Gay Pride Weekend Wrap

Wedded bliss was a special focus of San Francisco’s 38th Annual Pride Parade, the first to be held after the California Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage. The Dykes on Bykes tossed bouquets and San Fran Mayor Gavin Newsom was greeted like a rock star. Gay icons Cyndi Lauper and Margaret Cho were among celebrity attendees. Crowds were said to be "larger-than-usual." Full photo album here.

According to The Canadian Press, members of the Canadian Armed Forces participated in Gay Pride for the first time in Toronto, whose parade featured a grand marshal (Gareth Henry) who fled Jamaica after being persecuted for his sexual orientation.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota attracted an estimated 125,000 celebrants, including an exceptionally proud terrier (who I hope was dyed humanely).

Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade went off without a hitch Sunday. Themed "Live, Love, Be Proud," the parade’s grand marshal was ex-marine Eric Alva (pictured), the first American casualty from the Iraq War and an openly gay man.

German Pride celebrated its 30th year by kicking off for the first time from the former East Berlin. One special participant was 95-year-old Rudolf Brazda, a survivor of Buchenwald concentration camp:

"It was a terrible time. I must say that I feel as though I were in paradise in this democratic society."

Other European Pride events held on Saturday included some in countries "seeing gatherings of gays and lesbians for the first time." At the Czech Republic’s first Pride, three people were jailed for throwing fireworks at some of the 500 marchers. Five dozen skinheads were arrested in Bulgaria for attempting to derail that country’s event.

Paris Pride was organized around "homophobia at school" and drew about 700,000. But why talk about it when you can just take a look?

Finally, marchers in Calcutta, New Delhi and Bangalore celebrated Gay Pride, marking the first parades in the latter two Indian cities. "Several hundred" participants were reported at the events, which were staged in advance of arguments before a Delhi High Court to overturn the antiquated law—Section 377—forbidding any sex that is "against the order of nature." Indians are rarely locked up for homosexuality, but the legal punishment is up to 10 years.

Gay-rights activist and New Delhi organizer Lesley Esteves says:

"Discrimination is widespread because there is no protection or law or societal understanding. There's discrimination in the workplace; there's discrimination in the family—it's on every level."

At least some of the onlookers were just there for the music.

As usual, there will likely be a dull roar from some gay quarters that Gay Pride isn’t necessary because being gay is nothing to be "proud" of (overlooking that it’s the suggestion to be ashamed that these events are counteracting) or that it’s counterproductive because all the "freaks" come out. I agree with JoeMyGod’s annual rant: "They wish we were invisible. We’re not. Let’s dance."

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Largest Pink Triangle to Top San Francisco's Twin Peaks

A pink triangle to be installed at the top of San Francisco's Twin Peaks (image via flickr user Madein1953) will be so large this year it will be visible from 20 miles away.

The installation,meant to commemorate gay victims of the Holocaust, has been in place every Pride weekend since 1995.

The installation begins this Saturday morning and volunteers are requested. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will be speaking at the event as well as Assemblyman Mark Leno, Senator Carole Migden, Supervisor Tom Ammiano, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Treasurer José Cisneros, and German Consul General Rolf Schütte.

The Pink Triangle [official site]

Related
Berlin's Monument to Gay Holocaust Victims: The Kiss Revealed [tr]

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News: Polo, Jeff Gannon, Jerusalem, Sacha Baron-Cohen, Banksy

With Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem set for Thursday, Haredim choose this year to avoid public protest.

Mario Lopez attempts to recreate a classic.

VV: Why isn't anyone fucking anymore? "The city has shut down all but two bathhouses and every known sex club in Manhattan, as well as citing bars, clubs, and private parties where inspectors find any men-on-men action. The few entrepreneurs still out there complain about apathy and different priorities among younger gay men."

Nomination of homophobic surgeon general James Holsinger may be dead: "Sen. Jim Bunning (R., Ky.), a staunch supporter of surgeon general nominee James W. Holsinger Jr., suggested yesterday that the doctor’s quest for the top U.S. medical post is at an end. During a telephone news conference, Bunning said he doubted the nomination would move forward. He cited the Democratic leadership’s blockage of several Bush administration-backed judicial appointments. 'They are not moving any positions of consequence,' he said."

May 15: Universal sets release date for Sacha Baron-Cohen comedy about gay Austrian journalist Bruno.

