Towleroad Guide to the Tube #140

LOCH NESS MONSTER: Fresh video resurrects speculation about the mythical beast of the Scottish Loch.

CORGI ON A STICK: Animal rights activist Mark McGowan eats a Corgi dog to protest against the Royals and their treatment of animals. The Corgi died recently at a breeding farm. Said McGowan: "I know some people will find this offensive and tasteless but i am doing this to raise awarness about the RSPCA's inability to prosecute Prince Phillip and his friends shooting a fox earlier this year, letting it struggle for life for 5 minutes and then beating it to death with a stick."

IMPEACH ALBERTO GONZALES: It's time for the Attorney General to go.

STEVE JOBS: Another interview from All Things Digital. On the iPhone, etc.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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British Presenter Has His Way with Jake Shears

British presenter Steve Jones of Transmission with T-Mobile wanted a little taste of Jake Shears much to Shears' surprise (and pleasure) during a show last Friday night. The Scissor Sisters appeared with The Gossip's Beth Ditto and Yoko Ono.

(screencap source

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News: Paula Abdul, Apes, Wiimbledon, Lost, Cristiano Ronaldo

Algerian AIDS crisis hampered by ignorance, misunderstanding: "In Algeria, where
AIDS spreads mainly through sexual contact, 10 million free condoms are waiting in warehouses of the national pharmacy but there are no takers."

Cristiano Ronaldo does a little thumb-sucking on holiday.

USA Today's Pop Candy blog has compiled the 20 most interesting comments/theories they received about Lost on their forums.

Nine U.S. tennis players, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Vince Spadea, Justin Gimelstob, Amer Delic, Robert Kendrick, Sam Querrey Michael Russell, and Robby Ginepri, wiped out in first round at French Open: "It's the first time at any Grand Slam tournament since the 1973 Australian Open that no man representing the United States will play in the second round of singles -- and it's worth noting that no Americans entered that Australian Open."

Paula Abdul whines about her former publicist, gay PR guru Howard Bragman: "I do a call-in every week for OK! Magazine on 'American Idol.' Because of my brilliant job, they want to do a cover on me. I'm being told by Howard Bragman that I'm too old and no one will ever want to do a cover." Bragman responds: "I'm not going into it. I'll stand by my reputation if she'll stand by hers."

Researchers converse with the apes: "The research we conduct here powerfully informs people about the nature of great ape intelligence. We know that humans and great apes share far more than they differ. I think we have to recognize that. If that does not compel us to preserve great apes in the wild, I don't know what can."

Tom Ford doesn't want you to fit into his suits.

Live Journal deletes hundreds of sex-themed discussion groups: "Some deleted LiveJournal communities went by names like childlove and little_children (a community permits multiple LiveJournal users to post entries, while an individual account is limited to one user). Others, however, broadly fall into the category of science fiction, fantasy or user-written 'fandom' stories--and it is those that have sparked the outcry."

Wii tennis pros alert! The first 'Wiimbledon' tennis tournament will soon be taking place in Brooklyn.

Call him sir: David Beckham to be knighted?

Swiss politicians condemn homophobic posters.

Former View host Debbie Matenopoulos weighs in on the Rosie/Elizabeth feud: "The kind of discussions that occurred between Elisabeth and Rosie are real discussions that happen in this country. The View was the only place on TV where open, heated debate happened. By airing debates like that, regardless of who gets offended, it helps the country move forward. It forced people to question their own beliefs and, perhaps, open their eyes to other possibilities. Being polite and complacent doesn't create change. No one is discussing the fact that the fight was less about politics and the war and more about Elisabeth not having Rosie's back, as a friend. Politics aside, by not defending Rosie, Elisabeth was basically saying 'I don't repect you or our relationship. That had to hurt. That was someone feeling betrayed by someone she considered a friend."

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Poland Censors Little Britain over Gay Kiss

Poland's state broadcaster TVP cut about one minute out of a broadcast of the Matt Lucas comedy Little Britain because of a kiss between a vicar and a leather-clad David Walliams.

Said their spokeswoman, "British viewers are more open and indulgent than their Polish counterparts. It's a different sense of humour, and one which is sometimes incomprehensible for the Polish public. We decided to cut a scene which could cause controversy among Polish viewers and which isn't exactly in line with our mission as a public television channel."

Apparently Polish audiences have no problem with butt plugs or dildos.

No doubt Jaroslaw thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've added the clip below. Definitely NSFW.

You may have missed...
Tinky Winky Under Investigation by Polish Authorities [tr]
Poland's PM Says More Gays are Bad for Society [tr]
Little Britain's Matt Lucas Weds Partner in London [tr]

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Chelsea Reveals its Hateful Underbelly

Towleroad reader Dean Kurth sent us a photo he shot while taking his morning run.

He writes: "As Pride banners are being readied for a month-long display on 8th Avenue in New York's Chelsea district, less than a block away we have this disturbing image. The 'artist' who chalked the word 'faggot' onto this 19th Street billboard clearly wanted to send a message to the neighborhood's many gay residents. The defaced poster hangs just around the corner from several of 9th Avenue's gay owned stores, salons and the ever-popular Billy's bakery."

Some have heard about an increase in gay-related assaults in the area. As Hell's Kitchen becomes the new Chelsea, is Chelsea becoming the old Hell's Kitchen?

ADDENDUM: Commenters note that the ad is a promo for Kyle XY and the sexuality of the show's star, Matt Dallas, has been the subject of speculation. Perhaps a message of backlash against Dallas...

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New Hampshire Governor John Lynch Signs Civil Union Bill

Today, New Hampshire joined Vermont, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Washington, and soon Oregon in offering civil unions or broad domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples as Governor John Lynch signed a civil union bill.

Said Lynch: "We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition of taking the lead in opposing discrimination. Today that tradition continues...I’ve listened and I’ve heard all the arguments. I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."

The civil union bill was passed by New Hampshire's legislature in late April.

The AP reports that the signing was attended by lawmakers as well as openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who earlier this month said he plans to take advantage of the new law and join legally with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrews.

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