'Big Brother' Australia's First Gay Winner Proposes to His Boyfriend on Show's Live Finale: VIDEO

Earlier this week, Benjamin Norris won Australia's version of the reality show Big Brother, becoming the first gay man to do so down under. On the show's finale, after winning $250,000, Ben surprised the audience by proposing to his boyfriend, also named Ben, with a family diamond, and quickly became the flag-bearer for Australia's battle for marriage equality.

Said Norris:

“This was a diamond that my great grandfather bought for my great grandmother and it was worn by my parents on their wedding day so it’s something that is a part of my family...Since I’ve met Ben all I have wanted is for him to be a part of my family. And no-one is going to tell us that sitting on the couch together at the end of the day pretending that we’re married that we’re not married.”

Watch the proposal go down, AFTER THE JUMP...

'Big Brother' is Back: Here are Season 14's Gay Housemates — VIDEO

Last night saw the premiere of Season 14 of Big Brother and the introduction of two new gay contestants - Jenn Arroyo, a musician from Brooklyn, and Wil Heuser, a Louisville-based YouTube vlogger.

Check out their interviews, AFTER THE JUMP...

In other Big Brother news, Season 5 winner Drew Daniel was arrested in Urbana, Ohio this week after an unspecificed domestic incident with another man:

Champaign County deputies arrested Andrew T. Daniel, 30, of 1820 Old Troy Pike, after he was involved in an alleged domestic dispute with another man.  According to reports, the victim was attacked by Daniel and suffered scrapes to his arms and body.

Responding deputies attempted to talk with Daniel after arriving to the scene and Daniel refused to comply with deputy orders.  Daniel charged at a deputy and the officer used his Taser on him.

Daniel is expected back in Champaign County Municipal Court July 24, according to court records.

Reality Blurred notes:

This report is already fueling three-year-old rumors that Drew is gay, which seem to have their origin in a ridiculously written paragraph about him on a fan wiki.

Jessie Godderz Loses His Shirt at the Baggage Claim: VIDEO

Former Big Brother contestant Jessie Godderz had the thrill of his year so far when a TMZ paparazzo actually recognized him at LaGuardia, so he made the best of it by stripping down and taunting the only person that might possibly actually return his challenge with a douchebaggier response.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Footballer Lee Steele Fired for Anti-Gay Tweet About Gareth Thomas

On Tuesday I reported on Oxford City footballer Lee Steele's homophobic tweet directed at rugby player Gareth Thomas, who is now a cast member on the UK's Celebrity Big Brother.

Tweeted Steele: “I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockeda**ehole”.

Steele has now been sacked by his team, which released this statement:

The Oxford City board have decided to release Lee Steele in view of his recent comment via social media which is considered seriously contrary to the ethos of the club.

The BBC reports:

Oxford City manager Mike Ford said: "On this occasion Lee's had to pay for his error of judgement."

Mr Ford said calling the player to tell him he was sacked had been the toughest thing he had ever done in football but he felt that the Southern-Premier League club had made the right decision.

He added: "He's made a homophobic comment, that doesn't necessarily mean he's homophobic."

The former England rugby union international Ben Cohen has set up a foundation to combat homophobia and bullying. Speaking to BBC Oxford earlier this week, he said: "If you are a sportsman you're a role model and people look up to you no matter what division you're in." But he stopped short of calling for Mr Steele to be sacked, saying it should have been a lesson learnt.

UK Big Brother Contestant Don't Know Much About Geography: VIDEO

A UK Big Brother contestant whose greatest fear is a map.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via reddit)

Footballer Lee Steele Aims Homophobic Tweet at Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas' participation in the UK's Celebrity Big Brother is making him the topic of conversation in some circles. Oxford City footballer Lee Steele failed to play for his team on Saturday after a tweet (which was later deleted) he made about Thomas caused some controversy:

A remark about openly gay former Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on the 38-year-old’s account on Thursday night. It said: “I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockeda**ehole”. The tweet, which was criticised by a city gay rights group, had been deleted by 1pm on Friday.

Our Saturday story prompted debate online and at City’s Court Place Farm ground, where Mike Ford’s team beat Chippenham 2-1 without Steele. One fan, who did not want to be named said: “It was stupid of him to say something on the internet but I don’t think it means he hates gay people.”

Other folks on Twitter begged to disagree: