Seattle Police Investigate Anti-Gay Hate Crime, Illinois Human Rights Commission Postpones Hearing Regarding Gay Couple Refused Service By Two Bed And Breakfasts, Church Of England Most Senior Openly Gay Cleric Poised To Sue Over Failure To Promote, Mr Gay UK, Zac Efron, Dolce & Gabbana, Neil Barrett

In Seattle, police are investigating a reported hate crime after a Thursday night incident on Capitol Hill in which a man said he was threatened by a group because he is gay. According to police, the victim said he was in the parking lot above QFC at Pike and Broadway on Thursday night around 8:30 pm when three males and a female began shouting "inappropriate" things at him and trying to start a fight. "Don't be staring at my boyfriend you AIDS infected faggot," one of the suspects allegedly yelled. The victim told police he took a defensive stance and the suspects backed off. The victim then walked a short distance away and called police to report the situation. As police arrived, SPD says one of the suspects approached and was identified by the victim. Police placed the man under arrest and found he was carrying an air pistol and alleged drug dealing paraphernalia including a scale and containers with drug residue. The man was arrested and booked for investigation of malicious harassment. Following the arrest as the victim was riding the bus he spotted the female from the group and called police. She also was arrested and booked for the hate crime investigation.

The Illinois Human Rights Commission has postponed a hearing to consider complaints filed by a gay Mattoon couple against two bed-and-breakfasts in Illinois — including one near Paxton — that refused to host their civil union ceremony. The News-Gazette reports that no date for a new hearing has been set, according to Betty Tsamis, a Chicago attorney representing Todd and Mark Wathen in their civil rights case against the TimberCreek Bed-and-Breakfast near Paxton and the Beall Mansion in Alton. Tsamis said the January 4 hearing was postponed indefinitely to allow both sides to prepare evidence and witness statements. "We are going to engage in discovery, so there will possibly be a hearing (once that is completed)," Tsamis said. The Wathens filed complaints with the commission on November 1 after the Department of Human Rights found "substantial evidence" in August that a civil rights violation had occurred. The complaint alleges violations of the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by businesses open to the public. Todd Wathen contacted the B&Bs in February, hoping to schedule a civil union ceremony for June, once a law allowing same-sex civil unions in Illinois went into effect. But both businesses — which advertise themselves as sites for weddings and other special events — refused. In addition, the co-owner of the TimberCreek B&B, Jim Walder, wrote an e-mail to Todd Wathen — in response to a question from Wathen — that cited various biblical verses and referred to homosexuality as "wrong and unnatural." Walder added that "we will never host same-sex weddings even if they become legal in Illinois. If that is discrimination, I guess we unfortunately discriminate." The complaint requests an order directing the two B&Bs to cease and desist from violating the Human Rights Act; actual damages for injury and loss suffered; interest on the Wathens' actual damages; an order mandating the two B&Bs pay attorney fees; and any additional relief the commission deems "just and appropriate." Steve Amjad of Champaign, an attorney representing the owners of the TimberCreek B&B, said in August that his clients have done "nothing wrong" and that the TimberCreek's policies "do not discriminate based on sexual orientation." Amjad noted that the business does not host any civil unions, whether they be for same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Tsamis is serving as co-counsel for the Wathens, along with John Knight and Harvey Grossman of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

