Brazilian Footballer Ronaldo: I'm Not Gay

Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, who plays for the Italian club AC Milan and has recently been caught up in controversy surrounding three transvestite prostitutes who allegedly tried to extort money from him, wants to make it clear that he's not gay.

Ronaldo told Brazilian TV: "My contract with Milan ends in June, after that, I am able to talk with whoever I want regarding my future. I already have a plan more or less laid out, and that is my dream to move to Flamengo, I know that the doors there will always be open for me. As for what happened, I did not have any sexual dealings with those people, I must stress that I am not gay. When I told my girlfriend, she started to shout, scream and swear at me, I think she’ll find it hard to forgive me."

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JC Chasez: The Fact of the Matter is I'm a Straight Guy

At last night's live finale of Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew, JC Chasez repeated assertions about his relationship with Chace Crawford to People: "You know what, it's laughable the first time. I think the tenth time, it gets annoying. I don't care about [people's] assumptions or anything, but when people outright lie, that's wrong. So I think that part of the rumor is outright stupid. The fact of the matter is I'm a straight guy and I'm allowed to have [guy] friends."

JC Chasez Calls Chace Crawford Rumors 'Annoying' [people]
(image source)

Previously
Chace Crawford and J.C. Chasez Hold 'Boys Party' in Hotel Cabana [tr]
JC Chasez and Chace Crawford: Attached at the Hip [tr]
Chace Crawford and J.C. Chasez Pretty Up Elton John's Oscar Bash [tr]

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George Clooney's Not Gay, But Did Have Botox on His Nuts

In the April 2008 issue of Esquire, George Clooney is taken on a tour of various websites which gossip about him, territory which proves ripe for commentary.

Clooney is asked about a site called "George Clooney is GAY, GAY, GAY". When asked about those rumors, Clooney responds, "No, I'm Gay, Gay. The third gay — that was pushing it."

Later in the interview, however, he does say that in a hypothetical girl-on-girl situation with Brad Pitt, he'd explore his homosexual side.

Said Clooney: "Well, you know, if I was a girl and he was a girl, and I was a lesbian and he was a lesbian, I'd be all over him."

Because a guy-on-guy situation, that's just sort of too far into triple-Gay territory.

Clooney also responds to comments made once by actor Rupert Everett to The Independent. Said Everett: "Clooney thinks that, provided he does films which are politically committed, he's allowed to do Ocean's 11, 12, and 13. But the Ocean's movies are a cancer to world culture. They're destroying us."

Responds Clooney: "You kind of go, dude, weren't you in Dunston Checks In?"

Finally, Clooney joked he's never had plastic surgery, except in one area:

"I did get my balls done, though. I got them unwrinkled. It's the new thing in Hollywood — ball ironing."

Clooney also shows up muddy in the new edition of T Men's Fashion magazine in the New York Times.

Previously
Steve Carell Puts Out for George Clooney [tr]
George Clooney Cruised By Toe-Tapper in the Men's Room [tr]
Fabio and George Clooney's West Hollywood Catfight [tr]
Matt Damon Jokes That George Clooney is Gay [tr]

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Spanish Deputy PM María Teresa Fernández de la Vega: I'm Not Gay

Spanish Deputy PM María Teresa Fernández de la Vega expressed relief to El Mundo newspaper that she finally had the opportunity to clear up rumors that she is secretly married to a female sportscaster:

"It’s a rumor about me that they’ve invented to do damage, using something that - hear me - I absolutely respect. I have no homophobia. But I’m not homosexual! If I were, I would have no problem in saying so. But it’s just that I’m not! I don’t know her, we’ve never seen each other in our lives, and they have me married to her!"

She says she is extremely happy to sit on her sofa at home, alone, and listen to music.

Spanish Deputy PM: I’m Not Gay [sf bay times]

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Silverchair Frontman Daniel Johns: I'm Not F------ Gay

Australian indie rock band Silverchair's frontman Daniel Johns took a moment during Sydney's Big Day Out music festival on Monday to relay a special message about who he screws around with.

The Herald Sun reports: "For the past few years, there's been speculation about Daniel Johns' sexuality. But the Silverchair frontman wants everyone to know - he's not gay. At Monday's Big Day Out at Flemington, Johns told the crowd in no uncertain terms that he's a red-blooded heterosexual male. 'I'm not f------ gay,' he said between songs. To show he doesn't care what anyone thinks, Johns wore a lacy garter on stage. The talk about his sexuality has been around for years, but intensified this month when his split from wife Natalie Imbruglia became public."