Banksy works exceed expectations at London urban art auctions.

Washington Times columnist >Wes Pruden cavalier over millions of AIDS deaths: "We were all supposed to be dead now, done in by AIDS, the gift of the gays. After that it was SARS, bequeathed to the world by China. Then it was avian flu, which, to be fair to the alarmists, did in fact result in the deaths of millions. The millions were all chickens, true, but chickens have feelings, too. You could ask the folks at PETA."

Rex Wockner chronicles the same-sex marriages in San Diego in photos.

Prince Harry gets in uniform to honor Britain's fallen.

Gay Polo League plays in first tournament ever.

Slate: Gay culture war about to turn chemical. "If the idea of chemically suppressing homosexuality in the womb horrifies you, I have bad news: You won't be in the room when it happens. Parents control medical decisions, and surveys indicate that the vast majority of them would be upset to learn that their child was gay. Already, millions are screening embryos and fetuses to eliminate those of the "wrong" sex. Do you think they won't screen for the 'wrong' sexual orientation, too?"

Cristiano Ronaldo and the sweet taste of success.

Keanu Reeves frolics in the surf.

LETTER: The full letter from The Rt Rev Richard Chartres to Rev Martin Dudley following Dudley's marriage of two gay priests.

Jeff Gannon now blogging at the National Press Club.

Germany divided over prospect of gay Lutheran bishop: " Horst Gorski, a senior cleric from Hamburg, is standing for the post of bishop of Schleswig in northern Germany against Gerhard Ulrich, a senior cleric from the Schleswig area. The incumbent bishop is retiring in September. Gorski is a widely respected theologian and he helped set up a centre for gay and lesbian Lutheran pastors. His open homosexuality angers some Lutheran conservatives who argue his election as bishop would leave many Christians with no spiritual home."

Pittsburgh paper: Rural gays isolated, but still stigmatized.

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Berlin's Monument to Gay Holocaust Victims: The Kiss Revealed

Just a bit more on the memorial that was unveiled yesterday in memory of gay victims of the Holocaust in Berlin. One of the clips below is the actual unveiling.In the other clip, the artists who created the monument, Berlin-based Norwegian-Danish artist duo Ingar Dragset and Michael Elmgreen, talk about the idea behind their design, and why featuring an endless loop video of a male couple kissing which is viewed as you peer through the tiny window, was important to them. Makes perfect sense.
(image above via daily dish)

And you're probably curious to see exactly what that clip looks like. You can watch it,
AFTER THE JUMP...

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Major Monument to Gay Holocaust Victims Unveiled Today in Berlin [tr]

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Major Monument to Gay Holocaust Victims Unveiled Today in Berlin

A monument remembering gays persecuted by the Nazi regime was unveiled in preparation for a ceremony today in Berlin which was presided over by Germany's federal commissioner for culture, Bernd Neumann, and openly gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

Below, Neumann and Wowereit peer into the monument.

The monument consists of a 3.6 meter-high, 1.9 meter-wide pillar containing a small window through which can be seen a one and a half minute film loop of two men kissing, directed by the Danish director Thomas Vinterberg. Vinterberg directed the 1998 film The Celebration.

A still from the film loop is below.

And here's another shot of the monument, which sits half a block from the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin's Tiergarten Park, across from the Jewish Holocaust memorial.

According to Deustche Welle, "Originally it was debated whether homosexuals should be included in the larger memorial before the decision was made to give homosexuals their own monument. But the design corresponds to the Holocaust Memorial's field of steles, a series of concrete blocks of varying sizes. While the Nazi persecution of the Jews is well known, for many years there was little public acknowledgement of Nazi atrocities towards homosexuals. Estimates put the number of homosexuals arrested by Nazis at about 54,000 with 7,000 being killed in concentration camps. 'It is not easy for a gay man to live in this country and this society. It's important to remember that this society punished homosexuality for 20 years after National Socialism ended,' said Günter Dworek of the Federation of Gays and Lesbians in Germany (LSVD), a driving force behind the project."

The monument was designed by Berlin-based Norwegian-Danish artist duo Ingar Dragset and Michael Elmgreen (below).

One more shot AFTER THE JUMP...

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Harvey Milk Bust Has Coming Out Party [tr]

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Berlin Dedicates Riverbank to Gay Rights Activist Magnus Hirschfeld

Yesterday, on the 75th anniversary of the day Nazis broke into his offices and burned hundreds of books, Berlin dedicated a stretch of the Spree River to sex researcher and gay rights activist Magnus Hirschfeld.

Deustche Welle reports: "Hirschfeld had founded the world's first institute dedicated to fighting discrimination against homosexuals. He went into exile in France and died there in 1935. The stretch of river bank named after Hirschfeld is near his former institute. According to Germany's Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD) and the Mitte district of Berlin, where 'Marcus-Hirschfeld-Ufer' is located, a bronze monument to Hirschfeld will also be erected along the river. The Charite hospital also commemorated Hirschfeld with an exhibition which opened on Tuesday at its Medical Historical Museum. Called 'Sex Burns,' the exhibition focuses on Hirschfeld's work and his persecution by the Nazis."

Alexander Zinn, head of Germany's Lesbian and Gay Association, called the dedication "a first step in the right direction" in acknowledging gay persecution by the Nazi regime.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #273

ANNIE LENNOX: Her performance of "Many Rivers to Cross" on last night's Idol Gives Back.

VERBOTENE LIEBE: The German version of Luke and Noah, but these guys get to kiss, a lot.

PREVIOUSLY ON LOST: What? Yeah, I wonder the same thing most of the time.

DAFT PUNK BOYS: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Passenger Recounts Landing of Airbus A320 in Viral Video

Monday I posted a clip of the Lufthansa flight from Munich to Hamburg which made a scary runway approach in crosswinds triggered by Storm Emma. Now there's a clip online of a passenger who was on the flight talking about the landing, and about watching it on video.

Watch it AFTER THE JUMP...

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White Knuckles: Airbus Landing Attempt During Storm Emma

Check out this clip of Lufthansa flight LH44 from Munich attempting to land on Saturday in Hamburg during extreme crosswinds from Storm Emma. The Airbus A320 eventually landed on another attempt at a different runway, but can you imagine being on that thing?

Clip after the JUMP...

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News: John Krasinski, Lobsters, Bavarian King, John Barrowman

Former employee of Goodyear wins $4.4 million in sexual orientation harassment lawsuit: "According to the suit, Sheffield neither hid nor flaunted her sexual orientation until her former manager encouraged her to bring her partner to an annual company dinner, where she received an 'adverse reaction' from another store manager, In 2003, her former boss was replaced by a new district manager, defendant Randy Reich, and a new service manager, David Johnson, was assigned to the store, the suit claims. Johnson 'immediately let it be known ... that he knew Sheffield was gay and did not like gays,' the suit claims. When Sheffield learned that Johnson carried a gun to work she confronted him about it and he confirmed it and threatened to pull it out and to urinate on her, she claimed in the suit."

Iggy, the dog Ellen DeGeneres cast off to much publicity, is about to bark off in a new PSA to bring awareness to the importance of pet adoption.

Yale University Dramatic Association targeted by homophobic graffiti: "At approximately 1:30 a.m. last Wednesday morning, a group of undergraduates involved in the Yale Dramatic Association found the words “drama fags” on the wall, located near the York Street side of the theater. 'It’s unacceptable,' Drama School Dean James Bundy said. 'It is deeply disturbing. I hope we find out who did it and I hope we can do everything in our power to make sure it never happens again.' Bundy said he was unaware of the incident before he was informed by the News on Sunday. Although most of the spray paint has been removed from the building, traces of the words are still visible five days later."

Next time you decide to broil that crustacean alive, you might want to think about whether or not you're causing it pain. The debate continues...

Australian gay activist dumped from Labor Party after physically intimidating the wife of the Environment Minister: "Mr Burns later described Mrs Turnbull in an email to Mr Turnbull as a 'fag hag impersonator of a wife' and condemning the minister as 'a weak and pathetic excuse for a human being'. The tirade came as the battle for the gay vote heats up in Mr Turnbull's Sydney seat of Wentworth, where Labor's candidate George Newhouse is polling strongly."

North Carolina Baptists set to expel church that welcomes gay people: "If all goes as expected, the 4,000-plus attendees at the Baptist State Convention will vote Tuesday morning to cast out Myers Park Baptist -- but only after short speeches from two of the church's leaders. One -- Nancy Walker, secretary to the church's board of deacons -- is a lesbian."

Some NSFW preview news on the upcoming season of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency.

John Krasinski shoots some retro hoops for Men's Health.

New evidence surfaces suggesting "gay, wildly eccentric" King Ludwig II of Bavaria was murdered: "The real cause of King Ludwig's death has been a mystery ever since his body, together with that of his psychiatrist, was dragged from Lake Starnberg on 13 June, 1886. But the official version, which holds that he committed suicide by drowning, has never been completely refuted. Now, 111 years after the king's death, new evidence has surfaced which suggests that the builder of Neuschwanstein castle and many other bizarrely romantic architectural follies was murdered. The details are convincing enough to increase calls for the House of Wittelsbach, King Ludwig's family, to allow his body to be exhumed from its tomb in St Michael's Church in Munich to enable a new and conclusive post-mortem examination to be conducted."

Congratulations to Joe.My.God for winning the Best LGBT Blog at the 2007 Weblog Awards.

Queerty pays a video visit to the OUT 100 celebration.

POETRY: Is Pakistan's educational curriculum the target of a plant by the Bush administration? "In December 2005, a Pakistani youth discovered that the first letter of each line of a poem in his English primer spelled out the name of "P-R-E-S-I-D-E-N-T G-E-O-R-G-E B-U-S-H." The anonymous poem -- called "The Leader" -- listed the qualities of a great statesman in a series of painfully stiff rhyming couplets."

AfterElton takes a critical listen of a new musical offering from openly gay actor John Barrowman: "...most fans of the openly gay Torchwood and Doctor Who actor are likely to be aware that he has a background in musical theater, having appeared in shows from Anything Goes to Sunset Boulevard in London’s West End. The new album, a set of covers which put an easy-listening spin on classic pop, soft rock, and yes, musical theater numbers might therefore seem to be displaying a fairly recognizable side of Barrowman, as opposed to, say, an album full of heavy-metal music.

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News: Adam Levine, Bigot of the Year, Writer's Strike, Thailand

Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner and partner Matt Nye are expecting twins in January.

Daughter of anti-gay leader Amy Contrada (MassResistance) comes out of the closet: "I am a lesbian, which my mom still does not get. She just says that I am confused. I realized in around eighth grade, but I was in denial for quite some time because I was scared due to my mother constantly saying that homosexuality is wrong. How can it ever be wrong to love though? That’s what I’d like to know."

Reuters discovers that some Republicans are gay!

Scientist tweak gene in mice to create "mighty mouse": "Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have genetically engineered mice that outrun, outlive, and out-eat ordinary mice while staying lean, light, and fertile well into old age...A major unanswered question, Hanson's team notes, is what brain changes accompany the genetically engineered mice's hyped-up activity."

Ellen DeGeneres takes on the holiday as a "not pregnant" Jennifer Lopez.

Maroon 5's Adam Levine dresses down for slut-o-ween.

Daniel Radcliffe confirmed for Equus on Broadway in September 2008: "... it took months of negotiations to secure a deal with the theatre-owning Shubert Organisation and for the producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers to sort out all the paperwork for the play's two leading men to perform in New York. Director Thea Sharrock will begin rehearsals next August."

Get ready for more Reality TV: Hollywood writers to strike for the first time in almost 20 years - "We've never been more united and we are willing to deal -- and our decision makers are at the table. Their decision makers are not at the table, and that tells you pretty much all you need to know about how the companies are pushing this."

Royal blackmailer Ian Strachan to apply for bail: "Lawyers representing Ian Strachan, 30, are due to make an application behind closed doors at the Old Bailey. A previous application last week was adjourned after a few minutes because the lawyers needed more time to prepare. Strachan is not expected to attend but will be released from Belmarsh prison, south-east London, if bail is granted."

Bishop wins Bigot of the Year award from UK gay rights group Stonewall: "An employment tribunal in Cardiff in April heard how youth worker John Reaney, 42, was left feeling humiliated after a two-hour interview during which the bishop grilled him about a previous gay relationship. The tribunal decided Mr Reaney had been a victim of unfair dismissal and awarded damages against the Church of England."

On Wednesday I posted about the latest hustler to bring down a Republican hypocrite, and his porn past. Fleshbot has a big round-up of Cody Castagna's adult activities (NSFW).

SLOG reads the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report, and it's quite terrifying.

Munich version of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin features drag queens and Brokeback Mountain references. It's not being received well: "There is no novelty value left in the outing of Tchaikovsky. Half-naked cowboys and men in ballgowns are cheap cliches. An exploration of the two men's relationship is legitimate, since it is one of the opera's deepest and certainly its most tragic. With more subtlety and professionalism, it might have worked."

