Towleroad Guide to the Tube #322

SCIENTOLOGY: Gay activists and scientologists attempting to hand out anti-gay Dianetics literature clash in Toronto.

JESSE JACKSON: The Reverend spoke to Good Morning America this morning.

VIAGRA AND BIRTH CONTROL: Straight Talk Express breaks down over conflict between top adviser's statement on health insurance and McCain's position (or lack of one) on it.

DRUNK: Will someone please get the intoxicated referee off the field?

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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News: Bombing Budapest, Video Violence, Marilyn Digs Her Own Political Musgrave, Portland Even Gayer Than McDonald's & More

Magnum, a gay sauna in Budapest, Hungary, was the target of four petrol bombs early today. This is the second bombing in a week. In both cases, the perpetrators called first to make sure people were inside. "We are doubtful if the police are really protecting the gay establishments as they promised," says Gabor Kuszing of the Hungarian gay-rights group Patent Association.

Two female students were arraigned on charges of aggravated assault after videotaping their beating of a lesbian classmate whose PDAs were said to upset them.

All of Big Sur, California, was ordered evacuated as an 11-day-old fire continues to rage.

Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave goes back to the anti-gay marriage well that nearly cost her her job.

Keep Your Eyes On Your Fries: The American Family Association thinks McDonald’s is so, totally, like gay.

For Obama, even some formerly fire-engine red states have got the blues. But it's not all "blue skies"—the largest group on his own Web site is devoted to urging him to reconsider caving on FISA.

Portland tops the "Gay Ghetto" list. (Where's New York???)

Scientology's $8 million-dollar secret.

A modern-day West Side Story may be in the works.

Joe Lieberman is not popular.

Chris Martin of Coldplay used to "worry that he might be gay" until he realized he loved boobs. He attributes his sexual anxiety to his Christian upbringing. "What I grew up with was, if you even think about boobs, you’re going to hell," he tells Rolling Stone. "But let’s face it, they’re fantastic."

Lindsay Lohan threw herself a prom-themed 22nd birthday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Wednesday. Her date? Top-hatted DJ Samantha Ronson.

Democratic House candidate Darcy Burner of Washington owes her life to her five-year-old son, who awakened the politico and her husband in time to flee an early-morning fire that destroyed their home.

Jai Rodriguez to star in a new musical about a Cuban refugee "who sets sail on a turbulent journey that leads him all the way to Hollywood and into the arms of a fiery, redheaded movie star named Lucille Ball." Waaa!

Ever seen Swoon? Its director, Tom Kalin, is back with Savage Grace, the true story of socialite Barbara Daly Baekeland. Julianne Moore plays the neurotic woman, who was said to have bedded her own son, Antony (Eddie Redmayne), as a means of curing his homosexuality. Instead, it probably helped drive him toward what became a grisly day of reckoning in 1972. The movie—out in limited release in the U.S. for the past month—is generating a big stir due to extended portrayals of their incestuous liaisons.

Watermelon makes me horny.

Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour setlist might very well contain classics "Borderline" (not presented live in 23 years) and "Into the Groove," the Oscar-winning "You Must Love Me" from Evita and, of course, "La Isla Bonita"…a song Madonna seems to think is on par with "Vogue" considering how often it's trotted out. Other oldies under consideration? "Dress You Up," "Everybody" and "Angel."

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Jason Beghe's Full Interview on Scientology

Here's part one of Jason Beghe's full interview on Scientology (via dlisted). The rest are here. Beghe has been speaking out about the cult via excerpts on YouTube as well as interviews.

Earlier this month, Beghe revealed that Scientologists had questioned him about a car accident he had been in, suggesting that it was the "suppression" caused by his having a gay friend that caused something bad to happen to him.

I bet you didn't know that Beghe and Tom Cruise recently had a face-to-face to discuss this entire situation.

Watch that clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Madonna Defends Turtle-Worshipers and Tom Cruise

In a new interview with New York magazine, Madge defends Tom Cruise's right to worship Scientology (though I think Jason Beghe would probably have a few things to say about that).

Says Madonna: "I don’t care if people worship turtles or frogs—if they’re good people, that’s all I care about, and he is a good person. I think he gets a raw deal, just as I think the orphans in Malawi get a raw deal, just as I think a lot of marginalized people get a raw deal."

She also touches on connections between her interest in Malawi and speaking out in the early days of the AIDS crisis:

"There are a lot. One is that I myself feel like a motherless child. I grew up that way. But also the idea that I felt so helpless by the AIDS epidemic that seemed to sweep through Manhattan and claim the lives of so many people that I loved. And I saw how stigmatized the gay community was, and that freaked me out."

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What Caused Jason Beghe's Car Accident?

His association with a gay friend, according to Scientologists. Actor Jason Beghe, whose video denouncing Scientology hit the internet recently, gave an interview to the Village Voice earlier this month which sheds some light on the cult's relationship with homosexuality:

"Beghe says the proof that Scientology was no longer working for him came when he was almost killed in a car accident. After the L’s, he points out, that shouldn’t happen. 'A clear isn’t supposed to have a car accident. You’re supposed to be practically immortal.' To the Scientologists, the accident was an indication that someone was 'suppressing' Beghe. So they pulled him in for more interrogation. 'What about this gay person you’re friends with,' Beghe says one official asked him, implying that somehow the gay friend was causing Beghe’s clear state to be sabotaged. When Beghe objected, he says the official responded, 'Well, he’s gay.'"

That video, if you haven't seen it, AFTER THE JUMP...

UPDATE: The reason this video is not accessible is because last night Scientology was apparently successful in having the account that was hosting it cancelled.

Jason Beghe: Scientologist Feared a Gay Friend Caused My Car Crash [runnin' scared]
Scientology's First Celebrity Defector Reveals Church Secrets [village voice]

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News: Taxes, Ken Livingstone, Titanic, Milo Ventimiglia, Scientology

On tax day, a reminder of how the U.S. inflicts extra financial burden on gay citizens.

The last meal on the Titanic, which went down 96 years ago today. Researchers have a new theory behind the sinking — rivets.

ABC's Jake Tapper calls attention to the "Compassion Forum" appearance of Clinton and Obama at Messiah College, which I posted about last week. One of his readers asks, ""Shouldn't Democratic presidential candidates, both of whom are explicitly on the record as being in favor of gay rights, avoid schools like this as assiduously as previous generations of politicians were urged to avoid Bob Jones University? How can politicians appear at a college that espouses these ideas and then turn around and court the gay community at the same time? How can the two leading Democratic candidates appear on stage at this college and not be questioned by the press about the hypocrisy of appearing there?"

Kentucky GOP Rep. Geoff Davis on Obama: "I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button. He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country." Davis apologizes...

The gay Navy lieutenant from Melrose Place, Jason Beghe, escaped the clutches of Scientology and now he's speaking out on video: "It’s very, very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution. I think it stunts your evolution. If Scientology is real, then something’s fucked up."

Lack of support from London Mayor Ken Livingstone leaves 2008 International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship with a funding shortfall: "Peter Tatchell of Outrage! described as 'scandalous' the lack of any funding or support from City Hall. 'Ken Livingstone is organising billions of pounds for corporate mega events like the 2012 Olympics but can’t give a few thousand pounds to help host the gay football world championship.'"

A really mean box of jelly beans, which I'm actually really curious to taste.

Project Runway is getting not one but two spin-offs on Lifetime: "The first of them doesn't have a title yet, but Weinstein said it will look at the Project Runway world through the eyes of the show's models. The second, dubbed Project Pygmalion, is a makeover series that will turn its winner into a high-society socialite."

Somebody got carried away at the tattoo parlor.

Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in the World wins big at Italian animation festival: "Cult hit half-hour show about three gay couples in the fictional 'gay ghetto' of West Lahunga Beach took the Pulcinella nod for TV series of the year. The Pulcinella for TV series for all ages went to RAI Fiction’s 'Acqua in bocca' (Water and Bubbles), about two fish in a tank and their interaction with an Italian family, from helmer Guido Manuli."

Milo Ventimiglia dreamt of being a fighter pilot.

GYM bar in NYC to open up its locker room.

Queerty talks to author Scott Heim about his new novel We Disappear: "There were all these different disappearances in the book–including Scott Heim the writer disappearing into Scott the character—I liked this idea of readers not knowing where one starts and the others begin. There are a lot of things in the book that are total fiction. The danger of doing this blurring is when people do read this as a memoir."

Tom Cruise and David Beckham to buy a soccer team together?

A townhouse in New York's West Village transformed, part of New York magazine's excellent new occasional real estate section, Vu.

Fight to allow gay blood donors heats up in Scotland.

Judicial Watch calls on FEC to investigate Elton John's Hillary Clinton benefit concert: "Recent news reports suggest that Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton for President have accepted an in-kind contribution from a foreign national, Sir Elton John, in contravention of federal electon laws. On behalf of Judicial Watch and its supporters, I hereby request that the FEC investigate this matter."

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #235

BOOING KEN HUTCHERSON: Focus on the Family's Stuart Shepard discusses the horrible liberal teachers who booed Pastor Ken Hutcherson when he was invited to speak at a high school MLK day. He neglected to mention Hutcherson's taking on of Microsoft or his association with the Watchmen on the Walls group. More here.

MAKE ME A SUPERMODEL: Dynamic duo of something rocks the sheets on the Bravo reality show.

CASEY: Video for Darren Hayes' new single "Casey".

ANONYMOUS: Declares war on Scientology. More here.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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Jerry O'Connell Takes on Tom Cruise and Scientology

The latest send-up of Tom Cruise's now famouse Scientology video.

"WAYATW" - Why are you acting this way?.

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News: New Mexico, Tom Cruise, MRSA, Jesus Kidnap, Mariah Carey

Domestic partners bill revived in New Mexico.

Zac Efron treats paparazzi to unique version of 'Blue Moon'.

Anti-gay marriage speakers meet with resistance from Vermont audience after proclaiming "Marriage can be the union between man and woman or it can be the union of any two people. Vermont cannot have both." Audience member: "It's nonsensical that marriage can't have multiple meanings. That's simply scare tactics." Outright Vermont launches statewide outreach effort: "A rainbow-colored bumper sticker, a "queer-mobile" that travels to remote and rural areas, paid spots on the radio, an online resource and a monthly newsletter are all strategies for a queer youth visibility campaign launched Thursday in Burlington. Outright Vermont, the state's largest 'queer' organization in its 20th year that works specifically with youths, wants to make Vermont the most "queer-friendly" state in the country – one person at a time."

Tom Cruise producing partner Paula Wagner speaks out about Scientology video leaks: "I am not a Scientologist, nor are most of the people Tom and I work with, but that doesn't mean I can sit by silently while he is attacked for his religious beliefs. As a film-maker and an American, I feel strongly that an individual's religion should have no bearing on their professional life."

Actress Suzanne Pleshette dies at 70.

Michigan neighborhood kidnaps devout dachshund owner's Jesus statuette: "We are holding Jesus ransom until you clean up the poopie from your wieners and trust us we see you take your wieners for long walks w/out picking up their poopie in our yards. This has upset us dearly so please clean up all the weiner poopie, if you want to see Jesus unharmed."

Gay porn Marine Matt Sanchez paranoid that a "gay jihadist" stalker/crank caller is out to defame him!

NYT on how the MRSA staph 'superbug' story went viral: "On Monday, a team of researchers led by doctors from the University of California at San Francisco announced that gay men were “many times more likely than others” to acquire a new strain of drug-resistant staphylococcus, a nasty, fast-spreading and potential lethal bacteria known as MRSA USA300. And sure enough, the study, published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine, was quickly picked up by reporters round the world and across the Internet, including a London tabloid which dubbed the disease 'the new H.I.V.' But for gay men in the Castro neighborhood here, which was an early epicenter for the AIDS epidemic and a current hot spot for MRSA, the report also seemed to cast an unfair, and all too familiar, stigma on their sexuality."

High school principal apologizes for inviting anti-gay pastor Ken Hutcherson to give lecture to students on civil rights.

Paula Abdul wants you to dance like there's not tomorrow.

Could volcanoes be facilitating the melt of the Antarctic glaciers? "In an article published Sunday on the Web site of the journal Nature Geoscience, Hugh Corr and David Vaughan of the British Antarctic Survey report the identification of a layer of volcanic ash and glass shards frozen within an ice sheet in western Antarctica. 'This is the first time we have seen a volcano beneath the ice sheet punch a hole through the ice sheet' in Antarctica, Vaughan said."

That chick Mariah Carey dishes out new album cover.

Spencer Livermore: the most powerful gay man in British politics.

LOGO to screen Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin all week.

