Mexican Federal Official Comes Out at AIDS Conference

Jorge Saavedra, general director of the Centro Nacional para la Prevencion y el Control del VIH/SIDA (a Mexican Ministry of Health Agency), spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time at last week's International AIDS Conference in Mexico City:

"Saavedra's moment of truth came in the middle of an impassioned speech to 5,000 people at the International AIDS Conference about the paltry amount of money being spent to stop the spread of AIDS among gay men, when he said publicly for the first time that he was gay. As he held up a photo of himself with his partner, the crowd applauded wildly. Afterward, men from Africa and India congratulated him with tears in their eyes. 'They told me that I was a hero, and that they wished they could do the same in their countries,' said Saavedra, who is infected with HIV and also heads the AIDS prevention program in a country where many gay men live in denial."

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Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Local shooter Lalo Lechuga captured some arresting images from the 30th annual Mexico City Gay Pride celebration, which started June 26 and ended today. This event, one of the largest of its kind in the world, has attracted up to a million revelers in the past.

Connoisseurs of fine photography will enjoy more shots AFTER THE JUMP.

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Mexico City Metro Stop Features Look at Same-Sex Relationships

The subway in Mexico City at Metro Centro Medico has an exhibit of photographer Oscar Sanchez on display called "Familias Mexicanas," featuring depictions of different types of same-sex couples in their domestic spaces.

According to blogger Daniel Hernandez, who documented the show, the photo above features Alfonso and Ruben, who met when they were 11 and 18-years-old, respectively. They became a couple seven years later and they're in an open relationship. The guy in the middle, apparently, is their guest.

Same-sex couples on display in Mexico City metro [intersections]

(via queerty)

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Ryan Phillippe Keeping a Close Eye on Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon prepare to vacay in Cabo San Lucas. Don't think for a moment that Ryan Phillippe hasn't employed his magazine cover spies to keep a watchful eye.

Yeah, there's been a dearth of Jake Gyllenhaal posts here lately, because, well, since he's entered this showmance or whatever it is, it's all been pretty boring. But, for those of you who have been salivating for some shirtless shots, your gift is AFTER THE JUMP...

(image source)

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News: Dana Perino, Mexico City, Pedro Andrade, Hate Crimes Act

NYT nails Congress for failure to pass Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes act.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino admits she didn't know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was: "I was panicked a bit because I really don't know about . . . the Cuban Missile Crisis...It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I'm pretty sure."

Snubbed by Barbara Walters: Larry Birkhead not as fascinating as he thought.

New York City remembers pioneering gay rights activist Bob Kohler: " With candles and signs held high, and with pill bottles and ceramic pots filled with some of Mr. Kohler’s cremated remains, dozens of his friends and admirers marched through the streets, chanting to the beat of a drummer, stories of Mr. Kohler’s courage in more than six decades of activism spilling from their lips. Some cried as they stepped down West 13th Street, Seventh Avenue and Christopher Street to Sheridan Square, ending up at the Hudson River piers, a refuge for many gay youths in the area. 'Till the very end he struggled for us, all of us,' said Jennifer Flynn, 36, a friend and member of a group of mostly lesbian activists who helped to care for Mr. Kohler as he battled cancer in his final days. 'He could have lived a comfortable life somewhere. He could have ignored everyone.'"

Washington state gay rights leaders expect to see more advances in the coming legislative session: "Advocates say they'll push for expanded rights in areas such as property, retirement and pension benefits in the 2008 session."

Jude Law gets a birthday kiss from Jonny Miller.

Mexico City grants gay prisoners conjugal visits.

Missionaries shot dead at training center before gunman shoots four more at New Life Church, where Ted Haggard once preached: "A gunman in a black trench coat and a high-powered rifle entered the church's main foyer about 1 p.m. and began shooting, according to the source at the church, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the police department had asked that it release all information. The church's 11 a.m. service had recently ended, and hundreds of people were milling about when the gunman opened fire. Nearby were parents picking up their children from the nursery. The gunman was killed by a member of the church's armed security staff, the source said. Four people were shot, and the source did not know whether the shooter was one of the four. A SWAT team was searching the building for an explosive device, but the source could not confirm any details."

NYT: The 53 places to go in 2008, and the 70 best ideas of 2007.

Lance Bass' ex Pedro Andrade has a new gig as a host for LXTV: "I just found my spot, and I'll be right here if you need me."

