News: Sweden, Morrissey, Cameroon, Walmart, Kris Allen, Kenya

Straight ex-spouses speak up for marriage equality: "They are federal workers and professionals, men and women who share little except that their former spouses tried to live as heterosexuals but at some point realized they could not."

British town mourns albino squirrel.

WATCH: Morrissey storms off stage after fan hits him on head with bottle of beer.

POLL: Majority of Californians oppose putting marriage equality on the ballot in 2010. "Overall, 51% of California voters favored marriage rights for same-sex couples and 43% were opposed. Strikingly, however, almost 60% of Californians did not want to revisit the issue in 2010, just one election cycle after it last hit the ballot."

Conservatives up in arms over gay-friendly recommendations in Fort Worth Rainbow Lounge police raid report.

Asheville, NC city council to take up extending benefits to same-sex partners.

Manchester, UK closes gay village to cars in weekend experiment.

Wingnut Peter LaBarbera calls FBI on gay blogger Joe.My.God over reader comments he characterizes as "domestic terrorism".

Popular DJs Fernando and Greg back on the air in San Francisco: "Fernando Ventura and Greg Sherrell had been the most recognizable voices on KNGY's gay-themed programming schedule since 2005. Last year they received the Fall Honors award from northern California chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, and in 2007 they were named to OUT Magazine's Top 100 most influential people in gay culture."

WATCH: Kris Allen's new music video for "Live Like We're Dying".

Shortened, revised trailer "de-gays" Tom Ford's A Single Man?

Gay activist detained in Cameroon after dispute with taxi driver.

Cleveland City Council to get mass postcard delivery on transgender rights ordinance.

Male model fix: Parker Gregory.

Gay couple, twin sons banned for life from Walmart over BIC lighter dispute: "'They asked if I had Bic lighters. I said, 'Yes,' and handed them over,' Paolucci said. 'Then they asked if I had a receipt. I said, 'Yes, you're holding it.' Then this group of Wal-Mart employees started forming around us.' Paolucci and Hitchcock said the employees were threatening and that one used a vulgarity. Their accusations frightened the boys, who began 'crying, screaming and freaking out,' they said."

The Guardian profiles fashion designer Henry Holland: "I think it [being gay] makes you more experimental. There's not that whole thing of, 'I can't wear that, I'd look like a poof', because you are a poof."

Master performance: "Tardy for the Party".

Sweden's Lutheran Church ordains first openly lesbian bishop: "Eva Brunne was ordained as bishop of Stockholm's diocese in a ceremony on Sunday. She lives in a "registered partnership" with another woman, a civil union between gays used in Sweden before same-sex marriages were legalized this year. The couple also has a child. 'It is very positive that our church is setting an example here and is choosing me as bishop based on my qualifications, when they also know that they can meet resistance elsewhere,' the 55-year-old Brunne told The Associated Press by phone."

Possible gay element investigated in murder of 55-year-old man in India.

More info on Kenya's plans to conduct "census" of gays for HIV/AIDS purposes: "Initial media reports said the project, which was announced last week, would be a gay census — raising fears that gays could be exposed against their will and questions about whether such a count could possibly be accurate. But Muraguri says all information collected by the government will be kept confidential and officials will not seek to contact all men who have sex with men in Kenya. The government will also seek to interview both male and female sex workers and intravenous-drug users."

News: Texas, Lance Bass, New Brunswick, Scholastic, Curry

GLAAD announces inaugural GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising. Top TV winner was Orbitz commercial featuring Human Rights Campaign logo.

Lance Bass and his latest guy.

Scholastic backtracks on gay-themed book Luv Ya Bunches, says it will carry the book in its book fairs.

Two gay candidates vie for spot in Illinois General Assembly, and nobody's talking about their sexuality.

Adam Lambert and Katy Perry go on a Michael Jackson date.

