News: Syrian, Luke Macfarlane, Batman, Seattle Opera, Outfest,

Killer of Daytona Beach cross-dresser sentenced to life in prison.

Becks is a Sharpie in new print campaign.

Gay Syrian Jojo Jako Yakob to be deported from Scotland: "It has now emerged that an immigration tribunal has turned down his request to stay in the UK, despite accepting that Yakob is gay and that Syria criminalises and represses homo– sexuality."

He came out shirtless: Matthew McConaughey has a child.

Kenyan bishop threatens to quit over gay marriages: "The Reverend Thomas Kogo, a bishop at the Eldoret ACK Diocese, has issued the quit notice, saying he could not support a church that condones homosexuality. Kogo, who has just returned from a pilgrimage in Israel, said the faithful must uphold the sanctity of the Anglican family. He said those advocating for gay marriages were driven by desire for money and wealth. 'God recognises marriage between man and woman, and there is no way we will accept homosexuality and gay marriages. The Bible is very clear on the matter,' he said."

Boy George speaks to Newsweek about denial of visa: "I am hardly a threat to national security. I am just a performer trying to do his job. I have called America home at different times in my life. I love America, and the American people have always treated me with love and kindness since I went there as a 19-year-old boy with my band Culture Club."

Turkish oil wrestling!

SAS Scandinavian Airlines launches dedicated gay website: "The website is unique in its personalised aspect, providing a ‘gay’ counterpart to the popular SAS crew tips, offering tips from SAS’ own gay crew members on the best offerings in Stockholm and Copenhagen."

Gay and lesbian Christians to protest Pope Benedict's arrival in Sydney: "The protest, calling for equality for gay and lesbian followers, will take place at the Pitt Street Uniting Church this Sunday, coinciding with Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in Sydney. Catholic writer and educator Michael Kelly said gay and lesbian people had been marginalised and condemned by mainstream churches, particularly the Catholic Church. He labelled the 'version of Christianity that is coming to Sydney' as propaganda. 'We call on gay and lesbian Christians ... to join us in standing up for the goodness of being gay, and not allow right-wing religious propaganda to silence our faith, hope and love,' he said."

Batman refuses to work with Robin.

Brothers and Sisters' Luke MacFarlane interviewed at the Rome Fiction Festival.

L.A.'s Outfest film festival begins tomorrow. Here's the official site. It's opening with the gay hockey film Breakfast with Scot. Also, here's a new piece from indieWire on the state of queer cinema...

Indian actor walks off talk show after being asked about sexual orientation: "What sort of a question is that Sajid? First you call me for your chat show, and then ask me such stuff!"

American Idol's 'gay stripper' David Hernandez spotted sucking female face in San Diego.

Seattle Opera announces three LGBT nights for upcoming season: "At these designated performances, patrons may pay $100 for discounted main-floor orchestra seating, private intermission receptions (with wine, hors d'oeuvres and desserts) and admission to preshow lectures. The inaugural event — an Aug. 22 presentation of 'Aida' — will be hosted by Seattle Opera trustee JJ McKay and Washington state Sen. Ed Murray. Tickets for the evening are on sale now." (site)

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Brothers and Sisters: The Wedding...er, Commitment

[[SPOILERS AHEAD]]

As promised, last night's Brothers and Sisters featured the commitment ceremony between Kevin and Scotty that all the cast members were gabbing about on Friday, preceded by an uncomfortable visit to Scotty's parents, who refused to attend. I've clipped that scene below.

I clipped the commitment ceremony, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
A Brothers and Sisters Gay Union Preview [tr]

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A Brothers and Sisters Gay Union Preview

That's one fine looking couple.

[[WARNING: SPOILERS]]

USA Today visited the set of the big Brothers and Sisters commitment ceremony and collected quotes from some of the regulars.

Matthew Rhys, on the wedding cake topper: "Is it a man and a woman? Oh, it's two men. Fantastic. There were jokes made that they wouldn't be able to find two men, so they'd have to doctor the woman by adding a moustache. It's all very progressive, evolved and about time."

Rhys on the ceremony and wardrobe: "Luke and I were rehearsing who was to stand where, which would put one of us in the woman's position, and a few comments were made. And neither of us was going to wear a white suit while the other wore black."

Calista Flockhart: "It's a milestone, and I was really quite pleased that I got to be a part of it."

Rob Lowe: "It's pretty romantic in there."

Chad Lowe, who was visiting the set: "I'm here to witness history."

Balthazar Getty on Dave Annable's character being best man: "Dave's been locked in his dressing room, crying."

Annable: "Balthazar couldn't handle not being best man."