Thai gay activist says he was refused insurance because he is gay: "Natee Teerarojjanapongs, president of the Gay Political Group of Thailand, said he had tried to buy a policy from AIA sales agent Pachara Pipatwong on Sunday. However, after Pachara called to consult an AIA official who liaises with the company's agents, Natee was told he could not do so because he was gay. 'AIA is violating the 2007 Constitution, as it is restricting my rights. [Pachara] told me the official said AIA policy stated that it did not give homosexuals insurance,' Natee said after speaking to the council, which met to monitor how the new Constitution was being implemented. 'I'm willing to let them give me a full health check if they think that I'm in a high-risk group. There's no reason to deny me and other gays or transvestites life insurance. We are educated like others in society. Not all of us engage in risky behaviour,' he said."

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Ghost of the Berlin Wall Reappears

A new installation has gone up in Berlin adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate. "Vanished Berlin Wall" is an illuminated art piece by Korean Artist Eun Sook Lee that will be up until November 9, the anniversary of the wall's destruction.

She said that she hopes, in addition to reminding German's of the wall that divided their nation and the world, it will also remind some of the political situation in Korea.

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Sharks Prefer Justin Timberlake Over Britney Spears When Mating

German scientists at Sea Life entre aquariums conducted an experiment to see if playing music would get sharks in the mood for sex because they had observed a slowdown in breeding. What they discovered was that not only did music do the trick, the sharks had preferences of one artist over another:

"James Last, Justin Timberlake and Salt-N-Pepa are among the artists who get the sharks in the mood for love beneath the waves but Britney Spears left them cold. The experiment, conducted by 10 Sea Life centres in Germany was launched because of a slowdown in the breeding of captive sharks in the country...For the study, each Sea Life Centre played two hours of music a day. Each site played a different title, from classic to rock to hip-hop. Visitors and Sea Life staff were asked to watch the behaviour of the sharks. In Konstanz and Dresden, visitors watched the typical courtship behaviour of sharks. The creatures followed and bit each other in their fins. At the Timmendorfer Strand aquarium, it looked as if the sharks were dancing to the rhythm of the music. Jens Hirzig, display supervisor at Sea Life Timmendorf, said: 'The creatures swam around each other and it seemed that they were dancing with each other while listening to Joe Cocker. But what surprises us especially was that we discovered 50 eggs. This makes us very happy.'"

And strangely enough, while dancing to Cocker, they left their hats on.

A few of the various Sea Centres' results after the jump:

"Salt-N-Pepa "Push It"

The sharks in Speyer loved the song and 50 eggs of the cat sharks and dogfish have been seen.

Joe Cocker "You Can Leave Your Hat On"

A success in Timmendorf with 50 eggs of dogfish and hammerhead sharks.

James Last "Traumschiff"

Cat sharks in Dresden 'got in the mood' and pursued females but there is no evidence of pregnancies yet.

Justin Timberlake "Rock Your Body"

Zebra sharks in Konstanz were seen to be 'courting each other heavily'."

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News: Nancy Grace, Seattle Bears, Scientology, Tim McGraw, Kylie

Human Rights Campaign launches "Back Story" blog.

Isaiah Washington will join Larry King on Monday, July 2. Meanwhile, Washington has reportedly been in Talks with NBC about a possible deal, but those talks have stalled.

TAB: Hook-handed convicted terrorist Abu Hamza realizes his nurse is gay after two years and is now refusing treatment. Source: "The nurse is upset about it. He has spent the last couple of years doing everything for Hamza, even wiping his bottom. It shows how little respect Hamza has for others. The nurse dresses him, washes him, cleans his teeth, cuts his toenails, trims his beard and applies ointment for his skin disorder. His nurse is open about being gay. He even speaks with a camp voice. His nickname is Queenie. Hamza has been refusing treatment while he is on duty but he won't be able to keep that up because it is causing him a great deal of discomfort."

Democrats Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) urge State Department to rehire discharged gay Arabic translators: “We are writing to urge the Department of State to take a specific step — the hiring of our unfairly dismissed, language-qualified soldiers — so our nation might salvage something positive from the lamentable results of this benighted policy."

Kylie Minogue fever hits Manchester as artifact exhibit arrives.

