Towleroad Talking Points: The Elmo Saga Continues

PHOTO OF THE DAY: A gay proposal.

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

WINGNUTTERY

Linda Biron, a lawyer in New Hampshire with strong ties to an anti-gay Christian law group, was arrested yesterday on charges of child pornography. Speaking of underage sex; just when it seemed that the sex scandal involving the man who voices Elmo was about to fade away it has come roaring back. The accuser now says that he was forced into recanting his statement and that he wants to recant his recantation. There is something really sleazy about this whole thing.

New GOP golden boy Marco Rubio was recently profiled in GQ and threw a bone to Creationists.

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GAY NEWS

Two years removed from a landmark case involving gay adoption in Florida, the ACLU checks in with the plaintiffs. In Los Angeles a Republican super PAC plans to spend a ton of money to try and elect Kevin James (not the actor) as the city's first openly gay Mayor.

Electoral warlock Nate Silver talks to The Guardian about being gay.

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ENTERTAINMENT

In case you missed the American Music Awards last night you can watch all the performances here. Also with the final installment of Twilight dominating the box office this past weekend we are reminded of the most important thing to come out of these films; a shirtless Taylor Lautner.

How Ryan Gosling manages to still look hot with his face totally beaten in is beyond me. And a member of a UK X-Factor boyband just came out. He says he wants to have a career like that of One Direction. Now if one of them would just come out I would have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

Nancy Reagan plays barmaid to some gay Republicans. You don't get to say that everyday.

Gay New York Rapper Le1f is the Fizz That Refreshes: VIDEO

Back in July, I posted a track called "Wut" from NYC rapper Le1f that many of you loved. His new track and video "Soda", produced with his collaborator Boody, is just as compelling musically and visually. Directed by Sam Jones.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

You may have missed...
New York Rapper Le1f Straddles a Sexy Pikachu in 'Wut': VIDEO [tlrd]

New Guidelines Recommend Routine HIV Checks for All Americans

New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend all Americans ages 15 to 64 are screened for HIV as they are for cholesterol, the AP reports:

The updated guidelines will bring this long-simmering issue before doctors and their patients again — emphasizing that public health experts agree on how important it is to test even people who don’t think they’re at risk, because they could be....And if finalized, the task force guidelines could extend the number of people eligible for an HIV screening without a copay in their doctor’s office, as part of free preventive care under the Obama administration’s health care law. Under the task force’s previous guidelines, only people at increased risk for HIV — which includes gay and bisexual men and injecting drug users — were eligible for that no-copay screening."

Every year, about 50,000 individuals in the U.S. are newly infected with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of December 2011, the agency estimated that 1.2 million Americans had the virus, but it also noted that as many as 240,000 were not aware of it.

Says Chris Collins, Vice President and Director of Public Policy for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, in a statement to Towleroad: “Too many people living with HIV don’t know it and too often health care providers don’t offer their clients an HIV test.  Today’s recommendation sends a clear message that screening for HIV should be a normal, routine part of appropriate health care.  It’s an important step forward in connecting people to the lifesaving care they need.”

Military Troops vs Cheerleaders 'Call Me Maybe': VIDEO

I really did not expect to be posting ANY more of these Carly Rae Jepsen videos but some troops stationed in Afghanistan copied the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders clip move from move, and I think you'll probably agree their talents at choreography deserve some showing off.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

And here's the all-male version for those of you looking to enjoy the boys:

Pat Robertson: 'Miserable Atheists' Trying to Steal Christmas - VIDEO

The war on Christmas has returned, Pat Robertson reminds us.

"Atheists don’t like our happiness, they don’t want you to be happy, they want you to be miserable...They’re miserable so they want you to be miserable.”

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1251

THE ROCKAWAYS: A powerful documentation of loss and Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

ORCAS HUNT A DOG: Matheson Bay, New Zealand.

FACESHIFT: New software captures facial expressions in real time.

MARRIAGE NEWS WATCH: A two-year losing streak for anti-gay groups.

For previous Guides to the Tube, click HERE.