Fully-Clothed 'Streaker' Interrupts New Zealand Naked Rugby Match

A fully-clothed "streaker" interrupted a naked rugby match by New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team on St. Kilda Beach on July 12, 2008 in Dunedin, New Zealand. The nude match was meant to draw attention to the Tri-Nations test match against South Africa. It was organized by Bottom Bus (and the name was taken quite literally), a tourism company in the country.

You may remember the All Blacks as the team who enjoys performing the shirtless Haka dance before games.

The NY Daily News published a full gallery of the images. One more AFTER THE JUMP, along with the link to the full gallery. Both are NSFW...

Naked Rugby [new york daily news]

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #278

JOSEPH HERSCHER: Gay New Zealander's Rube Goldberg-inspired marble race is a YouTube hit. Here is Herscher's original clip.

UGLY BETTY: The show's first official podcast!

BETTER OFF: DNC launches first national anti-McCain ad.

AVE MARIA: Kelly Clarkson lets it rip for the Pope.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Truth in Advertising: Bush is the American Psycho

Speaking in a language most everyone in the world can understand, advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi created this billboard to promote the TVNZ premiere of American Psycho in New Zealand.

(via bestadsontv)

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News: Mars, Lynne Spears, Uruguay, Justin Timberlake, Magna Carta

Same-sex marriage supporters turn out to testify in Vermont: "Members of the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection heard only statements of support for moving past civil unions to same-sex marriage during the two-hour hearing at Montpelier's Statehouse. It was a startling switch from the legislative hearings on civil unions in the same building seven years ago, which attracted hundreds of divided Vermonters who passionately argued both for and against a legal recognition of same-sex couples."

Anderson Cooper taking suggestions for AC360 voiceover intro personalities. Coop: "While we have not made a final decision, I thought I'd let you know about our four finalists, and if there is anyone else you think should be considered, please let us know. In no particular order, the four people we are considering hiring to introduce 360 everynight are: Fran Drescher, Clint Eastwood, Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman), Cher. Personally, I'm arguing for Fran Drescher, but I'm keeping an open mind." (via popnography)

With Britney Spears a bigger mess than ever, and her younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears now knocked up, their mother Lynne Spears makes the family's ONLY recent wise decision and decides to put the parenting book she wrote on hold — indefinitely.

< 710-year-old copy of the Magna Carta sold at auction for $21.3 million by David Rubenstein, of The Carlyle Group: "Bearing the seal of King Edward I and dated 1297, it is one of 17 known copies of the historic tract that defined human rights as the foundation for liberty and democracy as it is known today. It is one of two that exist outside Britain; the other is in Australia."

New Zealand warehouse worker fired for posting note on social networking site Bebo that said "work sux" and working until midnight was "gay like the management". Sux for her.

Justin Timberlake shows off his helium heels for Super Bowl ad.

American Gladiator Alex Castro has a gay porn past: "Before he joined the cast of NBC's recently relaunched American Gladiators and began wielding gigantic Q-tip shaped battle thingies, Alex Castro, the drop-dead gorgeous massive mound of muscle, was wielding more "personal" and impressive clubs as a highly-paid gay porn model."

Mars closest to Earth and brightest in recent and coming days: "In addition to being at its closest to Earth December 18, Mars will be more-or-less at its brightest on Christmas Eve. December 24, Mars will be at opposition (perfectly opposite the Sun, with the Earth on the other side). December 23, Mars will likely attract the most attention, as it rises extremely close to the Moon, and will even be occulted (or blocked-out) for viewers in the West - A prime digital camera opportunity, either way."

Japan's top government spokesman: UFOs exist.

Gay cops on both coasts embroiled in lawsuits. In L.A., a jury is set to hear closing remarks in a suit alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in New York, an officer acquitted after being targeted in an undercover sting by the NYPD has been fired by the city. Asked his lawyer: "Why does the NYPD want to humiliate and embarrass themselves in front of a jury about what they did to him? All the 12 jurors who found him not guilty were livid and outraged at what the New York City Police Department did to one of their own."