Armistead Maupin talks about his keepsake dragon and the years he spent in Vietnam.

CNN's Nancy Grace announces that she secretly married - with twins. 'Thank you, friend'.

Tim McGraw also shows off his baby bump.

Cult members not allowed: Tom Cruise banned from shooting hitler film in Germany because he belongs to Scientology. "The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. Defence Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers 'will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult.'"

Seattle Bears win Slog Pride Parade awards: "This two-sided float, created by Northwest Bears, was the crowd favorite. Hell, it made both of Seattle’s daily papers, displacing the usual shots of drag queens and half-naked lesbians on Harleys. Featuring a tub full of hairy daddies covered in suds, 'Bears, Bath and Beyond' was funny and sexy, camp and butch, and the unanimous choice of our judges."

Contrary to some reports, The View has actually lost viewers since Rosie O'Donnell's departure, to the tune of 400,000: "According to figures obtained from Nielsen/Soundscan by our research department, 'The View' sank like a stone during the first two weeks of June, right after Rosie left. Indeed, 'The View' suffered a 13 percent decline in household ratings, and a 9 percent decline in overall ratings during the combined weeks of June 4 and 11 compared with Rosie's last two weeks."

WWE star Chris Benoit in double homicide-suicide: "The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre."

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Gay 'Crime of Passion' Killing Reported in Canary Islands

A 39-year-old British man from Edinburgh, Scotland is being held in the stabbing death of a German man Karl Heinz Thonningen, 44, in the Playa Del Ingles resort in Gran Canaria.

According to the Edinburgh News: "Spanish police, who only reveal the initials of suspects, have identified the arrested man as EB. They then passed the case on to a Spanish judge to investigate, and the man, who has not been charged, is due to appear in court in private later today or tomorrow. The area of the killing is packed with bustling gay bars and Mr Thonningen is understood to have gone on a night out while his partner stayed in the hotel. At about 5am, he was walking along a quiet street called Calle Timple where he was staying with friends, when he was attacked and stabbed through the heart. His body was found by another holiday-maker who immediately called police. Forensic officers cordoned off the area but have been unable to trace a murder weapon. Ambulances attended the scene but according to reports, Mr Thonningen had suffered a violent attack and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him."

The attacker, EB, was discovered after the attack in a drug-induced coma and authorities believe it was a suicide attempt. They also believe that the attack was motivated by EB's discovery that his victim was in a long-term relationship.

According to unconfirmed reports, both EB and Thonningen were at the resort with their respective partners.

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Leonardo DiCaprio Working with Icebergs Again

Leonardo DiCaprio is back on the ice for the "Green Issue" of Vanity Fair. This time his co-star is not Kate Winslet but Knut, the Berlin Zoo's born-in-captivity polar bear cub. The last time we saw DiCaprio clinging to an iceberg the situation was Hollywood from an entirely fictional perspective. Icebergs have driven DiCaprio's career, onscreen and off.

The Annie Leibowitz shoot did have its bit of Hollywood "magic". While DiCaprio was shot at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, in southeast Iceland, Knut was shot against a green screen in Berlin and inserted into the image.

Knut has become an international star and symbol for the plight of polar bears since his public debut on March 23, with much credit to YouTube.

I just hope that with all the glamming up of global warming, the message doesn't become lost in the trendy landscape. But if this is the only way it's going to grab the public's attention, I'm all for it.

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News: Second Life, German Moon, Meth Principal, Daniel Radcliffe

Honolulu Star Bulletin blasts non-vote on Hawaii same-sex union legislation: "More than 400 people submitted written or oral testimony on the bill and deserved the courtesy of a committee vote on the issue. Committee Chairman Tommy Waters' later said he chose not to call for a vote because most committee members opposed the bill, and he wanted to leave open the possibility of a compromise. That seems highly unlikely, given the strident polarization on the issue...The muzzling of the legislation by the Judiciary Committee was an affront to gay couples, who deserve a recorded vote and an explanation for the rejection of the measure."

Ex-boyfriend sighting inspires Lance Bass to dash for the door at West Hollywood Oscar party.

Florida city manager fired over sex-change operation: "Steve Stanton professed his love for the city and asked the people of Largo to support his decision to undergo a sex change and allow him to keep his $140,000-a-year job as city manager. To his sorrow, the answer came back no. Almost 500 people packed City Hall on Tuesday night for a special meeting to decide if they would accept someone named Susan instead of Steve as their top official. And while many spoke eloquently in his defense, more called for his ouster."

