News: AIDS Vaccine, Beijing, Albino Eagle, El Paso, Newlywed Game

Obama will not speak at the Brandenburg Gate, according to Bloomberg, but at the Victory Column just down the road: "A stage will be set up at the column, a 19th-century fluted structure that lies at the opposite end of a tree-lined boulevard from the Brandenburg Gate, the newspaper said. The campaign will announce the plans for July 24 today, it said. An appearance at the Victory Column, capped by its trademark gilded angel, will still give the Illinois senator the Brandenburg Gate as a backdrop in the distance."

Rare albino Golden Eagle discovered in Colorado.

Australia World youth Day pilgrims tell their gay hosts that they will "burn in hell."

K-Fed gets the kids from Britney in Cheeto divorce trial.

Rue McClanahan, Caroline Rhea, Olivia Newton-John, and Leslie Jordan get ready to make LOGO a bit more Sordid...

San Jose City College biology professor sues community college district for firing her over answering question about homosexuality and heredity: " In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in San Jose, June Sheldon alleges that college officials trampled on academic freedoms and free speech rights by firing her in February. Sheldon is backed in the case by the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative organization that also has been heavily involved in the legal battles over gay marriage in California and elsewhere. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement to her teaching job and a court finding that Sheldon's rights were violated."

Proposed George W. Bush Sewage Plant qualifies for ballot in San Francisco.

Gay community center opens its doors in El Paso, Texas: "El Paso's new Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgendered-Queer Center opened its doors to the public. The center houses non-profit organizations, counselors and even a flower shop. 'We want this place to be the hub of the gay community,' said director Charles Sloane. The facility is the crown jewel of El Paso's emerging gay community; a community that's mobilizing to have their voice heard as never before."

The Watchmen are coming (site not totally sfw).

Same-sex couples ineligible for Game Show Network's new version of The Newlywed Game.

Desperate Housewives gay couple Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm will be back in the upcoming flash-forward-five-years season: "...they now have a four-year-old daughter. Cherry said adding them to the show was 'just my commentary on how a gay couple moves in and nothing much happens.'"

VIDEO: A press rehearsal for the 9 to 5 Broadway musical.

Justin Timberlake kisses David Beckham's foot: "‘That's what $250million [£125m] tastes like,’ he told the audience." Maybe Becks can give him some tips on accessorizing.

Going to Beijing and want to know where to find the "gay scene"?

North Carolina anti-bullying bill killed: "The bill was controversial because it listed 'sexual orientation' and other characteristics as reasons schoolchildren might be the targets of bullying. Groups such as the Christian Action League and the N.C. Family Policy Council did not want the term in state law, saying that gay-rights groups would use it to leverage other rights."

Kenneth Cole's brief encounter.

Large U.S. HIV vaccine trial canceled: "...a top federal official said scientists realized that they did not know enough about how H.I.V. vaccines and the immune system interact. The decision is a major setback in an effort to develop an H.I.V. vaccine that began 24 years ago when government health officials promised a marketed vaccine by 1987. Health officials have long contended that such a vaccine would be their best weapon to control the AIDS pandemic."

High school dodgeball player #2 returning to Ugly Betty this season.

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News: West Side Story, Matt Dillon, Bush Golf, Ryan O'Meara

Former Olympic skater Ryan O'Meara: I'm gay.

Madonna in bid to reunited Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake for her Sticky & Sweet tour. If that doesn't work, maybe Justin could just play both of them.

Bush to attend McCain golf fundraiser. FLASHBACK: "Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

Sarah Jessica Parker whacked her mole.

Brisbane, Australia's gay, Aboriginal, and civil libertarian communities to march against Pope Benedict tomorrow: "We are protesting against the Pope's anti-queer, anti-abortion, anti-condom stance. The Pope is an extremely powerful and influential figure, who has called homosexuality 'an intrinsic moral evil', has said that abortion rights are a 'new holocaust', and who tells those in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa that contraception and sex education support a 'culture of death'."

