News: Australia, Vampire Queen, Utah, Jack Mackenroth, Phoenix

The best John Hughes tribute you'll read. Plus, Molly Ringwald releases statement...

Medaled: Jack Mackenroth cleans up at World Outgames.

Sharon Stone lets it all hang out.

Hundreds rally against AIDS cuts in San Francisco: "The Republican governor used his line-item veto power last week to slash another $52 million in general fund support to AIDS programs, including totally eliminating state funding for HIV prevention and testing efforts, on top of what lawmakers had agreed to cut from the state Office of AIDS budget."

State GOP actively promoting town hall mobs. More disruptions...

Queen Latifah's girls' night out: "The rapper-turned-actress recently sashayed with five stunning women into Country Club's weekly Wednesday night lesbian party, 'Eden,' on West 14th Street. 'She chilled for several hours, ordering bottle service for her friends and chatting up promoter Maggie Collier,' our spy said. She also showed up again this week."

Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and David Cook do Good Morning America.

First look: Evan Rachel Wood is True Blood's vampire queen.

Christian Siriano surfaces at Victoria's Secret.

Brazil's Copacabana beach to get museum makeover.

Dan Savage: Was Obama a one-night stand?

Utah's new governor mum on gay rights: "Nearly three months after Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert learned he would become governor, the Republican has yet to stake out positions on a host of gay rights issues supported by the departing and highly popular Gov. Jon Huntsman, whom he serves with."

Male seahorses have "Rod Stewart syndrome".

Louisiana lawmaker calls for stricter laws on gay adoption...

Australian MP Dorothy Pratt: Homosexuality not "normal part of life": "I feel very strongly about that particular thought that . . . I'm not saying they aren't loving people, I'm not saying they wouldn't be fabulous parents, but I am saying that in my opinion a child deserves a mother and a father if possible and that whether you regard homosexual activity as a normal part of life or not, I don't."

Robbie Williams cleans up for new album.

Six Phoenix residents to walk 97 miles for marriage equality: "The walkers are members of Right to Marry: Arizona, an organization that seeks equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians. The plan is to walk about 15 miles a day for seven days, with stops along the way where they'll try to engage religious and political figures in conversations about the issue."

13-year-old bullied, sexually assaulted by teammates in Florida.

REPORT: Drunk straight men ruining Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. "A report released by the Australian Institute of Criminology this week said people travelling to and from Sydney's public gay and lesbian events were going in large groups, using private transport, visiting areas with larger gay and lesbian populations and remaining alert at all times. They were also avoiding showing affection towards their partners and not wearing make-up or extravagant clothing."

News: Rihanna, Dalai Lama, Phoenix, Asteroid, Shepard Fairey

Anti-gay, anti-liberal Tennessee church shooter Adkisson pleads guilty, gets life.

Dolce and Gabbana cameo as priests in new film.

Rihanna assault injuries horrific.

Twitter suspends fake Dalai Lama account: "Micro-blogging service Twitter on Monday suspended an account said to have been set up the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, saying it had been created by an impersonator. Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, in an email to AFP, said 'the account was suspended because it violated our Terms of Use regarding impersonation.' The account -- twitter.com/ohhdl -- was created on Saturday and attracted nearly 20,000 followers in just two days, a phenomenal rate of growth."

Demetri Martin talks Taking Woodstock.

Eight arrested in Phelps bong case: "We've now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they've made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff's department served search warrants. We've also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong. Sources say the owner of the bong was trying to sell it on eBay for as much as $100,000. The owner, who wasn't even at the party, is one of the eight now charged."

Senator Roland Burris addresses Equality Illinois gala.

SPOTLIGHT: Jennifer Hudson to tour.

Was Shepard Fairey arrested to embarrass the mayor of Boston? "The obvious question is: Why did the police take so long after the warrant was issued to apprehend their man? Was it a matter of pure incompetence? As admiring fans of his work, were the police giving him opportunity to make appearances and put more art out on the streets of Boston? I don't think so." Also, Fairey sues AP.