Not only was the principal dealing meth from his office, cops apparently found him naked playing with sex toys and watching gay porn. No doubt the Fundies will have a field day with this one.

The Dallas/Ft. Worth area is getting a really gay radio station.

Germany says they are ready to join the space race: " The head of the German Space Programme (DLR), Walter Doellinger, told the Financial Times Deutschland that it would be ready by 2013 to send an unmanned space shuttle to orbit the earth's only natural satellite."

Boy George writing songs for Kylie Minogue.

Been itching to see a bit more of Daniel Radcliffe (and not the photoshopped variety)? Well, here's a little more...

The sound of crickets at John Edwards' Second Life campaign headquarters.

This compendium of articles on Buzzfeed is so gay.

For the first time in 12 years, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus will devote a concert entirely to classical music.

More than 60 nations begin "International Polar Year" investigation of Arctic and Antarctic: "During the United Nations-backed International Polar Year, about 50,000 experts will be involved in hundreds of projects, such as studying Antarctic marine life or measuring ice from satellites."

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German Chopped Up in Egypt After Refusing to Pay for Gay Sex

An Egyptian pharmaceutical company employee confessed to murdering and chopping up a German drama teacher after he allegedly refused to pay the man for sex.

Mustapha Maher left the remains of the teacher, an expat instructing drama students in Cairo, in a suitcase on a rocky plateau overlooking Cairo.

"Police were able to identify the victim and the alleged perpetrator because the dead man, who taught at a German school in Cairo, had been packed into the case along with his cellphone."

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Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit: "The Roof is On Fire!"

Gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit is being hailed for his quick action on New Year's Eve after spotting a fire on the roof of his apartment building and quickly running from door to door to warn its residents.

Said neighbour Gerd Luetjen: "We were sitting there eating our chocolate fondue when he rang the bell and shouted 'The building is on fire!' I tried to warn other neighbours but Wowereit had already been everywhere."

The fire was extinguished, and Wowereit, who had been celebrating with his partner Joern Kubicki, treated his neighbors to Champagne in a nearby restaurant. There was no word on whether it was served in women's shoes.

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German "Don't Lose Your Head" AIDS Campaign Means to Shock

A new German campaign promoting condom usage that warns "It's easy to lose your head when you're horny" is raising eyebrows. It's also fairly creepy.

The campaign features a series of images of headless torsos in sexual positions. View the gay image after the jump. It's not necessarily SFW.

View the entire campaign here.

Here's a clip of the hetero TV campaign:

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News: Pink Elephant, JC Chasez, Clinton Tears

Gay German couple attacked in Croatia: "The two German men, ages 20 and 39, were beaten late on Wednesday while walking on a street in Split, a police spokeswoman told AFP. The 39-year-old suffered serious injuries and needed medical treatment for a broken nose, she said. According to local media, the two were holding hands when they were attacked. It was the fourth attack against gay and lesbian tourists in the Split area since July."

Banksy's painted elephant, as suspected, has angered animal welfare activists: "Here we have an endangered species. And we're taking it and moving it into a warehouse and painting it. It's a mockery. There's no reason. This isn't a religious ceremony in India." The elephant's trainer disagrees: "Tai has done many, many movies. She's used to makeup."

Google and Apple in "video talks" over content deal for new iTV streaming device. Apple iPhone on track for early 2007.

Letter to government from Indian luminaries: repeal 145-year-old law criminalizing gay sex. Letter: “In independent India, as earlier, this archaic and brutal law has served no good purpose. It has been used to systematically persecute, blackmail, arrest and terrorize sexual minorities. It has spawned public intolerance and abuse, forcing tens of millions of gay and bisexual men and women to live in fear and secrecy, at tragic cost to themselves and their families.”

Janet Jackson stages comeback as neo-Barbarella.

Gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit wins re-election handily.

Here's what we'll ask: Do the unambiguously gay duo have more love for each other or for the cameras?

That other former N-Syncer JC Chasez looking dapper at last week's Heatherette show.

Bill Clinton escorts casket at Ann Richards funeral, cries, pays tribute: "First she was big. Big hair, big bright eyes, big blinding smile. She also had a big heart, big dreams. Big, big dreams."

