News: Mormons, Liz Taylor, Football, Jane Lynch, Nero, Frat Boys

Where Did 'We' Go? Thomas Friedman pens a frightening op-ed about assassination and the current political climate in the U.S. "The American political system was, as the saying goes, 'designed by geniuses so it could be run by idiots.' But a cocktail of political and technological trends have converged in the last decade that are making it possible for the idiots of all political stripes to overwhelm and paralyze the genius of our system."

NYT on Hair's decision to go dark and perform at the National Equality March: "That unusual — and expensive — decision to skip a popular weekend performance at the beginning of the theater season originated with the show’s star, Gavin Creel. 'I said, ‘My God, we have to go, we have to go,’' Mr. Creel recalled when he first heard about the rally late last spring."

For Elizabeth Taylor, too much Kathy Ireland is never enough.

NFL players Brendon Ayanbadejo and Scott Fujita speak out for gay rights. Ayanbadejo: "I think we will look back in 10, 20, 30 years and be amazed that gays and lesbians did not have the same rights as every one else. How did this ever happen in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Are we really free?"

VIDEO: Adam Lambert thanks fans for raising $229,000 for public school art programs.

University of Alaska allows "ex-gay" speaker Edward Delgado: "Jim Minnery, president of the Alaska Family Council, said Chancellor Brian Rogers refused to bar Delgado from the campus, adding he wants a 'welcoming and inclusive university.'"

First look: T.R. Knight in Parade.

A sneak peek at Kylie Minogue's tour.

Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City installs sign to prevent future instances of man-on-man kissing on LDS property.

New Barney Frank bio ignores his personal life: "Those of you seeking an in-depth study of a fascinating and very, very funny political creature midcareer should buy it. Cokie Roberts and Nancy Pelosi blurbed it nicely. Anyone looking for full insights into the private man might want to wait."

Archaeologists uncover Roman Emperor Nero's rotating dining room. "The mechanism was a feat of Roman engineering, and moved thanks to the spheres beneath the wooden floor of the room, kept in constant movement by water being forced against them. Quite how this worked is still being researched."

AfterElton interviews Jane Lynch, Glee's Sue Sylvester.

Brazilian beauties decorate Junior.

Eddie Cibrian gives fans what they want on CSI.

Gay man's attacker gets 4 1/2 years in the UK: "Andrew Harris, aged 21, launched the violent attack upon a gay man after agreeing to go home with him following a night out drinking in Northampton town centre. Despite flirting with his victim and going into his bedroom, Harris suddenly turned violent, shouting 'I'm not gay'."

Friday Night Lights returning with some fresh meat.

English cricketer Kevin Pietersen signs on as Brylcreem Boy.

Frat brothers at George Washington University are trying to take the homophobia out of Greek life: "GW’s fraternity brothers are the nation’s future congressmen, investment bankers, and CEOs. They won’t reach those positions if their Google profiles turn up associations with homophobic and misogynistic fraternities. So GW’s frat boys—and don’t call them that!—are straining to undo the legacy of 'aggressive heterosexuality' and gay-bashing forged by their predecessors. It’s an effort that involves a good deal of re-education, some new alliances, and a compensatory vice or two."

News: Barney Frank, Astronauts, The Unborn, Mark Sanford, Mariah

Michelangelo Signorile talks to Barney Frank on gay rights issues, DOMA, etc.

Astronaut Alan Bean now paints the moon.

Mariah Carey wins Photoshop Lifetime Achievement Award for new album cover.

Queens, NY man killed over gay hustler fee.

If Daniel Radcliffe wanted to shock people, he wouldn't go nude, he'd play a gay drug dealer.

Thousands march peacefully in Jerusalem Gay Pride parade: "In past years, the gay pride event in the holy city provoked violent protests, even stabbings, by ultra-Orthodox Jews and extremists. But this year, except for one egg-throwing incident, there were no clashes. Police said they arrested the egg-tossing protester. Others put up signs and demonstrated in an ultra-Orthodox section of Jerusalem, far away from the parade."

Poland gets openly gay rabbi.

New technology creates model of unborn child using ultrasound.

Perez Hilton sues Black Eyed Peas manager, apologizes for using slur. Matthew Shepard Foundation rejects donation from Hilton: "We do not know the details of the lawsuit, whether it has been filed, the nature of his claims or the likely outcome. But because the lawsuit presumably involves the physical attack prompted by Mr. Hilton's admitted use of an anti-gay slur, the Foundation will be unable to accept any funds obtained in such a manner."

Madonna reveals title and release date of upcoming greatest hits album.

Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, Idaho's only gay legislator, kicks off first-ever Pride Week in Twin Falls: "Tuesday's evening event downtown at Pandora's drew about 60 people. LeFavour commended the group on holding the event in a conservative area not known for progressive politics. 'To see this community do what you are doing this year - and against all odds - is so powerful,' she said. 'And I can't overstate how powerful it is to changing policy in the state of Idaho. Nothing gives me more hope than what is happening this week.'"

Governor Mark Sanford and mistress: emails. Rush Limbaugh says South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford's infidelity is Obama's fault.

Almost Famous: 24 hours with Max Steele.

In case you were wondering: models do diet.

More insight into the phone call the Obama administration had with senior members of the LGBT Caucus: "We expect our president to lead, not follow. Support is something you do when you run for president. Actually work towards passage of legislation is something you do when you ARE president. What has Barack Obama done since taking office to advance ENDA? And finally, not a word about the anti-gay DOJ brief comparing us to incest and pedophilia. Apparently, we don't even merit an explanation, let alone an apology."

Eddie Cibrian tools around on his hog.

Alexis Arquette hangs around with 'Hung' dude Thomas Jane.

Randi Reitan: I ask President Obama for full equality for my gay son. "My youngest child is gay. As parents we were ignorant about homosexuality when Jacob came out to us as a 16 year old young man eleven years ago. We embraced him and we told him we loved him that night, but we were clueless about what it meant to be gay. We had to educate ourselves. Another part of your message on Sunday addressed the importance of education. I ask you now to educate yourself about homosexuality."

News: Bruno, EHarmony, Cuba, Eric Balfour, Old New York, Footloose

EHarmony launches gay matchmaking service as a result of settlement in discrimination lawsuit: "It's not a comfortable fit for EHarmony's founder, Neil Clark Warren, who based the original service -- which requires applicants to fill out lengthy questionnaires -- on his own practice as a psychologist. 'It's what I did for 40 years,' said Warren, 74, who is retired but remains on the board. 'I never had a gay couple.'"

Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno slapped with NC-17 rating over gay sex.

"Ex-gay" therapy group can't rid themselves of shame: "The assumption of these men is that if they can work through a childhood issue that they believe led them to being attracted to other men, they will be able to live as heterosexuals. That notion runs counter to the notion that people are born gay and can't change. None of the men in the group felt comfortable to talk with The Bee."

Wingnuts Lou Sheldon and Andrea Lafferty on what might happen if gays are allowed in the military: "Imagine the impact that the rampant spread of STDs, including HIV would have on the military? How will the military handle the spread of these diseases in the barracks? How will the military handle sodomy in battlefield situations?"

Do-It-Yourself: Is this where magazines are headed?

STUDY: Police across Europe unequipped to deal with homophobic crimes. "The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights said police in most countries were incapable of dealing with homophobic crime -- ranging from verbal abuse to deadly attacks -- and said many governments and schools failed to take it seriously enough. This creates a vicious circle, with victims preferring to remain 'invisible' rather than being open about their sexual orientation or reporting abuse to authorities, the study showed."

Chace Crawford to replace Zac Efron in Footloose remake?

Mariela Castro launches anti-homophobia campaign in Cuba: "The 2009 campaign for respect for freedom of sexual orientation, under the slogan "Diversity is Natural", will try to contribute to 'the education of society in general, with an emphasis on university students, about respect for people's free and responsible sexual orientation and gender identity, as an exercise in equity and social justice.'"

Affleck and Damon, BFFs.

The UK has a gay Apprentice candidate.

Actor Eric Balfour wearing a sock during some strange Red Hot Chilli Peppers parody at Here lounge in L.A. (possibly NSFW)

Snow Patrol fight back against accusations they're dull: "Jonny fights fires. Tom (Simpson, keyboardist) toils shirtless on construction sites, Paul (Wilson, bassist) is in the Navy Reserve. Nathan (Connolly, guitarist) is a volunteer policeman and I explore my Cherokee ancestry. We're like the Village People, only slightly less gay."

Eddie Cibrian's boyband past comes back to haunt him.

Early daguerrotype image of New York City sells for $62,500 at auction.

California Libertarian Party backs effort to replace the word "marriage" with "domestic partnership" throughout California law.

L.A.'s Outfest Film Festival shakes up leadership: "Kirsten Schaffer, formerly director of programming and deputy director for the Los Angeles-based organization, replaces Todd Heustess who had been in the job just seven months." 

Oprah's boarding school in South Africa rocked by lesbian sexual harassment scandal.

Eddie Cibrian's Steamy Shower Scene

No doubt everyone who has been watching Ugly Betty this season was pleased last night that they're using Eddie Cibrian and his dimples to their full potential.

Much more to come, AFTER THE JUMP...