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Ne-Yo's Mom Will Kick Your Ass for Calling Him Gay

R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has now denied being gay for a third time, in an interview this month in Essence Magazine. Ne-Yo, who has written songs for Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Rihanna, says that just because he can "respect a woman's shoe game" doesn't make him gay.

Essence.com: Fortunately, your mom encouraged you to get a blood test done. You’ve said that your mom always looks out and was even ready to knuckle up when rumors first surfaced about you being gay.

N.Y.: (Laughs) Yeah, my mom is my dawg. When she heard the rumors that I was gay she was like, ‘Who do I have to pay a visit? Who’s a-- do I have to kick?’

Essence.com: And your initial reaction to folks questioning your sexuality?

N.Y.: Honestly, when I first heard that there were rumors out there about me being gay I thought, Wow someone must really hate me. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, but I just couldn’t understand why someone would make up lies like that. I remember speaking to Jay-Z about it and he was like, ‘Look, man you haven’t made it until someone says you’re gay.”

Essence.com: And what about now?

N.Y.: Nah, I don’t even think about that mess anymore. Once it’s said, it ain’t nothing you can do but ignore it.

Essence.com: Once you addressed the rumor that you and Hayden Panettiere (the cheerleader from Heroes) were dating and offered an explanation as to why there were photos of the two of you hand-in-hand—you were helping her out of her car so she wouldn’t mess up her shoes—they really continued with the gay comments.

N.Y.: (Laughs) Okay, so because I can respect a woman’s shoe game, and not to mention that I’ve bought a few pairs of shoes in the past for the women in my life, that makes me gay? That’s hilarious.

Previously
Kanye West and Ne-Yo: We're Not Gay! [tr]
Looks Like He's "Made It": Ne-Yo Not Gay [tr]
Ne-Yo Won't Announce He's Gay [tr]

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Book: 'Homophobic' Tom Cruise Fled La Cage Aux Folles Performance

Slate scoured Andrew Morton's new unauthorized biography of Tom Cruise and picked out the good parts. The book is said to put to rest the notion that Tom Cruise is gay, so let's see what Slate found:

"Tom tried to impress [high school flame] Nancy [Armel] by taking her to the Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles, but he 'was unaware of the story line—about two gay men living together in St. Tropez.' According to Nancy, 'he couldn't handle it. We had to leave before the intermission. It really bothered him. He was definitely homophobic.'"

There you have it. Case closed.

A few more of their gems:

"Armel...also remembers fooling around in a parked car. She told Morton: 'I was black and blue from the gearshift.'"

"Tom was uncomfortable around gay men. Those who saw him in the company of some of Nicole [Kidman's] gay friends, who included designer John Galliano, noticed that he was awkward and ill at ease, much preferring the company of jocks who talked about football rather than fashion."

"High-school girlfriend Diane Van Zoeren doesn't give any credence to the 'Tom is gay' rumor: 'I don't get it. I find these stories just hard to believe. We romanced in my dad's Oldsmobile doing what you are not supposed to.'"

The Condensed Tom Cruise [slate]

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Morton Tell-All Claims Tom Cruise is Scientology #2 [tr]

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Harry Connick Jr.: I'm Probably Gay and Don't Know It

Harry Connick Jr. jokes that he's probably gay because he's a virtual chick magnet:

"I have so many women in my life, I wouldn't know what to do with a guy. In fact I'm probably gay and I don't even know it! My life is chick power. My manager is a woman, who has been with me since I'm 18, and my wife is a strong and intelligent woman. I have three daughters. My dogs are all females. Even my sister Suzanna... she just got a double medical degree; she's now a psychiatrist and an internal medicine doctor and she speaks about 10 languages. She's so impressive. I'm surrounded by strong, intelligent women."

Well then, silly Harry, of course you're not gay.

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X-Factor's Rhydian: I'm Not Gay, But I am a Virgin

Rhydian Roberts, the favorite to win Britain's X-Factor show, tells the UK's Mirror tabloid that he's not gay, and that he's a virgin.

That sounds awfully familiar.

Says Rhydian: "If people are assuming that I am gay, or whatever, that is fine. They don't know me and I dress quite camp. But I can say categorically that I am 100 per cent straight."

On his virginity: "That is not saying that I can't have fun with a lady. I love the company of women. I have been offered sex, like most men. But if you believe in something you can't compromise. But I am only human and you can fall short. At the moment, my priority is singing. I am not a closet Christian. If someone asks me about it, I will talk about it. I do pray on Saturdays but then I pray every day. But what will be will be, it's God's will and that is a great mental attitude to have."

23-year-old Rhydian, who was formerly a rugby player, has a strict work-out routine: "I'm under no illusion - I'm no oil painting. My physique is alright, but visually I'm like the back end of a bus. I love working out - it's part of who I am. A lot of classical singers let themselves go - they're round fatties and I don't want to be like that."

