Activists Protest Proposed Russian Bill Prohibiting Gay Propaganda, Israeli Textbook Used In Mental Health Courses Condemned For Claiming Homosexuality An Emotional Disorder Than Can Be Cured, More Virginians Support Same Sex Civil Unions, North Carolina Psychological Association Opposes Proposed Constitutional Ban On Same Sex Marriage And Civil Unions, Bryan Dorsey Crowned Mr. USA Gay, Tom Felton Christmas Card, Blake Griffin Hotness, Tom Brady Christmas Day Outing

Gay rights activists staged protests in the central Russian city of Kostroma on Monday against plans to impose fines for the promotion of homosexuality. In November, a similar ban was shelved in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second city, after MPs questioned its “legal definitions.” RIA Novosti reports that the bill, pushed by the ruling United Russia party and widely expected to be passed by Kostroma’s Duma in the first of three required readings on Tuesday, would outlaw any gay pride events. It would also allow authorities to impose fines of up to 50,000 rubles ($1,600) for “public activities promoting homosexuality, bisexualism and transgender identity” as well as pedophilia among minors. The promotion of “religious sects” would also be punishable by fines. A total of eight campaigners staged one-person protests in Kostroma’s city center on Monday holding posters demanding equal rights and condemning the treatment of gays and lesbians in Russia. The authorities claim the bill was “aimed at preventing sex crimes against minors,” but Yelena Kostyuchenko, a journalist with the liberal Novaya Gazeta and gay rights campaigner, said homosexuality was a “biological quality” and could not be promoted. She also warned against the danger of the bill’s “vague criteria,” saying it was not clear quite what was to be defined as “gay propaganda.” Igor Kochetkov, head of the St. Petersburg LGBT group Coming Out, said the bill was being ostracized to divert public attention from “real political and social problems” as the Kremlin tries to appease anti-government protesters. Russia has seen its largest protests in some two decades over alleged vote fraud in favour of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party at recent parliamentary polls. “Today, as protests over disputed elections continue, they need to find an enemy,” he said. He also said the authorities were exploiting widespread anti-gay sentiment to serve their own goals. “United Russia is looking to boost its rating by means of everyday homophobia,” Kostyuchenko said. “We should remember though that homophobia means murders, suicides and violence.”

"Mental health experts, educators and members of Israel's gay community are protesting the use in the mental health curriculum in a number of academic institutions of a textbook they say presents anti-homosexual positions. The most recent edition of "Prakim nivharim b'psichiatria" ("Select Chapters in Psychiatry") was published in 2010 and is part of the curriculum in universities, colleges and teachers' college. An Internet petition circulated by the book's detractors demands its removal from the curriculum of clinical programs unless and until its position on homosexuality is revised. A day after the petition was posted it had more than 500 signatures. According to Haaretz.com, one of the book's chapters states that homosexuality is a personal choice and claims that the theory of Charles Socarides, according to which homosexuality is an emotional disorder that can be cured through therapy, is "the most accepted approach today." The chapter was written by Prof. Shmuel Tiano, former director of the Geha Psychiatric Hospital in Petah Tikva. Tiano describes homosexuality as a "symptom," and that psychotherapy can bring about the integration of "this borderline personality" and "the disappearance of the symptom." It also described homosexuality and transgender identity among children as a "disorder" that should be treated to enable children to develop "normal sexual development." In conversation with Haaretz, Tiano said the chapter is a historical survey and does not represent current thinking on the issues. Eight years ago Gidi Rubinstein, a psychotherapist who teaches at the Netanya Academic College and whose clinical practice specializes in gay and bisexual clients, published an article in the column in the gay and lesbian monthly "Hazman Havarod" criticizing the book. Tiano contacted him to discuss his concerns. Rubinstein said he expected his objections would be addressed in the 2010 edition but they were not. Rubinstein was particularly critical of the platform he said the book gives to the views of Socarides. Tiano said the characterizations of homosexuality as a "disorder" or "symptom" in the chapter are simply descriptions of obsolete views. "I explicitly wrote in the chapter that it is not a disorder." Rubinstein said that, "In its current edition, the chapter on homosexuality not only constitutes a declaration of homophobia, but it educates future therapists and educators to be homophobic.” The fact that the book is published by a university press, Dyonon, and that it was compiled by four leading figures in the psychiatry field gives the book added importance. Avi Chamo, the CEO of Dyonon said he was proud of the book, which is in its fifth edition and is a bestseller. He said the book was designed to survey a range of views and promote academic discourse. "There is a word or two that needs to be proofread," Tiano acknowledged. "In advance of the next edition of the book, I commit to carry out additional proofreading and to change the two or three words that have to be changed in the chapter."

