Gay Author Sues John Travolta For Libel Over Mental Health Claims

John Travolta has more gay scandal brewing, for an author who wrote about alleged trysts with the actor is now suing Travolta for libel.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Robert Randolph claimed that Travolta and his attorney Martin Singer spread false statements about his mental health in 2010 in a bid to dissuade the public from buying his planned book. His is seeking unspecified damages in the legal action filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Singer called Randolph's lawsuit "absurd," saying it was based on a private letter to the publisher of a gossip blog and "was completely privileged under the law".

"We intend to sue the attorneys for malicious prosecution after the court promptly dismisses this baseless lawsuit," Singer said in a statement.

The paper reports that Randolph's book, called You'll Never Spa In This Town Again, was published in February of this year, just before two masseurs claimed Travolta assaulted them during massage sessions.

Gay NYC Synagogue's New Look To Be Unveiled Tomorrow

After nearly 40 years, New York City's gay synagogue, Beth Simchat Torah, will soon have a space worthy of its growing congregation, and the designs will finally be revealed tomorrow.

From the New York Times:

The congregation will occupy a three-level storefront space at 130 West 30th Street, a designated landmark in the garment district. It bought the space as a condominium last year for $7.1 million.

The sanctuary itself will be at the back of the building. With a small balcony, the hall will hold about 290 people. They will face a roughly textured cast concrete wall that is gently canted outward to capture daylight coming into the building’s rear yard. The ark will occupy a large niche that appears to have been carved out of the wall.

Beth Simchat still has about $17 million to raise for the project, but before that, you can take a look at the proposed designs, including a computer animated version of the synagogue's activist Rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum, AFTER THE JUMP.

'Entertainment Weekly' On 'The New Art Of Coming Out'

From the New York Observer to Entertainment Weekly, it seems mainstream media is taking a new look at the changing ways people "come out."

As EW argues, coming out is no longer such a big deal. The "news" about someone's sexuality, in their example Jim Parsons, is so "matter-of-fact" and common place that it fails to raise an eyebrow.

More from that cover article's teaser:

Even if it’s accomplished in a subordinate clause or a passing reference, coming out casually is, in its way, as activist as DeGeneres’ Time cover, although few of these actors would probably choose to label themselves as such.

The current vibe for discussing one’s sexuality is almost defiantly mellow: This is part of who I am, I don’t consider it a big deal or a crisis, and if you do, that’s not my problem. It may sound like a shrug, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for indifference.

By daring anyone to overreact, the newest generation of gay public figures is making a clear statement that there is a “new normal” — and it consists of being plainspoken, clear, and truthful about who you are.

And it's only been 43 years since the Stonewall Rebellion.

Singer Frenchie Davis On Dating A Woman: "I Wasn't Out Before The Relationship, But I Wasn't In'

Most people recognize Frenchie Davis from American Idol and, more recently, NBC's The Voice, but the singer in fact got her start in drag bars first in Washington D.C. and then New York City.

"I love the gays. I love the gay boys. They have that awesome, masculine energy, but there’s also something else going on as well," Davis, who is performing at three pride events this weekend, told the St. Louis Dispatch. Davis also told the paper about her new relationship with a woman.

"I wasn’t out before the relationship, but I wasn’t in,” she says. “I dated men and women, though lesbians weren’t feeling the bisexual thing. Now I’m in love with a woman I think I can be with forever.”

Well, until forever rolls around, Davis is working on a debut album that she promises fans will include a power ballad. Girl knows what boys want.

Towleroad Guide To The Tube #1150

IS CRACK WACK? Out Rep. Jared Polis hammered DEA head Michele Leonhart about whether crack is worse than marijuana. She wouldn't answer.

TRAVELING MAN: Matt Harding again traveled the world dancing with strangers in far off lands.

REENACTMENT: George Zimmerman goes through what happened the night of Trayvon Martin's death.

FOR EVERYONE: A marriage message from Minnesota.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Illinois Lawsuits, Ann Curry, FCC, NOM Pride

The New York Observer offers thoughts on outing celebrities in an increasingly gay-friendly 21st century:  "...Living in the so-called “glass closet,” [celebrities] can forestall the legitimate press inquiring after their home life while also ensuring that their orientation is hardly breaking news. It’s being basically out, without having to answer any questions."

A Cook County judge today announced that he's combining two ACLU and Lambda Legal lawsuits challenging Illinois' ban on gay marriage.

National Organization for Marriage president Brian Brown arrived in San Francisco just in time for gay pride.

The New York Times reports on gay adult film star the recent death of Erik Rhodes (pictured): "Over the last few years, he had also been the author of a harrowing (and frequently clever) Tumblr feed, on which he detailed his escapades escorting, his rampant steroid use and his stories of winding up in psychiatric wards after crystal meth binges... As the novelty of being in pornographic films wore off, Mr. Rhodes turned increasingly to the Internet, using his Tumblr feed and his Facebook page to discuss his sense of anguish. “I feel so left out ... so alone,” he wrote in a post just weeks ago."

A gay man in the Phillipines is recovering after being stabbed 21 times.

Uganda's anti-gay government is banning 38 non-governmental organizations it accuses of "recruiting" gay people. "The NGOs are channels through which monies are channeled to (homosexuals) to recruit," said government "ethics" minister Simon Lokodo.

You need no other reason to click this link than these words: wet, shirtless Hugh Jackman.

It's official: Ann Curry is leaving NBC's Today Show after only a year.

Lindsay Lohan looks more and more like Liz Taylor everyday.

A look back at Prince William's first 30 years.

Alec Baldwin dropped trou on David Letterman while discussing his scuffle with a photographer.

Mitt Romney's campaign told Florida Gov. Rick Scott to "downplay" his state's economic improvement because it "clashes" with the GOP candidate's anti-Obama rhetoric.

The Supreme Court threw out FCC fines against Fox and ABC for unplanned expletives and nudity on those broadcasters' programs. It did not, however, rule on whether the FCC's decency rules and potential penalties are unconstitutional. "[SCOTUS] decided to punt on the opportunity to issue a broad ruling on the constitutionality of the FCC indecency policy. The issue will be raised again as broadcasters will continue to try to grapple with the FCC's vague and inconsistent enforcement regime," said free speech lawyer Paul Smith.

Would you take your chain-smoking multi-millionaire 26-year old lover out with your 6-year old daughter?

Robert Kirkman is best known as creator of The Walking Dead, but he has plenty of other projects worth checking out, like the comic Thief of Thieves, which will also soon be a television show, as well.

Morrissey describes rumors of his retirement as "wishful thinking." He'll be touring again this fall.

Commerce Secretary John Bryson has resigned following two car crashes doctors say were the result of seizures. "I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9th could be a distraction from my performance as secretary and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership at the department," said Bryson.

Some things never change: "Bias against a Mormon presidential candidate hasn’t budged in 45 years, with 18% of Americans saying they would not vote for a well-qualified candidate who happened to be Mormon, according to a Gallup Poll released Thursday."