Anti-gay Scout leader arrested for molesting young boys: "Mr. Evans sued the city in his role as a leader of the Sea Scouts, an affiliate program of the Boy Scouts. The city, after providing free berthing for a Sea Scouts boat for 60 years, said in 1998 that a Boy Scout policy barring gay scouts and atheists violated Berkeley’s rules against discrimination. The city said the Scouts would have to leave the berth or pay $500 a month rent. Mr. Evans sued for discrimination and for violating the Scouts’ First Amendment rights. The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Berkeley."

Israel recognizes same-sex adoptions from overseas: "This is another step toward equality and the abolition of discrimination toward same-sex couples. The time has come for the state to recognize these couples, just as it recognizes the adoptions of heterosexual couples."

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Adam Sandler Open to Working with Gay Rights Groups

In Mexico City to promote the opening (are they really still rolling out this film?) of I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Adam Sandler told reporters that he would be willing to work with gay rights groups, the AP reports.

Said the actor: ''If I can help anybody in any way, I certainly would.''

A reporter asked Sandler if he thought he might become a "gay icon"...

Said Sandler: ''I don't think that's gonna happen, dude, certainly not. If I was a gay man, I wouldn't want me to represent [the gay community]."

Kevin James was asked about some reactions to the movie labeling it homophobic: "Of course, we didn't want to offend anybody or hurt anybody.If we can help people too along the way, that would be great."

And Sandler received the obligatory kiss question, which he called "Not bad...He was clean, and he seemed to brush his teeth and all that."

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News: Hillary Clinton, Estonia Pride, Gael Garcia Bernal, Mike Jones

Jim David on The Gay Squirm Factor: "It's enough to make you want to move to Scandinavia, where nobody cares about the gays. If it just wasn't so freaking cold."

Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna host human rights benefit in Mexico City: "The $300-a-plate meal in the capital will benefit Mexico's Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights as well as Witness, an organization founded by singer Peter Gabriel that promotes the use of video and film to document human rights abuses."

Former Andy Warhol sidekick Bob Colacello to W magazine: "I'm presumably gay. I believe in going out, not coming out. It takes more courage to be openly Republican than to be openly gay in New York today. I'm a bit of a contrarian."

Putting it all online? Recent developments in "cloud storage" solutions from Google, Microsoft, and Apple.

Tropical Depression 4 forms in Atlantic. Will become "Dean" if named...

Ricky Martin shows off his skills.

Gay Pride march in Estonia takes place peacefully: "An estimated 300 people gathered in the historic part of the city to celebrate their sexuality, protected by private security officers and an increased police presence. Despite fears of a repeat of last year's violence, when Estonian skinheads injured several marchers by hurling missiles, the event passed off without any significant incident. About halfway down the route, anti-gay demonstrators formed an alternative procession. About a dozen mostly Russian-speaking men, women and children chanted 'no pride' at the marchers."

Ted Haggard escort Mike Jones in new play about soldiers who "go AWOL after being exposed to friendly-fire nerve gas in an all-base orgy."

British military puts gag order on soldiers' blogs: "Members of the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Servants must seek prior permission from [MoD media authorities] if they wish to communicate about defence via books, articles or academic papers; self-publish via a blog, podcast or other shared text, audio or video; take part in external questionnaires, polls, surveys or research projects, speak at conferences, private engagements or other events where the public or media may be present; or contribute to any online community or share information such as a bulletin board, wiki, online social network, or multi-player game..."

Britney Spears' hot tub hook-up talks to Access Hollywood.

Inside the Hillary Clinton fundraiser at The Abbey in West Hollywood: "...we hear people starting cheering loudly in the VIP room and camera flashes seep through the curtain separating us common folk. She's coming! The crowd begins to chant "Hillary! Hillary!" and it really starts to feel like a rock concert. Then at about 9:00 we see it, her bright red jacket slips through the maroon curtain and the crowd is in a frenzy! 'We Love You Hillary!' and 'You're Fabulous!' seem to be the shouts of choice."

Artist constructs Stephen Colbert portrait out of 768 mini Rubik's Cubes.

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18,000 Bare All for Spencer Tunick in Mexico City

For all our Spencer Tunick coverage, click here.

In Mexico City yesterday, 18,000 people disrobed to be part of photographer Spencer Tunick's latest human installation, in the city's massive Zocalo Square. A "no-fly" zone was established above the historic plaza, rich in cultural and social history: "One of the world's biggest and most imposing squares, the Zocalo is framed by a cathedral, city hall and the National Palace official seat of government, which is adorned with murals by Diego Rivera. A ruined temple next to it was once the center of the Aztec civilization and was used for worship and human sacrifice. Spanish conquistadors used bricks from the temple to help build their own capital."

