News: Al Franken, Basketball, Ralph Lauren, Big Macs, Maryland

Bush renews hunt to capture Bin Laden before November election.

Matt Damon: Sarah Palin pick is "like a really bad Disney movie."

Man claims to have eaten 23,000 Big Macs since 1972 — VIDEO.

Payoff: Alaska National Guard to Lieutenant General Craig Campbell receives promotion from Palin after going from critical to complimentary of her experience as governor. The Next Cheney?

Episcopal bishops of San Francisco and Los Angeles to oppose ban on same-sex marriage: "The Right Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Episcopal bishop of California, and the Right Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Episcopal bishop of Los Angeles, are scheduled to join other faith leaders and gay couples Wednesday in speaking out against Proposition 8. The measure, which would amend the state constitution to limit marriage to unions between a man and woman, is also being opposed by individual churches and clergy through a group called California Faith for Equality. Their work is designed to counter the huge organizational and financial push the amendment is receiving from leaders of the Roman Catholic and Mormon faiths."

Drag queen dies during performance: "Chip Doran (a.k.a. Ilene Alloverya) was 55 years old - a retiree and former Dallasite who relocated to Austin and drove to Dallas for the Labor Day weekend fundraiser."

Ralph Lauren has put his name on a set of limited-edition balls: "Sales of the balls benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation (which, among other initiatives, supports fitness programs for kids). But unless your name is, say, Jay-Z, Andy Roddick, or Charlie Rose, you're not going to be able to buy it—the balls were produced for an invite-only shopping event at the Polo Mansion tonight."

South Africa sees first gay divorce.

Elbow wins Mercury Music Prize: "The five-piece group took the £20,000 award with their fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid. The judges called it 'an epic rock record - triumphant, heartbreaking, unerringly melodic and life-affirming'. This year's 12-strong shortlist was dominated by glamorous young females, including R&B star Estelle and 19-year-old singer-songwriter Adele, and established acts such as Radiohead and Robert Plant."

Kylie Minogue says she'd have gone gay for Tallulah Bankhead.

Al Franken wins Democratic primary in Minnesota race for U.S. Senate.

Marijuana shows promise in fighting superbugs: "...researchers tested five major marijuana ingredients termed cannabinoids on different strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a "superbug" increasingly resistant to antibiotics. All five substances showed potent germ-killing activity against these drug-resistant strains, as did some synthetic non-natural cannabinoids, they say. The scientists also showed that these substances appear to kill bacteria by different mechanisms than conventional antibiotics, making them more likely to avoid bacterial resistance, the scientists note."

Chris Evans is the pits.

Maryland Court of Appeals strikes gender identity ballot referendum that would have repealed law forbidding discrimination.

Elton John scraps Lily Allen collaboration after onstage tiff: "The pair, who hosted the awards together, exchanged insults and slurs, culminating in Elton telling Lily he could 'snort her under the table'. Elton now says the spat has put him off collaborating with the 'Smile' singer. 'I was thinking about asking her to tour with me and maybe even do a duet. Obviously that won't be happening,' he told the Metro."

Choir in Fiji distraught at having to perform at a wedding demonstration where a female stood in for the groom, thus making it look like it was a gay wedding.

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News: Wicked, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mars, Mamma Mia, Ron Paul

The NYT on the potential repeal of the 1913 Massachusetts marriage law.

The Martian landscape revealed...

Cristiano Ronaldo hits L.A. on crutches and doesn't waste any time snubbing Paris Hilton.

Ron Paul's openly gay campaign chair dies of pneumonia at 49, without health insurance: "Snyder, who served as Paul’s campaign chair, died of pneumonia on June 26 after being hospitalized for about two months and after running up medical bills exceeding $400,000, according to friends and family members, who said he did not have health insurance."

A Mamma-Mia cheat sheet.

Moscow authorities ban gay picket of Iranian embassy set for July 19: "About 30 people were due to take part, Moscow gay pride parade organizer Nikolay Alexeyev told the Interfax-Religion. He said the application was submitted last Friday in strict compliance with Russian laws, but the prefecture retorted it could not guarantee the security of those taking part in the picket. 'This is a flagrant violation of the Russian constitution and laws on public actions,' Alexeyev said."

Will the knowledge that Banksy may be bourgeois make his works less valuable?

The L.A. Times profiles Paul Colichman and his growing "gay media empire": "Five years ago, Colichman and his business partner launched Here, television's only premium gay cable network. Now, with an eye toward building their empire, they recently made a $6.5-million deal to buy the popular news magazine the Advocate, style monthly Out and other sister publications. Colichman, who also owns the gay entertainment Internet portal GayWired.com, plans to expand the online presence of his new publications once the acquisition closes. 'People say, 'Why would you buy a print publication when you're really in the television business?'' said Colichman. 'But our point of view is that everything is cross-platformed now -- we are in the content business, and to generate profit you need to be everywhere.'"