Augusten Burrough's new book cover revealed.

Last month I reported that Uruguay was set to legalize civil unions. Now, with the Senate's approval, it has been done: "Under the new law, gay and straight couples will be eligible to form civil unions after living together for five years. They will have rights similar to those granted to married couples on such matters as inheritance, pensions and child custody. Uruguay's Senate passed the bill unanimously after the lower house approved it last month, a congressional spokesman said. The country's center-left president is expected to sign it into law. Several cities, including Buenos Aires and Mexico City, already have gay civil union laws on the books. Uruguay's law would be the first nationwide measure in Latin America, which is home to about half the world's Roman Catholics."

Ryan White's former attorneys publish letter responding to Huckabee's statements on AIDS.

Larry Craig secures $1.6 million earmark for dude ranch.

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Man Fined for Spanking Police Officers

A New Zealand man who was caught after he snuck up on a pair of policemen in Christchurch and gave them two hard spankings has been fined.

New Zealand's The Press reports: "They say Jonathan Michael Berry, 24, struck them with force with his open hands. Berry appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday charged with assaulting two constables. Defence counsel James Rapley said Berry was sorry, and Judge David Holderness said Berry's actions had been incredibly immature. The police prosecutor, Sergeant Mark Berryman, said the incident happened in Colombo Street. Berry ran up, delivered the blows, and was caught as he tried to run off...The judge agreed to discharge him without conviction on condition that he pay $500 to a charity nominated by the police. He warned Berry that treating police like that overseas would get him in serious trouble. 'Reno still has a three strikes and you're out policy.'"

More from the Christchurch Court News: "Defence counsel James Rapley said Berry was very sorry, and Judge David Holderness said his actions had been 'incredibly immature'. Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Berryman said the incident happened on Colombo Street when people were out enjoying themselves. The two constables were in full uniform, with moderately intoxicated Berry walking behind them. He ran up, delivered the blows, and was caught as he tried to run off. The policemen were offended by Berry’s behaviour. Mr Rapley said he had explained to Berry that even a blow struck in humour was still an assault. 'He did it while affected by alcohol and good humour, said Mr Rapley. The police officers didn’t think it was funny.'"

The judge should have had the officers spank him as punishment. Of course, he probably would have liked it.

*note: these aren't the actual cops, and this is Auckland, not Christchurch.

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Reserve Met on David Beckham's French Fry!

David Beckham's recent visit to New Zealand has inspired a flurry of online auctions featuring items that crazed fans have scavenged in the football player's wake.

The Herald Sun reports: "In an effort to attract bids, the seller notes on the Trademe online auction site that the bottle is still one quarter full. 'Mostly backwash I would imagine,' the seller says in answer to a query...Other goods up for sale include cutlery Beckham apparently used, and a photocopy of a signature Beckham made on the boarding pass he used while travelling from Australia to New Zealand."

Reserve has been met on a French Fry that he failed to gobble. Next bid: $5.00 The seller writes: "Warning, as this chip has been on the floor it is not suitable to eat only a souvenir."

Also available: A Coke bottle (with Coke left!) and Beckham's half-eaten corncob.

The corn cob is at $81!

And if anyone was wondering, CRAZY is also for sale, and apparently, free.

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New Zealand: Trial Begins in Gay Man's Grisly Murder

A murder trial has begun in New Zealand for Andre Gilling and Ashley Arnopp, who are accused of murdering 39-year-old gay man Stanley Waipouri and brutally dismembering his body over a period of hours.