Said one participant to Reuters: "This event proves that really we're not such a conservative society anymore. We're freeing ourselves of taboos." Mexico City recently began registering its first same-sex civil unions since a law was passed legalizing them last November.

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News: Bono, Andre Boisclair, Dolly Parton, Texas Triangle

Anti-gay group MassResistance taking predatory photos of gay youth? More...

Bono is knighted. Just don't call him Sir.

Saudi King Abdullah publicly condemns "illegitimate foreign occupation" of Iraq. Crooks and Liars: "Wow, talk about Bush really losing his base."

Winner or loser? Kevin Federline to walk away with a cool million in Britney Spears divorce settlement.

Daily Kos on the threatened Bush veto: "Bush's veto sends troops to Iraq without rest, without armor, and without training. No president in American history has ever abandoned troops in the field to die. But George W. Bush is about to show you he's "man enough" to do it, just to prove he can."

Patti LuPone to headline Gypsy revival in New York. Arthur Laurents to direct.

Openly gay Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair criticized after party has worst election showing in decades: "PQ Leader Andre Boisclair is openly gay and his sexuality became an issue during the campaign when a radio host proclaimed the PQ 'a club of fags' and said local factory workers wouldn't vote for a gay leader." Candidate Rachel Gagnon: "We have to ask ourselves whether Quebecers, generally, are ready to live with homosexuality."

American Family Association pissed that Allegheny College is holding a two-day colloquium that begins today on gay, lesbian and transgender issues.

More reasons to love Dolly Parton: "When I have sex with my husband these days, I fantasize I am with someone like Keith Urban or a petite, hot young woman."

Lesbian journalist Kay Longcope, who started the Texas Triangle newspaper when she moved to Austin in 1992, has died of pancreatic cancer.

Tortilla artist Joe Bravo is a sensation in Mexico, breaking gallery attendance records.

Australia's first gay cruise hit by drug bust: "Police and sniffer dogs inspected all passengers before boarding and five people were detected with drugs on them. A 38 year-old Surry Hills man was found with 20 tablets and charged with supply, while three others – a 26 year-old from Wantirna in Victoria, 35 year-old from Glenmore, Victoria and a 37 year-old from Darlinghurst – were charged with possession of GHB, speed and LSD. A fifth man, 55 years-old, was cautioned for possessing a gram of cannabis."

Video highlights from the Sampson hearing on the firing of U.S. attorneys.

Madonna plans retrospective of her 25 years in show biz: "The singer also mentioned that she would love to throw a party for all of her friends that would, 'celebrate all the designers', such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix, who have created famous and groundbreaking designs for Madonna over the years."

Conservative groups in Minnesota fighting gay hospital visitation rights: "What we object to is the creation of these domestic partner statuses, which is really marriage by another name and that's what we see they are attempting to do."

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Ricky Martin: Life is Too Short to be In the Closet

While touring Mexico City on his "Black & White" Tour, Ricky Martin was asked about the recent coming out of Mexican pop star Christian Chavez (whom the Associate Press calls Christian Sanchez). Chavez told fans he is gay in early March after pictures of the singer marrying his partner in Canada in 2005 surfaced on the internet.

In a letter on his website, Chavez wrote: "I don’t want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear, I love what I do and singing is my life, my passion. I would never dream of doing anything else. I feel bad for not having shared this withall my fans before, as they are the ones that worry and it is because of them that I decided to be honest."

Martin said of Chavez: "Life is too short to live closed up, guarding what you say. [Christian] has to be free in many aspects. I wish him much strength."

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Mexico City Registers First Same-Sex Civil Union

As an orchestra played "Bésame Mucho", Antonio Medina, 38, (right) and Jorge Cerpa, 31, on Friday became the first same-sex couple to register for a civil union in Mexico City under the law according to El Universal:

"They were united Friday in a plaza in front of the government offices for Mexico City´s Iztapalapa precinct, signing documents under a banner that read 'Civil Union Law: Your right to choose' as dozens of supporters yelled 'Bravo!' and waved rainbow flags."

Mexico City, though the first municipality to pass such a law, is the second to put it into action. The northern state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, began registering civil unions in late January.

Said Medina: "With this law, a history of exclusion comes to an end. Today, the love that before did not dare speak its name has now entered the public spotlight."

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Mexico Registers its First Same-sex Civil Union

Mexico registered its first civil union since the northern state of Coahuila legalized them on January 11th. The ceremony took place in the city of Saltillo, according to the Associated Press:

"The couple, Karina Almaguer and Karla Lopez, traveled to Saltillo from their home state of Tamaulipas to register as a 'civil solidarity union' under a newly passed law that made Coahuila the first of Mexico's 31 states to grant recognition to such unions."