Tyson shows off his tatts.

Broadway's Wicked coming to the big screen.

Chris Evans to answer questions at San Diego's Comic-Con.

First openly gay leader of a national labor union elected: "New York based United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has been elected to succeed Edward McElroy as President of the American Federation of Teachers...Weingarten served for 10 years as UFT head and under her tenure she negotiated a 43 percent increase in educator salaries and helped organize 28,000 home childcare workers."

Andy Dick in sex and drugs arrest.

North Carolina Family Policy Council supports bullying of LGBT kids in schools...

Pew Poll: 28% say gay marriage will affect their vote. "As it did in October 2004, gay marriage ranks lowest in importance among 16 campaign issues for the average U.S. voter; overall, 28% say gay marriage will be very important to their vote, down slightly from 32% in 2004. Far more Republicans than Democrats (19 points) rate gay marriage as very important. White evangelical Protestants (49%) place the most importance on the issue. Currently, 49% of the public opposes allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry legally, while 38% support gay marriage."

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News: Jodie Foster, Oregon, Chris Evans, Northern Ireland

Good riddance: South Carolina high school principal resigning because he doesn't agree with the school having a gay-straight alliance.

Was she the other woman who ended Jodie Foster's 14 year relationship? "Although she and Cydney remain under the same roof at the moment, the relationship has been shattered. They’ll continue to raise the boys together and try to keep a loving family unit despite their breakup. The love is gone."

Oregon Court of Appeals upholds ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage in the state.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie glam it up in Cannes.

Redwood City, California man to stand trial for attacking his neighbors with a wrought iron table, fists: "Prosecutors say Santos-Coy had been drinking when he approached two neighbors of his apartment complex as they worked on their car in the building's carport. Yelling that the men — a couple in their 20s, according to prosecutors — were 'dirty nasty people' and other things not fit to print in this publication, Santos-Coy allegedly struck one of the men several times in the face. He then picked up a wrought-iron table and swung it at the victims, prosecutors said. The men managed to avoid getting hit by the heavy table, according to prosecutors...He faces up to eight years in prison for two felony counts of a hate crime and one count of assault with a hate crime purpose."

Cameron Diaz goes bald.

Scotland Yard arrests 198 across London for "domestic, homophobic and race hate crimes."

Owner of the first gay bar outside a major city in Ireland talks about the reaction from the community: "When someone comes up to one of my sons and mentions the gay bar, it's to tell them that their uncle or cousin is gay. The young people in Strabane seem to be very open-minded — there's been no hassle at all."

"Ex-Gay" Bar? UK former gay bar under inquiry for putting up banner announcing that it is "now straight". "A police inquiry is under way into a complaint that the sign, which has now been taken down, was offensive. The bar owners said it was never their intention to offend. Assistant manager Carl Lovett said: 'We admit it was not the best banner but there was never any intention to cause offence.' ... The bar, which opened as a seven-days-a-week gay venue in January, decided to switch to becoming a mainstream premises after failing to attract enough customers."

Chris Evans apparently has some lesbian fantasies.

California Republican justice Ronald George on newly-minted hero status: "Basically, it comes down to the question of when is a judge shirking his or her responsibility by not acting...The political repercussions of who I am going to please or who I am going to displease is not something I think about. I just put it out of my mind."

Canadian middle school students told they can't wear anti-homophobia t-shirts: "School principal Kim MacKenzie said the word "gay" was used inappropriately. He said the T-shirts weren't appropriate for a middle-school level and didn't comply with the school dress code. 'This is a middle school,' he said, adding no other disciplinary actions were taken. 'There were questions from Grade 5 students as to what homophobia was. That's something that many of our parents would have a concern with -- the notion of how that conversation (was started) in the school,' said MacKenzie."

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News: Brian Paddick, Sean Cody, Nick Walker, David Archuleta

Don't forget to vote for Sally Kern, Larry Craig, Jerry Sanders, Ellen Degeneres, or Al Gore in our NewNowNext award category!

Archuleta dad banned from American Idol rehearsals.

Civil union efforts in Illinois boosted by student-generated Facebook group: "At first, his site detailed the bill's progress for friends, who began inviting hundreds of other friends. Within weeks, Miatkowski and students from across the state organized online 'rallies' to flood legislators with e-mails, faxes and phone calls. Members also have held petition drives at train stations, written editorials and set up campus events. The group's efforts made enough of an impression that Illinois lawmakers mentioned it to Harris, sponsor of the civil unions bill. Harris contacted Miatkowski and other student leaders to discuss how to gather more momentum on the bill." The group's Facebook address is here.

