New 'True Blood' Trailer Features a Hungry Russell Edgington: VIDEO

"I wanna gorge on human blood because I like it," shrieks Russell Edgington in a new trailer for the upcoming season of True Blood, which also features newcomer Chris Meloni and most of your regular favorites.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Cynthia Nixon and Christine Marinoni Marry in New York

Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon wed her longtime partner Christine Marinoni on Sunday:

"On May 27, 2012, Cynthia Nixon and her girlfriend, Christine Marinoni, were legally married in the state of New York," her rep tells PEOPLE in a statement. "Nixon wore a custom dress by Carolina Herrera."

No other details were available...

Gay Man Brutally Beaten by Large Group of High School Seniors at Minnesota Graduation Party

Two teens, ages 18 and 19, are currently being held in custody at the St. Louis County Jail after what witnesses says was a homophobic assault by possibly more than 9 others, many high school seniors, at a graduation party near Duluth, Minnesota.

The Duluth News Tribune reports:

Max Pelofske, 21, of Duluth, said he came to a party at the pit to offer his congratulations to a friend’s sister, who will graduate from Proctor High School in several days. The friend, Kelly Johnson, also 21, said she and Pelofske had been at the unsanctioned gathering of about 50 people, mostly current and former Proctor students, for about five minutes when a boy approached her and Pelofske.

“He told me to look him in the eyes, and I was really confused because I’d never seen the guy before,” Pelofske told the News Tribune. “He asked me: ‘Are you gay?’ And I said, ‘Yes. Is that OK?’ ”

After that, Pelofske said he was struck in the head by a flying beer can, and a crowd of boys surrounded him, threw him to the ground and began punching and kicking him.

“I tried to get up, but I kept getting knocked back down,” said Pelofske, who described his alleged assailants as “all laughing and smiling.”

“They were trying to throw me into the fire,” he said.

Johnson said at least nine boys were involved in the attack.

“I thought they were going to kill him,” Johnson said, estimating that the beating went on for five to 10 minutes. She said she tried to intervene but was pushed away. “I was screaming, ‘Just let us leave!’ ”

Another senior claims Pelofske instigated the attack by stealing drinks from people:

Johnson refuted that account, saying Pelofske was attacked by a large group, not a single individual, and never attempted to fight back or to throw anything at anyone. She also said that she and Pelofske had been at the gathering only five minutes or so and had consumed no alcohol. She said they both asked for breath tests when police arrived to document they had not been drinking.

Pelofske was released from the hospital Sunday morning with bruised ribs, a swollen face, and foot marks all over his back and legs.

Police have not yet said whether they're classifying it as a hate crime:

“After they’re arraigned and charged, the assault charge should show whether it’s a crime of bias,” Sgt. Brent Donahue of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department told the News Tribune. “It’s an open investigation at this point.”

The 19-year-old in custody is being held on pending charges of assault in the fourth degree — which is a crime of bias, Donahue said — and possession of marijuana. The 18-year-old’s pending charges are unknown.

A Facebook page has been set up for Pelofske and a rally is planned.

Watch a rather inadequate report from Northland News Center, AFTER THE JUMP...

David Beckham Turns Up the Wet Shirtless Sex Appeal as Elle UK's First Male Cover Model: PHOTOS

Photographer Doug Inglish channeled Daniel Craig's famous Bond beach photoshoot for David Beckham's debut as Elle UK's first male cover model.

Said ELLE Editor in Chief Lorraine Candy: "David Beckham is a national hero. He is an icon and Elle is known for featuring icons on its cover. This is a first for us on the newsstand and I believe he is loved by men and women alike. Anyway, who doesn’t want to see a picture of one of the world’s most handsome men on the front cover of a magazine?"

Agreed.

An alternative cover, and the Beckham shot, unblemished by text, AFTER THE JUMP...

 

Thousands Protest NC Pastor Charles Worley, Who Said Gays Should Be Fenced in and Killed: VIDEO

Videos, AFTER THE JUMP...

More than 2,000 protesters came out from all over the country to protest Providence Road Baptist Church Pastor Charles Worley, whose Mother's Day sermon in which he suggested gays and lesbians should be fenced in and killed went viral last week, the Hickory Record reports.

