Sara Bareilles Urges You to Make a 'Brave' Statement: VIDEO

Sara Bareilles released the video for her new single "Brave", an anthem to courage and self-expression which was directed by Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones and co-written by fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff.

Although the clip does not directly address it, Bareilles wrote the song for a friend who was struggling with coming out of the closet, the HuffPost reported earlier this month:

"Watching that process made me consider how much of ourselves we feel the need to hide from each other on a daily basis," Bareilles tells The Huffington Post. "It made me want to express support and encouragement for the idea of speaking out for your authentic self... whomever that may be."

In a webisode interview (see below), Antonoff says that "Brave" is "a civil rights anthem in a time when there are no civil rights anthems and there's a giant need for [one]."

Watch the video, AFTER THE JUMP...

Gay Marriage Authorized Nationwide in Brazil

Brazil's top judicial panel has authorized notaries to begin approving same-sex marriages nationwide, AFP reports:

The National Council of Justice, which oversees the Brazilian judicial system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to reject gay couples.

The Supreme Court "affirmed that the expression of homosexuality and homosexual affection cannot serve as a basis for discriminatory treatment, which has no support in the Constitution," said Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa on the council's website, referring to a 2011 ruling by the top court.

Barbosa also said there was no reason for the government's marriage licensing offices to wait for the Brazilian Congress to pass a law authorising same-sex marriage.

For those of you who read Portuguese or want to use a translator, here's the main article from Brazil's G1 Globo.

The decision by the NCJ can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Several Brazilian states had already legalized same-sex marriage - Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Mato Grosso do Sul, Espírito Santo, Bahia, Alagoas, Sergipe, Piauí, Ceará. and The Federal District, but this ruling appears to extend legal authorization to all the other states.

UN Human Rights Office Urges End to Homophobia, Promises 'Free and Equal' World: VIDEO

A striking new campaign video from the United Nations human rights office speaks directly about the oppression of LGBT people and features messages from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

Says Pillay: "Every nation is obligated by international human rights law to protect all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination and violence."

Adds Ban and a chorus of voices: "The United Nations has one simple message to the millions of LGBT people around the world...You are not alone. LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal,"

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

EastSiders, the Gay Web Series, Continued: VIDEO

EastSiders, the gay web series dealing with drama and infidelity in Los Angeles, continues with episodes 4 and 5, and guest appearances from Sean Maher, and Traci Lords.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Episodes 1 and 2 are here, Episode 3 is here.

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Moscow Officials Refuse to Authorize Gay Pride Parade

In news that's disappointing but not so surprising, Moscow authorities are refusing again to allow a Gay Pride march in the city, The Moscow Times reports:

"From our point of view, there is no need for such events in the city," said Alexei Mayorov, head of City Hall's security department and Moscow's pointman on approving rallies, Interfax reported.

He said gay activists would be officially notified about the rejection Wednesday.

On Monday, gay activists applied for official permission to hold a parade, picket and meeting on May 25, saying they would take to the streets irrespective of whether authorities grant permission. Every year since 2006, when the first request was filed, Moscow authorities have refused to grant permission for a gay pride parade.

Ice Tsunami Comes Ashore in Minnesota, Destroys Homes: VIDEO

Check out these incredible videos out of Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota, where ice sheets created by a sudden change in temperature are coming ashore and destroying homes.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sam Champion explains what's happening:

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