Scores of Methodist ministers in California putting careers on the line to officiate same-sex weddings: "The pastors could lose their jobs and clerical credentials in the church, the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination. Ministers in Santa Monica, Claremont, Walnut Creek and other cities have already performed ceremonies for gays and lesbians or are planning to do so. In addition, 82 retired pastors in Northern California signed a resolution in June offering to perform such weddings on behalf of ministers who feel they can't do so themselves."

West Side Story revival to begin Broadway previews in 2009...

Barry Manilow: too thin?

Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals details of Phantom sequel at boozy UK bash.

Participants at the Anglican Lambeth Conference will be invited to take a walk on the gay side: "Peterson Toscano, who is also booked for the Edinburgh Festival and the Greenbelt Christian arts festival this summer, promises good humour and topicality when he takes to the stage at the Keynes Lecture Theatre at the University of Kent on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July 2008, starting at 8pm. The lively theatrical performance activist will share his own spiritual story and experience, liberally sprinkled with excerpts from a play that tells how he survived the 'ex-gay' movement which has been encouraged in some Christian circles - 'Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House'. The performances will also include a 'question and answer' session."

Anti-gay protest at McDonald's goes pathetically.

Matt Dillon: open wide.

Afghanistan, Bid Laden first: The John McCain blunder nobody has discussed yet.

Al Gore to make ' moon shot' challenge on environment: "Just as John F. Kennedy set his sights on the moon, Al Gore is challenging the nation to produce every kilowatt of electricity through wind, sun and other Earth-friendly energy sources within 10 years, an audacious goal he hopes the next president will embrace...'I have never seen an opportunity for the country like the one that's emerging now,' Gore told The Associated Press in an interview previewing a speech on global warming he planned to give Thursday in Washington."

Dennis Kucinich's impeachment resolution moves forward, ever so slowly...

H&R Block offers $100 coupons or free TaxCut software to gay couples their software blocked from filing online: "Connecticut taxpayers Jason Smith and Settimio Pisu and the ACLU sent a demand letter last March to Block asking the tax preparer to stop penalizing gay couples because the software in use then didn’t support Connecticut civil union returns. Filers who encountered that problem were asked to contact a Block tax service office for help, for which higher fees were charged."

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Template for a Scent

Josh Hartnett's commercial for Diamonds by Emporio Armani fragrance debuted at the Milan's men's shows this week. It features a shirtless Hartnett slipping on a crisp white shirt and a swank outfit before being assaulted by the flashes of the paparazzi.

Which means it's pretty much the same commercial Matthew McConaughey did for Dolce & Gabbana's 'The One' fragrance back in February, in reverse.

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News: Rea Carey, Justice Dept, Olympics, Monet, Barack Obama

Conservative Orange County Register says high court's decision on marriage was justified.

MAG: What's on Obama's iPod.

Matt Damon's summer look: flab with pornstache.

Rea Carey to succeed Matt Foreman as executive director of Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

REPORT: Justice Dept. politicized hiring practices to favor Republican candidates: "'Many qualified candidates' were rejected for the department’s honors program because of what was perceived as a liberal bias, the report found. Those practices, the report concluded, 'constituted misconduct and also violated the department’s policies and civil service law that prohibit discrimination in hiring based on political or ideological affiliations.'" FLASHBACK: DOJ Looking into Possible Firing of Atty Over Sexual Orientation...

Ad campaign for Dexter in Portugal features severed limbs in butcher cases and knifed corpses on the street!

British soldiers see 13 UFOs in sky above barracks: "I was on duty in the guard room when the other boys outside began shouting. I went out to see what the commotion was about and could see thirteen craft in the skies. They were zig-zagging, but I filmed two before they disappeared. They were like rotating cubes with multiple colours. I made a full report to my commanding officers and gave them my footage. The other lads were as amazed by it as I was."

Monet water lily painting goes for $80.5 million at Christie's, doubling previous record for the artist.

Washington D.C. city councilman and former mayor Marion Barry says he would support a bill legalizing same-sex marriage there.

Bill Clinton offers support to Obama; Obama asks donors to raise money for Clinton.

Orlando Bloom reveals his back end in the Canary Islands.

