News: Peter Cook, Bermuda, James Dobson, Iran, IBM, San Diego

Truth Wins Out launches effort to block Focus on the Family founder James Dobson's induction into the Radio Hall of Fame. Wayne Besen: "It is outrageous and insulting that James Dobson would be nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame. We believe that character counts and nominees should have careers based on honesty and integrity - not discrimination, distorting research and outright lying."

Iran state media Photoshops missile test image to make it seem more impressive.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules benefits to gay couples following the 2004 marriage decision can't be applied retroactively.

Spotlight on Jennifer Hudson's album cover.

Following GLAAD's lead in April, Californians Against Hate launches boycott of San Diego's Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Divorce drama: beefcake GQ cover of Christie Brinkley's husband Peter Cook unearthed from 1981.

California's Kern County rebuffs conservative group, refuses to ban same-sex marriages: " The Campaign for Children and Families hoped the passage of a gay marriage ban in Kern County would embolden other counties to follow suit. But supervisors declined to act on the measure after Bernard Barmann, the county's lawyer, said it would be illegal for the county to adopt its own same-sex marriage ban. The Kern County clerk's office stopped offering all marriage ceremonies on June 15, the day before gay marriage became legal."

What's inside "Just for Men" hair color?

Bermuda man who attacked gay man with a machete gets seven years in prison: "Cooper, 26 – older brother of the murdered Cooper twins – had a history of violent crime and homophobia before he launched the attack on Shawn Nusum, 25, in the early hours of November 15 last year. His Supreme Court trial heard how he had taunted Mr. Nusum, of St. David's on previous occasions over his sexuality, calling him a 'faggot' and similar names. On the night in question, the pair got into a dispute in Club Ovation, Water Street, St. George's, when Cooper taunted Mr. Nusum once again. He later lay in wait for Mr. Nusum, and as he left the premises he hit him about the face with a machete. The victim suffered a fractured nose, jaw and cheekbone. A cut to his left eyebrow has left him unable to raise it, and he will be permanently scarred."

T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen take the kids out for a ride.

Michael Jackson arrives in Vegas wearing pyjamas, a dreadlocked wig, a surgeon’s mask, a baseball cap and sunglasses.

A Guide to the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which kicks off tonight.

Michelle Williams planning Heath Ledger film: "The actress - who was left devastated when her former fiance was found dead in his apartment after an accidental drug overdose in January - wants the actor's friends and co-stars to share their stories on him so little Matilda can see her father through their eyes."

Former gay porn model "Lamar" killed in head-on collision following Chicago's black gay pride celebration.

Lesbian adopted by lover into IBM family fights for share of fortune: "Patricia Spado was adopted by Olive Watson, the daughter of Thomas Watson Jr, in 1991 when the pair were both in their 40s and at a time when gay couples were not allowed civil partnerships. They lived together for 14 years but, a year after the adoption, their relationship ended. Miss Spado, now 60, claims the purpose of the adoption was to allow her to qualify as an heir to Miss Watson's inheritance."

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Rosie O'Donnell's Gay Family Cruise to Bypass Bermuda

Despite the fact that Rosie O'Donnell's R Family Cruise had the backing of Premier of Bermuda Ewart Brown after protests against it from religious groups there, the charter cruise will not have the wealthy British island territory on its itinerary.

R Family Vacations is run by Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli O'Donnell, Rosie's partner. In a statement, the company, which caters to gay and lesbian families, said, "[We are] not 100% confident that some protestors would not meet us upon our arrival. While those groups may be the minority voice, we feel that our cruise would be more enjoyable with an alternate itinerary to ports where we know we are welcome by everyone. Please note that we feel that Bermuda is welcoming to gay and lesbian tourists. However, there is a minority of vocal churches who do not welcome us. Most residents of Bermuda and the government have been extremely respectful to our group, and we do not want our change of plans to be interpreted, as anything, but a response to a few local (but vocal) church groups."

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News: Obama Fundraising, Bermuda, John Barrowman, J Lo

Barack Obama has raised at least $25 million so far in 2007, an amount nearly equal to Hillary Clinton's $26 million. Obama spokesperson: "This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country and a belief at the grassroots level that Barack Obama can bring out the best in America to solve our problems." John Edwards reported raising $14 million in the first three months of the year.

