Real NJ Housewife Danielle Staub Gets Some Gay Love at NYC Pride

Danielle Staub of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, marched in yesterday's Pride parade in NYC. Image by Flickr user SReed99342. You may remember Staub defended gays from homophobic slurs by her co-stars on the recent series.

WaPo: "The annual march down Fifth Avenue commemorated the Stonewall rebellion of 40 years ago, when patrons at a gay bar resisted the police. The several days of disturbances that followed the uprising became one of the defining moments of the gay rights movement. The celebration was tempered by the knowledge that other states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa, have legalized same-sex marriage before New York."
Boy Culture has a wrap-up of the NYC Pride parade as does Kenneth in the 212.

Here's an excellent portfolio of shots from Boss Tweed on Flickr.

A contingent of gay bloggers also marched this year ( I was invited but out-of-town, so unfortunately couldn't join, but it looks like they had fun).

CNN's coverage of the event, AFTER THE JUMP...

Real NJ Housewife Danielle Defends Gays; Andy Cohen Backs Her Up

Good for both of them.

On The Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion, the housewives discuss an episode in which one of the husbands made gay slurs. Danielle (above), who has been attacked by the other housewives through the course of the season for her alleged criminal past, defends gays because she has a close best friend who is gay.

The other housewives don't seem to understand how using the word "gay" to express that something is lame can ultimately hurt people. Andy Cohen steps in to defend Danielle. Excellent.

Thank you, Andy Cohen.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Gay Animals, Ed Westwick, Book Burning, Rhode Island

Christian group wants to burn gay book.

STUDY: Homosexual activity a nearly universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom.

Anderson Cooper shops for marijuana.

Activists plan "world's largest gay wedding ceremony" in Sydney, Australia.

A first look at Bruno.

ACLU gets involved in Fresno hospital discrimination case: "Civil rights groups are urging a hospital in central California to change its policies after employees briefly barred a lesbian from visiting her partner, who went into seizure at a gay marriage march. Kristin Orbin collapsed May 30 after walking 14 miles in the protest march. She was taken to Fresno's Community Regional Medical Center where she says an ambulance driver kept her partner from seeing her in the emergency room."

Janice Dickinson needed a hospital, get her out of there.

Social networking and Iran: a fascinating look at the hand Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have had in toppling state media control.

Destination Wedding: a Toronto synagogue grapples over same-sex marriage.

Former American Idol contestant Blake Lewis says he gets hit on by men and women, often at the same time: “Usually I get swingers. The guy will come up to me first usually, and ask if I’m gay.  When I say no, he’ll point to his girlfriend and say that she wants me to come home with both of them that night. I tell them my girl back home wouldn’t appreciate it, but thanks anyway.  It’s very flattering though!”

An interview with soap actor and brother of Chris Evans, Scott Evans.

Marriage equality tide rises around Rhode Island: "The slower pace in Rhode Island, where the state Senate voted last week to allow same-sex partners to make funeral arrangements, has frustrated some local activists, many of whom rallied outside the State House in Providence last weekend to call for immediate equality."

A fascinating chart on gay rights from Nate Silver.

Mariah: wet and obsessed.

Brian Graden to leave MTV Networks.

Maplewood, New Jersey takes lead in pushing legislature to legalize same-sex marriage: "In what is thought to be a first among New Jersey municipalities, the Maplewood Township Committee is expected to adopt a resolution Tuesday evening calling on state legislators to sanction same-sex marriage. Mayor Victor DeLuca said he hoped the resolution could serve as a catalyst for legislators' passage of a same-sex marriage bill before the year's end."

Ed Westwick shows off fall fashion for GQ.

Melbourne Sun: Are you in favor of same-sex marriage in Australia?

It's Britney, bitch.

Council of Fashion Designers of America rewards L.A. at annual awards. Bradley Cooper among guests...

Taxes on property reassessment sting domestic partners who have lost their loved one.

New Opera browser turns your computer into a server: "The concept is somewhere between a personal web server and a file sharing application, technologically and conceptually. The interface is straightforward, divided into panels for each service that you choose to "host." All of them behave in the same stupid-simple way: you start a service, whether it be photo sharing, music streaming, web hosting, or straight file sharing, select a shared directory, set your privacy preferences and go." More from TechCrunch.

NJ Gov Jon Corzine Talks Marriage Equality at Pride in Asbury Park

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine took his stump speech to Asbury Park's Pride celebration on Sunday and promised marriage equality for the state.

Said Corzine: "You might know there's a little election coming up in about 148 days and six hours. And you know what? Marriage equality is on the ballot. Are you going to help us make it come to pass in New Jersey? This is fundamental to what we are about as a country, what we are about as a people. Human rights, civil rights are absolutely key. In God's eyes we are all one people. And we need to recognize that and behave that way on the Earth as we will in eternity. It is important that we make sure we stand up for everybody's rights and I'm going to be the governor that will bring that to the State of New Jersey if you'll help me this fall."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Jeremy at Good As You notes that his GOP challenger Chris Christie couldn't be more wrong on the issue.

News: Whitney Houston, Syria, James Franco, Gay Ice Cream

NYT tells New York Senate: Vote on marriage equality.

Actor David Carradine found hanged in hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand.

She's written a letter to daddy.

Real Housewife of New Jersey Danielle Staub fights back against anti-gay slurs: ""If you wanna do that thing that Italian guys do out here in Jersey, do it, but I'm taking offense by it."

