The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Sings for Russia: VIDEO

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles uploaded a beautiful video yesterday:

One of the largest gatherings of LGBT people in Russian history occurred when the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed in Moscow in 1999. Here's the climax of that landmark event in Tchaikovsky Hall, where tears flowed on both sides of the footlights. Watch the LGBT communities from Russia and the US unite for the first time, holding hands without fear of oppression or reprisal.

Our message to the world: We Shall Overcome.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

NJ Governor Chris Christie Booed at Super Bowl Event in NYC: VIDEO

NJ Governor Chris Christie was booed today at a Super Bowl event in Times Square.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Meanwhile, Christie attacked the New York Times and David Wildstein after an article published yesterday said "evidence exists" that Christie knew of the bridge closings while they were happening.

Christie sent out an email to allies and friends, titled "5 Things You Should Know About The Bombshell That's Not A Bombshell" which BI has published in full.

"A media firestorm was set off by sloppy reporting from the New York Times and their suggestion that there was actually "evidence" when it was a letter alleging that 'evidence exists,'" Christie's office wrote in the email.

The next four points in the email defended Christie and attacked Wildstein. The email dug into Wildstein's background — including a mention of a time when, as a 16-year-old, he sued over a local school board election.

The email also noted that Wildstein has been looking for immunity. His lawyer, Zegas, has said that Wildstein has a "story to tell" if he were granted immunity.

Two Senegalese Men Get 6 Months in Prison for Being Gay

Two men in Senegal were sentenced to six months in prison each, for being gay, the AP reports:

The two were arrested after neighbors alerted police to their home in Grand Medine neighborhood of Dakar, the capital.

In court Friday the two men acknowledged having sex. Judge Racky Deme sentenced them under Senegal's penal code that calls for prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to $3,000 for committing "an improper or unnatural act with a person of the same sex."

Last June, President Obama visited Senegal on a trip to Africa and spoke out about the country's criminalization of homosexuality.

Said Obama: "People should be treated equally."

President Mack Sall of Senegal replied: “We are still not ready to decriminalize homosexuality. I’ve already said it in the past. We’re still not ready to change the law. This does not mean that we are all homophobic.”

That position was echoed by Senegal's Justice Minister Sidiki Kaba in September.

In November, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that persecuted gays in Uganda, Senegal, and Sierra Leone have grounds for asylum in the European Union.

Gabourey Sidibe Jokes About 'Tranny on Tranny' Crime with Arsenio Hall: VIDEO

Actress Gabourey Sidibe is under fire for remarks she made in an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, the HuffPost reports. Sidibe was discussing New Orleans, where she lives, and joked about all the "tranny on tranny crime" she sees there.

Said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, to the HuffPost:

Using the word 'tranny' isn't OK anymore. Using it to make fun of people is definitely not OK. And using it to make fun of any kind of violence is just plain wrong. I know she meant it in fun but that's the problem in this case. It's not just that she used the word 'tranny' but that she's making fun of violence in a city where the police have a history of committing violence and discrimination against trans women of color. It's the kind of thing that trans people listen to and say, 'This is someone who is not thinking about our lives. This is someone who is making fun of our problems.' Gabby is someone who has approached lots of different social issues with grace and class and so this is just such a disappointment.

The HuffPost notes that "a recent study found that 'trans people across the U.S. experience three times as much police violence as non-transgender individuals" and that "even when transgender people were the victims of hate crimes, 48 percent reported receiving mistreatment from the police when they went for help'"

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Idaho Lawmaker Introduces Bill That Would Allow Religion-Based Discrimination Against Gays

Idaho Republican Rep. Lynn Luker has introduced a bill in Idaho that would allow religious-based discrimination against gays, Al Jazeera reports:

Republican Rep. Lynn Luker introduced the legislation, and said the bill is meant to "protect persons holding occupational licenses in the exercise of their religious freedom." The Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses manages certifications for professional boards from social workers to doctors. The bill does not apply to emergency responders and will not prevent Idahoans from being fired if they choose to deny service based on religious reasons. Additionally, it does not authorize the "intentional infliction of emotional or physical injury."

Wrote Luker in a blog post:

With government mandates of all types forcing religiously faithful people to violate the tenants of their faith, including the forced subsidizing of contraceptives and termination of life, interference with faith based counseling, and compelled participation in same gender weddings, concern about refusing such mandates prompted the bill to protect the right to earn a living while staying true to a person’s faith.

Vice, Madonna, and Katy Perry Push #GayPropaganda PSA: VIDEO

From Vice Magazine and Madonna, comes this PSA as the finale of Katy Perry's month-long curation of their #ArtForFreedom project:

They write:

“The Peace Sign” is the third in a series of PSAs inspired by recent images of violence against the LGBT community in Russia. The movement seeks to use the #GayPropaganda hashtag to unite the voices of LGBT people and allies alike in support of those people facing prejudice and violence in Russia, and around the world. In a mission akin to #ArtForFreedom, (We Are) #GayPropaganda seeks to redefine ‘gay propaganda’ by asking LGBT communities and their allies around the world: What does #GayPropaganda look like to you?’

#GayPropaganda seeks to reclaim, educate, empower, and inspire LGBT people and their allies by connecting art, images, and personal storytelling through the powerful yet simple social tools we use everyday.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...