Madonna Shooting 'Turn Up the Radio' Video in Florence, Italy: PHOTO

Madonna is shooting the video for her next single "Turn Up the Radio" in Florence, Italy.

Her manager, Guy Oseary, tweeted the above photo this morning.

Italian Footballer Antonio Cassano Hopes There are No 'Queers' on the National Team

Italian footballer Antonio Cassano, a Serie A player for Milan and a striker for the national team, has caused controversy in Krakow after being asked about gay players on the Italian team in advance of the Euro 2012, the Guardian reports:

When asked about media reports that there were two metrosexual players and two homosexual players in the Italy squad, the Milan forward said: "What's a metrosexual?" before adding: "Queers in the national team? That's their business. But I hope not."

Earlier this year Cassano's Italy team-mate Antonio Di Natale said that it would be difficult for any player to come out whereas the national team coach, Cesare Prandelli, has been supportive of gay footballers.

UPDATE: Apparently the term Cassano used was more like "faggots".

He's now backtracking:

"I am sincerely sorry that my declarations have sparked controversy and protests in the gay community: homophobia is a feeling that does not belong to me. I did not want to offend anyone and in no way do I want to question the sexual freedom of people."

First Gay Couple Ever Married Creates Dead Berlusconi Artwork Called 'The Dream of the Italians'

Antonio Garullo and Mario Ottocento, who are described as the first-ever married gay couple and tied the knot in Amsterdam in 2002, have created a new artwork which is being displayed in a shrine at the Ferrajoli Palace, close to the Palazzo Chigi, the official residence of Italian prime ministers, ANI reports:

The name of the installation refers to what Berlusconi apparently called himself on the phone to one of his girlfriends, according to Italian media. The former prime minister, who is still very much alive at 75, is seen smiling as he lies in a glass coffin with his eyes closed. Bizarrely he is wearing giant Mickey Mouse slippers as he lies on a satin pillow in a double-breasted blue jacket. There is also one hand inside his unzipped trousers while the other hand rests on the History of Italy.

Positioned in a shrine at the Ferrajoli Palace, the shocking installation is available for all Italians to see and is just yards from Berlusconi's former stomping ground, the Palazzo Chigi, the official residence of Italian prime ministers.

Said Garullo and Ottocento to the UK's Daily Mail tab: "We put Berlusconi’s body into a glass case to emphasise the personality cult that he has been creating for all these years and which will possibly remain for years to come. At the same time we put a screen between the contingent reality and historical judgment. If Italians are ultimately ''a people of saints, poets, seafarers'' then the arch-Italian Silvio is a worthy simulacrum of this people."

Speed Flying Mont Blanc: VIDEO

Happy Mother's Day! Please begin your morning with something beautiful -- such as this video of several "speed flyers" descending Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. It's a ten-minute video, in which the speed flyers descend from a height of 4,304 meters to a height of 930 meters. The descent is captured in a single, continuous, and unceasingly gorgeous take, which is one of the greatest cinematographic feats I know of.

Watch AFTER THE JUMP. In full screen, preferably on a large-ish monitor with decent speakers. 

Italy Issues Residency Permit for Uruguayan Man Who Married His Italian Partner in Spain

An important step forward for gay couples and families in Italy, Bikya Masr reports:

On the basis of their union, the Uruguayan had applied for a residence permit in Italy, for which foreigners can qualify, either through marriage to an Italian, or through obtaining legal employment.

The residence permit granted to Rafael represents “the first document in Italian history which effectively recognizes the family status of homosexual couples,” said rights group Associazione Radicale Certi Diritti which supported the two men in their legal battle.

Paola Concia, a lesbian member of parliament for Italy’s main center-left Democratic Party, said the decision by the court in Reggio Emilia “is another important signal to Italian politicians”.

She said that the “legislative vacuum” that exists in Italy where there are no laws governing same-sex marriage “is unacceptable for a country that wishes to be part of Europe.”

Young Gay Couple Marries in Beautiful New Clip from Italy: VIDEO

Remember Australia's "It's Time" marriage equality video?

Well, think of this as Italy's version.

A first-of-its-kind video raises the issue of marriage equality in Italy just in time for Valentine's Day. It's called "I'll Marry You" and it's named for a well-known song by Lorenzo 'Jovanotti' Cherubini, who offered the use of it to LGBT rights group Arcigay for this clip, which draws attention to the need for marriage equality in that country. The video took four months to make, according to Italian paper La Republicca and tells the story of a young gay couple who gets married and another lesbian couple who gets engaged at their wedding.  The video is sponsored by Arcigay and AGEDO (the Italian version of PFLAG, as well as Bologna Pride).

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previous Gay Wedding videos...
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Amir and Chandler [tr]
Gay Wedding Video of the Day: Ruben and Joaquin [tr]
Dan and Eric Find Their Wedding Reception [tr]
Patrick and Scott Tie the Knot in Minnesota [tr]
First Dance at a Gay Wedding [tr]

We are starting a regular column featuring gay wedding videos (see some of them at links above). If you've got a creative wedding video online you'd like to share with Towleroad to celebrate marriage equality in this column please send it along. Extravagant, simple, sexy - we'll consider them (but can't guarantee we'll post them) all - the more creative the better! Let us know at tips - at - towleroad.com.