Indiana wingnuts irate at lawmaker's refusal to hear proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage: "Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, who is chairman of the House Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee, said today that the most urgent issue facing the state is property taxes, not same-sex marriage, which already is banned by Indiana law. 'I’m not planning on having a hearing,' Pelath said. 'The short session (of the legislature) was designed to deal with emergencies. We have a very serious problem with the property tax system, and we don’t have any gay marriages in Indiana.' The Senate committee plans to debate the amendment Thursday, but Eric Miller, who has pushed for passage of the amendment as founder of the conservative group Advance America, called that 'disingenuous.' The legislature, he said, is dealing with plenty of issues besides property tax reform and has the time to debate and vote on this amendment before its March 14 deadline."

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Tom Cruise and Scientology are on the Loose!

It's official. The Tom Cruise Scientology video has become the new "Leave Britney Alone" and remixes have begun to pop up everywhere. In this one, Tom Cruise 'recruits' Will Smith.

Gawker's got one on their site that's quite a bit gayer.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #230 Scientology Edition

Here is the entire series of Scientology Awards videos. The one that was posted earlier is #4 here. Crazy stuff. Get 'em while you can.

(Via dlisted and ohnotheydidnt)

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Tom Cruise's Scientology Speech

You may have heard about Tom Cruise's 9-minute acceptance speech for the Freedom Medal of Valor award he accepted at an International Association of Scientologists event. It keeps disappearing from YouTube, but here it is, while it lasts.

A former Scientologist commenter at RADAR has offered some of the definitions for Cruise's Scientology-speak:

KSW (short for Keeping Scientology Working): A policy written by
Hubbard in the 1960's that requires all Scientologists to follow his
words and his rules exactly.

Orgs: Orgs is an abbreviation for "organizations" and describes
all churches of Scientology throughout the world.

David Miscavige: He is the current leader of Scientology.
He's the equivalent of the Pope to the Catholics.

Out-ethics: any behavior that violates any of Hubbard's
rules of conduct.

Put ethics in on someone else: make others conform
to Hubbard's rules of behavior.

Criminon: Scientology front group that tries to recruit through the prisons.

SP: Suppressive Person. Anyone that doesn't like Scientology and/or criticizes Scientology.

PTS/SP: another bogus Hubbard term to define behavior that goes
against Scientology rules.

LRH technology or "tech": all the Scientology policies, rules, mandates, procedures.

Basically everything Hubbard wrote that controls the behavior of Scientologists.

Kind of makes those Andrew Morton claims a lot more believable, eh?

You may have missed...
Morton Tell-All Claims Tom Cruise is Scientology #2 [tr]
Book: 'Homophobic' Tom Cruise Fled La Cage Aux Folles Performance [tr]

Transcript highlights, via US Weekly, AFTER THE JUMP...

Tom Cruise: ...I think it’s a privilege to call yourself a Scientologist, and it’s something that you have to earn because a Scientologist does... has the ability to create new and better realities and improve conditions. Being a Scientologist, you look at someone and know absolutely that you can help them.

"When you're a Scientologist, and you drive by an accident, you know you have to do something about it, because you know you're the only one who can really help. We are the authorities on getting people off drugs. We are the authorities on the mind.... We are the way to happiness. We can bring peace and unite cultures. Now is the time. Being a Scientologist. People are turning to you. If you are a Scientologist, you see things the way they are, in all their glory, in all their complexity... It's rough and tumble. It's wild and woolly. It's a blast. It really is. It is fun. Because damn it, there is nothing better than going out there and fighting the fight, and suddenly you see -- boom! -- things are better. I want to know that I've done everything I can do, every day... I do what I can. And I do it the way I do everything."

"But that’s what drives me... I know that we have an opportunity to really help... effectively change people’s lives and I am dedicated to that. I am absolutely, uncompromisingly dedicated to that.

"We have a responsibility.

"We are the authorities on getting people off drugs, we are the authorities on the mind, we are the authorities on improving conditions... we can rehabilitate criminals.

"...We can bring peace and unite cultures...

"Traveling the world and meeting the people that I’ve met, talking with these leaders in various fields, they want help and they are depending on people who know and who can be effective and do it and that’s us. That is our responsibility to do that.