TVNZ reports:

"The Crown alleges the two accused used the cover of loud music at Waipouri's Rangitikei Street flat to beat him to death. 'Arnopp said he had a huge amount of adrenalin, these are his words...'and I was just powering for hours'," says Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk. The court was told that a neighbour came to complain about the noise and when the door of the flat opened he saw a body lying on the floor inside with its clothes pulled down. Later, the police found Gilling and Arnopp in the flat with Waipouri's body and blood everywhere, from floor to ceiling. 'Arnopp was found in the flat at the time in clothing and footwear covered in blood, as were his hands and particularly noted by the police were blood deposits, smears around his mouth and his lips,' says Vanderkolk. The Crown says Waipouri suffered widespread bruising, fractures and internal bleeding. The skin had been torn from his penis and the tip completely removed. One of his ears had also been severed."

The two alleged killers have pleaded not guilty.

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News: O.J. Simpson, Michael Mukasey, Alan Keyes, New Zealand

Human Rights Campaign releases 2008 Corporate Equality Index: "195 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating of 100 percent, up from 138 last year - a 41 percent increase." (PDF)

Bush nominates retired judge Michael Mukasey to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy: "The next attorney general needs to be someone who can begin the process of restoring the Department of Justice to its proper mission."

Some gamers see coded message in Super Mario Galaxy packaging.

Anti-gay Republican wingnut Alan Keyes announces 3rd bid for Presidency. Keyes: "The one thing I've always been called to do is to raise the standard . . . of our allegiance to God and His authority that has been the foundation stone of our nation's life...We're putting together an effort that's not going to be like anything before, because it's going to be entirely based on citizen action. We're going to be challenging people to take a pledge for America's revival."

What has Helmut Lang been up to lately? "Lang remains as allergic to publicity as ever — he politely refused to be interviewed for this story — and spends most of his time at the East Hampton property he shares with his longtime companion. He is working on a number of art projects, including “Long Island Diaries” (a chronicle he began in 2005) and “Selective Memory Series” (a constantly updated scrapbook of his A-list life, parts of which were released earlier this year in conjunction with Purple magazine)."

Rex Wockner offers a few thoughts about GLAAD and the reclamation of the F-word.

Are you a closeted Republican looking for the perfect romantic liaison? Give GOP-Harmony a try.

Madonna in Rosh Hashana summit with Israeli leader Shimon Peres. Spokeswoman: "The president and Madonna discussed how to advance the peace process, and conciliation and tolerance throughout the world. Madonna told the president she wants to promote those messages in her songs and books, and how important it was to educate children with those ideas. She also said that meeting President Peres and welcoming in the new Jewish year together with him was the fulfillment of a dream."

O.J. Simpson adds "two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary with a firearm" to his resume.

Air New Zealand announces drag queen-staffed "Pink Flight" to Sydney Mardi Gras: "The flight will be modeled after an Auckland-to-Sydney trip Air New Zealand made this year for the gay Mardi Gras, according to Williams. Before that full flight, the crew put on pink feather boas and sang for its couple hundreds passengers, she said. 'Even the pilot was wearing fairy wings and got into it,' [marketing director Jodi]Williams said."

Lost Without Careless Whisper: George Michael meets Robin Thicke.

Promoter Jeffrey Sanker invites Britney Spears to redeem herself at Las Vegas White Party: "I would love to offer Britney the chance to return to...the Palms Hotel, her own ‘ground zero,’ where all those are saying she so ‘imploded,’ and redeem herself with her very loyal gay community." Will invite Chris Crocker if Brit signs on... PLUS: Britney recreates VMAs disaster in The Sims.

Gay banker Peter Lewis loses long-running discrimination suit against HSBC: "The case was one of the first high-profile legal actions to be heard at an employment tribunal after sex discrimination laws were extended to gay and lesbian people. It raised a number of novel legal issues, including what comparisons should be used when trying to decide whether the treatment of a gay employee was discriminatory. In the past fortnight a London employment tribunal reheard evidence surrounding four specific allegations of bias against the former head of equity trading during internal disciplinary proceedings at HSBC. On Friday it said: 'The judgment of the tribunal is that the claimant’s complaints are not well-founded and are accordingly dismissed.'"

