Ontario Premier Dismisses Claims He Is Not Good “Catholic” Because He Supports Formation Of Gay-Straight Alliances, Christy Blatchford Suggests Toronto A City Of “Sissies” But She Doesn’t Mean It In The Anti-Gay Way, Pedro And Buddy Penguin Breeding Update, Police In Britain Search For Five Suspects In Horrific Gay Bashing, Twice-Discharged Sailor Re-enlists In Navy, Chris Colfer Is Santa Helper, Ryan Murphy Tormenting Cast Of Glee

Ontario's Catholic premier is dismissing accusations from religious groups that he is betraying his faith by supporting gay rights and abortion. The Canadian Press reports that some religious activists say Premier Dalton McGuinty is not a good Catholic because he will not abandon a sex-education component of a pending anti-bullying law. A number of religious groups say they agree bullies must be stopped but can't condone a requirement within the bill that schools promote sexual tolerance through gay clubs, specifically the formation of Gay-Straight Alliances. Monday, McGuinty said he is not troubled by those who say he is not a good Catholic, saying he is just doing what he thinks is right. Some say the controversy over Gay-Straight Alliances in schools highlights the problems of a publicly funded Catholic school system, whose leaders don't always agree with the government's policy decisions. But McGuinty says he has no intention of creating one public school system in Ontario, even if it were recommended as a cost-saving measure.

National Post Christie Blatchford (long-rumoured to be gay) authored a column Saturday suggesting that Toronto, Ontario had become a city of “sissies.” Typically confusing, the piece begins, “It was in Toronto recently, while temporarily resuming my semi-charmed kind of life there and briefly ditching the other semi-charmed half in Kingston, that I realized how much in need the modern male of the species is of some toughening up. The bull terrier and I were on a long forced march on the toney part of Yonge Street, in Rosedale. There were a couple of boys, maybe 10 years old, maybe 12, walking ahead of me. Coming towards them was another small knot of boys about the same age. The two groups met, and immediately began hugging each another, one at a time. The trustees and ding-dongs at the Toronto District School Board would have been ecstatic; I was mortified and appalled.” She then argues that Toronto “likes its men delicate, slender and arch, not sportif unless le sport in question is maybe badminton.” Blatchford stresses, “Do not mistake this as a plea for head-banging in sport, a defence of bullies, or a veiled anti-gay message. I have no particular fondness for gratuitous roughness in games, no time for bullies at all, and as a downtowner, I live surrounded by gay men, who, like most women, I adore as a group.” Her prescription for bullying: “The best way is to take the bully out for a short pounding after school – and may I make it plain, please, that I don’t mean the victims should do this, but rather others. The onus for stopping bullies lies not with the people being bullied, but with those who see it happen.”

Buddy and Pedro, The Toronto’s Zoo’s famous same-sex couple are now apparently showing interest females after being separated, the zoo said in a statement released Monday. According to The Toronto Star, Buddy, 21, was paired with Farai, 3, on November 19 and breeding activity was observed, the zoo said. Pedro, 10, was introduced to females on December 1 and has been seen “constantly” courting females, though no solid bonding has yet happened. Their relationship has made the African penguins international celebrities and social media darlings since it was reported on in November. The Toronto Zoo is one of 40 participating in a multi-year breeding program for the endangered species native to South Africa. Still, despite efforts from their keepers, Buddy and Pedro had shown little amorous interest in the young females – instead spending the nights (and days) together in their icy enclosure. The tale of the star-crossed couple has sparked a mention in a Jimmy Kimmel monologue, as well a petition with 891 signatures and a handful of much “liked” Facebook groups with titles like “Keep Buddy and Pedro together.” The tuxedo-clad birds are not the only animals to exhibit same-sex bonds – giraffes, dolphins and some monkeys have been observed doing the same. Other penguin couples have also been documented in Central Park zoo and in Germany.

Police in Britain are hunting five men in connection with an attack in Walsall. The victim was left with a swollen eye after he was attacked by them outside a bar. The gang approached the victim when he was with a group of friends in the Lion Bar and Club in Reedswood, but when he did not want to get involved speaking to them he walked away and out of the bar. One of the suspects made a homophobic comment before the group punched him repeatedly, knocking him to the ground before kicking him in the head. Officers have released CCTV images of the men they would like to speak to in relation to the assault at the bar in Birchills Street. According to The Wolverhampton Express & Star, the assailants left the 20-year-old man lying in the street before they ran off in the direction of Reedswood. CCTV cameras caught images of the people suspected of being involved, and police are hoping stills of the footage will help prompt the public to help with the investigation. Spokesman for West Midlands Police Lee Page said, “This was a particularly nasty attack which was unprovoked. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated, but the homophobic nature of this assault makes it an especially nasty assault and we would like to speak to any witnesses who may know the people involved or have any information on the attack.”

A sailor discharged twice for being gay was reinstated in the Navy on Monday after suing the service a year ago. An advocacy group said the move marks the first case of a sailor discharged under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law returning to active duty. According to The Navy Times, the Navy discharged Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 2nd Class Jase Daniels in 2005 after he revealed his sexual orientation to his commanding officer. He was processed out only to be recalled a year later for a Kuwait deployment, then discharged again in 2007. Daniels, 29, took the oath of office Monday at a military processing station in San Jose California, said David McKean, legal director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which assisted Daniels in his legal efforts. Daniels rejoins as a third class petty officer and will head to Great Lakes, Ill., for training. By early next year, McKean said, he will return to the Defense Language Institute, this time to learn Farsi. “I am humbled as I am reinstated to the job I love and by the enormous support I have received on this momentous day,” Daniels said in a news release Monday from SLDN. “I look forward to returning to the Defense Language Institute and ultimately, my career in the military.” McKean said the Navy reinstated Daniels as a third class because at the time of his discharge he had less than 90 days time-in-grade as an E-5. Daniels will be eligible to take the E-5 exam in March. SLDN believes Daniels is the first sailor discharged under DADT to return to active duty. “We’re not aware of any other person who’s gone back onto duty,” McKean said, “and we have a pretty extensive network out there.”

Chris Colfer is an elf.

According to US Weekly, Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy continues to “torment” the young cast, including the aforementioned Colfer, with his mercurial behaviour, demands, and threats.