Rome, Zagreb, Warsaw, Athens: Gay Pride Across Europe

Many Gay Pride celebrations are taking place this weekend. One is in Rome:

"Costumed demonstrators carrying rainbow flags and signs reading 'freedom for all' attacked the conservative government of Premier Silvio Berlusconi. They demanded rights for same-sex couples and the recognition of gay marriage. Activists dressed as fake clergy with colorful hats and signs reading 'No Vatican' protested what they say is the church's excessive influence on Italy's policies."

One thousand took to the streets in Warsaw (right), 2,000 in Athens.

Zagreb, Croatia had a similar spirit but a much different tone (photo below):

"In Croatia, another mostly Roman Catholic country, about 500 gay activists marched through Zagreb. No violence was reported, but about 50 people held a counterdemonstration and shouted anti-gay slogans. One was led away by police after trying to break through a cordon that authorities had created around the Gay Pride parade to protect it."

Video of today's parade in Rome, AFTER THE JUMP (warning: nsfw moments)...

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Two arrests made in Oakland Park anti-gay assaults: "Victor Gonzalez, 21, and Pargu Leandro, 25, both of Deerfield Beach, were jailed in connection with the April 6 early morning attack that left Craig Cohen, 47, on life support and caused severe head injuries to David Villanova, 27. Gonzalez and Leandro each face attempted murder, battery and robbery charges" Background.

Turns out Gauguin may have cut off Van Gogh's ear, and may also have been seriously infatuated with him.

Teen arrested for swearing on 911 during emergency call for her seizing father.

Actor Dom DeLuise dies at 75.

Openly gay Iraq veteran Anthony Woods running for Ellen Tauscher's seat in Congress.

Vandals strike gay community center in Burlington, Vermont.

Little Britain to be feature film for Ben Stiller's production company Red Hour: "Creators & stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams have just finished penning a script for the film that sets the action in Las Vegas. 'We’re really happy with it, but the whole film project is still kind of dependent on how much we can raise our profiles in America' says Walliams."

Politico on Obama and the consideration of a lesbian Supreme Court Justice. But did we already have one?

Vote for the Worst is holding an auction to benefit Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. One of the items is a painting of Adam Lambert.

Fake memoirist James Frey has a "secret" about Oprah Winfrey, lost passage suggests.

David Ogden Stiers (Major Charles Winchester from M*A*S*H): I'm gay.

Classified. White House has no plans to release NYC Air Force One flyover photos: "So we're not gonna see the fruits of this cruel joke?"

Rebellious Iowa counties stir up opposition to marriage equality, call for resolution.

Writer-performer Mario Baldessari "sets out to slam bigotry" in D.C. production of Fat Gay Jew.

All the outfits at the MET's Costume Institute Gala.

Greek court rules same-sex weddings held on the island of Tilos last June invalid: "We will appeal within May ... but I fear the appeal court's decision won't be different, considering how conservative Greek courts are."

Paula Abdul's new single, "Here for the Music".

Curly-haired pigs.

Carrie Prejean gives Joe.My.God the tweet of death.

Quebec government supports LGBT seniors with $500,000 in projects: "Marguerite Blais, the cabinet minister responsible for seniors, and representatives of the gay and lesbian communities made the announcement in Montreal today. The new initiatives are centred around education campaigns that highlight the isolation felt by many homosexual seniors.Laurent McCutcheon of the gay helpline Gai Ecoute says homosexuality is taboo in many institutions which serve the elderly, leading many Quebec seniors to hide their sexual orientation. Blais says her support for the projects came after statements made during Quebec-wide public consultations in 2008 on issues facing the elderly."

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Openly gay singer Matt Alber to perform at gala dinner honoring Kevin Spacey.

Filming starts on U.S. remake of Ab Fab.

Congressman John Lewis on anti-gay discrimination: "It is unfortunate that a segment of our society fails to see that we all should be treated like human beings, that we all are citizens of the United States of America. I’ve taken the position and I’ve long held this position that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination base on race and color not to stand up and speak out against discrimination based on sexual orientation."

Sneak vote moves anti-gay adoption bill forward in Kentucky.

Great ad on parenting.

Philadelphia beauty school teacher wants fellow teacher fired for calling him a "faggot."

Vermont Psychological Association, the Vermont Psychiatric Association, the Vermont Association of Mental Health Counselors, and the Vermont chapter of the National Association of Social Workers show support for marriage equality, saying same-sex marriage helps children: "The group says allowing gay couples to marry validates their relationships, could reduce discrimination and increases benefits for the families."

Madonna and Jesus Luz dress up for Purim.

Rugby's Nick Youngquest on quest to be next gay sports undie icon.

"Vampire" discovered in mass grave in Venice, Italy.

Deported Ugandan gay asylum seeker back in the UK following judge's order to Home Office.