Scientology spokesperson Tommy Davis speaks out about Paul Haggis defection: "In his first extensive interview since the resignation, Davis says Haggis’ letter is based on a series of misunderstandings. The church’s San Diego branch was erroneously named as backing Prop 8, he says. And he argues that his comments on CNN about disconnection have been mischaracterized. He declines to say whether, in light of his explanations, he believes Haggis might become reconciled to the church."

Morrissey returns to the stage.

Crowd of more than 1,000 turns out in New Brunswick, New Jersey to counter-protest six members of the Westboro Baptist Church

Jonathan Capehart: Harry Reid "crazy like a fox" with Hate Crimes bill.

CHART: Does policy trail public opinion on gay rights?

Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival winners announced: "The Man Who Loved Yngve," directed by Stian Kristiansen, wins Best Feature Film.

Curry spice found to kill cancer cells.

Someone poured scalding water into Channing Tatum's wetsuit on the set of his latest film, but he's ok.

Fort Worth police appoint LGBT liaison: "[Sarah] Straten, who serves as the liaison in addition to her full-time job as a neighborhood police officer in the far north part of town, hopes the position will become an official, full-time one. She’s made it clear that she wants the job."

Alan Ball offers some spoilers for the upcoming season of True Blood.

Judge Tena Callahan talks about the courage she needed to summon in order to declare Texas' ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional and proceed with a gay divorce case: “I was sitting at my dining room table and I was thinking, I’ve got to make this decision, I’ve got to rip this Band-Aid off and I’ve got to make this decision. My dad always used to tell me that a billion people can believe in a bad idea, and it’s still a bad idea. And that man taught me to have the courage of my convictions and to do what’s right — it’s always the right time to do the right thing. And as I’m sitting there and all this is going through my head, I’m looking at the back of this bag, and I went, ‘Oh my God, I just got my answer.’"

News: Donal Og Cusack, Ecuador, Magic Johnson, HPV, Jared Polis

Here Media chairman Stephen Jarchow on Gay.com purchase and expanding "empire": "As the result of this deal, we have become a unique company that straddles traditional distribution and digital distribution. We own pretty much the entire media for the gay marketing space."

Irish hurler Donal Óg Cusack gives his first public interview since coming out.

Michael Jackson wears Tom Ford cologne and speaks to LaToya from beyond the grave.

Matt Foreman: TV ads not the answer in Maine.

Brad Pitt in motorcycle fender-bender.

Rep. Jared Polis holds LGBT town hall in Denver.

"All of us old junkies just turn into dowagers." Carrie Fisher gives a candid interview to Kevin Sessums at The Daily Beast.

NYT: Timing key in Olson-Boies Prop 8 challenge: "Mr. Olson’s problem, then, is that he may reach the Supreme Court too soon. Public support for same-sex marriage is gaining ground, particularly among younger people. But a majority of Americans remains opposed to the practice."

Charlize Theron kisses woman for $140,000 at San Francisco auction benefit.

Beckham embracing the werewolf trend.

Diocese of South Carolina distances itself from Episcopal Church over gays and same-sex unions: "Eighty-seven clergy members voted to pass the resolution after a nearly hour-long debate during a special convention in Mount Pleasant, Canon Kendall Harmon said, with 17 voting no. The vote allows leaders of the diocese to reduce its participation in the national church without severing ties completely, as some dioceses and parishes have."

NYPD cars retrofitted with "rumble" technology.

Roadblocks to HPV vaccine for men continue...

Nude coffee maker Eric Williamson defends himself after incident: "I looked straight at the cops and said, 'You're telling me that none of you guys have ever walked across your kitchen or run to the laundry room to get some pants?' I was treated like an animal. If there was something offensive, would not a knock on the door and heads-up suffice?"

First look: Lady Gaga on Gossip Girl.

Male model fix: Andre Ziehe.