AFTER THE JUMP, Rhydian's most recent X-Factor triumph.

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Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz: Part of Me Wishes I Was Gay

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz talked to National Public Radio (NPR) about how he's bending gender roles in rock. Because of that it's often suggested that he's secretly hiding his homosexuality, but Wentz denies it:

"I would never come out and say I'm gay, because I'm not gay. There's part of me that kind of wishes I was gay, and I think that comes from anybody constantly wishing they were in the minority and constantly wants to be fighting everybody off."

Part of it, he says, is his obsession with make-up —particularly eyeliner — which for Wentz has been coined guyliner.

Says the rocker: "I started wearing it because I felt like it tested some boundaries. Smear it. Because if you're a guy, you don't want your makeup to look perfect. My whole point is I think there's something in art where you should be making people feel uncomfortable."

Fall Out Boy Rewrites the Gender Roles of Rock [npr]

Previously
How Gay is Pete Wentz? [tr]
Pete Wentz Grooming Tips: Guyliner [tr]
Pete Wentz: Monday Morning Jedi [tr]
Pete Wentz's Deviant Caveman Lips are Ready for You [tr]

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Wayne Newton "Had Beef" with Johnny Carson Over Gay Jokes

Recent Dancing with the Stars contestant and Vegas legend Wayne Newton told Larry King that his friendship with Johnny Carson was destroyed because of the late night talk show host's jokes implying that Newton was gay.

So, Newton paid him a visit to threaten him.

Said Newton to King: "'Mr. Carson,' I said, 'I don't know what friend of yours I've killed, I don't know what child of yours I've hurt, I don't know what food I've taken out of your mouth... but these jokes about me will stop, and they'll stop now. Or I will kick your ass.'... Johnny Carson was a mean-spirited human being. There are people he has hurt that people will never know about. And, for some reason, at some point, he decided to turn that kind of negative attention toward me, and I refused to have it."

Video on Newton's "beef" with Johnny Carson is over at PageOneQ.

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Tennis #8 Richard Gasquet: Nope, Still Not Gay

Frenchman Richard Gasquet, recently immortalized as a terra cotta warrior for his appearance at the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup, gave an interview following his matches there, Outsports reports, and reaffirmed the fact that he's not gay, even though he wasn't even asked.

Via the interview:

Q. Now your matches are finished. Do you still have any plan to go around the city maybe with your uncle or your girlfriend?

RICHARD GASQUET: My uncle? No. My girlfriend, no. I have no girlfriend, so I will try to find one, one Chinese girl. Why not? Why not? I lost 6-1, 6-1. It will be very hard for me tonight. I'm ready to lose, you know.

Q. Who is the girl watching your match with your uncle?

RICHARD GASQUET: Not my girl. I don't know. Not my girl, for sure. No, no, no, I have just friends. Men friends, but I'm not gay.

You may remember in July of last year that Gasquet, now ranked #8 in the world, denied he was gay after French magazine Le Point printed a rumor that he was having an affair with 46-year-old married French businessman Arnaud Lagardere. Said Gasquet at the time: "I was absolutely not happy about that. This question has come back hundreds of times, and every time someone turns up saying, Oh, I have evidence. It is just bullshit. Neither him nor me are homosexuals. It's absolutely obvious."

So if it's so obvious, why the need to repeat it?

Richard Gasquet, still not gay [outsports]

Previously
Wimbledon Semi-finalist Richard Gasquet: It's Obvious I'm Not Gay [tr]
Terra Cotta Tennis Warriors Unveiled in Shanghai: Federer, Nadal, Davydenko, Djokovic, Roddick, Ferrer, Gonzalez, Gasquet [tr]

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Simon Cowell: I'm Vain, But Not Gay

In an interview with Britain's Daily Mail tabloid, Simon Cowell says rumors that he's gay are pure nonsense:

"If I was, why hide it? It's not as if the music business would be an odd place for a gay man to work. And anyway, if I was trying to hide the fact that I was gay, I would be off playing rugby every Saturday, wouldn't I?"

Back in September, it was reported that Cowell had fired X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne because he was tired of her telling everyone that he was gay. Producers reportedly convinced Cowell to give Osbourne a second chance.

And, of course, on American Idol, Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest have kept alive a long-running series of innuendos about one another's sexuality.

Cowell did offer the Daily Mail a few true details about his personal life: "I have not had cosmetic surgery...Yes, I've had Botox, but not in an obsessive way. Then again, every guy I know who works in the City has had it now..I've never dyed my hair, ever, and I wouldn't. But yes, I like to take care of myself. I work out. I take lots of vitamins. What can I say? I think I look good for my age [he's 48]...I can't think of one person who is on TV who isn't vain. It's the nature of the beast. If you are on TV then you have a vanity, for sure. Just admit it! Why not?"