Justin Timberlake's 'Play' fragrance may smell clean but his feet are filthy.

Out swimmer Andrew Langenfeld to compete for a spot on the Olympic team in the 100-meter butterfly.

NYC Chelsea nightclub 1 Oak reacts to reports yesterday that they covered up a gay bashing at the venue. Page Six: "Club sources say the night was not promoted as a 'gay night' and that the attacker was re strained by security but broke away. The victim said 1Oak owner Scott Sartiano insisted on giving him a car to the hospital instead of calling an ambulance. A rep for the club said, '1Oak is committed to providing an environment of safety and security to patrons every night. This incident was handled by security and staff immediately and this type of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated at 1Oak.'"

Art Fag City talks to Nayland Blake about who they'd all like to fuck.

Anti-gay assault suspect under arrest in Minneapolis: "A gay Twin Cities man, the apparent victim of a hate crime, was badly beaten last Saturday. He claims a stranger approached him near 6th and Cedar Ave. South in Minneapolis, and asked if he was gay. The victim answered yes proudly, and the suspect hit the man in the face, yelling that he hated homosexuals. Abdirizak Mohamed has been charged with assault in the fourth degree with bias—a hate crime with enhanced penalties."

Michelle Obama to give keynote address at Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Gala DNC fundraiser on Thursday in New York.

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Justin Timberlake Plays for Givenchy

Via Just Jared come these new images from Justin Timberlake's campaign for the new Givenchy fragrance "Play" which I posted about back in February.

Two more AFTER THE JUMP...

Justin Timberlake’s Givenchy Ads — FIRST LOOK [just jared]

Related
Spice up Your Life with Neil Patrick Harris [tr]
Josh Hartnett Smells Like Bling [tr]
Tom of Finland Lays Pipe for Fragrance Ad Campaign [tr]
Matthew McConaughey Won't Take His Shirt off for America [tr]

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Bromance Brewing for Timberlake and Beckham?

The two were spotted hobnobbing at game 4 of the Celtics-Lakers NBA finals game last night.

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News: Mitt Romney, Tivo, Judy Garland, Clay Aiken, Pete Doherty

As California gears up for a gay wedding boom, nine gay rights groups issue statement urging those who get married in California not to rush back to their states and sue: "In an unusual six-page memorandum, written for same-sex couples, groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to Lambda Legal warned that lawsuits would invite 'bad' court rulings that could take years to overturn." Two California countries have announced they'll halt all weddings, saying they lack resources.

Crucified by the media: rocker Pete Doherty undergoes plaster cast for marble statue of himself as Jesus Christ.

Obama meets with Christian leaders...

Jonathan Capehart warns of an Obama-Nunn ticket: "When Bill Clinton sought to keep his 1992 campaign promise to end the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, he met strong resistance in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill. Nunn, one of the most adamant opponents, led a series of hearings that were stacked against ending the prohibition. Critics noted that Nunn held more hearings about and spent more time on gays in the military than he had on the defense budget or even the Navy's Tailhook sexual harassment scandal ... an Obama-Nunn ticket does not sit well with some prominent gay Democratic fundraisers."

Clay Aiken is not just having a son, but he has another baby in the freezer.

John Aravosis at AmericaBlog got some intense shots of the storm that passed through the east coast yesterday.

Judy Garland to sing on stage again: "Cutting-edge technology unavailable just a few years ago has enabled NY-based production company Running Subway to present Judy's larger-than-life passion and personal story to 21st century audiences in what can only be described as the greatest Judy Garland concert ever."

Fishnets: Experts conclude that the Oscar de la Hoya drag photos were indeed doctored.

Dolores Neuman, photographer whose camerawork was central to Rob Epstein's 1984 documentary The Times of Harvey Milk, dies in Washington D.C. of kidney cancer.

Justin Timberlake on Love Guru wardrobe: "This may be TMI but I was constantly digging out those wedgies!"

Canadian gay couple Theo Wouters and Roger Thibault settles $400,000 defamation lawsuit brought by neighbors out of court.

Chace Crawford reads a few juicy scripts in London.