Food critic slammed by animal rights groups for shooting "inedible" baboon for sport: "Writing in yesterday's Sunday Times Style section, Gill said he was driven by the urge to be a 'recreational primate killer' while on a trip to Tanzania. 'I know perfectly well there is absolutely no excuse for this,' he wrote. 'Baboon isn't good to eat, unless you're a leopard. The feeble argument for cull and control is much the same as for foxes: a veil of naughty fun.'"

Gay Iowa couples reflect on six months of marriage.

Transgender makeovers offered on busy Quito, Ecuador street.

College of William and Mary names transgender homecoming queen: “We figured it would be something different for the school to go through, something that hasn’t happened too often. I was kind of surprised that I won because I knew the other girls running. I know that they’re really friendly; they’re wonderful people, so I was unsure.”

Book: Magic Johnson blames Isiah Thomas for gay rumors.

Morrissey discharged from hospital following weekend stage collapse.

Washington man gets 18 months in prison for gay immigration fraud: "Steven Mahoney touted himself as an expert in immigration affairs and ran Mahoney and Associates in Kent, which advised immigrants on how to stay in the U.S. He pleaded guilty in April, acknowledging that between 1998 and 2007 he filed as many as 99 false immigration documents and was paid between $1,000 and $4,000 for each."

Morrissey Rushed to Hospital After Collapsing on Stage in UK

UPDATED

Morrissey collapsed on stage during a gig this evening at the Oasis in Swindon, UK:

"Morrissey, wearing a dark open-necked shirt, had appeared on stage at around 9pm looking drawn. He said to the 1,000-strong audience: 'Good evening... probably,' before launching into The Smiths' 1983 hit This Charming Man. He appeared to be straining to perform the song, wincing as he did so. Just as he came to the end of the song his knees buckled and he slumped to the stage. Two band members rushed to his side and dragged him off stage, he was immediately followed by his backing band and singers. The stage lights went up, to cat calls and whistles from the audience. After ten minutes of silence a stage hand came to the microphone at the centre of the stage. 'We will keep you informed what's happening,' he said. It was another 25 minutes before a second black-clad stage hand came to the same microphone. 'Morrissey has left the building,' he said."

The former Smiths frontman was rushed to Great Western Hospital and is said to be in stable condition. More details as they come in...

Additional photos here.

UPDATE: "A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said: 'Just after 9pm we got a call to a 50-year-old man who was reported to be reported to be suffering from respiratory problems and was unconscious. We sent a paramedic in a doubled-crewed ambulance. When they arrived they found a conscious patient who was not feeling well at all. They made an initial assessment and took him to the Great Western Hospital for further assessment.' A spokesman for the hospital said: 'Morrissey has been admitted to the Great Western Hospital. He is being reviewed by the medical staff and his condition is stable.'"

UPDATE II: Morrissey discharged from hospital.

News: Europa, Cory Monteith, Marijuana, Morrissey, David Sedaris

Obama to implement new policy on medical marijuana.

Referendum 71 signature battle continues as restraining order issued, and attorney says he is taking the case to the Supreme Court.

Researchers: Jupiter's moon Europa contains enough oxygen to support life.

Whitney Houston survives wardrobe malfunction on X-Factor.

Mormon gay rights groups slam LDS apostle Dallin Oaks for remarks on Prop 8: "he LDS leader, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, said students 'must not be deterred or coerced into silence' by advocates for 'alleged civil rights.' Oaks then condemned the protests, business boycotts, firings of church members and vandalism of LDS meetinghouses that followed the election, comparing them to voter intimidation employed against blacks in the South during the civil rights movement." Background here.

Morrissey lunches in Los Angeles.

All-star cast to perform reading of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, in Los Angeles: "Scheduled to perform are Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Star Trek), James Cromwell (Surrogates, Babe), Pauley Perrette and Michael Weatherly (NCIS), Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory), Julie Benz (Dexter), Lisa Edelstein (House), Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles), Helen Shaver (Desert Hearts, The 4400) and Emmy Award-winner Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal).