And here are some additional SPOILERS: "the liberal-leaning show does attempt to recognize those who oppose gay marriage by introducing Scotty's disapproving parents, who skip the ceremony. That volatile relationship is expected to be explored in Season 3. Another possibility: children.

Luke Macfarlane: "Kitty makes a speech about Scotty and Kevin building a family, which hopefully is foreshadowing."

Executive producer Monica Breen: "They will be a family. Kevin deserves a stable relationship in the same way that Kitty, Sarah and all the others deserve it. He will be facing many questions in his life — but now he has someone to share that with."

And if you missed it, last week's proposal, AFTER THE JUMP...

Top this: A gay ceremony on ABC's 'Brothers & Sisters' [usa today]

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Big Gay Moment on Brothers and Sisters

One of two big gay moments from last night's Brothers and Sisters (SPOILER warning), AFTER THE JUMP...

Screw Pete Burns.

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Brothers & Sisters Actor Luke MacFarlane: I'm Gay

Though his rumored relationship with T.R. Knight was well documented and other relationships speculated about, Luke MacFarlane was never out publicly until today, in an interview with Canada's Globe & Mail:

"Though no secret to his family and close friends, Macfarlane has, until now, been guarded about his personal life as a gay man. Over lunch in Los Angeles, where he lives, he initially insists that he has no concerns about his public revelation - but a few seconds later he is shifting nervously in his chair, and concedes that he is 'terrified.' ... 'I don't know what will happen professionally ... that is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth. There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what's been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way.'"

Macfarlane also talks about the big upcoming event [Possible SPOILER] on Brothers & Sisters:

"From a standing outside perspective, and also as someone who is gay, I think that it's a very exciting time. How exciting that we're saying, 'This can be part of the cultural fabric, now,' because it is two series regulars, two people that you invite into your home and you see every week. It's telling of the beginning of more waves and I'm very proud of that...Most importantly, in portraying gay people, the more we realize it's just like portraying anybody else and, gay marriage, it's not about two people being gay, it's about two people who love each other and who have decided to commit to each other for the exact same reasons any other couple would get married. Hopefully, the more that becomes part of the cultural awareness it won't be...(he pauses and says, employing a mock, exaggerated voice of a television announcer)...a spectacular Sunday episode."

Luke MacFarlane of "Brothers & Sisters" comes out publicly as gay [after elton]
A commitment to himself [globe and mail]

Previously
T.R. Knight and Luke MacFarlane: TV's Hottest New Gay Couple? [tr]
Wentworth Miller and Luke MacFarlane Take it to the Streets [tr]
Itemized: Wentworth Miller and Luke McFarlane? [tr]
Luke MacFarlane and Matthew Rhys Heat Up Brothers & Sisters [tr]

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Wentworth Miller and Luke MacFarlane Take it to the Streets

Wentworth Miller and Luke MacFarlane (former companion of T.R. Knight) were recently spotted on an outing. No conclusions should be drawn here, but feel free to let your fantasies run wild.

You may have missed...
T.R. Knight and Luke MacFarlane: TV's Hottest New Gay Couple? [tr]
Wentworth Miller: "I'm Not Gay" [tr]

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Itemized: Wentworth Miller and Luke McFarlane?

From the Rock Hudson department of unsubstantiated rumors comes this item floated by Perez Hilton over the weekend, that Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has found a new friend in former T.R. Knight beau Luke Macfarlane, who spent some time earlier this year playing the boyfriend of Matthew Rhys on Brothers & Sisters.

For the record, Wentworth Miller has denied that he is gay but says he is fine with the rumors: "No, I'm not gay. I know these rumours are out there ... I'm cool with the fact that they exist, I mean this is about fantasy. Certain people are going to have certain fantasies, if someone wants to imagine me with a woman, or a man or one of each that's cool with me as long as you keep watching the show."

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Luke MacFarlane and Matthew Rhys Heat Up Brothers & Sisters

In case you missed it, ABC's Brothers & Sisters was injected with a bit of gay romance the other night as Luke MacFarlane and Matthew Rhys' characters Scotty and Kevin locked lips. MacFarlane has been busy with relationships on and off-screen. If you remember, he was spotted earlier this week with recently out Grey's Anatomy actor T.R. Knight. No kiss there to report yet.

(source)

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T.R. Knight and Luke MacFarlane: TV's Hottest New Gay Couple?

Fresh off last week's announcement that he is gay, the paparazzi caught up with Grey's Anatomy actor TR Knight out with Brothers and Sisters actor Luke MacFarlane, and speculation quickly arose as to whether Knight and MacFarlane are prime time's hottest new gay couple.

Some new candidates for the gay visibility award, perhaps?

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