Chris Evans leaves the foxhole.

Possibility of constitutional same-sex marriage ban pushes Floridians into action.

Mork and KT: Does wearing rainbow suspenders make you a gay icon?

Brian Paddick's diaries during his run for London mayor revealed.

Catholic leader in the Philippines says being gay not a sin, but acting on it is: "Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, chair of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Office on Bio-ethics, said on Sunday the Church had learned to accept homosexuality as part of reality. 'We try to be compassionate and understand homosexuals and guide them towards the right path where they should not act out on their desires,' the bishop told the Philippine Daily Inquirer."

It's official: Ugly Betty moving to New York.

Are street artists Banksy and Nick Walker one and the same? That's what some people are saying.

"Ex-gay" and Exodus spokesman accuses "Ex-Gay" watchdog organizations of being hate groups. Stephen Black: "There are actual GAY hate groups who wish to silence the voices of ex-gays. These groups are like the brazenly named ‘Ex-Gay Watch’ and their klan of bloggers who use hatefully sarcastic words in addressing ex-gays."

Carson Kressley to make visit to Big Brother Australia house this week: "The pink thinker, famous from his days as a makeover queen on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, won't be bedding down with the BB housemates, limiting his visit to a few hours of fashion critique."

British Big Brother contestant Chanelle gets the gong at G-A-Y in London.

Cycling with Scott Speedman.

Malaysian police raid gay sauna, seize 14 men, and 1800 condoms.

Justin Timberlake producing reality show called The Phone: "The series, which is based on a Dutch reality show format, begins each episode with two hidden cell phones ringing at opposite ends of a major city. Contestants who answer the phones will have five seconds to decide if they want to play along for a cash prize, and a guide on the other end of the line then gives contestants a mission to complete before time runs out. As they race through the city on their adventure, a helicopter tracks their every move. MTV described the show as a wild and cinematic ride reminiscent of such films as 'The Bourne Identity' and 'The Game.'"

Sean Cody interested in whites only"? (warning: site NSFW)

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News: Wolfgang Tillmans, Fort Lauderdale, Chris Evans, Tyra Banks

America's Next Top Candidate? Barack Obama to appear on The Tyra Banks Show on September 27.

Photographer Wolfgang Tillmans out with massive new monograph, entitled Manual: "Tillmans, who won the prestigious Turner Prize in 2000, uses the edition to highlight his own experimental approach to photography. He combines photographs with paintings, texts and newspaper articles. Also offering insight into his process, the book shows how the artist displays pictures on long tables in his studio while he preparing for an exhibition or a publication."

Chris Evans well-suited for GQ.

The New York Times scrubs up on the Fort Lauderdale "Flush Naugle" campaign: "In an interview, Mr. Naugle — who described himself as 'extremely' conservative despite being a registered Democrat, like half the city’s registered voters — said he had received 4,000 e-mail messages in recent weeks, mostly supportive. A “climate of permissiveness” has developed in the city, he said, similar to when Fort Lauderdale was a magnet for rowdy spring breakers several decades ago. 'It has become kind of like the days of spring break,' he said, 'when we ended up clamping down because people were jumping off balconies and other things. We are kind of going in that direction with the gay tourism.'"

Jodie Foster opens up to More magazine about the ring she wears and media scrutiny: "My life is my life. I'm not going to change my life for anybody. I don't have any problems with it. I just don't talk about my health, my dad, who I voted for or what I think of the death penalty, because that would be trivializing my life, selling it for a magazine. I don't have any problems with anybody reporting on my life. It's just that I'm not going to bring my family into that."

Lance Bass renting out his Beverly Hills mansion while he hits Broadway to play Corny Colliins in Hairspray.

The odd "Gays for Giuliani" activist ad, which trotted out gay stereotypes to expose Giuliani's supposed liberal leanings, is to actually air in South Carolina.

Labor Day ain't here yet! Elton steps out in white.

New documentary looks at San Francisco's "Stonewall": It began on the first day of 1965, when a festive Mardi Gras costume ball was about to begin in the City at a rented venue on Polk Street called California Hall. The high-profile fundraising gala was to be a sort of coming out party for the city’s underground gay culture, with hopes, for the first time in history, to publicly reveal itself in a thoroughly respectable yet visibly queer and overtly political fashion. ...The police promised not to interfere with what was, in fact, a legal, private event held on private property. But that promise was quickly broken. As eyewitnesses on the film described the incident, no sooner did the party begin, than paddy wagons sealed off the streets around California Hall. SFPD officers armed with cameras and spotlights, as well as guns and batons, formed an intimidating gauntlet through which every partygoer had to pass, to be filmed and photographed upon arrival. The cops then entered the building without cause and without warrants."