Three year battle results in success for students wanting to form gay-straight alliance in Yuma, California.

MAN VS WILD: Foxes jump on trampoline while bears frolic in hammocks.

Domestic partner registrations begin in Phoenix, Arizona: "Despite the dreary weather, about 10 gay couples made the trip to Phoenix City Hall Monday morning to be among the first to register with the city as domestic partners."

Gay activists hold kiss-in outside Dallas Museum of Art: " The kiss-in is part of a larger effort by activist groups to raise awareness of gay-rights issues. Queer LiberAction and another group, Join the Impact Dallas, plan to hold mini-wedding ceremonies outside the Records Building downtown on Thursday. Participants plan to request marriage licenses as part of National Freedom to Marry Day. One mother instructed her child to avert his eyes from the kiss-in participants. 'Don't look at them,' she said, grabbing and turning her son's head away. Others simply walked by, avoiding eye contact. One woman murmured, 'It's twisted, very twisted.' But another cited biblical principles, then exchanged hugs with a transgender activist, saying, 'Hate the sin, not the sinner.'"

Dad cuts trust fund of lesbian heiress and reality TV personality Courtenay Semel: "I don’t want to be known for all this craziness in my life. It’s ruined a lot of friendships and relationships with my friends and my family, most important. I haven’t been in contact with my family, and the only way they know what’s going on with me is Page Six."

Lance Bass parties with fitness model Bryan Thomas.

Potentially Hazardous Asteroid discovered: no danger till after 2042.

Photo reveals there is no gold at the end of the rainbow, just a freeway.

Police target UK cruising area: "Quiet country track Follingsby Lane has been flagged up on a number of sites as the perfect place for men to meet other men for sex. In a bid to stop this, officers from Washington Neighbourhood Policing Team will carry out regular patrols along the stretch of road. They have issued a stark warning that tough action will be taken against anyone who is caught having sex in public."

University of Texas Catholic Center launches LGBT prayer group: “We want to provide a safe place for young people to talk about this issue — how does it fit in with the Catholic Church teachings? Whether one is gay or straight, it’s morally neutral.”

Woman files for divorce after husband's gay affair in virtual online game Second Life.

News: Ian McKellen, Las Vegas, Arctic Ice Melt, Phoenix, Socks

Evil water lurks.

Vegas hit by biggest snowstorm in 30 years.

Here's what you might accessorize with if you were going on a date with the Burger King.

Phoenix votes for domestic partner registry, will allow hospital visitation: "The City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted to create a domestic-partner registry, following in the footsteps of Tucson, which launched a similar program in 2003. The registry guarantees only that domestic partners have the right to visit each other in Phoenix hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other health-care facilities." The Alliance Defense Fund spoke out at hearings against the measure.

Milk takes San Francisco Critics award. Screen Actors Guild awards announced — full list.

Manhunt male model contestant Matt Lanter joins 90210.

Man pleads guilty for October gay bashing in Georgetown: "Ruddad Abdulgader, of Alexandria pleaded guilty today to two counts, including felony assault with bias intent. He faces up to 5-1/2 years in prison when he is sentenced in February."

Sir Ian McKellen visits hometown school to deliver message against bullying: "Golborne High in Wigan has signed up to gay equality charity Stonewall's new education champions scheme. The programme allows councils to work with the charity and each other to promote safe and inclusive learning environments for youngsters and establish practical methods of addressing homophobia in schools. Wigan council is one of five founder members of the scheme. Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian, who was brought up in Wigan and is an active gay rights campaigner, toured the school and viewed photography work of Year Nine students."

Ecuadorean NY man slain in anti-gay, anti-Hispanic hate crime, is remembered in Queens: "Sucuzhañay's mother, her face contorted with grief, struggled to walk down the aisle of the packed church, supported by Jose's brother Diego. Black-clad mourners wore stickers emblazoned with the face of the slain man, whose coffin was draped in the Ecuadoran flag as it was carried out of the church. 'Jose, we'll always remember you,' Diego Sucuzhañay said. Jose Sucuzhañay's body will be flown back to his hometown in the Andes mountains for burial. Ecuadoran community leaders called him a martyr for immigrants from the South American nation." The killers remain at large.