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News: Brazil, The Killers, Embryos, San Diego, Britney Spears

Elton John and Madonna make up after years of feuding: "At an awards show in 2004 Elton John famously said, 'Madonna, best fucking live act? Fuck off! Since when has lip-synching been live? That's me off her fucking Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No.' And that comment started their pepaw feud which ended last night when Elton introduced Madonna. Elton said, 'This is a moment you thought you would never see.' Then they hugged, bumped vaginas and Madonna said, He had 'written a grovelling apology and offered to join the Kabbalah.'"

Junior: Brazil to get national gay magazine in the mold of OUT and Tetu to run quarterly. MIB: "The magazine developed by the guys from Mix Brasil is fun, informative, nicely edited, and most important, groundbreaking at a certain level. There are references to international publications here and there, such as an editorial I have seen before at Genre originally shot by Mr. Oppesidano, but that is natural and will probably happen until Junior finds its own identity and connects to its reader. There is also beautiful photography and editorial work: the feature on Brazilian dancers is superb, and so are the pictures of 18-year-old newcomer Lucas Pitione, who also graces the cover of the first issue."

AfterElton takes you through Torchwood, the BBC America sci-fi featuring John Barrowman.

Young Democrat born to gay lawmaker and partner in Seattle.

Mayoral candidates to address gay community in Auckland, New Zealand.

Scientists win approval for human-animal hybrid embryos: "The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority published its long-awaited public consultation on the controversial research yesterday, revealing that a majority of people were "at ease" with scientists creating the hybrid embryos. Researchers want to create hybrid embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs, in the hope they will be able to extract valuable embryonic stem cells from them. The cells form the basic building blocks of the body and are expected to pave the way for revolutionary therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and even spinal cord injuries."

CLIP: The Killers, Live from Abbey Road: "The entire episode will be broadcast on Thursday, September 6 at 10 p.m. EST on the Sundance Channel. It will also include acoustic sets by Gnarls Barkley and The Feeling."

Britney Spears' parenting abuses targeted in sidewalk installation in front of swank West Hollywood eatery The Ivy.

San Diego City Council split 4-4 over offering support to gay marriage case before the California Supreme Cour.

DC-based gay activist Cheryl Spector dies after battle with Leukemia.

Anderson Cooper covers the Jena Six story: "For those that are just hearing about this for the first time, 6 high school students are facing felony attempted murder charges for a fight that ended a series of incidents in Louisiana. A day after a group African-American students asked to sit under a "whites-only" tree in the courtyard, three nooses were hung from the tree in response. Over the course of the next few months, a wing of the school was burned, black students were beatened and threatened, and the District Attorney was called in to quell the violence. What the DA did next should be shocking to most, and shows just how far we have to go to see real racial equality in America."

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News: Alberto Gonzales, New Mexico, Prescott Bush, Death Cat

George W. Bush's grandfather Prescott Bush was part of 1933 coup planned by right-wing American businessmen: "The coup was aimed at toppling President Franklin D Roosevelt with the help of half-a-million war veterans. The plotters, who were alleged to involve some of the most famous families in America, (owners of Heinz, Birds Eye, Goodtea, Maxwell Hse & George Bush’s Grandfather, Prescott) believed that their country should adopt the policies of Hitler and Mussolini to beat the great depression." Why is this not a surprise?

Cast of Parting Glances reunites at L.A.'s Outfest.

Naked Boys Singing! to begin its ninth year off-Broadway.

Ohio Supreme Court rules that domestic violence laws don't conflict with a state ban on gay marriage: "In a 6-1 decision, justices rejected the argument that the domestic violence law is unenforceable in cases involving unmarried couples because it refers to them as living together 'as a spouse.' Chief Justice Thomas Moyer said in the opinion that lawmakers included many groups under the domestic violence law, not just unwed couples, and that describing people's living arrangements isn't the same as creating a law approximating marriage. The ban prohibited the government from creating any such approximation. 'The state does not create cohabitation; rather it is a person's determination to share some of life's responsibilities with another that creates cohabitation,' Moyer wrote. 'The state does not have a role in creating cohabitation, but it does have a role in creating a marriage.' The case was being closely watched around the country for the precedent it could set affecting a dozen similarly worded bans."