Star Jones tells Diane Sawyer why she had gastric bypass surgery: "I didn’t want to die fat. Because that's not happy."

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Now Playing: Chris Evans' Naked Trash Dash

Chris Evans was recently told by his manager to not remove his shirt in films anymore to avoid being pigeonholed as beefcake.

It's too bad, since he seems so fond of it:

"Neighbors of Fantastic Four star Chris Evans are in for a visual treat - he often takes out his garbage naked. Evans, who recently came third in a poll of most eligible Hollywood bachelors, admits he is fond of streaking in his yard. He says, 'I have a nice backyard. It's very secluded, so every now and then I might just run out quickly and take the trash out.'"

You may have missed...
Chris Evans' Fantastic Four 2 Man-Crush Moment [tr]

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News: Popemobile, Frog, Chris Evans, Boatslip, T.R. Knight

The owner of Provincetown's gay Boatslip resort, Rich Ferrell, has accused his partners of securities, mail and wire fraud: "Brian DeLaurentis, Ferrell’s attorney, is about to begin the discovery phase of a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Florida. Charging 12 defendants with racketeering, including the seven other co-owners of the Boatslip, the lawsuit asks for $2.25 million in damages, plus attorney’s fees. Under discovery, depositions are taken from witnesses and evidence gathered for presentation in court."

Scientists discover 24 new species in Suriname, including this frog with fluorescent purple markings.

Chris Evans and his massive flaming pecs are back in the new Fantastic Four film.

New York State could generate $184 million over three years if gay marriage were legalized: "The figures account for additional costs to private businesses that would be required to insure newly married gay spouses. The study assumes that more than 56,000 same-sex couples would travel from out of state to be married here, generating $137 million in wedding spending. That spending would include hotels for the couples and guests, and other wedding expenses, such as catering halls or restaurants."

Chicago Mayor Daley opens $20 million gay and lesbian center on Halsted Street: "Daley, who has emerged as a champion on gay and lesbian issues, got a hero's welcome at the center, where the rooftop garden bears his name. He engineered $5.4 million in loans and subsidies for the Center on Halsted and pushed through domestic partner benefits for city employees. He appointed Tunney, Chicago's first openly gay alderman, supports gay marriage, welcomed the 2006 Gay Games and has increased city support for AIDS funding."

VIDEO - Man leaps at Popemobile: "The incident, which immediately recalled the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981, occurred at the beginning of the Pope's weekly general audience in St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Pope Benedict did not seem to notice the man and continued his audience as usual. A Vatican official said the man, who was wearing a pink t-shirt, black shorts, a cap and sunglasses, managed to reach the back of the Pope's open-topped vehicle before the pontiff's team of eight guards wrestled him to the ground. He is being questioned by Vatican police."

Hey guys, it's Jen.

Is this Jennifer Aniston's hot new model man?

T.R. Knight to return to Grey's Anatomy at $125,000 an episode. Isaiah Washington's fate still uncertain.

Senator Mike Gravel slams Hillary Clinton over 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell': "'Don't Ask' has not been a benign 'transition policy' as she claims. It was a cowardly political calculation that reaffirmed the military's unjust discharge policies and resulted in the dismissal of 10,870 dedicated service people since 1993. Discharges for homosexuality actually increased under 'Don't Ask' and cost taxpayers more than a quarter of a billion dollars. How can Hillary complain about the recent discharge of 55 Arab language specialists under 'Don't Ask' and not admit that the policy is a terrible mistake?"

Gay candidate runs for office in Ferndale, Michigan, outside of Detroit.

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Chris Evans Has Really Been Working Out

And may have visited the Mystic Tan booth a few too many times.

Actually, it's a moment from the new Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer trailer, just released... Click images to enlarge.

You may have missed...
Chris Evans' Fantastic Four 2 Man-Crush Moment [tr]
The Silver Surfer's Easter Eggs [tr]

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Chris Evans' Fantastic Four 2 Man-Crush Moment

As you may know, actor Chris Evans is quite popular here at Towleroad, so I was pleased to catch this light moment from a brand new Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer TV spot in which Evans, who plays The Human Torch, responding to a comment from Jessica Alba's Invisible Woman, offers a bit of jokey affection to Mr. Fantastic, played by Ioan Gruffudd. Since it flies by, I've screencapped it for you. Don't miss Gruffudd's saucy look at the end.

