News: Obama iPhone, WTC, Stacey Q, Orlando, Matt Lucas

WTC site buildings to rise by 2012, developers say...

Kansas mayor wins prize for appearing in blackface drag...

Annie covers Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts".

Church trial begins for Presbyterian minister Janet Edwards, who stands accused of marrying a lesbian couple in 2005.

Protestors in Orlando target Magic owner over his support of anti-gay marriage amendment: "The protesters were calling attention to DeVos' contribution of $100,000 to Florida4Marriage, a group that supports Amendment 2, which would add the existing ban on gay marriage to the state constitution. Opponents say the measure could also deny domestic-partnership benefits for unmarried couples -- gay and straight. 'He's the biggest contributor to the amendment from Orlando,' said Jennifer Foster, who helped organize the protest, which drew about 30 people. 'And he's getting $1 billion in taxpayers' money to build the arena. That sends a bad message.'"

Liar: Mario Lopez said his shirtless days were over.

Russell T. Davies (Torchwood, Queer as Folk) to present £25,000 prize at gay and lesbian Iris Prize Festival in Cardiff Wales this weekend. Said Davies: "This year's shortlist includes work from an astonishing 11 countries, which confirms that gay and lesbian film making is alive and kicking around the world! I'm thrilled that so many of the film makers are making the trip to the festival and I'm sure that Cardiff will be a very special place with Iris and all her friends."

Little Britain's Matt Lucas to play Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, scheduled for a 2010 release. Shooting is currently underway.

Broadway actor Nick Adams appearing as Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Lyric theatre in Oklahoma City: "...once again, I 'm wearing nothing."

David Letterman: Top Ten Things Overheard at Sarah Palin’s Debate Camp.

Larry Flynt producing Palin porn film.

Court date pushed back for Vancouver gay basher: "Appearing briefly in provincial court Tuesday on behalf of the accused, Danny Markovitz, Kandola's lawyer, asked that the matter be put over so that he may have full disclosure before proceeding with the case. To date, he said all he has been provided with is a copy of the victim's police statement." Attack inspires another Vancouver gay bashing victim to come forward.

Obama takes campaign to the iPhone: "Over the weekend, the campaign launched a volunteer-developed application that iPhoners can download. 'Obama '08', which is free through the Apple.com iTunes store, features several options aimed at supporters and undecided voters.

May contain nuts: Chef releases testicle cookbook.

Steve Fossett ID card, items found in remote area of California: "They found some miscellaneous ID and actually some cash in the area, and the ID has the name of Steve Fossett on it. We're not certain that it belongs to Steve Fossett but it certainly has his name on the ID which are some miscellaneous pilots and/or aircraft licenses. We found no wreckage. We have found a sweatshirt in the area as well. And it's certainly been out in the area for some time as it's quite faded." UPDATE: San Diego firefighter jurors deliberate for full day, begin again...

Racial and homophobic abuse from fans directed at footballer Sol Campbell under investigation.

High school student wins national writing award for piece about lesbian moms: "Described by foundation and contest organizer Bobbi Carducci as a brave account of a nontraditional family, Aitken-Young's 1,900-word essay 'Unequal' is broken into short chapters that explore how a female character raised by a lesbian couple deals with homophobia from a young age until she is a grandmother. 'She took a rather controversial subject and wrote about it beautifully,' Carducci said. Read it here.

Mario Lopez: My Shirtless Days are Over, Except When They're Not

He tells People he's through with beefcake: "My shirtless photo-shoot days are behind me. Obviously, being healthy and staying fit are important to me. My TV projects are my main priority. And no, you will never see me host Extra without a shirt."

However: "Lopez says he is 'thrilled' to be reprising the role of Dr. Mike Hamoui on the cable series [Nip/Tuck], with Dr. Mike moving to Los Angeles – where he can once again gain the attention of the ab-admiring Dr. Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) in the locker room. 'A small spoiler,' says Lopez. 'Dr. Mike might not be taking anymore showers at the gym with Christian, but he will lose his shirt.'"

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News: Ryan Seacrest, Howl, Ang Lee, Jay Brannan, The Cock

UK teen fights for his life after anti-gay attack: "Michael Causer, 19, was battered on Friday morning in Tarbock Road, Huyton, as he walked home after a night out. Today police described the attack as a hate crime. Locals said Mr Causer was never involved in trouble or fighting. One friend told the ECHO: 'Michael is just a tiny lad really. He’s not very big at all. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a little sweetheart. I can’t believe this has happened to him. Everybody’s thoughts are with his family. I can’t believe Michael has been attacked because of his sexuality. It’s disgusting.' Friends said Mr Causer lived with his parents in Whiston and has two sisters and an older brother. Residents said he was delighted after getting a job at a hairdressing salon."