The cat who senses imminent death: "His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means the patient has less than four hours to live."

New documents reveal that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales committed perjury.

Gay people from New Mexico can now marry in Massachusetts!

Rage against the teleprompter: the growing trend (if two people can be called a trend) of news anchors rejecting vapid celebrity news.

Second Tennessee Williams Festival in Provincetown this September to honor playwright and poet Amiri Baraka.

Pan American Games - I think it's time to make a trip. More shots of hot Brazilian athletes, and some wallpaper.

UFO sightings shut down Stratford-Upon-Avon for half an hour: "Drinkers spilled out of pubs, motorists stopped to gawp and camera phones were aimed upwards as the five orbs, in a seeming formation, hovered above Stratford-Upon-Avon for half an hour. The unidentified flying objects lit up the otherwise clear night sky above Shakespeare's birthplace in Warwickshire on Saturday...Sceptics dismissed the UFOs as nothing more than hot air balloons, fireworks or even lanterns which had broken loose from a local rugby club. Others, however, claimed the speed and agility of the objects was unlike any known aircraft and said the odd movement, lack of noise and the length of time in the air discounted any man-made explanation."

Down the stairs: In case you missed the quickly-removed YouTube video, Pink has a few screencaps of Beyoncé's Orlando concert face-plant.

New Zealand gym owner claims his business is down 30% since a Yellow Pages listing placed by someone else named his gym as a "homosexual gym". The Yellow PAges has apologized. Owner Ray Parker: "To say that my gym is a gay and lesbian gym and to imply it is only a homosexual gym, excludes 90% of the population. The business has suffered and suffered quite a bit. I'm looking at the sheet of paper next to me on the desk that says I'm down X amount of dollars, which is a huge amount of money and an apology is two cents worth."

Gay Canadian Paul Ciceri details 33 months in Abu Dhabi prison after, he claims, a friend he had met on vacation planted cocaine in his toiletries bag.

Tonsils might serve as HIV's passageway to the body: "Researchers stress that the risk of acquiring HIV through oral sex is far too low to warrant preventive tonsillectomies. But they say the finding might have implications for preventing transmission of the virus from HIV-infected mothers to their children through breastfeeding."

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News: Hong Kong, Hugh Jackman, Wild Hog, Prince William

HIV surge among gay men in Hong Kong reflects increase in unsafe sex.

Massive wild hog shot in Alabama.

Is David Beckham getting cold feet about his move to L.A.?

Pet Shop Boys criticize Live Earth concerts, celebrity activists: "The Princess Diana concert is fair enough, but I feel more uneasy about the Al Gore thing. I've always been against the idea of rock stars lecturing people as if they know something the rest of us don't - it looks arrogant. It's not as if they have a private source of information. To state the obvious as if you are the only person that knows it is intellectually weak. Bono uses his celebrity but in doing so he increases his celebrity. I've never even totally convinced that the rest of U2 feel comfortable with that."

India's first gay arts festival opens with a whisper. More...

A day in the life of an Apple Genius.

Gay rights foes in Oregon begin signature campaign to repeal recently passed domestic partnership laws: "The social conservatives see it as a resumption of a battle that began in the November 2004 election, when Oregon voters adopted a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Others, however, say the issues are different this time around, and that public attitudes about gays and lesbians are shifting."

Woman struck by axe in homophobic attack.

Details: Who says all gay men are stylish? "Gay men, unlike supermodels and rock stars, have no more knack for looking good in pretty much anything than the rest of us. And while there might be (just barely) fewer gay rumors circulating about the painstakingly groomed, French-cuffed Ryan Seacrest than there are about the black-T-shirt-clad Simon Cowell, it's hardly risky for a straight man to demonstrate an appreciation for fashion these days. The Stylish Gay Man's days may be numbered. And when he dies, the playing field will be leveled. Entertainment-show hosts and best-dressed-list compilers will stop treating straight men who simply combed their hair and put on a well-cut suit as if they were paraplegics who just completed an Ironman. And the average gay man, saddled with unrealistic expectations for his personal presentation, will breathe a sigh of relief."