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NHL Toronto Maple Leaf Rookie Jiri Tlusty: "I am Not Gay"

Following the publication yesterday by a Canadian gossip site of photos of 19-year-old Toronto Maple Leaf rookie Jiri Tlusty tonguing another man along with a provocative suggestion that he was ready to come out of the closet, the Czech ice hockey player wrote into the site saying he thought the post was "funny" and he didn't care.

Said Tlusty: "I am not gay or bi nothing."

Tlusty says he was just having a bit of fun with a friend after his birthday and a night out on the town. Of course, that didn't stop the site from pursuing their investigation a bit further (NSFW).

The whole incident should serve as some sort of guerilla tie-in with the upcoming movie Breakfast with Scot. After all, actor Tom Cavanagh had no qualms about kissing a man. Given that they allowed their logo to be used for the film, the Toronto Maple Leafs are, unofficially, the most gay-friendly team in professional hockey.

JIRI TLUSTY SPEAKS TO ITH... [is this happening?]
Welcome To The NHL, Kid [deadspin]

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Washington State GOP Rep. in Alleged Male Hustler Extortion Plot

Republican Washington State Representative Richard Curtis is at the center of an alleged extortion attempt involving a male prostitute. The case is under investigation by Spokane law enforcement.

The Columbian reports: "Officer Jennifer DeRuwe, spokeswoman for the Spokane Police Department, said police expect to wrap up their investigation in the next one or two days and forward their findings to county prosecutors for a decision on whether criminal charges should be filed...The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported Monday that the alleged extortionist is a reputed male prostitute. DeRuwe would not confim that report and said that prostitution did not appear to be involved in the case. A Spokane TV station, KREM, reported on its Web site that Curtis and the man had a sexual encounter and were seen together at various spots around the city. Curtis was in the city for a retreat with other Republican lawmakers to craft strategy for the upcoming legislative session."

Said Curtis Monday afternoon: "I committed no crime. I did not solicit sex. I was trying to help somebody out. I am not gay. I have not had sex with a guy. It's been a rough week. Look, the rest of this will all come out. can't say anything more until I have talked to my attorney. I have never been in this situation before."

The Spokesman Review reports: "Elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, Curtis has voted like a fiscal and social conservative. This spring, he voted against domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. Last year, he opposed a gay rights bill that banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

Openly gay State Rep. Jim Moeller, told the Columbian: "Richard appears to be a happily married man to me."

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Jake Gyllenhaal: I'm Not Gay, Plus No Brokeback Sequel

An interviewer for the Times Online talked to Jake Gyllenhaal when he was in London promoting his movie Rendition and asked him to clarify a comment he made about exploring homosexuality ("I don't think I'd be afraid of it if it happened") around the time Brokeback Mountain came out.

Said Gyllenhaal: "Nothing like that has ever happened to me. I live in a different world. What I was trying to say was why leave out possibilities in my life? It wasn't meant to be provocative. No, I am not open to persuasion myself, but the idea of homosexuality is acceptable to me. I grew up in a city where half the people I know are gay. Both of my godfathers are gay...It was meant as a way of saying it was important for Heath [Ledger, his co-star in Brokeback Mountain] and I to have the movie exist as the movie, but also to have people know it was two straight actors playing those parts. Here are these two lonely people who find themselves through love. Love has no bounds and these two people found a connection in this massive, lonely landscape of Wyoming. Determining what was nasty and what was nice was always going to be hard for me with that movie. But yes, I got an insight into homophobia that I wouldn't normally have encountered."

On a related new, rumors of a Brokeback sequel starring Heath Ledger that emerged last week are apparently not true. Great news imho.

Incidentally, Rendition tanked at the box office over the weekend at #9, bringing in just over 4 million on 2,275 screens although a Towleroad reader writes in with a quick review: "The movie is really great and in my opinion a 'must see' to learn how our government flies suspected terrorists to Egypt for ruthless interrogation. This happens to be the seventh movie I have seen in a row which was extremely violent. And perhaps, this is what is hurting it."

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Henry Rollins on Gay Marriage and Larry Craig

Former Black Flag frontman and talk show host Henry Rollins is touring the country with a spoken word show called "Provoked". He spoke recently with the Cleveland Free Times about why he cares so much about gay rights.