Mitt Romney purchases $12 million home in La Jolla, California.

Democrats don't touch 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell': "Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have not convened hearings on the matter or taken up legislation that would let gays serve openly, although most party members favor repealing the prohibition. Instead, Democrats have focused their efforts on bringing troops home from Iraq and other issues that have broad appeal among voters, such as lowering gas prices."

Tivo pulls web page which acknowledged their relationship with Focus on the Family.

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Justin Timberlake Finds 'Nothing Wrong with a Little Bromance'

At the TV Land awards this year (to be broadcast this Sunday), a male Justin Timberlake fan shouted out "I love you" while the singer was on stage. Timberlake's response: "Nothing wrong with a little bromance."

AFTER THE JUMP, a recent interview of Timberlake by "Chuck the Movie Guy" wherein Timberlake is questioned about his Speedo in The Love Guru. These two will not be having a "bromance" anytime soon.

Recently
Justin Timberlake in Pornstache and Speedos for The Love Guru [tr]
It's Baseball Season and Justin Timberlake is a Swinger [tr]
Justin Timberlake Bringing Givenchy Back [tr]
Justin Timberlake Submits to Fierce Ball-Crushing for Pepsi [tr]

(via gawker)

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News: Brian Paddick, Sean Cody, Nick Walker, David Archuleta

Don't forget to vote for Sally Kern, Larry Craig, Jerry Sanders, Ellen Degeneres, or Al Gore in our NewNowNext award category!

Archuleta dad banned from American Idol rehearsals.

Civil union efforts in Illinois boosted by student-generated Facebook group: "At first, his site detailed the bill's progress for friends, who began inviting hundreds of other friends. Within weeks, Miatkowski and students from across the state organized online 'rallies' to flood legislators with e-mails, faxes and phone calls. Members also have held petition drives at train stations, written editorials and set up campus events. The group's efforts made enough of an impression that Illinois lawmakers mentioned it to Harris, sponsor of the civil unions bill. Harris contacted Miatkowski and other student leaders to discuss how to gather more momentum on the bill." The group's Facebook address is here.

Chris Evans leaves the foxhole.

Possibility of constitutional same-sex marriage ban pushes Floridians into action.

Mork and KT: Does wearing rainbow suspenders make you a gay icon?

Brian Paddick's diaries during his run for London mayor revealed.

Catholic leader in the Philippines says being gay not a sin, but acting on it is: "Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, chair of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Office on Bio-ethics, said on Sunday the Church had learned to accept homosexuality as part of reality. 'We try to be compassionate and understand homosexuals and guide them towards the right path where they should not act out on their desires,' the bishop told the Philippine Daily Inquirer."

It's official: Ugly Betty moving to New York.

Are street artists Banksy and Nick Walker one and the same? That's what some people are saying.

"Ex-gay" and Exodus spokesman accuses "Ex-Gay" watchdog organizations of being hate groups. Stephen Black: "There are actual GAY hate groups who wish to silence the voices of ex-gays. These groups are like the brazenly named ‘Ex-Gay Watch’ and their klan of bloggers who use hatefully sarcastic words in addressing ex-gays."

Carson Kressley to make visit to Big Brother Australia house this week: "The pink thinker, famous from his days as a makeover queen on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, won't be bedding down with the BB housemates, limiting his visit to a few hours of fashion critique."

British Big Brother contestant Chanelle gets the gong at G-A-Y in London.

Cycling with Scott Speedman.

Malaysian police raid gay sauna, seize 14 men, and 1800 condoms.

Justin Timberlake producing reality show called The Phone: "The series, which is based on a Dutch reality show format, begins each episode with two hidden cell phones ringing at opposite ends of a major city. Contestants who answer the phones will have five seconds to decide if they want to play along for a cash prize, and a guide on the other end of the line then gives contestants a mission to complete before time runs out. As they race through the city on their adventure, a helicopter tracks their every move. MTV described the show as a wild and cinematic ride reminiscent of such films as 'The Bourne Identity' and 'The Game.'"