A majority of Virginia voters continue to oppose the idea of same sex marriage, but are open to civil unions, according to a new survey. The Sun Gazette reports that Public Policy Polling’s most recent survey of Virginia’s electorate found that 53-percent of those questioned opposed legalization of same-sex marriage, while 34-percent supported it. But 59-percent of respondents said they would be willing to accept civil unions for gay couples. Democrats (70-percent) and independents (66-percent) were more likely than Republicans (39-percent) to be in favour. Virginia voters in 2006 passed an amendment to the state constitution, defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The measure, which passed with a 57-percent majority, also prevents the state government from recognizing out-of-state gay unions, and from recognizing any civil-partnership arrangement “to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.” The survey of 600 Virginia voters was conducted December 10-12. The margin of error is described as plus or minus 4-percent.

The North Carolina Psychological Association opposes the proposed constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage and civil unions, arguing that “the only reason for according same-sex relationships a different legal status than heterosexual relationships is ultimately the fact that the relationship is homosexual rather than heterosexual. This differentiation based on sexual orientation is an expression of prejudice and leads to stigma.”

It was basically on a whim that Bryan Dorsey decided to enter the U.S. Mr. Gay 2012 competition. Something fun to do the 35–year–old Lancaster, Pennsylvania resident thought. But he found himself among five finalists during the competition's finals in Philadelphia last month. "There were people from Texas from California Colorado. All over the country basically" the registered nurse at Lancaster General Hospital said in a recent interview with The Intelligencer Journal. And then he was announced the winner of the competition created to combat homophobia and gay stereotypes. There will be some work to do on that front in Lancaster according to the 1994 Hempfield High School graduate. "It's really an interesting town" he said. "There's a really great art community downtown. There is a fairly decent–sized gay community but there's also this fairly conservative religious–type envelope that kind of encompasses Lancaster which can be kind of challenging. "Because it is so conservative I think there's a little more work to be done" on combating homophobia he said. Dorsey was asked by Don Spradlin the California man who created the competition to enter the competition this summer. Spradlin can't recall exactly how he found Dorsey but he said he did invite him. "We're really very proud of having Dorsey represent us" Spradlin said. Dorsey said he hopes to use his title to raise awareness for general community health issues and anti–bullying. As the seventh person to carry the title and the first person from Lancaster County Dorsey will represent the United States in the International Mr. Gay competition. Details of the international competition are being worked out but it will be sometime next year likely in Chicago according to Spradlin. The goal of the competition —Spradlin stresses that it's a competition and not just a beauty pageant — is to combat homophobia and dispel gay male stereotypes he said. "It's really just about showing what real gay men look like — and I don't mean men in a macho way; I just mean a regular guy" Spradlin said. Spradlin said just 15 points out of a possible 100 are for physical appearance. That can puzzle some audience members who might expect the best–looking man in final stages of the competition he said. Dorsey submitted photos as part of the interview process to get into the contest and took part in a formal wear and swimsuit competition but he was also asked about his career community service and goals. Dorsey has a theatre degree from University of the Arts in Philadelphia and graduated nursing school at Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences in 2010. He's going back to school next fall for his bachelor of science. Dorsey is in a relationship and said his partner and his family were supportive of him during the competition.

Tom Felton images a Christmas card complete with Rupert Grint and a shirtless bear.

Blake Griffin warms up prior to the opening game of the abbreviated NBA regular season debut Sunday between Griffin’s Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors, the Clippers winning 105-86. A smoking sexy soaking wet Griffin also appears in Men’s Health.

Tom Brady joined by wife Gisele Bundchen and sons John and Benjamin make their way through Boston Christmas day.