Ed Westwick gives good face.

Whitney Houston to return: album release date set.

Gays in Syria beginning to come out: "Most of those behind the bold move are born into the urban middle-class, "the driving force behind homosexual emancipation," adds the young reporter, speaking to AFP on condition that he not be identified. 'It's on the Internet that they truly come out,' he adds. The world wide web is a way for gays to 'overcome social restrictions' and unwind in safe anonymity, or to build up a circle of acquaintances, he says. Some 200 Syrian gays banded together to form a group labelled 'I'm just like you' which published an appeal for tolerance."

Eminem discusses Bruno stunt: "I'm thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it."

Sacha Baron Cohen sued for Bruno Bingo stunt.

James Franco pulls out of UCLA commencement speaking engagement: "I deeply regret not being able to keep my commitment to giving the commencement speech at UCLA's graduation this year. Unfortunately the date conflicts with me needing to be on location to begin pre-production on my next film. I wish everyone in the 2009 class the best of luck in all of their future endeavors." Or, you know, maybe this is why.

Sit-in held at site of Cincinnati-area gay bashing.

NGLTF reports reveal need for religious voices in fight for equality. Report author: "The findings of these two reports are highly relevant for future battles on marriage and family equality because these are deeply moral issues. Faith voices have much to contribute to the debate and authentic religious-secular partnerships are essential to achieving human and civil rights for LGBT Americans."

KRXQ radio host Rob Williams and Arnie States incite violence against transgender children.

Documentary about NYC Restaurateur Florent to show at New York's New Fest.

Are Twitter and Facebook robbing us of compassion?

Tolerance lacking at Virginia law schools?

Scoop: Big Gay Ice Cream Truck coming to the streets of NYC.

Sundance Channel celebrates Pride with digital shorts.

Lesbian couple allege discrimination at Fresno hospital: "Orbin said the paramedic told the nurse on duty that she had collapsed after marching 14 miles for civil rights, and the nurse gave her a dirty look and said 'ooooh.'  She continued, 'I asked if Teresa could come back with me, but the nurse told me I was in a no visitor zone. When I asked her why everyone else had visitors, she said 'those people are different'."

News: Iraq, Lorenzo Martone, Bottoms, Real Housewives, T.R. Knight

61 Episcopal clergy ousted over alignment with anti-gay bishop.

ABC News on executions of gay Iraqis: "The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs believes as many as 30 people have been killed during the last three months because they were -- or were perceived to be -- gay."

Inside Marc Jacobs' 30th birthday party for Lorenzo Martone at not-yet-opened NYC club Avenue.

Real Housewives of New Jersey's Danielle has a criminal record and a mugshot.

Biggest cities for bottoms: Houston, Miami, San Francisco, L.A..

Tennessee hate crimes bill pushed to 2010: "Opposition to the bill came forward with false claims that it would criminalize religious speech. This claim ignores the reality that not a single case has ever been filed against a minister under current statue for promoting intolerance or denying understanding of the transgendered community."

T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen still a hot item.

Britain's Got Talent judge defends Susan Boyle, explains meltdown: "Susan is finding it very, very difficult to cope, and to stay calm. She has been in tears many times during the last few days, and even, fleetingly, felt like quitting the show altogether at one point and fleeing all the attention. I am calling today for everyone to give her a break."

Boston gay basher Fabio Brandao gets off easy: "Brandao today admitted kicking and hitting the men while using homophobic slurs during the beating last August. Three other attackers have never been identified. The 29-year-old Brandao received a two-year suspended sentence and won’t spend time in prison if he follows terms set by a Boston Municipal Court judge, including alcohol counseling and paying the victims’ medical bills."

Seann William Scott and Adam Brody are a couple of dicks.

George Clooney on Prop 8: "At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black."

Forty people who staged a sit-in at the County Administration Center in San Diego over Prop 8 left peacefully: "The demonstrators had sat for hours in the waiting area in the county clerk's marriage license office to show their support for same-sex marriage. Three same-sex couples asked for marriage licenses and were denied. The event was organized in response to the state Supreme Court's decision Tuesday to uphold the state's gay marriage ban. Just before closing time at 5 p.m., about five hours after the first protesters had arrived, seven or eight sheriff's deputies came in and told everyone it was time to go." 

Chace Crawford talks about his upcoming Footloose gig.

Filipino man Philip Belarmino granted asylum by U.S. immigration judge: "His asylum application was based on his persecution in his homeland for being a homosexual. Expert immigration lawyers are generally of the opinion that cases involving applications for asylum based on gender are impossible to win. Another hurdle that Belarmino had to overcome was the one year statutory bar for the filing of asylum applications from the time of entry in the United States. Belarmino filed his application more than one year after his arrival."

Shirley Tan invited to testify at hearings for Uniting American Families Act: "When I spoke to  Jay today, she said that the family is very honored and extremely excited to go to D.C.  for this historic hearing.  They are looking forward to a visit to their representatives offices, Rep Jackie Speier and Senator Feinstein, especially to thank all the staffers who worked so hard to help them."

Russell Tovey 20-something werewolf series coming to BBC America.

Prop 8 setbacks a "big gay shrug.": "...these setbacks are not insurmountable roadblocks. They are merely obnoxious speed bumps on what social conservatives see as our nation's ungodly highway to hell. They only slow us down a little."