The cat who likes water.

Hugh Jackman can't keep his shirt on in Australia.

Big Brother Australia criticized for refusing to tell contestant about father's death: "Contestant Emma's father Raymond Cornell died last week and his funeral was held on Monday in Adelaide, but the 24-year-old is still unaware of his death. 'Will they break the news to her on air, for ratings?' World Vision chief Tim Costello said. 'This is patent ethical irresponsibility . . . she's only got one father and she'll suffer guilt and possibly resentment for the rest of her life.' Producers of Big Brother have refused to move from their position, stating that "it was the wish of the family" that Mr Cornell's death be kept from Emma."

New Zealand rallies to stamp out "gay panic" defense.

Prince William signs lease on a London bachelor pad.

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News: Jodie Foster, Black Holes, Rush Limbaugh, Jordin Sparks

Harris POLL: Bush , Cheney at lowest approval ratings ever, at 28% and 25%, respectively.

Gay Hamilton inquired to New Zealand telecom about getting a broadband connection installed in her home but received an automated response saying that her email "was identified by [their] content filtering processes as containing language that may be considered inappropriate for business-like communication." Troubled at the company's apparent decision to flag "gay" as offensive, Hamilton, who incidentally happens to be gay, contacted the media. NZ Telecom soon responded, calling it an "embarrassing mistake": "Our systems internally detect a number of words, including both the words gay and heterosexual that could be deemed as inappropriate for use at work."

David Boreanaz takes a shirtless jog to show off his flesh and bones.

Rush Limbaugh mocks Obama's race by playing "Barack, the Magic Negro", a "parody" song set to "Puff, the Magic Dragon". (via AmericaBlog)

Are black holes portals to other universes?

Jodie Foster to play Hitler filmmaker and Nazi propagandist Leni Reifenstahl in new film: "Riefenstahl has come to symbolise a marriage of artistic genius and political evil. She herself refused to sign a contract for Foster's project while she was still alive, mainly because Foster would not give her the right to reject any of the film that she felt was wrong. She was also thought to prefer Sharon Stone over Foster as an actress better suited to play her."

"Piano man" Andreas Grassl, who was discovered in 2005 soaking wet in a black suit with the labels cut out on the south coast of England after having a mental breakdown, is now living a more normal life in Basel, Switzerland.

Kylie Minogue collaborating with Scottish electro producer Calvin Harris.

Several cool alternatives for presenting your digital photos.

Is this the first photo ever seen taken by an Apple iPhone?

Is American Idol contestant Jordin Sparks the new Mandisa? "One would never guess this from her time on the show since she's all smiles, but it seems that the pimped one might be a little more political than anyone thinks. The picture on the left comes from Jordin's MySpace, and she's been linked to many conservative organizations. She has performed at a Right to Life concert (anti-abortion) and other such events, and it's rumored that she liked Mandisa from last year because of her values (Mandisa was very religious and was quoted as saying she would be uncomfortable singing at a gay event)."

Most aid from overseas for Hurricane Katrina victims went unclaimed: "Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash. But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aid went uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil. Some offers were withdrawn or redirected to private groups such as the Red Cross. The rest has been delayed by red tape and bureaucratic limits on how it can be spent."

Madonna is a strawberry blonde who's all about business.

Bigmouth strikes again: Roseanne said to be contender to replace Rosie on the View. O'Donnell, however remains a hot commodity.

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Homophobic Nestle Milo Ad Airs in New Zealand

The Nestle company has received complaints about an ad currently running in New Zealand, which I downloaded from their website and upload to you here.

The ad lit up a message board at GayNZ.com with complaints:

“My view however is that It's clearly playing on the homophobic attitudes of some people and shouldn't be on air,” types one poster. Another says “it’s a homophobic advertisement and should be pulled. What else can it be?”