Said Rollins: "I think it's really lame what's going on with those that are gay and I'm not gay. I was raised around gay folks. I was raised in the DC area. There are a lot of gay people there. My mom had gay friends. I had gay bosses. I worked at a movie theater and got propositioned four times a weekend. It was like, 'You like boys; nah, it's not going to be me.' I never wanted to kick some guy's ass. Some guys are creeps. But when you see the kind of hatred exacted at these people who can't help how they feel about men, it's sad. What if it was weird to be straight? What if someone said, 'What's wrong with you?' for staring at a woman? I think if Bill and Tom want to get married, they should be able to in America. If someone has a problem with that, go on your way."

He also had a few words about Senator Larry Craig: "It's really ironic but if someone is gay, he should be able to express himself and not eat hand grenades every day. He [Craig] is an older guy. Coming out was not an option for him. He had to be so suppressed and so he married a woman and procreated. It's too bad that's the life he had to live, and it's especially weird if he voted for anti-gay legislation. If you put your hand under the men's room stall, that's not going to go quietly in the night. The hypocrisy is obvious in his case. I'm being easy on the guy and I shouldn't because he's an asshole."

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Prison Break's Wentworth Miller to German Mag: I'm Not Gay

"I'm not gay, but that rumor can't be killed. I'd like to have a girlfriend and a family. But I haven't met the right one yet. Until then I'm focusing on my job. I had to wait so long for this chance I savor every second on set even if it means 14 hours of shooting a day." — Wentworth Miller, in October 2007 German InStyle.

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Wentworth Miller and Luke MacFarlane Take it to the Streets [tr]
Wentworth Miller: "I'm Not Gay" [tr]

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Hillary Clinton: I'm Not a Lesbian

New York magazine is reporting on a forthcoming issue of the Advocate in which Senator Hillary Clinton is questioned on both "long-standing rumors" regarding her sexuality and whether or not her stance on civil unions is just a front for a more deep-seated genuine belief that marriage should be offered to all U.S. citizens.

Says Clinton of the lesbian rumors: "People say a lot of things about me, so I really don’t pay any attention to it. It’s not true, but it is something that I have no control over. People will say what they want to say.”

Kennedy also asks the presidential hopeful whether her position privately is for marriage equality even though she hides behind one supporting civil unions.

Says Clinton: "I would tell you [if it was]. This is an issue that I’ve had very few years of my life to think about when you really look at it, when you compare it to a whole life span. I am where I am right now, and it is a position that I come to authentically."

And I'm sure Jerry Sanders would have said the same thing at one point.

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Howard K. Stern Breaks Silence on Gay Rumors

Attorney Howard K. Stern has joined Larry Birkhead in slamming Rita Cosby's book Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith's Death, in which Cosby claims the two were having a sexual relationship and made a secret deal to split Smith's estate.

Stern told Entertainment Tonight: "Most of these witnesses, or, you can't even call them witnesses, but sources to Rita Cosby's book, they were doing media after media interview after Anna passed away and they took every shot at me that their imaginations could possibly dream up. And all of a sudden, the same people are coming back and they're saying, 'oh by the way, I forgot... Howard and Larry are gay and there's a video of them together.' It's ridiculous. I mean it's absolutely absurd. That woman Rita Cosby is either the dumbest person on earth or she knows that she's printing false information. And I don't think she's the dumbest person on earth. Dannielynn is gonna read this garbage and it's almost like she's going have to get counselling from the age of three."

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Threats Fly Over Birkhead-Stern Gay Sex Claims in New Book [tr]
Larry Birkhead Responds to Gay Allegations on Larry King Live [tr]
Larry Birkhead Explains Why He and Stern Hit Up Gay Pride [tr]

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Larry Craig Meets the Residents of Avenue Q

Idaho Senator Larry Craig meets the puppets of Avenue Q. Brilliant!

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GOP Senator Larry Craig: I am Not Gay and Never Have Been

Idaho GOP Senator Larry Craig, whose arrest by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a public men's restroom in Minneapolis was brought to light yesterday, made the following statement to reporters this afternoon:

"First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize.

"In June, I overreacted and made a poor decision. While I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct at the Minneapolis airport or anywhere else, I chose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in the hope of making it go away. I did not seek any counsel, either from an attorney, staff, friends, or family. That was a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Because of that, I have now retained counsel and I am asking my counsel to review this matter and to advise me on how to proceed.

"For a moment, I want to put my state of mind into context on June 11. For 8 months leading up to June, my family and I had been relentlessly and viciously harassed by the Idaho Statesman. If you’ve seen today’s paper, you know why. Let me be clear: I am not gay and never have been.

