HRC Blasts Brian Brown, Scott Lively, and Paul Cameron Over Anti-Gay Deeds in Russia: VIDEO

The Human Rights Campaign has put out a new video calling out NOM's Brian Brown, and evangelists Scott Lively, and Paul Cameron for their responsibility with regard to Russia's anti-gay legislation.

All three Americans traveled to Russia to demonize gay people and persuade Russian lawmakers to pass the so-called ban on 'gay propaganda' along with other bills prohibiting adoption by gay couples.

Watch HRC's new clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

Courtney Act Sends Her Message 'To Russia With Love': VIDEO

Those of you who have been reading Towleroad since 2003 (yes, there are a few of you) may remember a drag queen  we wrote about named Courtney Act who was selected to compete in Australian Idol.

You're going to be seeing a lot more of her this year as she's a contestant in Season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race, and this week she laid the groundwork for that in the form of a high-energy single and music video encouraging LGBT Russians and their allies to fight for love.

She also does double duty in the clip, playing two roles.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Canada Threatens to Cut Ties with Uganda Over Anti-Gay Bill: VIDEO

Canada has threatened to cut ties with Uganda over the anti-gay bill, which penalizes anyone who aids or abets a known homosexual, and punishes homosexuality with life imprisonment. Uganda's President Museveni told lawmakers over the weekend that he planned to sign the bill.

President Obama condemned the bill and warned that it would "complicate our valued relationship" with the country. Ugandan officials subsequently accused Obama of "blackmail" for the warnings.

The WSJ reports that it may strain relations with other countries as well, including Canada, which has expressed its displeasure:

Alintuma Nsambu, Uganda's envoy to Canada, said in an interview Wednesday that he had been summoned by the Canadian Foreign Ministry to explain why Canada shouldn't sever diplomatic ties with Uganda over the antigay bill. He said he had communicated Canada's concerns to the Ugandan government. The Canadian consulate in Kampala didn't immediately respond to calls and emails seeking to confirm the meeting.

Watch an NTV Uganda report on the Canadian statement, AFTER THE JUMP...

Nine Couples File Suit to Overturn Colorado's Gay Marriage Ban

On Wednesday Colorado saw the filing of a second lawsuit challenging its ban on gay marriage, the Denver Post reports:

The lawsuit filed Wednesday names Gov. John Hickenlooper (pictured) and Denver City Clerk Debra Johnson as defendants. Currently Colorado permits civil unions between gay couples, but the Colorado constitution bans gay marriage.

"This denial of equal protection, due process, and basic fairness violates the Constitution of the United States of America," says the lawsuit filed by the law firms of Reilly Pozner, Law of the Rockies and Gutterman Griffiths.

Colorado's attorney general John Suthers told the Denver Post he will defend the state's ban.

The AP adds:

According to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Denver District Court, four of the couples applied for marriage licenses in Denver in recent days, one pair on Valentine’s Day. The other five married in states where such unions are legal but live in Colorado, where “their valid marriages are reduced to second-class and unequal civil unions, which do not afford them the same rights, protections and security as marriage,” the lawsuit says.

Read the complaint here.

Last October, Dr. Rebecca Brinkman and her partner Margaret Burd filed a suit against Colorado seeking the freedom to marry.

'Vampire Diaries' Gets First Gay Character

Actor Chris Brochu will be joining The Vampire Diaries along with Hellcats star Heather Hemmens, E! News reports:

Hemmens, who recently appeared on Grey's Anatomy, will take on the role of Maggie, Enzo's (Michael Malarkey) love interest, while Brochu will play the fun and charming Luke, a student at Whitmore college who bonds with Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola). But relax, Delena, Stelena, Klaroline and Forwood fans because there's no chance for romance between Luke and one of the ladies as he's gay. Also, he has a secret agenda.

Brochu, who has appeared on CSI: NY, NCIS: Los Angeles and Melissa & Joey, will make his TVD debut in episode 16 and is set to appear in multiple episodes. And while fans are sure to initially like Luke as much as Elena, Caroline and Bonnie (Kat Graham) do, we'll eventually learn he's come into the girls' lives for mysterious and dangerous reasons that has to do with the growing tension between the witches and the travelers.

Creator Kevin Williamson has said he wanted a gay character on the show since 2010 but said he didn't want it to be a coming out story:

"It's one of those things that needs to feel organic and seamless. I don't want it to be a character that comes in and is a one-off. I want someone to come in and have a reason and a purpose and really push that story forward the way I want to do it, and they're so important to the story that without them the show won't happen. That's what I want."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1522

CAR TOUCH SCREEN CONCEPT: You like?

THE ONION: Tips for healthy eating.

HETERONORMATIVE: Glenn Beck has a hard time getting his head around it.

AI WEIWEI: U.S. artist destroys million dollar vase at Perez Art Museum in Miami to protest the institution's lack of displays of local artists.

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