Other typers were less annoyed. “Is this REALLY the best we have to expend our efforts on?” asked one message board regular. Another opined: “it's not a gay kiss, it's just a guy kissing his mate and his mate doesn't like it. I don't think that it's homophobic anymore than children would go 'ewww, gross' at kissing each other were they opposite sex.

“But saying that, it shows that media is getting pretty gutsy at pushing these boundaries and I think that we should beware that indeed soon same-sex kissing isn't portrayed as 'uncool'.”

It's interesting looking at it in the context of the Snickers ad, which essentially sent the same message and inspired the same arguments on both sides from folks reacting to it. Homophobia, however, is learned behavior, and imho all this teaches kids is that a male showing affection to another male is a bad thing.

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Husband of New Zealand Prime Minister: "I'm Not Gay"

Peter Davis, the husband of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark responded in a Radio New Zealand interview to allegations that he is gay following a television channel's broadcast of an election night kiss from his openly gay friend and Labour party supporter Ian Scott.

Said Davis: "I couldn't even remember the incident until (television channel) Prime then started showing it in a semi-pornographic way -- slowing it down, repeating it...Frankly, if I was doing anything like what was said of me, then that would have been of public interest. My wife would have been subject to blackmail -- it wouldn't have looked good for the nation."

Davis expressed shock that some media outlets, who also reported that a right-wing church group had hired a private detective to find out more about his private life, were making such a big deal of the celebratory embrace:

"Frankly I'm really quite alarmed that somebody like myself who goes about their business, gets on with their work, can be dragged blinking into limelight and diced and sliced by people who should know better in the media and then spat out."

However, political displays of affection can be dangerous things. Just ask Joe Lieberman.

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News: Penis Transplant, Polar Bears Drowning, Mario Lopez

First penis transplant reversed: "The patient finally decided to give up the treatment because of the wife’s psychological rejection, as well as the swollen shape of the transplanted penis."

Global Warming: Polar bears drowning due to melting Arctic icepack; Gore says tax pollution, not payrolls; Bush officials tried to suppress federal scientist from discussing link between global warming and hurricanes.

New York Survey says there are lots of "straight" men having gay sex: "The findings are based on a 2003 health department survey that included 4,193 men age 18 and up. Respondents were asked about their sexual behavior and their sexual orientation. Almost 4 percent said they were homosexual, while 91 percent described themselves as 'straight.' The rest said they were bisexual, 'unsure,' or declined to answer. But of men who considered themselves heterosexual, nearly 10 percent had had sex with a man, but no woman, in the past year, Pathela's team found. And of the 337 survey respondents who'd had sex with another man, almost 73 percent identified themselves as straight.

Jake and Lance hypnotized by John Mayer's see-through shirt.

German art student disguises himself as Chinese terra cotta warrior, jumps into exhibit. Guard: "I got to the area where he was supposed to be, looked around and didn't see him - he looked too much like a terracotta warrior." (via raw story)

The Nip/Tuck shower scene clip: How does Mario Lopez get those abs? He doesn't eat.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has hit out at a campaign by a Christian fundamentalist sect targeting her husband of 25 years: My husband isn't gay.

(thanks tyler)

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News: UFO, Firefighters, McFly, American Idols

Tee hee. Samuel Alito's daughter pretend married her friend in the Facebook. Ha ha. A Supreme Court justice's daughter mocking the struggles of a minority group. Hysterical.

American Bar Association says Bush is violating the Constitution; says President threatens democracy by overstepping his authority and attaching challenges to hundreds of new laws. ABA president Michael Greco: "This report raises serious concerns crucial to the survival of our democracy. If left unchecked, the president's practice does grave harm to the separation of powers doctrine, and the system of checks and balances that have sustained our democracy for more than two centuries."

Boyband McFly in onstage strip show at London's G-A-Y.

A Wisconsin woman, Dale Leibowitz, has given Fair Wisconsin $275,000 to fight the proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in that state.