"Still, without a shred of truth or evidence to the contrary, the Statesman has engaged in this witch hunt. In pleading guilty, I overreacted in Minneapolis, because of the stress of the Idaho Statesman’s investigation and the rumors it has fueled around Idaho. Again, that overreaction was a mistake, and I apologize for my misjudgment. Furthermore, I should not have kept this arrest to myself, and should have told my family and friends about it. I wasn’t eager to share this failure, but I should have done so anyway.

"I love my wife, family, friends, staff, and Idaho. I love serving Idaho in Congress. Over the years, I have accomplished a lot for Idaho, and I hope Idahoans will allow me to continue to do that. There are still goals I would like to accomplish, and I believe I can still be an effective leader for Idaho. Next month, I will announce, as planned, whether or not I will seek reelection.

"As an elected official, I fully realize that my life is open for public criticism and scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for the mistake in judgment I made in attempting to handle this matter myself.

"It is clear, though, that through my actions I have brought a cloud over Idaho. For that, I ask the people of Idaho for their forgiveness.

"As I mentioned earlier, I have now retained counsel to examine this matter and I will make no further comment."

Senate Republican leaders this afternoon called for an ethics probe of the Idaho lawmaker. Mitt Romney, for whom Craig had served as senate campaign co-chair, called Craig's actions "disgusting".

Background
Idaho Senator Larry Craig's Arrest Report, Plus Statesman Probe [tr]
Larry Craig Releases Statement, Steps Down from Romney Campaign [tr]
GOP Idaho Senator Larry Craig in Lewd Conduct Men's Room Arrest [tr]
Blogger: Idaho Senator Larry Craig Had Gay Encounters [tr]

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Kanye West: Still Not Gay

Kanye West continues to address his heterosexuality, in an interview with the UK's Manchester Evening News:

"Speaking out against hip-hop homophobia, some people were like 'Oh, Kanye must be gay! Look at the way he's dressing! And why would he speak about it? He's a gay rapper'," he notes. "And my whole point is, I wouldn't have spoke on that if I was gay or if I was in the closet. I would have stayed so far away from it. And I'm still homophobic myself to certain extent. You know, I wouldn't go to a gay parade and feel comfortable. I wouldn't ever to a gay club or something and just be chillin' and grab a drink. It's being in the entertainment world, I meet so many different gay people who are actually nice people. Where I came from, Chicago, being black and being a hip-hop artist, we used to really disrespect gay people. And the thing is, we can't get close to them with a 10-foot pole. And I realised, 'wow, how ignorant has this been?'"

Kanye West: The Big Interview [manchester evening news]

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Kanye West and Ne-Yo: We're Not Gay! [tr]

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Kanye West and Ne-Yo: We're Not Gay!

In a recent issue of Straight magazine (not kidding, though it's a Vancouver-based magazine playing off the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver island and the Pacific coast), R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo decided to tell the world he's straight again:

"In not ever having to deal with anything like this before (gay rumors), I got mad. But then Jay-Z broke it down for me, like, 'This is the music business. You gotta take the bad with the good. If you're doing something right, haters are going to come around, and they're not going to go anywhere. You gotta learn how to let that roll off your back.' Anybody that knows me, knows I'm not gay. If you wanna know, I've been an open book since day one. All you've got to do is ask, and I'll tell you: I love women."

Ne-Yo wrote Beyoncé's hit "Irreplaceable" as well as several Rihanna singles including "Good Girl Gone Bad" and "Unfaithful".

Meanwhile, on SMACK DVD, Kanye West responds to Beanie Sigel's accusations that he's gay (video below):

"I'm just saying...@#$%*%, I'm not gay. @#$%*%, don't come at me on none of that @#$%. Don't @#$ing disrespect me. I respect where he coming from. I respect Beans' gangsta, I'm not gangsta, but I'm not gay either. Don't disrespect me as a @#$%ing man. That's all I'm saying. That's it."

Ne-Yo: Ready for Love [straight]

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Kanye West Revisits Homophobia [tr]
Thank You, Kanye West [tr]

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Big Brother 8's Nick: "I am definitely 100% straight"

I haven't done a Big Brother 8 update in a while, but for those of you who don't watch the show, its resident beefcake Nick Starcevic was sent packing by the other housemates last week.

Buddy TV asked him about the fluid sexuality he seemed to demonstrate at certain moments during the show:

And one of the things on the internet, I just have to ask about this, there's now a video, a lot of the rumors about playing up the homosexuality, just wondering if you would address those issues?

NICK: "Yeah, I've gotten asked that question a couple times today about homosexuality. I am definitely one hundred percent straight, I don't know if something was taken out of context or anything like that. It was something with like Joe and I in the hot tub, somebody said. Definitely one hundred percent straight, had nothing to do with men ever. But I am a very comfortable guy with my sexuality, and I do find men attractive, and I can say that because I'm comfortable with my sexuality."