Sean Cody interested in whites only"? (warning: site NSFW)

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Music News: Coldplay Continue To Give Away Their Music, Plus Madonna, Donna Summer, Clay Aiken

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

Last week Coldplay offered up "Violet Hill," their first single off forthcoming album Viva La Vida, Or Death And All His Friends, as a free download for seven days on their official site. It was reportedly downloaded by two million people, where "It would have outsold the whole of last week's [UK] top 40 (singles) four times over." The band continue to give the track away this week -- at least in their home country -- as a 7" vinyl single packaged in with British rock journal New Musical Express.

NME usually washes up on these shores in bookstores and newsstands with an inflated import price. The Coldplay issue offers new photos of the band and a brand new look for the mag: "Not only have we launched a brand spanking new-look magazine this week that’s seen us strip everything back to let the words and photography shine through, we’ve also added a whole load of new features to give you even more news, bands and gigs than ever before. Plus, to top it all off, the pièce de résistance is a FREE, 7-inch vinyl copy of Coldplay’s new single, 'Violet Hill.'"

Back here in the States, "Violet Hill" and a "single edit" of new track, "Viva La Vida", were added to iTunes. The latter is being offered for free with pre-orders of the album.

Yee-owch! Here's an interview MTV's John Norris did with Madonna and Justin Timberlake. Madge doesn't seem too jazzed to be talking to Norris, as she gets a tad frosty with him toward the end. (Of course, that might expain why the awful, out-of-key singing moment was then used in the montage.)

Meanwhile, with first-week sales of 280,000, Billboard reports today that Madonna's Hard Candy has topped the album chart, giving her a seventh #1 on that tally. As far as female artists, only Barbra Streisand has had more chart-topping albums, with eight total.

Amongst others, Donna Summer worked with producer Greg Kurstin on Crayons, her first album of original material in 17 years (due out May 20). Kurstin recently produced tracks on Kylie Minogue's X. "Stamp Your Feet," the current single off Crayons, pretty much makes you wanna do just that, though they could have done without the video.

New Stephen King/John Mellencamp musical originally set for a 2009 debut has been delayed.

Last show ever by The Police to benefit New York arts, while the band also donates to Bloomberg's MillionTreesNYC.

In a one-star (out of five) review, the New York Daily News assesses Clay Aiken's new CD, On My Way Here: "From the new songs' lyrics, we discover that Aiken has 'seen the best and the worst' of life. He has walked 'through fire,' 'risen from the ashes' and felt 'the weight of the world' on his shoulders. Along the way, he also discovered that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger,' which finally led him to realize, 'by the grace of God go I.'
If the universe holds any more survivor cliches, I've never heard them."

What are your iPod habits and desires?

THE WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

"Take A Bow", a new single from Rihanna off the upcoming re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad. (Not a Madonna cover.)

Gavin DeGraw's self-titled third album.

Home Before Dark, Neil Diamond's latest set of original material, produced by Rick Rubin.

Sony's 20th anniversary enhanced CD/DVD version of Midnight Oil's Diesel And Dust.

The always-charming Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits.

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Got 4 Minutes?

Feel like you're at the Bodies exhibition? Check out the Madonna-Timberlake-Timbaland video, AFTER THE JUMP (before it's taken down)...

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #269

ELEPHANT ZEN: An elephant paints a self-portrait.

I'M F**KING OBAMA: A spoof on the Jimmy Kimmel clips.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: Performing at the Universal Charm Pageant / 1992 West Tennessee State Finals.

MADONNA - ELLE: Behind the scenes of her Madgesty's cover shoot.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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It's Baseball Season and Justin Timberlake is a Swinger

It took six pitches before Justin Timberlake connected with the ball, according to the Caller-Times, which was in Corpus Christi, Texas as he shot scenes for his new movie The Open Road about fictional Corpus Christi Hooks player Carlton Garrett. But Timberlake apparently prepped the crowd, telling them "Don't expect anything grand from me. This is not my stage."

One more shot, AFTER THE JUMP...

