Gay Man Stabbed, Left Paralyzed In Nova Scotia Attack

A gay man was violently attacked in the street early Saturday morning by a man who had been at the same Nova Scotia bar he was in earlier that night. Choir director Scott Jones' throat slashed and he was stabbed in the back, the knife severing his spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Police made an arrest in the attack late last night.

The CBC reports:

Police said Shane Edward Matheson, 19, of Trenton, N.S. is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, in the violent attack on 27-year-old Scott Jones early Saturday morning. The accused was arrested without incident at a home on High Street in Trenton at 11 p.m. AT on Saturday. 

Matheson is facing another charge of assault with a weapon for an incident earlier in the evening against an 18-year-old woman. New Glasgow police Const. Ken Macdonald said that charge is unrelated to the attack on Jones, which happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. local time on Saturday.

Jones' friend and roommate Amy Punke said she and Jones were out with friends celebrating the opening of a friend’s art studio. Though she didn’t witness the attack, Punke has been speaking to Jones, who remains in critical but stable condition in a Halifax hospital.

Jones' friends suspect a hate crime:

“Myself, and his family and the people that know him, we feel that he may have been targeted because of the fact that he’s gay — and he’s openly gay in town,” said Punke in an interview with CBC News on Saturday.

Police still are not commenting in the allegations the attack was motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation. They said they are still speaking to witnesses.

Watch a CBC news clip, AFTER THE JUMP.

This post has been updated to include the correct location of the crime.

News: Anchorage, AT&T, Transgender Student, Sarah Palin

 Elizabeth Berkley to dance to "I'm So Excited" on Dancing With The Stars. 

 Man retrieves his luggage at baggage claim only to find it plastered with the words "I am gay." Airline claims they "are taking this matter very seriously."

 New poll: One in six LGBT Brits have been the victim of a hate crime.

 Meg Ryan to star in television series.

 Madonna banned from movie theater for texting on her Blackberry.

 Michael Douglas confesses to lying about the type of cancer he was diagnosed with in 2010: "But the surgeon said, 'Let's just say it's throat cancer.' I said 'OK, you don't want to say it's tongue cancer?' I said 'Why's that?' and he said, 'Well, if you really want to know why, if we do have to have surgery it's not going to be pretty. You'll lose part of you jaw and your tongue and all of that stuff.' So I said, 'OK sure.'"

 Will Young hopes to stop school kids from using the word "gay" as a slur.

 Transgender University of Northern Iowa student crowned homecoming queen.

 Anchorage Chamber of Commerce hopes to give LGBT community support from local businesses: "'The social debates are happening outside of what we're doing,' said Andrew Halcro, the chamber president. 'This is really focusing on the economy and the economic benefits of inclusivity.'"

 Lesbian couple in Utah claims discrimination from manager at AT&T store. The company is investigating the charges.

 Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz, who initially supported the government shutdown, are now protesting it in Washington, DC.

 Palin also appeared in New Jersey to support Cory Booker Senate rival, Steve Lonegan.

 Judge: Ban on gay men giving blood in Northern Ireland is irrational.

Greg Louganis And Johnny Chaillot Marry

The two were married in Malbu last night.

"It was amazing because I have so many people from all facets of my life here tonight and they are all here and celebrating it is all wonderful," Louganis told People immediately following the sunset ceremony. "I already feel different. The ceremony was so reflective and representative of who we are." 

Congrats, guys!

Man Walking Cross Country To Remember Bullied Son Is Killed

Since this past April, Joe Bell had been walking across the country to educate young people about the effects of bullying. His own openly gay son had been a victim bullying and hanged himself earlier this year. Tragically, just a few days ago, Bell was killed while on his nation-wide walk.

The Denver Post reports:

Joe Bell, 48, of La Grande, Ore., was walking on the eastbound shoulder of U.S. 40 in Cheyenne County, about 20 miles northwest of Kit Carson, when he was hit by a semi truck, said Trooper Josh Bell, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman.

Bell died at the scene about 5:10 p.m. Wednesday.

The driver of the truck, Kenneth Raven, 49, of Bryan, Texas, has been cited for careless driving resulting in death. He was not injured.

According to NBC News, Bell had planned to speak to a group of youths that evening.

Sheriff's deputies were scheduled to pick Bell up later in the evening to take him to The Methodist Church of Hugo, where he was supposed to speak to the youth group. We send prayers to his family and friends," the sheriff's office said Thursday in a statement on Facebook, adding that even though Bell had been in the county for just one day, he left an important impression "with everyone who has ever talked with him."

Bell began his walk in Oregon and planned to finish in New York City in 2015.

The Facebook page set up to track Bell's journey has now transformed into a memorial page. A post on the account asks for donations that would help cover the cost of his funeral.

A memorial service will take place at the Utah Pride Center in Salt Lake City at 6PM MST tonight.

In April, Bell shared his objective for the walk with KATU: "My goal is to get my son's word out there, his name, his experiences that he went through, just get our story out there. And for any young people that are having any trouble, we want to be able to share with them to hang in there. It will get better."

Watch that clip, AFTER THE JUMP.

SNL's Version Of A Boy Dance Party: Video

Last night's episode of Saturday Night Live (hosted by Bruce Willis) featured skits that mashed Gravity with the government shutdown and provided a look into what a boy dance party might look like (hint - it involves twerking).

Musical guest Katy Perry showed up with her band of animals to perform a lively theatrical version of "Roar." 

Watch all three clips, AFTER THE JUMP.

Paul Feig Wants Channing Tatum For Gay Romantic Comedy

In an interview with CinemaBlend, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig revealed his top casting choice for a gay romantic idea he has in development: the sexiest man alive, Channing Tatum.

The biggest news Feig dropped between courses was that he is in development on a romantic comedy in which he'd like Tatum to star, which he expects will turn the genre on its head (worth noting-- Tatum's reps have emphasized that Feig's enthusiasm does not mean anything is actually happening yet. So this is mainly wishing and hoping at this point). But before you start pondering which pretty starlet with share space on its poster, let me tell you it's a gay rom-com. It's premise is that a normal schmo gets involved with someone as crazy hot as the Sexiest Man of The Year, and basically can’t cope.

Tatum isn't officially involved in the project, but he sounds like the perfect choice. So who does Feig see envision playing opposite Tatum? New SNL member John Milhiser.