In South Africa, a massive Christian protest against upcoming parliament vote on gay marriage: "The protests, spearheaded by the conservative African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), came days before a parliamentary committee holds hearings on a bill that would accord same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones."

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News: Ann Richards Dies, Julian McMahon, Banned Gay Books

Bill Clinton meets with liberal bloggers...

Gay novel Geography Club by Brent Hartinger, is second-most banned book of 2006, right after Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Last November, it was banned from a Tacoma, Washington school district because the school superintendent was upset that its plot depicted students using the internet as a way to meet. At least one parent disagreed: "It is about gay students. However, the most important part of the book is that it's about bullying, outcasts, about tolerance. This is a really good book for any student to read."

Could Whitney Houston have just made the smartest decision of her life? I think so.

Gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit (fondly known as "Wowi") headed for re-election this weekend.

Scottish MPs back gay adoption. Scottish pastor Ake Green warns constituents to beware of gay "evil forces."

Woman shoots herself one day after severe grilling from Nancy Grace.

Former Texas Governor Ann Richards dies at 73. Immediately identifiable by her shock of white hair and quick tongue, she served in that post from 1991-1995 and was defeated for re-election by George W. Bush. At the 1988 Democratic National Convention, she uttered the well-known line about his father, then Vice President: "Poor George, he can't help it...He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Nip/Tuck hunk Julian McMahon says he surprised his co-star Dylan Walsh with a kiss while they were filming: "Well, firstly, it wasn't meant to be a kiss. But I was enjoying Dylan's discomfort so much that I went for it. I've always said we should finish the show with this: Someone turns on the shower, and you see footsteps going in the back door (of Sean's house). Someone comes into the bathroom, and it's Christian visiting Sean. These are two guys who are obsessed with each other."

REPORT: China facing gay AIDS epidemic: “We are seeing the development of a culture in Shenzhen reminiscent of San Francisco 25 years ago which is challenging traditional Chinese values of conformism and acquiescence.”

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News: Stem Cells, Xtina, German Fisting, Pluto

The California Assembly approved a bill that would allow domestic partners to joint file income tax returns, but not before a shouting match between the bigots and the gays: ," said Assemblyman Jay La Seur, R-La Mesa (San Diego County): "Here we go again. In the time I've been up here, there have been 40 bills in this house to further the homosexual, gay agenda." Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy, R-Monrovia: "It is not normal. It is abnormal. It is sexually deviant behavior." Democrats reportedly called a caucus to stop the arguing and let everyone simmer down.

Scientists have found a way to create stem cells without destroying the embryo. The new, controversial technique involves taking a single-cell biopsy from an embryo, which then grows into many cells, some of which can be turned into embryonic stem cells. In question is whether or not the biopsy compromises the embryo already in development. Last month, Bush shamefully vetoed a bill that would have expanded funding for stem cell research.

Planet gossip: astronomers to vote on fate of Pluto.

Blind item from the email newsletter popbitch: Which gay actor was seen enjoying himself in another country last weekend? The star was in the darkroom of hip Berlin fetish bar Mutschmann's, getting fisted according to an onlooker, "by a Spanish-looking guy in his mid-thirties".

150 people are expected to take part in Pride festivities in Galway, Ireland this weekend despite a homophobic email received by organizers: "It was basically trying to put us off having the parade. It was trying to stop people from coming out over the weekend but it won't work. The email isn't going to make us change any of our plans for the weekend and why should it?"

Leaders in the South Australian government say they will introduce a gay rights bill in the next session of parliament.

The male version of who wore it best?

The new casts of The Amazing Race and Survivor, whose tribes will be split according to race. Said Producer Mark Burnett: "I know it’s going to be controversial. I’m not an idiot...Maybe that taboo (of race) could disappear through this." Good luck.

Christina Aguilera is a gay marriage supporter: "I'm shocked that it's a big deal! I'm shocked that people are shocked. I think it's really unfair that there has to be some kind of standard for marriage. Marriage should be about celebrating two people's love for each other. It shouldn't have anything to do with someone's sexual preference. Europe is a lot more open when it comes to sexuality. I think that with the history of European culture, there is a lot more openness to being provocative. I'm just all about no judgement and (having) equal rights." Like, totally.

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News: Johnny Weir Threats, Chicago Bathhouses, Jerusalem

Jerusalem WorldPride, which faced threats of violence and killing, is called off, for obvious reasons.

For the first time in its 19-year-history,