"It is the time now. Now is the time... Being a Scientologist, people are turning to you, so you better know it, you better know it and if you don’t, go and learn it, but don’t pretend you know it. It’s like we’re here to help.

"If you’re a Scientologist, you see life, you see things the way they are, in all its glory, all of its complexity and the more you know as a Scientologist, you don’t become overwhelmed by it.

"Look, I wish the world was a different place. I’d like to go on vacation and go and romp and play and just do that, you know what I mean. That’s what I want it to be. There’s times I’d like to do that, but I can’t because I know I have to do something about it.

"I have to do it because I can’t live with myself if I don’t, and that really is it.

"So it’s our responsibility to educate, create the new reality. We have that responsibility to say, 'Hey, this is the way it should be done because we do it this way and people are actually getting better.'

"And let’s get it done. Let’s really get it done and have enough love and compassion and toughness that you’re really going to do it and do it right.

"I have to tell you something – it is rough and tumble, and it’s wild and wooly, and it’s a blast, it’s a blast, it really is fun because, dammit, there is nothing better than the going out there and fighting the fight and suddenly you see things are better.

"I want to know that I’ve done everything I could everyday, and I think about those people out there who are depending on us. I think about that and it does make me feel that we’ve got more work. I need more help, get those spectators either in the playing field or out of the arena. Really, that’s how I feel about it.

"I do what I can, and I do it the way I do everything. [laughs] There’s nothing part-of-the way for me."

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News: Johnny Depp, Mars, American Airlines, Will Smith, Alzheimer's

Last month I posted about an asteroid that scientists said had a 1 in 75 chance of striking Mars with an impact close to a 15 megaton bomb. Well, based on new observations, scientists say the chances have dropped to 1 in 10,000. Boo!

American Airlines launches first gay-themed print ads: "Recalling when travel was considered glamorous, new print ads in The Advocate and online look like vintage, 50s-era illustrated posters, but with the twist of two carefree men stepping off the plane together. The tagline is "Fly forward" and was created by American's longtime ad agency, TM Advertising, of Dallas, and Washington, D.C.-based gay marketing firm Witeck-Combs Communications."

Brian Austin Green taking make-up tips from Pete Wentz?

CNN's Glenn Beck discusses his butt surgery: "I had surgery on my ass."

London plans massive Pride event for June/July. Mayor Ken Livingstone: “The capital is home to the largest, most diverse lesbian and gay population in Europe and this event, attended by people of all sexualities, sends out a clear signal that London welcomes and is a safe place for lesbians and gay men to live in and visit."

New Yorker holding Eustace Tilley cover contest.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon to marry?

UK court told of sexual harassment construction worker inflicted on 17-year-old: "Douglas Inskip, 42, would wolf-whistle at the 17-year-old, blow him kisses, subject him to limp wrist gestures and told him to 'shake that ass'. Inskip put a doll in the window of his home of Daffyd, the comic character styled as the 'only gay in the village' in the BBC TV series Little Britain. He would point at it when the victim was outside, Flintshire magistrates were told."

Madonna drops a cool 10K on Kabbalah water every month!

Will Smith joins Church of Scientology: "At the wrap party of Will's new flick 'Hancock' he gave out cards to cast and crew that qualified them for a free "personality test" at a local Scientology center."

Johnny Depp shows a bit of skin for Rolling Stone.

Michael Kors: just in case you're not sure who I am.

New study documents marked reversal of Alzheimer's symptoms within minutes of injection of therapeutic molecule: "It is unprecedented that we can see cognitive and behavioral improvement in a patient with established dementia within minutes of therapeutic intervention. It is imperative that the medical and scientific communities immediately undertake to further investigate and characterize the physiologic mechanisms involved. This gives all of us in Alzheimer’s research a tremendous new clue about new avenues of research, which is so exciting and so needed in the field of Alzheimer’s. Even though this report predominantly discusses a single patient, it is of significant scientific interest because of the potential insight it may give into the processes involved in the brain dysfunction of Alzheimer’s."

Depositions begin in anti-gay discrimination case against DNC. Communications detailed.

