Australian Victorian Labor Branch Votes To Change Party Platform On Same Sex Marriage, Transsexual In Turkey Murdered By Brother In “Honour Killing,” Presbyterian Church Ordains First Openly Gay Minister, San Diego May Elect Openly Gay Mayor, Josh Groban Nude Balcony Escapades, Prince Harry Arrives In California

In Australia, the Victorian Labor branch has sent a clear message to Prime Minister Julia Gillard by voting to overhaul the party's policies on gay marriage and immigration. 774 ABC Melbourne reports that hundreds of Labor delegates clapped and cheered when the motion to urge the national ALP to change its platform on same-sex marriage was passed, with only a small number of delegates voted against it. Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia national secretary, Michele O'Neil, told federal Labor to "get over" its opposition to same sex marriage. "I reckon if my 88-year-old dad can understand this and ... the great bulk of the Australian community understands this, why can't we understand it in the Labor Party?" she asked. "Let's get over it. It's a debate about choice, it's a debate about fairness; it’s a debate about rights." Two years ago the Victorian Labor branch backed same sex marriage at its state conference, but earlier this year the opportunity to bring their position to the national agenda fell through, because there were not enough people to vote on it. Rainbow Labor co-convenor Sarah Cole, who moved the resolution, said Labor was a progressive party and must support marriage equality. She said the Marriage Act sent a message to gay and lesbian young people coming to terms with their sexuality that they were not equal members of society. "That the happily-ever-after stories that they have grown up assuming will be part of the framework of their lives are not open to them anymore," she said. Federal Labor frontbencher and head of the party's Victorian Right faction, Bill Shorten, refused to discuss his views and denied suggestions the state conference vote undermined Gillard. He has previously expressed his personal support for same-sex marriage but indicated he was not prepared to break ranks with Labor policy on the issue.

In Turkey, a transsexual man was murdered by his brother on October 7 in the eastern province of Gaziantep, The Hurriyet Daily News reporting that 24 year-old Ramazan Çetin was being treated at Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek State Hospital following injuries he sustained after falling from a high place on October 4 when the murder occurred. Fevzi Çetin, Ramazan’s brother, turned himself in to hospital police after firing three rounds at his brother with a pistol at about 6:45 pm. Two bullets went through his body, while another bullet went through his head, according to reports. “My brother was engaged in travestism. I killed him,” said Fevzi Çetin, 27. “I cleansed my honour.” Fevzi Çetin was taking special care to stay away from his family, who disapproved of his sexual preference. Çetin left his family home two years ago and had been living alone ever since.

The Rev. Scott Anderson became the first openly gay Presbyterian minister on Saturday after being ordained at a ceremony in Madison, Wisconsin, according to a report by The Los Angeles Times. The U.S. chapter of the Presbyterian Church voted in May to amend its constitution allowing gays and lesbians to serve as ministers and lay leaders. The Rev. Mark Achtemeier, who once staunchly opposed allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the church leadership, gave a sermon at the ordination. Over the years, Anderson became a friend and helped lead Achtemeier to change his position on including gays and lesbians in the clergy. “I believe God will use your ministry, Scott, as a life-giving spring of water for sustaining weary exiles who have been alienated from the church of Jesus Christ and are seeking a way back home," Achtemeier said during the sermon. The 2.3-million-member church became the fourth mainline Protestant denomination to allow gay ordination, following the Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran churches and the United Church of Christ.

San Diego may become the largest American city to elect an openly gay Republican mayor. The Associated Press reports that the election is eight months away, but two leading contenders are gay. Bonnie Dumanis is a three-term San Diego County district attorney and Carl DeMaio is a businessman-turned-city councilman. Neither candidate made marks as gay rights activists, which may help explain why their sexual orientation has been a non-issue even among social conservatives. Neither makes a secret of being gay, but they don't call attention to it either. San Diego has had Republican mayors since 1992. Four years ago, Mayor Jerry Sanders faced a mutiny in his party when he abruptly announced support for same-sex marriage. Sanders went on to win easily. He is leaving office due to term limits.

A bespectacled Josh Groban steps onto to a balcony, removes his boxers, and well, suns himself natural.

Royal red-headed sexiness Prince Harry arrives at the Naval Air Facility Friday in El Centro, California. The 27 year-old will be in the United States for a two-month military helicopter training course.