Pride & Joy: Well-known gay shop in Northampton, Massachusetts changes hands, will remain open.

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Stone-throwing chimp proves that animals plan for future events: "Crucial to the current study is the fact that Santino, a chimpanzee at the zoo in the city north of Stockholm, collected the stones in a calm state, prior to the zoo opening in the morning. The launching of the stones occurred hours later - during dominance displays to zoo visitors - with Santino in an 'agitated' state. This suggests that Santino was anticipating a future mental state - an ability that has been difficult to definitively prove in animals, according to Mathias Osvath, a cognitive scientist from Lund University in Sweden and author of the new research."

Kelly Clarkson is hitting all the morning shows so your life won't suck without her.

Conflict erupts between gay activists and orchestra and security staff at the Greek National Opera over request to cut male kiss from production of the opera Rusalka.

Trial begins for woman who plowed into crowd last August following fight at gay bar, killing one: "In addition to second-degree murder, Arena is charged with two counts each of first- and third-degree assault."

Earth entering climate change danger zone faster than anticipated?

Gay camp branches out in Canada.

Male Flesh Merges For Pope Benedict in Athens

 

Barack Obama and Pope Benedict have been celebrated by a fusion of nearly naked men (and a couple of women) atop a hill near the Acropolis in Athens:

"The work was inspired by fusionism which is an art form that combines abstract painting and choreographed performances. It is part of an art marathon. The plan is that one artist will be sent to a different country every year for the next 42 years to exhibit their work and create discussion on how art can make the world a better place. But it has not been easy for Dave. He said it took several days to create and plan the performance particularly the choreography, to make sure the picture fitted together properly. There was also a fair bit of re-touching when his art work got smudged. Dave said: 'This is really hard. Then it's the performance you have to plan and the painting... So I start at 8am and I'm still here.'"

Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Oklahoma lesbians denied divorce. Tulsa Beacon: "The bizarre case started when two women, reportedly 'married' in Canada filed for divorce in Tulsa. The divorce document, which had initials instead of first names, didn’t show that the two parties were both women. Cait O’Darling used the name 'C. O’Darling' in filing for the divorce from 'S. O’Darling,' who was later identified as Stephanie Meissen. O’Darling claims they were 'married' in Toronto in 2003. A judge unwittingly granted the divorce, thinking it was a man and a woman. He later vacated that decision and the two women appealed."

Huge crowd shows up for swearing in of new gay San Francisco Supervisor David Campos.

Assailant in election night rainbow flag attack was the legislative aide of Del. Jackson Miller (R-Prince William): "Bryan Fumagalli, 28, was arrested Nov. 22 on two counts of simple assault, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. 'I'm very disappointed in his actions,' Miller said today. 'He's being dealt with and being disciplined.' Police say Fumagalli assaulted one of two gay men who were walking outside the Capitol Hilton Hotel to a victory rally near the White House. They say he grabbed a rainbow flag, a gay rights symbol, from one of the men and assaulted him. Fumagalli has a court hearing Jan. 13."

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Prosecutor asks court to rule on the validity of Greek same-sex marriages, which were held on the island of Tilos in June.

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Massachusetts state trooper gives speeding ticket to woman in labor.

South Carolina school principal Eddie Walker, who said he would resign in May over the formation of a gay-straight alliance at his school, has apparently changed his mind.

John Waters names his top films of 2008.

Graham Norton to emcee Eurovision Song Contest.

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New Zealand neo-Nazi who killed gay man gets second life sentence for murder of South Korean backpacker.

Joe Satriani sues Coldplay for "Viva La Vida" plagiarism.

Prosecutors revisit charges in beating of gay men in Utah: "Salt Lake County prosecutors are taking another look at the case of two gay men who were severely beaten after one of them, David James Bell, allegedly kidnapped a neighbor's children. In August, prosecutors cited a lack of evidence and declined to file assault or burglary charges against the suspects in the attack, who are related to the children. But now, attorneys are again reviewing the beating, particularly the alleged attack on Bell's boyfriend, Dan Fair. Prosecutors are now reviewing the case 'under different theory,' said Deputy District Attorney Alicia Cook. She said no new facts have come to light."

Greek Activists Hold Same-Sex Marriage Protest

You may remember that back in June two same-sex couples were married on the Greek isle of Tilos, citing a law that did not specify gender with regard to weddings.

At the time, Greek Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis swiftly reacted, calling the marriages unlawful and 'non-existent.' The couples went to court but their case was postponed and is now due to be heard Thursday on the isle of Rhodes.

Yesterday, a peaceful protest was held in the plaza in front of the Greek parliament in Athens, the AP reports:

"Some 50 people took part in Monday's peaceful protest outside Parliament, with banners that read: 'Same-sex weddings are legal,' and 'I want to get married too.'"

One more shot, AFTER THE JUMP...