Official witness to the union was Coahuila State Assemblywoman Julieta Lopez Fuentes. Said Fuentes: "The object of this law is that unions of people of the same sex be legally regulated and recognized, so that they can have some security in their future."

Mexico City legalized civil unions last November, but the law does not go into effect until the middle of March.

Best wishes to the happy couple.

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Mexican State of Coahuila Legalizes Same-Sex Unions [tr]

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Mexican State of Coahuila Legalizes Same-Sex Unions

By a vote of 20-13, legislators in the Mexican state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, yesterday passed the most progressive same-sex union law in that country, one that goes further, according to Reuters, than one passed by lawmakers in Mexico City in November.

Said gay rights activist Silvia Solis: "It is more like a civil marriage." Among other benefits, the law "would grant social security benefits to both members of a homosexual union."

Coahuila, Mexico's third largest state with a population of 2.3 million, once formed a territory with Texas to its north, before Texas seceded to become the Republic of Texas (and then later part of the United States).

When Mexico City passed its same-sex union law in November, openly gay congressman David Sanchez said, "These reforms are going to cause a snowball effect that no one will be able to stop." Coahuila, which had its same-sex union bill in the works at the time, is the first state to follow suit.

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Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Alfonso Cuaron for Gay Unions

Actors Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, and director Alfonso Cuaron voiced their public support for Mexico City's legalization of same-sex civil unions in a one-page ad taken out in Mexican newspapers.

Said the celebs: "The vote for the civil-unions law was a vote in favor of liberty, social equality and the strength of civil society."

The new law, which has not surprisingly raised objections from religious and social conservatives, gives gay couples spousal and inheritance rights and allows them to register their relationship with civil authorities. It does not go so far as to label the union a "marriage".

Below, a couple of clips related to the excellent Cuaron-directed 2001 film Y tu Mamá Tambien which stars Bernal and Luna. The film's official trailer and an interview that took place in New York around the time of the film's opening.

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News: Franco Zeffirelli, Mexico, 'Fag' Students, London HIV Stats

Conservative party in Mexico considering filing challenge to Mexico City's new gay union law, saying it violates rules in that country's constitution which protect the family. "City legal counsel Maria Estela Rios, however, called the argument 'absurd' because the law guarantees legal rights for same-sex couples, but does not legalize gay marriage."

Pittsburgh area school board Vice President William Scherfel refers to students in gay-straight alliance as "fags".

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What will happen in the next 50 years? More than 70 scientists offer their forecasts.

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New York's HX acquires Boston's In Newsweekly.

Robbie Williams says he'd have sex with a man to save an animal's life: "I wouldn't enjoy it but I could do it under pain of death, or if it meant saving a baby bunny from being burned alive." I'd be willing to bet he's saved a few rabbits already.

Director Franco Zeffirelli said that a priest put the moves on him as a boy, in Catholic school, but it seems he quite enjoyed it: "Sexual abuse is putting it too strongly. There was no penetration. I felt sorry for the poor man. If I had realised what he had in mind, I would probably have given him what he wanted. I thought the priest felt a special affection for me, he was always kissing me. (Homosexual experiences) are not always bad for boys. I don't think they make you homosexual. Sexual choice is made for you early on in life anyway - if you like girls, you like girls."

Tom and Katie's Cruiseazy wedding photo.

One out of every ten gay men in London is HIV positive as is one out of every 25 across the UK, according to a new report.

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Mexico City Legalizes Same-Sex Civil Unions

Mexico City legalized same-sex civil unions on Thursday as activists rallied outside City Hall, along with a contingent of anti-gay Christian protestors.

One man even dressed up as a wrestler (left) and claimed that he was 'Super Gay' while holding up a sign of approval.

According to the AP: "The bill, which does not approve gay marriage, per se, will grant gay couples inheritance and spousal rights, among other social benefits. It allows gay couples to voluntarily register their union with civil authorities. Heterosexual couples who are not already legally married can also be registered under the new law. The legislature approved the measure 43-17, with five abstentions, with all the opponents from the conservative National Action Party of President Vicente Fox and President-elect Felipe Calderon. The party, known as the PAN, supports "traditional" families and generally opposes abortion."

Mexico's President Vicente Fox, did not comment on the measure, leaving a spokesman to say that it was a local matter.

Openly gay congressman David Sanchez said, These reforms are going to cause a snowball effect that no one will be able to stop." In fact, Mexico's northern state of Coahuila, adjacent to Texas, began considering same-sex unions this week.

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