Of course, Evans does play the flaming superhero. See the full spot below.

And don't miss...
The Silver Surfer's Easter Eggs [tr]
Fantastic Form: Chris Evans [tr]
Chris Evans in London [tr]
Chris Evans in Flaunt [tr]

(thanks, Nathan!)

And the latest teaser poster (minus the nads) after the jump...

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The Silver Surfer's Easter Eggs

Time for something much lighter. Here's one in honor of the folks with way too much time on their hands.

American fans recently got their first glimpse of the trailer for the upcoming film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and some meticulous trailer-diggers have revealed that the animators may have inserted a secret frame — what video game developers would call an 'Easter Egg' because it's hidden — in a scene in which the Silver Surfer is being pursued through a tunnel.

While most of the time the Surfer has the emasculated anatomy of a Ken doll, in a screen-grab sent in to us by a diligent Towleroad reader, the fluid, mercurial superhuman appears to briefly possess the anatomical parts of a mere mortal.

More after the jump...

A trick of the animator, or a trick of the eye? You be the judge. Here's the trailer, which also features the far more appealing Chris Evans.

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Peter Parker Revealed: Spider-man is Gay Too [tr]
The Real Justice League [tr]

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News: Manhunt Con, Jason Lewis, Kathy Griffin, Fantastic Four

Gay Boston doctor stung by Manhunt con as internet date cons him out of tens of thousands of dollars: "Kalinowski said he discovered after their relationship ended last year that nothing Hildreth said was true. But that's what he does, says Kalinowski, Hildreth tells people what they want to hear in order to get what he wants, and what he wants more than anything is money. Lots and lots of money. But he has a history of doing it illegally."

Absolut hunk Jason Lewis cast as Matthew Rhys' new love interest on Brothers & Sisters.

I've received a couple emails about a post over on Brat Boy Bulletin that I am going back to Genre magazine. This is most definitely not true, and the press release posted there is from 2001.

Gay porn actor Timothy Boham killed gay Denver businessman John Kelso in struggle over safe containing hundreds of thousands of dollars: "Boham was "upset" when he visited his sister after the shooting, according to the police affidavit. He allegedly told her that Kelso had a safe in his home containing between $100,000 and $400,000. 'Kelso would not open the safe, and he and Timothy struggled for a bit,' Denver Police Lt. J.W. Priest wrote in the arrest warrant application. 'During this altercation, Timothy shot Kelso.' Katherine Boham also told police that her brother said he tried to clean up the scene before fleeing with the safe."

Gay clubber dies after taking GHB in London.

Fantastic Four 2 to feature FantastiCar. And might I say, Chris Evans is looking fantastic in that outfit.

Plane carrying comedienne Kathy Griffin makes emergency return to Burbank airport after turbulence, fire.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to release record: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling".

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #55

THE VIEW: Drunken Danny Devito bashes Bush, horrifies Barbara.

LISTEN: Beyoncé's new video for her single from Dreamgirls.

LA DOLCE VITA: Behind the scenes of Michael Lucas' porn shoot fashion show. (briefly NSFW)

CHRIS EVANS: A recent message from the set of Fantastic Four 2.

For all our guides to the Tube, click here.

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Eat Your Chips: Wilmer Valderrama and Chris Evans

I thought we'd celebrate news of the addition of Chris Evans to the cast of the Chips remake with a Towleroad Collector's Card.

Trade them with your friends. Collect them all. It's fun.

According to Latino Review: "I was in New York a few weeks ago (2), specifically, the New York nite club called The Marquee over in Chelsea. I came across a little celebration that was going on there in the form of Wilmer Valderrama and Chris Evans popping open some bubbly and announcing to the crowd that Chris Evans has signed on to play Jon Baker, Ponch's partner. Wilmer himself actually said "Meet Ponch's new partner." The guys were pretty fired up about the deal. I also heard it mentioned that filming should start in late November early Decemberish, some time around when Chris wraps Fantastic Four."

We'll look forward to seeing Chris in that tight uniform.

In the meantime, how 'bout a quick reminder of what's going to fill it out, after the jump...

All that and a bag of CHiPs.

(thanks victor)

Previously
Chris Evans in London [tr]
Chris Evans: Flaming [tr]

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Fantastic Form: Chris Evans

Towleroad favorite Chris Evans is profiled in a recent issue of Men's Health as one of the "fittest men of summer." I'd have to agree. He has also been chosen as one of People's hottest bachelors, all of whom can be accessed here.

You may have missed...
Chris Evans in London [tr]
Chris Evans: Flaming [tr]

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