Ryan Seacrest attacked by a shark!

Ang Lee holds open casting call for Elliott Tiber film in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Those of you attending Stockholm EuroPride in Sweden may want to check out this concert on August 1 conducted by New York's Jonathan Sheffer with several guest opera singers. We hear John Cameron Mitchell is also in town for a performance of Hedwig Wednesday night.

U.S. Olympic team's Ralph Lauren outfits on display.

Harsh lighting does not suit Daniel Craig.

WordPerfect creator Bruce Bastian writes $1 million check to fight Proposition 8 at San Francisco HRC dinner: "Supporters of the effort to ban same-sex marriage already have taken in more than $1.2 million from out-of-state contributors for the fall campaign. And even before Bastian, a co-founder of the WordPerfect software company, opened his checkbook, gay and lesbian rights groups and their supporters from around the country had put more than $1.3 million into the fight against the ballot initiative."

A Mexican man's journey to see Jay Brannan.

Colorado bans WTF license plate: "Other combinations banned by the state include KKK, ASS, HEL, FAG, COP, FBI, GAY, JEW, JAP, WOP and CAT."

Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan love The Cock.

Obama supporter's car keyed: "The words 'white power' and 'I'm gay' were etched into the car of Karen Wastradowski last Saturday. Wastradowski had left her car in the driveway of her home when the vandals struck. She filed a report with Vancouver police. Wastradowski said a blue "Elect Obama" sign in her yard could have caused the crime."

Howl: James Franco to play beat poet Allen Ginsburg. “I’ve certainly read ‘Howl.’ I was very into the beatniks when I was in high school, and I still am. So I certainly have read Howl many times.”

Shia LaBeouf's pre-DUI arrest confession: "It’s not something that is conducive to being a role model. … And I don’t know how to do it like a gentleman. I don’t know how to have one drink."

AfterElton calls out science fiction author Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) for a homophobic essay in the Mormon Times: "In this essay alone, he calls us liars, says that we have 'sex-role dysfunctions,' and that we’re 'tragic genetic mix-ups' (even as he indicates elsewhere in the essay that humans have an absolutely unalterable 'long mammalian tradition of heterosexuality'). Previously, in a long history of anti-gay screeds, Card has said he supports anti-sodomy laws that would criminalize same-sex behavior (though he grants that we shouldn't all be thrown in prison and labeled sex offenders — just enough of us to set an example so that we all go into hiding, living lonely, miserable, fearful lives)."

Show us the proof.

Mario Lopez named host of Extra.

Canadian court claims Nigerian asylum seeker "cooked up" story that he's gay to obtain refugee status: "According to court documents, the man mixed up the names of gay bars he claimed to frequent in Winnipeg, called no witnesses to support his claim, and although he joined the gay lobby group EGALE, he could not describe that organization's function and was therefore accused by the board of only joining up to bolster his claim."

News: Marriage Language, Jupiter, Harvey Milk, Bahrain

California marriage ballot measure language changed: "Proposition 8 on the November ballot had been described as a measure to limit marriage between a man and a woman. But the Secretary of State's office says that description was changed to reflect a May 15 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The ballot title and summary now describe the initiative as a constitutional change to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry. The revised language also says California could lose several tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes if same-sex marriage were banned. Critics of the measure say the change accurately shows the initiative would take away a current right of Californians."

Close up on Jupiter.

Bunny boiler: Tricia Walsh-Smith puts another hit out on Kathie Lee Gifford, sells husband's condoms on eBay.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom weds in Montana.

UK Survey: 4 of 5 Protestants say gay sex is a sin.

Shia Labeouf crashes car, arrested for DUI.

'Harvey Milk Day' bill awaits action in California senate: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill, which awaits action in the Senate after passing the Assembly, 45-28, with most Republicans voting no. Randy Thomasson, of Campaign for California Children and Families, which opposes AB 2567, said the bill is a new tactic in a long push to portray homosexuality in a positive light to kids. 'Harvey Milk Day is the equivalent of having Gay Day at every school in the state,' he said."

Bahrain MP: No homosexuals allowed.

Play about gay Christians offered up to bishops at the Anglican Lambeth Conference.

Lucas Grabeel on shooting Milk: "No one told me how great I was. The director hardly spoke to me. I was just doing my thing and talking to these amazing actors. In the beginning of shooting, I thought, 'You guys must hate me. I must be the worst actor. I don't know what to do' and they were like, 'You were hired to do the job. That's why he hired you.' It was an amazing epiphany."

Mario Lopez immortalized in oil.

UK activist Peter Tatchell slams Northern Irish homophobic politicians: "It is particularly hypocritical for unionist politicians to play the homophobic card when their hero, William of Orange, had male lovers."