So the story you told Joe then was false, because there's a video of you online admitting to performing a homosexual act?

NICK: "Uh... yeah that's what was told to me before, I never said anything about performing a sexual act before. I said that I kissed one of my buddies on the lips in a bar because of a bet, I don't know if that's what you're talking about."

Not exactly, but I'm certain you'll go on the internet and read about it and find out and hopefully things will be clarified about that.

NICK: "Yeah, hopefully."

Exclusive Interview: Nick Starcevic, 4th Evicted from 'Big Brother 8' [buddy tv]

And for those of you who can't get enough Nick, two more post-game interviews: Nick on Housecalls and on the Early Show with Julie Chen.

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Shemar Moore: "I'm Not Gay"

Actor Shemar Moore wants to clear up any confusion stemming from recent photos of the Criminal Minds star frolicking on a gay beach in Hawaii. He tells In Touch Weekly magazine:

"People find it interesting to try to make me gay; I’m not gay. I went on vacation with two girlfriends of mine who, interestingly enough got cut out of the pictures. We found a nude beach, as far as I know, was a unisex beach…. We took off our clothes and jumped in the water. I’ve been trying to skinny dip since I was a teenager. I’m just grateful that the water was warm!"

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Harry Potter Producer: Daniel Radcliffe Unquestionably Straight

The new issue of Details features a cover story on Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter-mania ratchets up again, and the film's producer is there to let everyone know how he's grown:

"When I ask David Heyman, the producer of the Harry Potter franchise, how his star has changed in the seven years since he first cast him, he says that Radcliffe is basically still the same—full of enthusiasm and intense curiosity. But in other ways he is unrecognizable. 'He’s no longer interested in the World Wrestling Federation. He is astonishingly well-read,' Heyman says. 'And he is unquestionably interested in the opposite sex.' And then there is that relentless compulsion to show off his body. One startled British tabloid saw his nude scene in Equus and headlined an article hairy botter. 'First, it’s a crap pun because botter isn’t even a word,' Radcliffe says. 'But equally it’s that thing of being shocked that I should have hair—you know, anywhere else other than on my head. It’s not so much that they don’t want me to grow up. It’s that they’re annoyed that I’m growing up adjusted. They’d much rather I was growing up and going wild and crashing cars.'"

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Wimbledon Semi-finalist Richard Gasquet: It's Obvious I'm Not Gay

Missed this one back in April. But then again, at that point Frenchman Richard Gasquet hadn't leapt onto the Wimbledon radar.

This past week, Gasquet vanquished Andy Roddick to face Roger Federer in the semi-finals. In April, French magazine Le Point printed a rumor that 46-year-old married French businessman Arnaud Lagardere was having an affair with the player.

Gasquet responded to ASAP Sports: "I was absolutely not happy about that. This question has come back hundreds of times, and every time someone turns up saying, Oh, I have evidence. It is just bullshit.  Neither him nor me are homosexuals. It's absolutely obvious."

Over the weekend Federer struggled to defeat Rafael Nadal in five sets in the third-longest men's final ever.

(via Outsports)

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American Idol Runner-Up Blake Lewis: I'm Not Gay

American Idol runner-up told Arizona radio show Johnjay & Rich that rumors about any kind of relationship with fellow contestant Chris Richardson are not true. He's not dating fellow contestant Jordin Sparks either.

Said Lewis, when asked if he is gay: "Definitely not. No. I'm straight. I'll scream it out loud."

Lewis recently revealed he's busy at work on his new album:

"I’d classify it as electro-funk-soul-pop if you need to label it. I really love the sounds of the ‘80s so I hope to ring some of that back. I’m really inspired by electronic music. It’s on the chopping block because they want it out by Thanksgiving or Christmas. I’ve been working for such a long time writing a lot of songs in different genres. The first album is really a testament of who you are."

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Former Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates: I'm Not Gay

Former Pop Idol star and fan of sunbeds and steroids Gareth Gates tells Star:

"I’m not gay, but George Michael is one of the best looking guys I’ve ever seen in my life!"

Gates, who became famous in 2002 after coming in second in Britain's Pop Idol, has a new single "Changes" out in the UK and a new album, Pictures of the Other Side, coming out on June 25.

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Russell Simmons: "I'm Not Gay"

Def-Jam founder and fashion mogul Russell Simmons sounds off to the Dallas Voice's Daniel Kusner about rumors that gay rapper Caushun, who last month was exposed as a fraud, is trying to expose Simmons as gay and that there is a Blackberry out there being held for ransom that contains "steamy messages" between Simmons and another man.

