at the five bedroom home in the seaside village of Sully, in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales he shares with partner Scott Gill. The 43 year old Barrowman will spend five months or so living in Los Angeles early next year, where the BBC’s Torchwood will lens its upcoming season in an effort to attract an international audience, Barrowman starring as Capitan Jack Harkness. A percentage of the proceeds from the everything must go garage sale is to go to an area children’s hospice.

Capitan America star Chris Evans parties a tad too hard in London Saturday night, accompanied by two mystery males and Amy Smart.

A sizzling sexy Sean Sullivan stands stark naked save for boxes and eyeglasses.

The fantastic Philip Fusco dons bright red socks and a white jockstrap.

The Jonas Brother’s softball team the Road Dogs were in action again, Joe sporting a particular tight uniform.

Michael Phelps and teammate Ricky Berens on the pool deck in Irvine, California, post-3 x 200 metre freestyle relay victory Thursday at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Thousands Protest Ireland Civil Partnership Act Alleging It Creates Second Class Of Citizens, Growing Gay Marriage Acceptance In America, Emmerdale Star Attacked For Portraying Gay, Neil Patrick Harris Earns Two Emmy Awards And Betty White Wins One, Alan Cumming, Jane Lynch, Wanda And Alex Sykes

In Ireland, over 2,000 participated in a protest organized by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender campaign group Noise meant to underline the disparities in the civil partnership legislation introduced last year and signed into law last month. The Civil Partnership And Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2009, extended benefits to gay and lesbian couples in certain areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pension and tax akin to those enjoyed by opposite sex married couples. However, the Act fails to address the rights of children of same sex couple, and gay activists, including Noise, contend that the government is simply attempting to pacify the gay community in Ireland with the introduction of the legislation. Sunday’s peaceful protest through the streets of Dublin called on the government to introduce an act allowing gay and lesbian partners to marry, thereby granting gays full equality. Organizer Max Krzyzanowski said that the legislation excludes the LGBT community from a fundamental civil and human right, and in effect creates a second class of citizens. “One of the most outrageous aspects of the partnership scheme is the complete lack of any rights for gay parents and their children,” adding that “a separate system is not an equal system.”

Gay marriage, according to several polls, continues to gain approval in America, nearly 20 states now showing support at majority levels.

19 year old Danny Miller, who stars on Emmerdale portraying the gay character Aaron Livesy, was attacked Friday night by two men allegedly because of his portrayal. According to reports, Miller, who is straight, was in Manchester, England watching his father Vince, a comedian perform, when “he was attacked by two drunken thugs over his controversial role as a gay teenager.”

Neil Patrick Harris, seen below with boyfriend David Burtka –the two expecting twins this October – earned two Emmy Awards Saturday night, best guest actor in a comedy series for an appearance on Glee and for his work hosting the Tony Awards, which won best special class program. Betty White earned her fifth Emmy for her appearance hosting Saturday Night Live as best guest actress in a comedy series. The Emmy Awards honoured the Old Spice Body Wash “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” advertisement as best commercial.



Also in attendance Saturday night were Alan Cumming, Jane Lynch, and Wanda and Alex Sykes.

Judge Dismisses Anti-Gay Graduate Student Jennifer Keeton’s Lawsuit Against Augusta State University, Activists And Civil Rights Attorneys Fight To Save NYC Gay Bar, Canadian Idol Theo Tams Entertains The Troops, Joe McElderry First Concert Since Coming Out At G-A-Y, Anti-Gay North Carolina Church Steals From Modern Family

Friday, United States District Judge Randal Hall ruled that Augusta State University’s requirement that a graduate student, Jennifer Keeton, read material about and for counselling gays and that she increase her exposure to the gay community after she refused to counsel homosexual clients was “academically legitimate.” The decision enables the Georgia state school to expel Keeton, an avowed Christian, if she does not comply with the remediation plan, designed by her professors to “address issues of multicultural competence and develop understanding and empathy.” Hall underlined that the case is not about “pitting Christianity against homosexuality,” but is in fact about the constitutionality of the school’s requirement. A request was made for Keeton to complete the remediation plan after she stated she objected to homosexuality and would instruct gay or lesbian clients that “their behaviour is morally wrong and then help the client change that behaviour.” Keeton, aided by anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund, sued the school in July, arguing that her First Amendment rights were violated, but Judge Hall ruled that she “failed to clearly establish her high burden of persuasion of a ‘substantial likelihood’ of success of the merits of her case.” The school had continually contended that Keeton was not be asked to alter her personal beliefs, but to adopt and adhere to a viewpoint-neutral code of ethics as established by the American Counselling Association. “It was not (Keeton’s) personal beliefs that were their concern,” said Judge Hall, “but rather only her inability to separate her personal beliefs in the judgement-free zone of a professional counselling situation.”

Gay activists and civil rights attorneys will appear in a Manhattan court Thursday attempting to prevent the New York Police Department from closing Chi Chiz, a Christopher Street bar whose clientele is African-American gay and transgendered men. The police contend that on four instances over a six month period, undercover officers witnessed the sale of narcotics; however supporters say the policing of the bar are motivated by homophobia and racism in community increasingly white and concerned about property values. According to Allen Roskoff, an activist, “these are the same people who forced the city to tear down the Women’s House of Detention on Sixth Avenue and Christopher Street.” Chi Chiz’s attorney Tom Shanahan said that the actions of the police are deliberate. “It’s a set-up,” he says. “It’s entrapment. It’ similar to what happened in the 60’s to gay bookstores.”