The protestors came out in force to bring a message of love and acceptance. Their signs bore bold statements like, “Jesus had 2 dads and he turned out just fine.” And “I am a gay, moral, conservative Christian.”

Sheriff’s deputies and Newton police officers kept the peace as the protestors stood by the side of the road and cheered every time a car drove past and honked in approval.

A vocal group of more than 50 counter-protestors were on hand to support Worley and his church. They too had signs with slogans like, “Sodomites are vile, unnatural and worthy of death. Romans 1:21-32.” And “Gay pride is why Sodom got fried.”

The Charlotte Observer reported the crowds were slightly smaller:

About 1,200 people came from across North Carolina and other states Sunday to protest a Maiden preacher’s recent anti-gay sermon. Beyond the protest, many said they wanted to support each other after a demoralizing ballot defeat and to show the nation that many people in North Carolina support gay rights. Some even came to declare their sexuality publicly for the first time.

There was also a reported arson attempt on Worley's church on Friday night:

Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid said about 50 law enforcement personnel patrolled during the protest, and there were no arrests. The Sheriff’s Office, however, did issue at least one warning citation to a counter protestor for violating the noise ordinance.

“With this many people, it went pretty well,” said Reid.

Reid told NewsChannel 36, the Observer’s news partner, that someone set fire to a power box at Providence Baptist Church on Friday. Reid said the fire marshal is investigating the incident, but there is no reason to believe the fire is linked to the protests.

Worley, meanwhile, was greeted with a standing ovation by his congregation, the Hickory Record reported:

Church members and about 100 visitors from in and outside the area gave Worley a standing ovation when he approached the pulpit. A few members stood up from the pews and spoke out in favor of Worley as officers watched and intervened when one particularly longwinded member spoke.

The atmosphere was a vocal and jubilant one. The sanctuary was mostly full, with the vast majority of the crowd singing and crying out in joy. Many threw their hands up in praising the Lord and in support of the pastor.

“I appreciate all the support,” Worley said, buoyed by the loud cheers and applause of the congregation.

Barely touching on the subject of his May 13 sermon that sparked the controversy, Worley did not apologize. “I’ve got a King James Bible,” Worley said. “I’ve been a preacher for 53 years. Do you think I’m going to bail out on this?”

Instead, Worley focused on being proud of the Bible. “Everything I do, say, or preach, I believe in this book,” he said.

Watch a video and two news reports on the protest, AFTER THE JUMP...

Local news:

Local news:

We Remember Those Who Have Given Their Lives in Service

This Memorial Day, I reshare a video which I posted back in 2011 about the late US Army Corporal Andrew Wilfahrt, a gay soldier killed in combat in February, 2011, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Watch a tribute to Andrew from his parents, AFTER THE JUMP...

As Jonathan Hopkins, OutServe spokesperson and gay combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, noted at the time:

"Corporal Wilfahrt epitomized the courage, dedication and selflessness that gay and straight troops alike have shown in battle since our nation’s founding. Ultimately Corporal Wilfahrt’s story is not about differences or politics, but the values that unite all who wear the proud uniform of our nation—loyalty to each other, love of country, and the willingness to give their lives in its defense."

Wilfahrt's death inspired his father, Jeff, to run for political office, and advocate for LGBT rights. He's currently a candidate for office in Minnesota, running in part to defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment there.

He writes:

Last spring, I testified before our state legislature against passing this amendment. As I testified, I realized this was going to be a tough battle and one I was committed to fighting. My eldest son, CPL Andrew Wilfahrt, was serving as an MP in the United States Army when he was killed by an IED near Kandahar, Afghanistan in February, 2011. The 552nd MP Company 3rd Platoon with whom he served named their combat outpost after him, COP WILFAHRT. Andrew was a great warrior and beloved by his fellow soldiers. He was also an openly gay soldier. I’ve entered this race for the Minnesota State House of Representatives not only to address the inequity and inhumanity of this amendment, but also to address the many inequities we seem to be building into our communities.

Watch Lori and Jeff Wilfahrt speak about their son, and all soldiers, AFTER THE JUMP...