Says Simmons: "Which came first? Me losing my Blackberry after being single for a year-and-a-half or Caushun trying to expose me for being gay? Don’t drag me into an interview that’s lower than my person — a catty-ass he-said, she-said … I believe gay people deserve dignity. Caushun doesn’t mean nothing to me. He’s not worth it. Essentially he wants to make himself famous. I thought he was a good rapper. Listen, I’m not gay. If I was, I would have the gift of another burden, and I would probably be instantly out. I fight for gay rights all the time. How about that?"

Simmons also talks about homophobia in hip-hop:

"Hip-hop is not music’s most homophobic genre. It’s music’s most honest genre. I know that 50 Cent is perceived as a homophobe. But if you asked him about gay marriage, I’d bet you 10-to-1, he’d approve. And if you asked Ludacris, he’d say the same thing. Rap is an expression of what we see. These artists are simply expressing the homophobia that’s in our society. Are rappers as violent as our government? No. Are the gangster rappers as gangster as our government? Hell no."

Simmons also says that when rappers say "faggot" they're not always referring to a gay person: "I’m not excusing them. But ‘nigger’ doesn’t always mean an uneducated, low-class, less-than-human person. I hear it in context. Unfortunately, however, there are not enough songs about the struggles of gay people."

Gay rapping with Russell Simmons [dallas voice]

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Mika on Out, Doesn't Come Out

Mika is on this month's cover of OUT magazine, and reportedly sticks to his talking points.

"Anyone can label me, but I'm not willing to label myself...Anybody who says that I don't talk about sexuality or that I don't politically sexualize my music because of taboos, because of being afraid of [not] selling records, is completely wrong. I've made a record that doesn't compromise in any way what I'm allowed or not allowed to say in my lyrics."

A source told Towleroad that OUT originally requested Mika for the cover of their April issue, in order to coincide with the release date of his album in the U.S., but were refused.

According to our source, Mika's "handlers" wanted to do a cover but only if it came out a few months down the road, because they were concerned about breaking into the mainstream market were Mika pigeonholed as a "gay artist" right out of the gate.

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Michelle Rodriguez Rants Against Curve for Outing Her

Lost actress Michelle Rodriguez has lashed out at lesbian magazine Curve on her website forum for "outing her.

Says Rodriguez: "If I were Ellen I may get away with: ‘ The I’m Gay’ level of exposure, but I’m not a comedian, I like men; ( real One’s Anyway) and I’ve only bin in this business for 7 years not 20. Years of recognition can give a person lots of leverage especially if you have many years of positive recognition under your belt. There are certain things that can close doors between a celebrity and certain audiences. Especially in a world where walls are constantly being put up by people seeking comfort and groups to belong to. There is so much out there, over-saturation of music, media, Agenda News, war, political drama, high school prom drama, image drama, religion drama, Bully drama. All this drama is caused by one thing, not understanding the true meaning of communication and the real power behind it. It’s tough to learn, I’m working on it myself, but when people come out of nowhere and put words in my mouth or call me Gay, they should really think for one second How they could truly affect my life by doing such things. You don’t know what producer, director, would be husband or future audience member may be influenced by these opinions and media content."

Actually, I think it was Rodriguez' 'girlfriend' Kristanna Loken who outed her, in an interview with the Advocate last November.

More on the forum.

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Looks Like He's "Made It": Ne-Yo Not Gay

Last August, rumors that R&B singer Ne-Yo was going to come out of the closet in an issue of Essence magazine were quashed by both the singer's publicist and reps from Def-Jam records.

Now, Ne-Yo slams the rumors himself to the Albany Times-Union:

"Anybody who knows me, knows I'm not gay. I'm blessed to have very, very, very real people in my corner. Some managers will not tell the artist certain things because they don't want to stress them out. My managers are like, 'Yo, it's a dirty game.' I respect them for that. I look at that as I've officially made it. If my name is in your mouth, that means I'm on your mind. I take it all in stride."

The Times-Union does, however, make note of key tracks on the singer's new release Because of You: "'Go on Girl' is the album's undeniable highlight."

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Sanjaya Malakar: I'm Not Gay, I Just Understand Women

Swoon-inspiring American Idol phenom Sanjaya explains to People why he inspires such a strong reaction from females:

"I've always gotten along with girls better because I was raised by women. I got teased in school because people figured I must be gay because I understand women. I think that's why guys didn't like me – because I got along with girls so well. When I went up to girls they would give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek like I was their gay friend. But I was the straight guy that understood them...I had a girlfriend but she became clingy, and I didn't want to get into a really serious relationship because I was 16. I just wanted to date and have