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Armistead Maupin on Gays and Scientology

Holy Moly reports on a book reading last night in London in which Armistead Maupin, who just released his latest novel, Michael Tolliver Lives, made clear his thoughts on Scientology — and Edna Turnblad:

Maupin: "...of course the Church of Scientology comes in very handy. (huge laugh from audience) It's the biggest ex gay movement in America. They catch you when you're young and confused, tell you they'll look after you, even provide you with a wife and child... Then of course you have to do what they call an audit, where you confess everything you've ever done into a tape recorder, so they've got the tapes. So once you're famous and successful you have to go along with all their nonsense about people falling into volcanoes... (pause)... then you play a woman in a movie musical, a part created by a drag queen and written by a gay man..."

We'd like many more tales of anything from Maupin, please...

(via dlisted)

You may have missed...
Armistead Maupin's Partner Speaks Out on Age and Dating [tr]
Gavin Newsom's Maupin Tribute: Tuesday is Michael Tolliver Day in SF [tr]
Armistead Maupin: How to Live Well at any Age [tr]
Hairspray: a Review [tr]

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News: Nancy Grace, Seattle Bears, Scientology, Tim McGraw, Kylie

Human Rights Campaign launches "Back Story" blog.

Isaiah Washington will join Larry King on Monday, July 2. Meanwhile, Washington has reportedly been in Talks with NBC about a possible deal, but those talks have stalled.

TAB: Hook-handed convicted terrorist Abu Hamza realizes his nurse is gay after two years and is now refusing treatment. Source: "The nurse is upset about it. He has spent the last couple of years doing everything for Hamza, even wiping his bottom. It shows how little respect Hamza has for others. The nurse dresses him, washes him, cleans his teeth, cuts his toenails, trims his beard and applies ointment for his skin disorder. His nurse is open about being gay. He even speaks with a camp voice. His nickname is Queenie. Hamza has been refusing treatment while he is on duty but he won't be able to keep that up because it is causing him a great deal of discomfort."

Democrats Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) urge State Department to rehire discharged gay Arabic translators: “We are writing to urge the Department of State to take a specific step — the hiring of our unfairly dismissed, language-qualified soldiers — so our nation might salvage something positive from the lamentable results of this benighted policy."

Kylie Minogue fever hits Manchester as artifact exhibit arrives.

Armistead Maupin talks about his keepsake dragon and the years he spent in Vietnam.

CNN's Nancy Grace announces that she secretly married - with twins. 'Thank you, friend'.

Tim McGraw also shows off his baby bump.

Cult members not allowed: Tom Cruise banned from shooting hitler film in Germany because he belongs to Scientology. "The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. Defence Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers 'will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult.'"

Seattle Bears win Slog Pride Parade awards: "This two-sided float, created by Northwest Bears, was the crowd favorite. Hell, it made both of Seattle’s daily papers, displacing the usual shots of drag queens and half-naked lesbians on Harleys. Featuring a tub full of hairy daddies covered in suds, 'Bears, Bath and Beyond' was funny and sexy, camp and butch, and the unanimous choice of our judges."

Contrary to some reports, The View has actually lost viewers since Rosie O'Donnell's departure, to the tune of 400,000: "According to figures obtained from Nielsen/Soundscan by our research department, 'The View' sank like a stone during the first two weeks of June, right after Rosie left. Indeed, 'The View' suffered a 13 percent decline in household ratings, and a 9 percent decline in overall ratings during the combined weeks of June 4 and 11 compared with Rosie's last two weeks."

WWE star Chris Benoit in double homicide-suicide: "The details, when they come out, are going to prove a little bizarre."

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Tom Cruise Wants a Piece of David Beckham

After taking him in at the final Spanish League football match in Spain recently, Tom Cruise decided he had to have a piece of it, and has reportedly made a $79.6 million bid to back the L.A. Galaxy.

Said a source: "To have Tom's backing would be amazing - there's no way Galaxy bosses would turn down that opportunity."

Is this a joke? If not, I think it may be the most expensive case of stalking we've ever seen.

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News: James Holsinger, Andy Baldwin, NYC Hurricane, Sopranos

Seattle man beaten by group after being taunted with a gay slur: "On Sunday, the couple was together about 2:40 a.m. in the 700 block of East Pike Street when they heard someone utter a slur toward gay men, according to a police report. The victim, a man in his 20s, turned and approached the man who made the comment. That man, who was with a group, punched the victim and threw him to the ground, at which point four to six others joined in the attack, according to a police report. The victim suffered a cut behind his left ear. Firefighters treated him at the scene, a police report said. The group ran to a nearby car and sped away."