The Church of England's most senior openly gay cleric is understood to be considering suing his employers for discrimination unless he is made a bishop. Dr Jeffrey John, the dean of St Albans, was forced to stand down by the archbishop of Canterbury after being appointed suffragan bishop of Reading in 2003 following objections from conservative evangelicals. Two years ago, John – a celibate priest who is in a longstanding civil partnership with another cleric – was prevented from becoming the bishop of Southwark after the archbishops of Canterbury and York stepped in. According to The Guardian, reports on Sunday suggested John had become so exasperated at his treatment that he had hired Alison Downie, an employment and discrimination law specialist and partner at the law firm Goodman Derrick, to fight his case under equality law. Four years ago, Downie successfully represented a gay youth worker who was found to have been discriminated against by the bishop of Hereford because of his sexuality. It is thought John's case could hinge on a damning memorandum written by a former dean of Southwark Cathedral, which lays bare the divisions over sexuality at the very top of the church. In the leaked memo, the late Very Rev Colin Slee described how both the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the archbishop of York, John Sentamu "behaved very badly" at a meeting to choose the bishop of Southwark in 2010, and "were intent on wrecking both Jeffrey John and [another candidate] Nick Holtam equally.” The memo goes on to record how the meeting descended into acrimony. "The archbishop of Canterbury was bad tempered throughout," it says. "When it came to voting, certainly two – possibly three – members were in tears and [Williams] made no acknowledgement but carried on regardless. At a critical point Archbishop Sentamu and three other members simultaneously went to the lavatory, after which the voting patterns changed." According to Church of England legal advice published in June last year, there is no bar to the promotion of gay clergy to a bishopric as long as they are not sexually active and never have been while in the priesthood. But the document also says a selection committee could veto a gay candidate if "the appointment of the candidate would cause division and disunity within the diocese in question.” A source close to John told the Sunday Times, "This is not a case of demanding something he is not entitled to but a way of resolving the flawed voting process that prevented him being made the bishop of Southwark." A spokesman for the Diocese of St Albans said John had no comment to make on the reports, while a spokesman for the Church of England said the church would not be commenting either. Downie also declined to comment. News of John's apparent decision to challenge his employers was welcomed by those seeking a radical rethink of the Church of England's attitudes to sexuality. The Rev Colin Coward, the director of Changing Attitude, which works for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the Anglican communion, said he hoped John would succeed in his action. "I think the church has behaved appallingly towards him in particular and is continuing to behave appallingly towards its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clergy and lay people in general," he said. "It is time for the church to be held to account for its abusive behaviour and its entrenched prejudice and homophobia." The Rev Rod Thomas, chair of the conservative evangelical group Reform, said that despite his talents, John remained a divisive figure for many in the church. "I think he knows that one of the things that bishops try to do is be a focus for unity and, hitherto, it has been clear that given the current controversies in the church over sexuality, Jeffrey John would find that very difficult," he said. "Sexuality is a big issue facing the western world as a whole and the Church of England in particular, and while those issues are being debated and discussed, Jeffrey John is a figure that to some extent stokes the fires of controversy rather than finds a way through." Thomas added that he found the use of the law to solve internal church disputes "highly regrettable.” In 2008, John Reaney, who was represented by Downie, was awarded £47,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal found that the bishop of Hereford had discriminated against the gay youth worker because of his sexuality. Reaney – who had previously worked for another diocese – was unanimously recommended for the job by a diocesan interview panel. However, he was turned down by the bishop, the Right Rev John Priddis, who questioned him about his private life, previous relationship and sexuality. Despite criticism from gay clergy and gay rights groups, Priddis said he stood by his action, adding, "I still think the decision I made was the right one."

Mr Gay UK Samuel Kneen says he will donate part of his winnings to charity to support a HIV-positive friend. Wales Online reports that Samuel Kneen, 22, said he wants to use the victory to raise awareness of the problems that continue to be caused by the disease. The Toni and Guy hairdresser has already pledged a portion of his prize money to the Terrence Higgins Trust, a British charity that campaigns on issues related to AIDS and HIV. The Mr Gay UK contest recently returned after a three year gap, a move that organizers say was due to popular demand. Last time the contest was held, in 2009, the title was claimed by Dino Gamecho, a fellow Cardiff man. Samuel, whose father and step-family live in Swansea, said he still can’t quite believe he’s been crowned the winner of the nationwide contest. “It was a bit spur of the moment. I was out at [gay venue] Pulse in Cardiff the night that the event was on. I had had a couple of drinks, I had just broken up with my ex and I thought, why not? My friends said, ‘go on, do it’, and I thought, ‘you never know, it could be a boost for my confidence’, so I just went for it.” He won the Cardiff heat at Pulse in September and made it through to the final five in Leeds in November. Samuel was crowned the winner by the three judges, including renowned photographer Jay Eff, Rob Gunns of gay dating site Manhunt UK and Hollyoaks actor Kieran Richardson. The entrants were encouraged to get the public voting for them on the Mr Gay UK website. As well as garnering votes through social networks like Twitter and Facebook, Samuel put up posters in the city and appeared on local radio. Samuel says his confidence has improved, and that it was humbling to be so popular amongst voters. “I was excited because I won, but it was more the fact that I felt proud of myself that I had accomplished something. That was the biggest reward.” The prizes included a break in Morocco, the opportunity to enter Mr Gay Europe and £2,000 in cash. He’s set to take his holiday later this year, and from the prize money, he’s giving a sum to a cause that’s close to his heart. “I paid off a little bit of debt and I said that I’d donate some money to Terrence Higgins Trust. I told them when I entered the contest that I know somebody who has got HIV and I want to support him. It is something I feel strongly about. I walked around Cardiff on World AIDS Day [December 1] last year and the shops didn’t know what I was talking about when I was asking if they had any ribbons for sale. I’d like to make a difference if I can, and help people know more about it.” Samuel has also used the profile of the competition to land his first modelling contract – with underwear brand Lick. He’s currently deciding whether or not to go in for Mr Gay Europe later this year, but Samuel says regardless of what comes next, it’s been really nice to make his friends and family proud. “I had a couple of my friends there at the final in Leeds and they were really proud of me, which was amazing. My dad made a funny comment about how Mr Gay UK’s following him on Twitter and he hopes he doesn’t get anyone trying to chat him up.”

The always adorable Zac Efron spotted arriving at The Staples Center last week attending a Los Angeles Lakers game against the visiting Phoenix Suns.

At the Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012 men’s fashion show in Milan, some seriously sexy male models made their way down the runway in revealing undergarments.

Meanwhile male models at Neil Barrett offer treasure trail treasures.