News: Jenna Talackova, John Travolta, Vito Russo, Dolphins

Gay marriage becomes issue in South Dakota congressional race: "Matt Varilek, one of two Democrats running for the party's nomination for the state’s lone congressional seat, told a newspaper editorial board that he opposes gay marriage. That sparked a bit of an outcry."

Mariela Castro receives U.S. visa to attend events in San Francisco and New York.

The John Travolta saga continues, with word that he tried to blow Jeff Conaway (Kenickie) in his sleep.

Clementi parents compare Tyler's death to Matthew Shepard's: "While the circumstances were different, the effect was the same."

World shakes and screams as J Lo considers leaving Idol.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford makes surprise showing at International Day Against Homophobia flag raising: "Earlier in the day, Ford's staff said the mayor would not attend the rainbow flag raising due to prior commitments, but he showed up moments before the noon-hour event began and read a proclamation that says all of Toronto is behind anti-homophobia. After reading the proclamation and posing for photos with organizers, Ford hung around for a few minutes but left without commenting to reporters, as people continued to give speeches to the crowd."

Matt Bomer: My partner Simon Halls is "totally supportive".

Legalize Gay: Lourdes Leon wears her gay activism.

Trans contestant Jenna Talackova dominates swimsuit and evening gown portions of the Miss Universe Canada competition.

Mom: Why can't my child be different?

Texas teacher replaced after saying she's engaged to Jesus.

It's the Born This Way Foundation poster contest.

Outfest to open with Vito Russo documentary: "Among the subjects interviewed for Vito are Lily Tomlin, Armistead Maupin, Bruce Vilanch and Larry Kramer, whose landmark play about the early AIDS crisis, The Normal Heart, is getting a big-screen adaptation by Glee creator Ryan Murphy, with Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts attached. Outfest organizers also announced that the 16th annual Achievement Award will go to the Cecil B. DeMille of bad taste, John Waters, for having made a "significant contribution to LGBT film and media" with his taboo-busting canon of camp classics."

It's always nice to revisit advertisements you were fixated on in your childhood.

How gay-friendly is Hong Kong?

New gadget brings us closer to talking with dolphins.

Congratulation Janet Sammons of Cherry Creek High School in Colorado for being named GLSEN's Teacher of the Year: "On National Teacher Appreciation Day, GLSEN and Sodexo are delighted to name Janet Sammons as our 2012 Educator of the Year for her tireless work to ensure schools are safe places of learning and personal growth. Janet is an exceptional educator who has inspired generations of students across the state of Colorado. For more than three decades, she has demonstrated what it means to create and maintain a school climate that affords all students the ability to realize their potential. We look forward to honoring this courageous ally on-stage at the GLSEN Respect Awards in New York."

Reuters: Gay couples can't bank Obama's blessings yet.

Audra McDonald on marriage equality: "I've been a real loud active voice in the movement to get marriage equality. And I had gone up the month before to Albany, when they were days away from that historic vote, to rally and to see who I could talk to, and just be another face out there saying let's do the right thing here. ... I had read a beautiful story in The New York Times about the couple who were getting married, and that Mayor Bloomberg was going to preside over their wedding at Gracie Mansion. And my friend called me and said, 'They'd love to have you come and sing.' And I was floored. I was so honored. And I cried like a baby at that ceremony. And I brought my daughter. And it was a very moving moment and a very teachable moment having my daughter there. And as far as she was concerned, it was just another wedding. She doesn't really see the issue, which is great. So that's how it came about. It was a beautiful day."

MS Lawmaker Andy Gipson Says Gays Spread Disease, Suggest They Should Be Put to Death

Mississippi state Representative Andy Gipson attacked gays on his Facebook page following Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage earlier this week, Unity MS reports.

Wrote Gipson in a Facebook post:

Been a lot of press on Obama’s opinion on “homosexual marriage.” The only opinion that counts is God’s: see Romans 1:26-28 and Leviticus 20:13. Anyway you slice it, it is sin. Not to mention horrific social policy.

The Leviticus passage is the one suggesting that gay people be put to death.

He followed that up with a clarification to a commenter in the same thread:

Sorry I’ve been busy and not had a chance to reply. David, in addition to the basic principal that it is morally wrong, here are three social reasons it’s horrific social policy: 1) Unnatural behavior which results in disease, not the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS; 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects of social order and prosperity. Anytime that definition is weakened our culture is also weakened. And yes, that is also true for other conduct which weakens marriage’s importance in society.

Writes Unity MS, where you can find Gipson's contact information: "Mr. Gipson needs to realize he represents all of his constituents. He should not cherry-pick which constituents he wants to work for. He should also realize his positions are neither popular nor Republican. LGBT individuals, couples, and families help pay Gipson’s salary. It’s important that he remember that."

Behind the Scenes with Lady Gaga on 'The Simpsons': VIDEO

Lady Gaga is coming to cheer up Springfield in a special 'Lisa Goes Gaga' episode of The Simpsons. Here's a look at her cheering up Matt Groening and the rest of the crew at the taping.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via pitnb)

Disneyland Tokyo Opens Its Doors to Gay Wedding Ceremonies

The Magic Kingdom just got a little more magic in Japan, the Taipei Times reports:

Tokyo Disneyland said this week it would allow gay couples to hold ceremonies on its grounds, although same-sex weddings have no legal status in Japan.

Disneyland’s decision came to light after Koyuki Higashi, a 27-year-old woman, inquired about marrying her female partner, identified only as Hiroko, at the resort. Higashi was initially told she would be able to marry her partner provided they were dressed “like a man and a woman,” she wrote on her blog. Staff at Disneyland, which attracts about 14 million visitors a year, were apparently concerned about how other visitors would react to the sight of couples both dressed in wedding dresses or tuxedos.

A spokeswoman for Milial Resort Hotels, a subsidiary of Tokyo Disney Resort, later said there had been a misunderstanding, telling Higashi and her partner they could dress how they pleased, although they would not be able to exchange vows in the chapel because of “Christian teachings.”

The park is now accepting all applications for same-sex wedding ceremonies.

French Prime Minister Vows to Implement Marriage Equality and Equal Adoption Rights for Gay People

Newly-elected President François Hollande’s pledge to enact marriage equality is being pushed by his Prime Minister, Pink News reports:

A communiqué issued by the office of the prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, who took office on 15 May, marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia yesterday with a pledge to put the president’s manifesto promise into law.

It said: “On the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment against violence and discrimination perpetrated as a result of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“The Government is determined to challenge prejudice and to put an end to discrimination and violence. It will implement the commitment of the President of the Republic to the right to marriage and adoption to gay couples.”

France's parliament rejected same-sex marriage last June in a 293-222 vote.

Alex Pettyfer is Taken Under Channing Tatum's Stripper Wings in New 'Magic Mike' Trailer: VIDEO

A new trailer just dropped for Magic Mike which focuses on the relationship between Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey as they school Alex Pettyfer in the ways of male stripping.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

The movie's actors had a fleshy spread in Entertainment Weekly this week as well.