Camilla Parker-Bowles attends the Olympia Horse Show.

Gay British man asks for help in finding son he says vanished with lesbian mother: "Michael Turberville, 41, has not seen seven-year-old Ashley Skinner since the boy's mother, Joanne Skinner, disappeared with him more than a year ago. The IT consultant has launched a public appeal to find him with the backing of Britain's top family court judge. There is evidence that Ms Skinner, 35, fled abroad. Mr Turberville believes she may be living with Ashley in Australia."

Scientists wonder if the arctic ice melt has passed the point of no return?

Clinton cat Socks dying of cancer.

Providence, RI protestors target car dealership for advertising with homophobic radio host John DePetro.

German Tourism Bureau unveils new gay travel portal.

Joe.My.God visits 'Our Passionate Struggle' at the GLBT Historical Society in SF.

Asteroid faces challenge from volcanoes as to what caused the death of the dinosaurs.

Canadian study: Gay teens at higher pregnancy risk. "The authors suggest the discrimination, sexual abuse and harassment that gay, lesbian and bisexual teens face may prompt them to indulge in more sexually risky behaviour like having sex without using condoms, starting to have sex before the age of 14 or having multiple sexual partners."

News: Caroline Kennedy, Iowa, Sean Avery, Phoenix, Scott Caan

Same-sex marriage battle brews in Maine.

Sioux City, Iowa considers resolution declaring opposition to same-sex marriage: "The motion, a mostly symbolic gesture, is on the council's agenda for Monday. Councilman Brent Hoffman, who supports the resolution, says it's important because it clarifies the council's position and directs city departments, boards and commissions to stay in line with that position. The resolution also asks for a statewide vote on whether gay marriage should be allowed."

Dallas Stars axe hockey star/Vogue intern Sean Avery for sexist trash-talking.

Madonna takes spill on rainy stage in Rio.

Phoenix city council to consider Domestic Partner Registry on Wednesday: "Just a month after Arizona voters passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage, the state's largest city is poised to create a program that would grant hospital-visitation rights to unmarried gay or straight couples who live together."

Wolverine in HD.

Grassroots lobbying effort for gay cabinet member launched by Boston group: "Equal Rep is urging supporters to call or e-mail Obama's transition office Dec. 17-19 on behalf of labor activist Mary Beth Maxwell, founder of American Rights at Work, who is reported to be under consideration for labor secretary."

Federal judge denies dismissal of Gay Pride lawsuit against Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford: "The group, which sponsored the 20th Gay Pride Parade in Birmingham last summer, filed suit against Langford, saying he discriminated against them when he refused to allow city workers to hang Gay Pride Week banners on city property when other organizations, including sports events, cultural festivals and religious meetings, had banners displayed by city workers."

NYT: The Year in Ideas 2008.

Just who is the hottest Brazilian of 2008?

Greenwich, Connecticut the state's "epicenter" for same-sex weddings.

New York to allow both names of same-sex couples to appear on child's birth certificate: "The decision, which echoes similar provisions in states that allow gay marriages or civil unions, is one of many changes since Gov. David Paterson ordered state agencies in May to respect out-of-state gay marriages. The state Health Department said Friday it had agreed to the change, which came after a lesbian couple who are expecting a baby filed a lawsuit. The change would apply statewide outside New York City, which is considering revamping its own birth certificate forms to accommodate same-sex couples."

Burglar claims he was held captive by a ghost for three days after he broke into a home.

Gay 'Town Hall' held in Salt Lake City: "The forum was a rare opportunity for virtually every gay rights group, from Equality Utah and the Log Cabin Republicans to the Queer People of Color Network, to collaborate and solicit new ideas. The top priority: Equality Utah's Common Ground initiative, a collection of six bills aimed at the 2009 legislative session that would enhance legal protections offered to LGBT Utahns."