Anti-gay New Jersey group National Organization for Marriage stepping into California gay marriage battle: "NOM, a taxable political advocacy group that can raise money without contribution limits, has quickly built up some fundraising muscle. It started a California chapter in January. By March, the group had raised just over $775,000, according to campaign finance filings. Only the California umbrella group ProtectMarriage.com has raised more for the cause. While NOM's biggest chunk in California _ $250,000 _ came from the Knights of Columbus, the group has also raised smaller amounts from individuals. The group says it has now raised more than $1 million in California and more than $2 million overall."

Naked Cowboy cuffed, mocked in SF.

Matthew McConaughey takes 20-day-old son surfing.

Washington Post looks at the transgender homeless: "It's hard to explain -- just as the spectrum of gender is hard to explain. Parents' and society's rejection of children who don't fit the norm is hard to explain, too. But most confounding of all is the forbearance these young people have in the face of intolerance and cruelty. They go -- like the definition of trans-- 'across, beyond and through' preconceptions. They are unlike anyone I have encountered before."

Director of Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival fires director Carol Coombes: "'Carol is British and in 60 days she might have to leave the country,' said Harvey Burstein, a festival founder and former board member. He said Coombes' visa requires she be employed in the film industry and that she was to get her permanent residency or green card in November. Coombes, fired on Friday, joined the festival in 2001 and became director a few years later. She declined to comment. 'It's a very unfortunate complication of a very heartfelt, thought-out decision,' said festival board member Mark Gilbert."

Mario Lopez Strikes all the Poses

So, in addition to the classic Marky Mark ad and the Burt Reynolds bear rug centerfold (pixellation courtesy NBC) that Mario Lopez has attempted to recreate in the pages of People magazine this week, he also attempted to conquer a look from 1980's The Blue Lagoon, which should excite anyone who's a diaper loincloth fetishist or puka shell fanatic.

Check it out, AFTER the JUMP..

News: Peter Pace, Jellyfish, Oregon, Gilbert Baker, Moscow

Bush awards former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair and homophobe Peter Pace the Congressional Medal of Freedom.

Will Smith superhero movie re-branded by construction worker in London's Leicester Square.

Sick: Brutal trans-bashing by Memphis police officer caught on video. "The video, recorded February 12th, shows Duanna Johnson in the booking area at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center after an arrest for prostitution. The tape clearly shows a Memphis police officer walk over to Johnson - a transsexual - and hit her in the face several times. 'Actually he was trying to get me to come over to where he was, and I responded by telling him that wasn't my name - that my mother didn't name me a 'faggot' or a 'he-she,' so he got upset and approached me. And that's when it started.'"

Uh oh, there's a new Spears in town.

Gaytona.com: where gay and Nascar meet.

Experts: Mass proliferation of jellyfish a sure sign that environment is out of whack.

Oregon opponents of gay rights laws abandon efforts to repeal them: "Organizers conceded Monday that their initiatives to repeal two Oregon gay rights laws will not make the November ballot. The fact that the initiatives are stalled offers more evidence that opponents are losing support, say gay rights activists, who were also celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriages in California on Monday."

Provocation: Right-wing group asks Israeli Supreme Court to ban Gay Pride in Jerusalem: "In a petition to the court, the small National Jewish Front called the event 'a provocation,' while the municipality filed a brief saying it too objected to the parade, scheduled to be held on June 26. 'We are against this parade which harms social relations,' city spokesman Gidi Schemerling told AFP."

Members of the clergy in Albany today rallied to protest Governor David Paterson's decision to recognize same-sex marriages preformed out of state.

An interview with rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker: "I love going to cities around the world and seeing the rainbow flag, knowing that it's a safe place where I can be myself...In 1978, when I thought of creating a flag for the gay movement there was no other international symbol for us than the pink triangle, which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps. Even though the pink triangle was and still is a powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us. I almost instantly thought of using the rainbow. To me, it was the only thing that could really express our diversity, beauty and our joy. I was astounded nobody had thought of making a rainbow flag before because it seemed like such an obvious symbol for us."

Mario Lopez is impressed with himself.

Recommend picks from the California Tourism Commission for places to have your wedding or honeymoon.

Mickey Rourke spent his Father's Day with a dude in a thong.

Hockey jock doesn't speak, but carries a big stick (warning: site NSFW)

District Court of Moscow dismisses complaint by activists that gay pride ban was unlawful: " During court hearing, Nikolai Alekseev, principle the organiser of Moscow Pride, said that the Russian legislation does not give the authorities the right to ban any public event if it does not contradict the Constitution. According to the law, he told the court, authorities are obliged to offer an alternative place or time for the conduct of such an event if it is not possible to stage it in the place where planned."