Towleroad Talking Points: Prop 8, Aussie DJs and The Holidays

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Dangling ornaments for your Christmas Tree.

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

GAY RIGHTS

With last week's monumental decision handed down by the Supreme Court to hear Prop 8 and DOMA cases, our Ari Waldman dissects the risk and reward of the Prop 8 battle in the highest court in the land. Brian Brown of NOM has already weighed in with his prediction about what the court will decide.

The Merck Foundation is taking a stand for gay rights. They announced today that they will be joining Intel and UPS in cutting off funding for the Boy Scouts of America over their anti-gay policies.

Also check out this awesome video of one of the first couples to get their marriage license in Washington being greeted by cheers from hundreds on the courthouse steps.

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Australian DJs whose on-air prank may have led to the suicide of a hospital worker in England have given their first, tearful, interview since the incident.

Wondering whether the gays won this season of The Amazing Race? Well wonder no more. Take a peek at a new web series called Eastsiders. It's about gay life in the place everyone in L.A. seems to live, Silverlake. Also check out the video for Tracey Thorn's holiday-themed 'Joy'. 

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VIDEOS OF THE DAY

A couple Christmas related videos to peruse today. Boy George and Dean Stockings direct the Supreme Fabulettes in 'You Ruined My Christmas'. And apparently in Boston there is something called the Santa Speedo Run. Enjoy.

IL Governor Pat Quinn Hopes to Get Marriage Equality Bill in January

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, in a roundtable with reporters, expressed hope that the state's marriage equality bill would pass next month, the Chicago Tribune reports:

“I hope that bill goes forward,” Quinn said when asked about the possibility of the measure being passed before new lawmakers are sworn in Jan. 9. “It’s the House that probably the key arena at this time, and I think we’ll see how the members look at that issue. They should study it carefully and vote their conscience.”

Quinn’s comments on same-sex marriage came during a roundtable with reporters at the Chicago office of Bloomberg News, where the governor reiterated the need for lawmakers to act on pension reform during the waning days of the legislative session. The timing is important, as lawmakers who aren’t returning to office are more likely to vote in favor of controversial issues.

Writes Illinois LGBT rights group The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) in a statement:

“We are pleased that Governor Quinn has made equal marriage legislation one of his top priorities,” stated Rick Garcia, Director of the Equal Marriage Illinois Project. “Although this is a priority, work still needs to be done to get the votes within the General Assembly. With that said, we have really seen a very strong shift in favorability throughout the state in both polling and in our work within communities. We have been working across Illinois, and even in conservative areas that you would think would be completely against same-sex marriage we have seen an uptick in support."

Chris Matthews Confronts Log Cabin Republican Head About GOP's Lagging Support for Gay Equality: VIDEO

Chris Matthews confronted Log Cabin Republican Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper about the GOP's lagging support for same-sex marriage but had to pause his strategy for a moment after asking Cooper why he didn't oppose Karl Rove in 2004 when he was pushing anti-gay ballot measures.

Asked Matthews: “Where were you then? Did you fight Karl Rove?”

“I was actually fighting in Iraq,” said Cooper. “I was deployed in ’04.”

“Touché. You win. You win the argument. That's a very good alibi.”

Matthews then went on to ask Cooper what gay Republicans should do to work to change their platform.

See what Cooper has to say, AFTER THE JUMP...

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nebraska Woman Found Guilty of Faking Anti-Gay Hate Crime

Charlie Rogers, the Lincoln, Nebraska lesbian who claimed she was attacked by three men who broke into her home and carved "dyke" into her stomach before setting her house ablaze pleaded no contest and was found guilty, the AP reports:

Charlie Rogers entered the plea Monday afternoon in Lancaster County Court and was found guilty of the misdemeanor charge of false reporting. Lancaster County Judge Gale Pokorny ordered sentencing for Feb. 14.

Rogers also claimed the men spray-painted slurs on her walls. Her original claims prompted hundreds of people to gather for anti-hate rallies. The police later uncovered overwhelming evidence that she had lied.

Rogers faces a maximum one year jail term.

Adam Lambert is a Silver Fox for 'Fiasco': PHOTO

Adam Lambert ditches the eyeliner for a new cover story in the December 11 issue of Fiasco magazine.

Said Adam to the magazine: “For the general audience they look at the way I style myself and they go ‘errrr, that’s gay’, but you ask a handful of gay guys and they’re like ‘I would never wear that’!”

One more shot of Adam, AFTER THE JUMP...

Don't miss his performance of Mad World with Cyndi Lauper from Saturday's Home for the Holidays concert HERE.

News: David Mixner, Ikea Monkey, Mario Lopez, Donkey Cheese

FOX News accuses Obamas of celebrating their dog, not Christmas.

Longtime activist David Mixner just returned home from a too-long stay in a NYC hospital and turns in a powerful piece about how city hospitals are still being affected by Hurricane Sandy, and dealing with it with courage and compassion. Welcome back, David.

Monkey visits Ikea in shearling coat.

Voice of Elmo Kevin Clash sued by 4th accuser: "We've learned ... the accuser, who filed the lawsuit in federal court in NY under the name John Doe, claims he first met Clash in Miami Beach in 1995 or 1996 ... while Doe was 16 or 17 and Clash was in his mid '30s. Doe claims ... Clash eventually flew him out to NYC and gave him money and a place to stay. During the trip, Doe claims the two had sex on multiple occasions."

Syphillis rife in Chelsea.

Michelangelo Signorile not afraid of the Supreme Court: "I am completely prepared for the worst possible outcome while hoping for the best. The court can't hold us back, nor can it stop a movement, even if it becomes an ugly impediment."

Skyfall back on top at box office.

Mario Lopez's tree-trimming attire (or lack thereof).

Rep. Allen West: I lost because my opponent cheated. "I’m a warrior and I’m a statesman and I’m a servant of this republic. I’m not going away just because of a congressional race where he seems to have to cheat to beat me."

Man shot in the head in broad daylight in midtown Manhattan.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donate $50,000 for tents as Jolie travels to Jordan to meet Syrian refugees: "I'm sickened by how long and how bloody this conflict has become, devastating a nation and the lives of millions of innocent civilians, and threatening to destabilize the entire region," said Jolie, according to a UNHCR press release. "I call on the international community to do everything possible to find a solution to this tragedy and support the struggling humanitarian operations both inside Syria and in Jordan and the other surrounding countries."

Male model fix: Matt Raimo.

Novak Djokovic buys up world's supply of donkey milk cheese: "The cheese, known as pule, will be one of the key attractions at a chain of restaurants the Wimbledon champion and world number one is opening in his Serbian homeland. By agreeing to buy the entire supply, he hopes to ensure there will be enough to go round – although it is not clear how much he will charge for a portion. The delicacy is produced on a donkey farm in Zasavica, set amid one of Serbia’s most famous wildlife and nature reserves."

Anonymous planning cyber attack on Uganda over "kill the gays" bill.

Point Loma Nazarene University tells students that the “administration will shut down any club centered around sexual orientation that makes it through the club chartering process.”

Obama attends performance by Psy: "President Obama  and his family saw 'Gangnam Style' rapper Psy perform at a charity concert Sunday night, days after the South Korean pop star and Internet sensation apologized for a song in 2004 that called for killing 'Yankees' in Iraq."