Actor Scott Caan shows off the goods (NSFW)

Caroline Kennedy to pursue Hillary Clinton's Senate seat: "The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, whom friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Ms. Kennedy will ask Gov. David A. Paterson of New York to consider her for the appointment, according to the person told of her decision. The governor was traveling to Utica today and could not immediately be reached for comment."

A new Survivor has been crowned.

Johnny Marr quashes latest Smiths reunion rumors: "The stories circulating about a Smiths reunion are, as usual, untrue."

South African man thrown off train by police officers who find him carrying a woman's handbag: "They asked me why (I was carrying it) and then said I was a woman without breasts. They also said I was a woman who shaves. They continued verbally abusing me, asking if they could 'buy' my services...When we reached Ellis Park station, the train stopped to pick up passengers. As it was pulling off, they opened the doors and pushed me out. I rolled three times, injuring my back."

Tom Cruise admits he was arrogant with Matt Lauer.

Homoerotic Hazings Alleged at Arizona Cheesecake Factory

This is one of the most bizarre stories I've run across all week. It happened in July in Chandler, Arizona, near Phoenix but for some reason it's getting renewed attention in Arizona news media:

"Bryce Fitzpatrick was working at the Cheesecake Factory at Chandler Fashion Center when he was promoted from server to food expeditor, a step toward management. One day, while he was inside the produce walk-in to hunt down watercress, the door suddenly swung open. 'About 10-plus cooks and dishwashers shut the lights out,' Fitzpatrick recalls. 'A guy grabbed me from behind and made me put my butt on top of his genitals.' One cook grabbed Fitzpatrick's right leg and held it up in the air. Another held his left leg. Two other men grabbed Fitzpatrick's arms. 'A cook would stand in the middle and rub his genitals into my genitals,' Fitzpatrick said. During his tenure at the restaurant, he suffered the attacks more than 20 times, he said. In interviews with The Arizona Republic, two other former employees of the restaurant chain described being similarly grabbed and held down by co-workers while men simulated sex with them."

Lawyers are now involved and a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed in July. All of the victims and all of the cooks say they are heterosexual.

More:

"The fear was not exaggerated, several of the four former workers say. Wilson, 33, who worked his way up from a server at Cheesecake Factory to become the front-of-the-house manager, recalls being asked by one of the cooks to go into the walk-in cooler for some herbs. 'All of a sudden the light turned out and it startled me,' Wilson said. 'I turned around, and altogether there were seven or eight men.' Wilson said several men held him down, and others began pressing and rubbing their genitals against his. They were screaming obscenities in Spanish that Wilson said he couldn't understand, and they were whispering things in his ears. 'They would take turns dry raping me. I was on my back being held down,' he said. 'Once they were all finished taking turns on me, they threw a bunch of lettuce on me, and a bunch of herbs.' Wilson said he was scared, intimidated, humiliated and traumatized. He felt violated. He quit his job in July 2007."

A news report from July, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via slog)

Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Protest at LDS Christmas Kick-off

Approximately 150 supporters of same-sex marriage protested Mormon involvement in the passage of Proposition 102 in Arizona, rallied at a Christmas display lighting ceremony at the LDS Temple in Mesa on Friday:

"The biggest donors to the Yes 4 Marriage campaign in Arizona, before the primaries, were Nancy and David LeSueur and Kathleen and Wilford Andersen, two prominent Mormon families in Mesa. Each family donated $100,000 cash, according to campaign-finance records. The idea for the vigil came from friend Bobby Parker, who helped [Clinton] Bartlett pull the event together on short notice. Parker, 64, came out to his Mormon family in January 2007. 'I lost my family, lost my church,' he said. The demonstration was peaceful, with participants holding candles and signs that read 'Peace' and 'Acceptance.' Some vehicles driving by honked in support of the demonstrators, but one person threw a dirty diaper out the window at them."

Proposition 102 amended the state constitution to declare marriage between a man and a woman.

Watch a news report on the protest, AFTER THE JUMP...