Justin Timberlake Brings Sexy to Whataburger Field [kiitv]

Previously
Madonna inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame [tr]
Justin Timberlake in Pornstache and Speedos for The Love Guru [tr]
Justin Timberlake Bringing Givenchy Back [tr]
Justin Timberlake Submits to Fierce Ball-Crushing for Pepsi [tr]

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Music News: Madonna Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Plus Duffy, David Archuleta, Ferras

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

Along with John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen and the Dave Clarke Five, Madonna was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame last night. When all was said and done, Justin Timberlake threw out a barrage of sexual innuendos and even a few jabs at Britney Spears ("The world is full of Madonna wannabes -- I might have dated a couple.") in his intro, Iggy Pop performed "Burning Up" and "Ray Of Light" and Madge herself laced a recounting of 25 years in the biz with several F bombs.

Justin's story about Madonna making him drop his pants and giving him a shot in the rear when he got sick while working on her new album Hard Candy (due out April 29) is one of the highlights making the rounds in the news reports of the event.

YouTuber MadonaGlamxxx posted the above clips along with the second part of Madonna's speech and Iggy Pop's performance, which ends with him meeting up with her in the kitchen of the venue to walk to the press room.

Madonna also paid tribute to Liz Rosenberg, who has been her publicist for her entire career: "Does anybody understand the insanity of being my publicist for the last 25 years? I think Liz was smoking a joint when I first met her. Yeah. I walked into her office and she very politely stubbed it out in the ashtray. I don't think she knew I thought she was smoking a joint, but it was a little bit obvious. Anyway, we hit it off right away. She was my kind of girl -- tough, irreverent and funny -- and we've had a long and amazing chunk of time together. After dealing with all the nutcases she's had to deal with and putting out all the fires she's had to put out, it's kind of amazing that she's not shooting up heroin."

Interestingly, one person not mentioned at all by the 49-year-old singer in her speech was her husband, Guy Ritchie, who was not present at the induction ceremony.

In other news, the apparent single cover artwork for "4 Minutes To Save The World" (or maybe just "4 Minutes") has been revealed.

British blue-eyed soul singer Duffy, whose single "Mercy" has held the #1 position on the U.K. pop chart for the past month, finally makes it to these shores. Sure, she's coming in on the heels of Amy Winehouse, but the song's slinky "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." refrain is practically the antithesis of the boozy "No, no, no!" in Amy's "Rehab." At the very least, check out "Mercy" since it's the free download of the week on iTunes. Her full album Rockferry, also currently #1 in England, gets a stateside release in April.

While reporting on a burgeoning backlash against him, the Los Angeles Times writes a valentine to 17-year-old American Idol contestant David Archuleta (pictured right): "His enormous, obvious-even-to-the-tone-deaf vocal gifts have at times made him look like nothing so much as that beloved of show-biz trope, the competition-crushing prodigy: Think Tom Hulce as Mozart in Amadeus."

Despite rumors, Apple not quite ready to take a bite out of The Beatles.

R.E.M.'s Accelerate to hit Facebook a week ahead of its release date.

THE WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

Last month I posted a clip of 25-year-old singer/songwriter Ferras performing his song "Hollywood's Not America" on The Today Show. Truth be told, his album Aliens & Rainbows, out today, contains far better material. If you don't want to take chance on the whole thing (though it's only $7.99 on iTunes), check out the early-Elton John and Bowie-esque title track, along with the power pop numbers "My Beautiful Lie" and "Something About You."

Randy Jackson's Music Club, Volume One also surfaces today. It contains Paula Abdul's current single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow."

Snoop Dogg's ninth studio album, the 21-track Ego Trippin', was reported to originally contain collaborations with Bono, Mick Jagger and Madonna. None of those made it on the set.

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News: Al Reynolds, Tel Aviv, Rent, Tucker Carlson, Attitude

Kathy Griffin ordained into the clergy of the Universal Life Church so that she can marry a straight couple: "People asked if I was concerned that I might upstage the bride. But Elka didn't have to worry. I'm wearing a green gown I wore to the Golden Globes a few years ago - which got me on one of those 'Worst Dressed' lists!"