Premier of Bermuda Ewart Brown dismisses calls for Rosie O'Donnell's "R Family" cruise to be blocked from visiting the country. Brown: "If we discriminate against a cruise ship, then we would have to send a homosexual detection unit to the airport."

John Travolta makes emergency landing in Ireland while piloting his Boeing 707.

I made an update to yesterday's post about Out magazine's "Power 50" but here's a link to the full article in the same issue, by Michael Musto, about public figures who choose not to talk about their sexuality.

John Barrowman's BBC series Torchwood coming to America.

Law don't cost a thing: J Lo on jury duty.

Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully on the British series Coronation Street, has revealed his Eminem fantasies: "He's gorgeous. I dream about him often and always kiss him goodbye in the dream and say 'I'll call you later'."

Lawmakers in Massachusetts plan to propose legislation that would repeal the 1913 law used to stop same-sex couples from out-of-state from marrying there: "The old law, which says marriage licenses cannot be issued to couples whose weddings would be illegal in the states where they lived, was originally passed when interracial marriage was legal in Massachusetts but most other parts of the country. When the US Supreme Court overturned state bans on interracial marriage the the Massachusetts law fell into disuse."

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News: Coming Out Day, Capote, Killer Alcoholics, Bermuda

It's National Coming Out Day! Judy Shepard has a message about the importance of coming out. HRC has produced a video. OutZoneTV has posted a whole bunch of celebrity coming out stories. Film Experience Blog honors the out and proud members of the entertainment industry. Queerty is showing a series of clips based on coming out. AOL's Worth Repeating features a few of HRC's celebrity "Talk About It" snapshots. We here at Towleroad will continue to cover the downfall of hypocritical congressmen toppled by the staggered-out-of-the-closet Mark Foley.

AfterElton looks at the latest film to delve into the world of Truman Capote, Infamous, in which Brit actor Toby Jones locks lips with Daniel Craig, and says even for those who've seen Capote, this is worth watching: "Although major events in the films, as well as selections of the dialogue are similar, Capote is a fascinating and eccentric enough subject to more than justify both films. Infamous provides further insight into Capote's personal relationships, especially the close and controversial relationship he fostered with one of the two killers, Perry Smith."

Hip-hop artist Nick Cannon enters the fashion biz.

Bermuda church promises not to gay bash at upcoming multi-church service after complaints from Anglicans: "Part of the agenda for this service seems to be to target particular members of our society, homosexuals, in a way that is deemed inappropriate."

The day-to-day booze schedule of The Killers revealed.

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Joseph Gannascoli, Gay Vito from The Sopranos is being sued by the makers of workout/diet drug Stacker 2. They claim he isn't doing enough to promote the product after they paid him endorsement fees of $316,000. Claims Gannascoli: "They didn't like I was doing the gay thing."

George Michael says the press is wrong when they claim he'd rather be straight: "The press give the impression that I was far happier when I stuck with the ladies, but I am far happier now." The singer also says that because he doesn't want to do promotion for his records, he's happy about the negative press he's been getting for his falling-asleep-behind-the-wheel incidents: "In all honesty it does me good. I take crap for a couple of weeks but it promotes me and my music. I hate to say it but it's true."

A 48-year-old Australian gay rapist "Grandpa" deliberately tried to infect partners with HIV: "He met victims including one who he allegedly drugged and raped, on the internet and persuaded them into unprotected sex, telling them he was HIV negative, the jury heard."

Oprah on her relationship with Gayle King: "We are not gay."

Get it while it's hot: Paris Hilton single leaks.

Council of Europe official: authorities were justified in breaking up Moscow gay rights march.

Oxford Friend Lesbian and Gay Helpline is the first gay organization ever to receive the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The hotline provides confidential counseling and advice. Treasurer: "The Queen's Awards were only started in 2002, as part of the Jubilee celebrations, so to become the first lesbian and gay group to be recognised is a huge privilege."

Hundreds demonstrate on the island of Bermuda after MPs fail to discuss proposed legislation that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation: "I’m not gay, I’m here to support friends and family. I’m really saddened that there are not more Bermudians here. If you don’t start standing up for other people on an issue, what happens when it’s time for someone to speak up on an issue that’s nearer to your heart? You’ve got to support people on any human rights issue. Bermudians are scared to come out and show their faces."

Page Six's Richard Johnson in jail on DUI charges.

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