Openly gay Canadian Idol winner and Albertan native Theo Tams is reinventing himself of sorts, the 25 year old having appeared before over one thousand Canadian troops in Afghanistan this July 1st, saying his experiences in Kandahar will serve as inspiration for new material. “It was shocking and life-changing,” he says. “The courage these men and women have is inspiring. I was thinking 1,200 soldiers weren’t necessarily my demographic. But they welcomed me with open arms. It was an honour to sing the national anthem for them on Canada Day.”

19 year old Joe McElderry, the X-Factor champion who recently came out, will make appear in his first ever show at London’s infamous G-A-Y club October 23rd. McElderry says of the performance “We’ll keep it a surprise but I am going to have to pull something out!” You can use your own imagination.

The aggressively anti-gay Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina aggressively appropriates (i.e. steals outright) from ABC’s Modern Family, including the title, minus the inclusiveness, but with dead centre racism.

Out Umpire Billy Van Raaphorst Speaks Publically For First Time Since Ejecting Brent Bowers, Andy Roddick Advances, Meg Whitman Says If Elected Governor She Will Defend Proposition 8, Episcopal School In Texas Denies Admission To Daughter Of Married Lesbian Couple, Ottawa Gay Groups To Refuse Charity Donations By Police Services In Protest Over Outing HIV Positive Man

Billy Van Raaphorst, the out umpire and the target of an anti-gay attack by former Edmonton Capitals manager Brent Bowers arrived in Albertan capital Friday, ahead of a three game series the Edmonton Oilers, who own the Capitals, specifically invited him to work, speaking for the first time publically since Bowers was ejected during a game July 31st in an episode that served interestingly as both a reminder of rampant homophobia within the arena of athletics and a suggestion that the climate is changing, Van Raaphorst saying “today’s my first day speaking in front of any organization about myself, my sexuality, my family, my situation in professional baseball. I’m very proud of the way the Oilers have handled things, extremely proud. I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t handled it the way they have. I want to thank them for that.” The 34 year old spent Friday morning as the keynote speaker before the Oilers staff, including head coach Tom Renney, and later spoke at City Hall to a group that included the Edmonton Police Service, Team Edmonton, the city’s LGBT sports organization, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and several politicians. He thanked his fellow umpires, who, threatening to boycott the Golden Baseball League after the league initially suspended Bowers for a paltry two games, brought attention to the incident that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. And for being a role model, Van Raaphorst said that “if there’s an opportunity that I can help somebody, I guess it’s my turn. I’m not the type of guy that’s going to be at the front of the parade and I’m not the type of guy that needs all the accolades and stuff like that. It’s not about me.”

Andy Roddick Friday, at the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament during a match against Novak Djokovic which Roddick won 6-4, 7-5 to advance to play close friend Mardy Fish, who unseeded, beat Canadian Open winner Andy Murray in three sets 6-7, 6-1, 7-6.



California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman said Friday that if elected she would defend Proposition 8 – the state gay marriage ban. “The issue right now is, as I understand is ‘Will Proposition 8 have the appropriate support to actually make an appeal to the circuit court of appeals?’” she said. “And I think the governor, the attorney general today has to defend the constitution and has to enable the judicial process to go along and has to enable an appeal to go through. So if I governor, I would give that ruling standing to be able to appeal to the circuit court.” The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco intends to hear the case in December after Chief Justice Judge Vaughn Walker ruled the voter amendment unconstitutional. Supreme Court appeals are planned by both pro-gay advocates and Proposition 8 proponents. If elected, Whitman would take office in January, so her involvement in the issue is a distinct possibility.

A Bedford, Texas lesbian couple’s daughter was denied admission to a private Episcopal school, St. Vincent’s Episcopal School because the school objects to the couple’s sexual orientation. In July, Jill Harrison, who married Tracey in Canada in 2006, wrote her name next to the word “mother on the admission forms, and crossed out the word “father”, writing “mother” and Tracey’s name. The school says it assumed Tracey was a man’s name, however this past Tuesday after the couple attended parent’s night, Olivia was refused admission. The school issued a statement, saying the decision was based on what officials believe is best for all students, as well as “in conformity with scripture and our own church’s doctrinal standards,” adding that “we regret the disappointment the mother feels. It is clear, however, that enrolling the child in a traditional Christian school, such as St. Vincent’s School, would not foster her own personal values at home. And it might undermine the moral instruction of our clergy and teachers in the minds of our school students and parents. Our prayers are with Olivia and her mother.”

Several Ottawa, Ontario gay community groups say they will refuse any and all monies raised by the city’s Police Services, protesting a decision by the department in May to publically identify a man via a photograph as HIV positive. 29 year old Steven Paul Boone was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault for failing to disclose his HIV status to another Ottawa area man who was subsequently infected after he and Boone had unprotected sex several times in late January and early February. However, most gay activist rightly argue that Boone was charged – not convicted – and was being held in custody, not posing any threat to the public, and that the city’s public health department should have followed protocol and handle the case. They also argue that Boone’s right to privacy was violated, and that the actions further criminalized HIV/AIDS, causing fear among gay men who may have foregone testing.