Star Jones divorcing Al Reynolds: "They hadn’t been seeing eye to eye for months and had already spent a great deal of time apart. Finally, Star decided it was over. She told Al at the end of January that he had 30 days to get his act together or ‘get out.’"

Not over yet: Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal to reprise their roles in Rent for 2009 national tour.

Security camera developed that sees through clothing: "A camera that can "see" explosives, drugs and weapons hidden under clothing from 25 metres has been invented. The ThruVision system could be deployed at airports, railway stations or other public spaces. It is based on so-called 'terahertz', or T-ray, technology, normally used by astronomers to study dying stars. Although it is able to see through clothes it does not reveal 'body detail' or subject people to 'harmful radiation', according to the designers. 'It is totally and utterly passive - it receives only,' said a spokesperson for Thruvision."

Robbie Williams says he has seen three UFOs and wants to study them when he retires.

Paper reports on gay life in Afghanistan: "There are no organised gay associations in Afghanistan, but contrary to many Western countries, men can freely walk the streets holding hands. This was especially shocking for foreign troops who became fascinating for the Afghan men. Armed and ready to engage in conflicts with Al-Qaeda, the only conflicts the foreign troops had were with local men who only wanted to stroke their hair. 'It was hell. Every village we went into we got a group of men wearing make-up coming up, stroking our hair and cheeks and making kissing noises,' 20-year-old Corporal Paul Richard uttered."

The underground drag queens of Tel Aviv: "In an effort to carve out a space for themselves, Palestinian drag queens gather every few months at a club in the heart of Tel Aviv to take part in underground shows. These parties offer a rare forum for them to explore complicated and convoluted ideas about sexuality, politics, nationalism, militancy and religion. They're forging their identities at the center of what some consider an occupying power. The Palestinian nationalists among them recognize the irony in the fact that Israel has become their sanctuary. 'I didn't choose this place; it's the place that I found I could be myself in,' said M, a 24-year-old Arab-Israeli woman with short black hair who's performed at the club. 'That's my only refuge.'"

Cyndi Lauper asks Britney Spears to join her on the True Colors tour which starts on May 31.

What's Justin Timberlake's problem with women?

Tireless battle to save Laguna Beach's Boom Boom Room goes on: "Supporters of a beachside nightclub that catered for half a century to Hollywood's gay stars are hitting its owner with a blizzard of yellow postcards urging that the shuttered bar be reopened. Supporters, including 'Brady Bunch' co-star Florence Henderson and former National Basketball Association player Dennis Rodman, have sent about 500 yellow postcards emblazoned 'SAVE the BOOM!!!' to [owner Steven] Udvar-Hazy's Los Angeles office..."

Tucker Carlson's show gets dumped: "The official announcement, expected tomorrow, will include details about who will replace Tucker at 6pmET as well as other political programming additions. Sources say the network is going to beef up its schedule with more NBC News talent."

Olympic ambassador and former British silver medallist hurdler Colin Jackson: I'm not gay. " “I don't mind having people say what they like in that circumstance. I know that I am not but I don't think it's for me to be going round screaming it from the rooftops. I think it's just rubbish. It makes no real sense to me. It's quite strange and bizarre but people say what they say."

A gay and lesbian hotel brand with Attitude.

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Justin Timberlake in Pornstache and Speedos for The Love Guru

New Givenchy spokesmodel Justin Timberlake dons Speedos and a pornstache for Mike Myers' summer comedy The Love Guru. Myers' character notes of Timberlake's outfit: "Looks like he's smuggling a Schnauzer."

View the trailer AFTER THE JUMP...

You may have missed...
Justin Timberlake Bringing Givenchy Back
Justin Timberlake Submits to Fierce Ball-Crushing for Pepsi [tr]
Antonio Banderas Tops Justin Timberlake [tr]

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News: Sinead O'Connor, Chris Dodd, Kickboxing, William F. Buckley

American conservative standard-bearer William F. Buckley, Jr. is dead at 82.

Yesterday, Robbie showed us a snippet of Mariah Carey's new "Touch My Body" video. Here's the whole thing.