A sneak peak at the new Justin Timberlake vid; here's when you can see it.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin says a UFO buzzed Apollo 11: "Now, obviously the three of us weren't going to blurt out, 'Hey, Houston, we've got something moving alongside of us and we don't know what it is,' you know? We weren't about to do that, because we knew that that those transmissions would be heard by all sorts of people and somebody might have demanded we turn back because of aliens or whatever the reason is."

Scottish firefighters target gay bars to bring more recruits into the service. Poster: Macho, straight, institutional, tough, white, masculine, rough, hard: We're breaking down stereotypes: why don't you?"

Senator Inhofe, our favorite piehole as of late, has compared those who believe in global warming to Nazis: "It kind of reminds . . . I could use the Third Reich, the big lie." (via americablog)

NZ STUDY: Gay males receive better health care than gay females.

American Idols to visit George Bush at the White House.

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Greeted at the ferry: Gays angry at the Senators' positions on same-sex marriage may protest a July 22 fundraiser for Chuck Schumer and Barbara Boxer on Fire Island.

High Commissioner in Fiji says gays will not be arrested for consensual sex. Last August a Fijian court overturned an Australian man's two year prison sentence for having consensual sex with a Fijian man.

Some wishful thinking: Is Matthew McConaughey getting it on with Lance Armstrong behind biking buddy Gyllenhaal's back?

Marriage vs Civil Unions: Connecticut Superior Court judge rules that gays and lesbians have not been harmed by being offered the latter rather than the former: "Civil union and marriage in Connecticut now share the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law. The Connecticut Constitution requires that there be equal protection and due process of law, not that there be equivalent nomenclature for such protection and process."

Flashback: A short, very wrong clip from Carrie, The Musical.

"Are pre-pubescent children capable of erotic thoughts? I am NOT an expert. I only know about my own early erotic, for lack of a better term, feelings. And they had nothing to do with penises or breasts or vaginas or even kissing and any other human being." A meditation on first-time turn-ons.

New Zealand MP moves to extinguish use of "gay panic" defense.

New York's Splash Bar angered by Kathy Griffin's price tag: "We offered her $5,000, but she wanted 30 grand plus a $10,000 rider. On her show she's always like, 'My gays' and 'I love the gays,' but it's totally opposite in real life. We were taken aback by her response. If she had love for her gay fans she'd do it. I mean, J.Lo just performed at Gay Pride for free. I guess it's all about the money."

Confederate flags invade the Jersey shore: "Explain to me how this doesn't turn its back on humanity and progress. I'm all ears. Really." (via cityrag)

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Gay Scarf Causing Uproar in New Zealand

Comments by police recruiters about a scarf at a Christchurch, New Zealand career expo have made headlines after a man was told his scarf was "too gay."

Simon Calcinai reportedly approached the booth where the police officers were seated, wearing the "dull orange" scarf (actually it looks closer to saffron or maybe pumpkin, and if that's not a gay observation I don't know what is) and inquired about joining the police force.

Calcinai: "I was at the police table having a chat and the woman (officer) said, 'You might want to lose that scarf'. The other guy then said, 'Yeah, it's a bit too gay'. I was pretty shocked and didn't know what to say. I don't think this is appropriate behaviour and I think that people should be made aware of these negative attitudes. He should think twice about (saying) that sort of thing. I guess he was joking, but it hushed me up a bit. Someone else could have been deeply upset. He is the only person who has ever commented on the scarf."

The senior recruitment officer for the force made the comment, and sent an email apology to Calcinai, who was with his girlfriend at the expo: "Unfortunately, you have taken the comments personally and it certainly wasn't intended to offend. Yes, we do recruit lesbian and gay male officers."

Police ran "inclusiveness training" last year to try and eliminate homophobia. Guess they better run that class again.

Kudos to Mr. Calcinai for reporting it, and for proudly flaunting his scarf, whatever its sexuality.

Man's Scarf a Bit Too Gay For Police [stuff]

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