NYT ignores anti-gay bigotry and false smears in right-wing witch hunt against Kevin Jennings.

Virginia country club votes to bar same-sex family from membership: "About 180 votes were cast to support family memberships for same-sex couples with children, according to the club's Web site. Roughly 126 votes were cast against it. For the measure to pass, a two-thirds favorable vote is required, said [member Lynn] Tiedge, who supports the measure and said she worked with at least 15 other club members to revise the club's bylaws to provide for it. Two-thirds of the 311 ballots cast would have been roughly 207 votes.' We recognize that heterosexual couples can marry and homosexuals couples can't,' Tiedge said."

Male model fixes: Will Chalker and Renato Ferreira.

Banksy "self-portrait" to go on display?

Miley Cyrus and Samantha Jones have fashion face-off in Sex and the City 2.

Glee's Cory Monteith models some fashion duds.

And also takes them off.

AP: Shepard Fairey admits to using AP photo as basis for Obama "Hope" poster. News outlet also claims Fairey “admitted to the AP that he fabricated and attempted to destroy other evidence in an effort to bolster his fair use case and cover up his previous lies and omissions.”

Where would you wish to wake up?

Gay Kenyan couple weds in London.

More than 21,000 complain to the UK's Press Complaints Commission over homophobic Daily Mail column on Stephen Gately's death.

David Sedaris on living in France: "It's disgusting how people kiss in France. It turns my stomach. It's everywhere you go, and it's not just teenagers. You go to the movies and even ticket lines for movies and there are people making out. They're sucking each others' tongues and drooling on each other's chins. Anything you've done once, you can forgive. But I never made out with anyone in public. Part of that's being gay, so that allows me to enjoy being self-righteous."

News: Tony Kushner, Adam Lambert and Queen, Colin Farrell, Cannes

SIENA POLL: New Yorkers split 46-46 on same-sex marriage.

Queen wants Adam Lambert as new frontman?

Head of Equality Utah to leave organization: "Mike Thompson, Equality Utah's executive director is leaving the 5-year-old organization after four years at the helm. His last day is Friday. The Oklahoma native is heading west to San Francisco -- a city he has wanted to live in for a long time -- to do what he does best: Build up fledgling nonprofits."

BRAVO developing Real Housewives of D.C....

Variety on Tony Kushner's new play: "Opening night was postponed a week, with Kushner reportedly rewriting down to the wire, and early previews had pushed past the four-hour mark -- none of which necessarily presaged disaster but certainly fueled curiosity. The resulting three-act drama is a success -- sprawling, yearning, at times emotionally violent, it is also packed with a level of complexity, sophistication and understanding that distinguishes it as a potentially important new American work."

PAPER: Gay issues splintering churches...

Boy George enjoys his freedom.

UCLA Williams Institute study shows marriage matters: "A significant majority of the 558 gay men and women surveyed said that since marrying, they feel more committed to their spouses, more accepted in their community, and more likely to be open about their sexual orientation at work. The survey indicates that there is something universal about the legal protections and social advantages afforded by the institution of marriage..."

Conservatives apoplectic over 'Harvey Milk Day' in California.

Jared Leto is a Jesus with shades.

Back in January 2008 I posted that Colin Farrell was planning to serve as best man at his brother's civil partnership. It's still on.

Anna Wintour really is the devil.

Morrissey turned 50 last Friday.

Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon wins Palm d'Or at Cannes: "Haneke's drama depicts a series of violent, secretive incidents among the families of the local pastor, baron, doctor and tenant farmers. The local schoolteacher investigates the mystery. Shot in gorgeous black-and-white by cinematographer Christian Berger, "The White Ribbon" is one of two major Cannes prize-winners already picked up by Sony Pictures Classics for distribution in the U.S. The other, the absorbing French prison drama "A Prophet," won this year's Grand Prix, the second most important award at Cannes."