Madonna names new record Hard Candy: "She loves candy. It's about the juxtaposition of tough and sweetness, or as Madonna so eloquently expressed: 'I'm gonna kick your ass, but it's going to make you feel good.'"

UK hit by 5.2 earthquake, biggest since 1984: "Student David Bates, 19, suffered a suspected broken pelvis when he was hit by a falling piece of chimney in his attic bedroom in Wombwell, South Yorkshire, his father, Paul, said. Paul Bates said he was woken by a deep rumble which was followed by shouts from his son upstairs. He said David was hit by a piece of masonry about 2ft square, which had fallen from the chimney stack. 'This massive piece of stone had landed on his hip and he was just shouting that he thought it was broken and I called an ambulance,' he said. 'You just don't expect it. Of all the things that can happen - an earthquake.'"

Santa Clara, California Board of Supervisors votes to formally oppose FDA ban on gay blood donation.

Openly gay kickboxer Rod Llaneza discusses his champion status: "Llaneza is passionate when conversation turns to kickboxing, no doubt rekindling the desire that helped him defend the USA Amateur Champion belt from the Professional Karate Commission, a sanctioning body for kickboxing and karate, for four years until he retired in 2004 with a 19-2 record. When talk is of kickboxing, Llaneza displays a confident, passionate and even cocky side that served him well in the ring for kickboxing or boxing, where he captured a Golden Gloves title for Georgia. 'I love to perform and go out into the ring. I don’t really care about winning and losing. It’s all about the performing. I pride myself on being sharp. You’ll never be bored watching my fight,' he says."

Serve: Larry Craig looking for summer interns.

Senator Chris Dodd endorses Obama.

Sinead O'Connor unleashes on Kylie Minogue: "I know Australian fans might want to shoot me for saying this, but that would be a far better option than to listen to one of her albums."

Straight Australian Idol Guy Sebastian dogged by anti-gay taunts: "In September 2006, the original Australian Idol winner revealed he was on the verge of quitting the industry after his Palm Beach house was pelted with eggs and the word 'faggot' spray-painted on his car. But Sebastian, who recently became engaged to his long-term girlfriend Julie Egan, believes he has finally built up the necessary tolerance to handle the slander. 'I used to think it was just a part of being in the public eye, but really that kind of behaviour is just not on - that line shouldn't be crossed,' he said."

Gay grandson of Al Capone speaks.

British scientists explain how world will end: "The sun will slowly expand into a red giant, pushing the Earth farther out into space, but not far enough. Our home planet will be snagged by the sun's outer atmosphere, gradually plunging to its doom inside the fiery stellar furnace."

Christian foster parents in the UK denied application to parent because of their views on homosexuality: " The devastated couple withdrew an application to their council to continue as foster carers after being told they must condone homosexuality to adhere to gay rights laws. The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation), which came into force last April, makes it illegal for any business or organisation providing a public service to discriminate against anyone because of their sexuality. The council says its fostering panel felt it would not be following the regulations if it placed a child with a couple who could not comply with the Act."

Justin Timberlake begins work on Open Road movie.

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Justin Timberlake Bringing Givenchy Back

Justin Timberlake is reported to be the new face for Givenchy: "The Sexy Back singer is allegedly in talks to front the campaign and to model in advertisements for Parfum Givenchy’s men’s fragrance. If Timberlake signs up for the deal he will be adding model to his burgeoning CV, which already includes fashion designer, actor and restauranter. He will join Liv Tyler in Givenchy's A-list line up of spokespeople."

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Matthew McConaughey Rips Off His Shirt for Dolce & Gabbana [tr]
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Tom Brady Gets Fresh [tr]
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Scent of Scruff: Ewan McGregor to be Face of Davidoff Adventure [tr]

*note - this is not an official ad, just a helpful illustration.

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News: Writer's Strike, Lance Bass, Maryland, Val Kilmer, Florida

Michael Eisner says deal has been reached in writer's strike.

Charlize Theron impressed by breasts of Harvard's Hasty Pudding drag boys.

Anti-gay Pastor Ken Hutcherson's wife attends school board meeting