Some gay fans call for a boycott of Hairspray because of John Travolta, Scientology, and the cult's position on gays.

Gay marriage bill likely to pass State Assembly in New York. Senate a tougher nut.

New Fest: The New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival award winners announced

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell endorses Bush's anti-gay Surgeon General nominee James Holsinger: "Dr. Holsinger is a proven leader who has dedicated his career to improving health education and services in Kentucky and across the nation. He is an excellent choice for Surgeon General and I look forward to his quick confirmation."

Jake Gyllenhaal spends some time with his fans.

More on Armistead Maupin's new tome Michael Tolliver Lives: "Instead of randy hippies who smoke joints, as they did when the series began in 1976, the aging lefties of 'Michael Tolliver Lives' pop joint and arthritis pills. Instead of plotting nightly sexual conquests, as they did as 20-something singles, many profess shock at the level of promiscuousness practiced by today's youth."

Anti-gay Republican presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo's campaign webmaster Tyler Whitney is outed. Said Tancredo's senior advisor Bay Buchanan: "A person's sexual preference is a personal matter and has nothing to do with the campaign."

Sopranos creator David Chase on the show's uneventful finale: "I have no interest in explaining, defending, reinterpreting, or adding to what is there. No one was trying to be audacious, honest to God. We did what we thought we had to do. No one was trying to blow people's minds, or thinking, 'Wow, this'll (tick) them off.' People get the impression that you're trying to (mess) with them and it's not true. You're trying to entertain them."

Bachelor Andy Baldwin takes to the surf in Hawaii.

U.S. States renamed for countries with similar GDPs. (via kottke)

NYC due for major hurricane, experts say: "The last hurricane to hit New York was the so-called Long Island Express in 1938. It killed 50 people on the Island, more than 700 along the Eastern seaboard. In the years since, hurricanes with names like Bob, Floyd, and Gloria, have also made an impact, but we've been spared a direct hit. Experts say a major hurricane could pack 130 mph winds, and a 30-foot storm surge. There would be flooding in all five boroughs, the subways and much of lower Manhattan could be under water. Damage estimates would top $100 billion."

Ted Allen talks desert island cuisine: "First of all, I'm not eating Carson [Kressley]. He'd be all stringy. Carson is a little too lean. Tom Colicchio is a delicious-looking man, but I think I'd have to go with Rupert. Many of us in the community would find him the most delicious. If we're on a desert island, I'd dig a pit. Something spicy or sort of Caribbean would be good for Rupert Everett."

Kevin Spacey attended the Tony Awards after-party at the Hotel on Rivington's penthouse with his dog Minnie.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #129

BILL CLINTON: Goes to bat for Hillary.

BBC REPORTER vs SCIENTOLOGISTS: BBC reporter John Sweeney and his recent altercation while shooting the documentary "Scientology and Me".

JOHN EDWARDS and MEMORIAL DAY: John Edwards has launched a new site, Supportthetroopsendthewar.com which suggests 10 things you can do over Memorial Day to do just that.

WRATH: The 700 Club's Accu-Wrath Weather Forecast.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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News: Brandon Flowers, Yale Tennis, Grant Show, Nigeria

Yale tennis team under fire for alleged initiation activites: "During dinner on Nov. 10, team members wearing women’s underwear and fishnet stockings posed as members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and entered several residential college dining halls, where they sang and danced on tabletops, students who saw the incident said. The witnesses said the team’s initiates had signs on their backs that read, 'I’m a fa**ot. Insert Here.' The captain of the men’s tennis team could not be reached for comment last night, but Director of Athletics Thomas Beckett said his department is investigating the incident."

Brandon Flowers wants to read your mind!

Gay man jailed in Nigeria for wanting sex with a man; tells court: "It is the work of Satan but I promise that I will not do it again."

Jonathan Plummer, the ex-husband of author Terry McMillan, says he plans to write a tell-all about the couple's bitter marriage and divorce. Said McMillan: "He is like a f***ing Duracell, and I want him out of my f***ing life, and he won't let me out of his life. I can't live like this."

Isn't it time gay people were part of the marriage discussion?

Scientology leaders have reportedly dubbed Tom Cruise the religious sect's "Christ" figure: "Tom has been told he is Scientology’s Christ-like figure. Like Christ, he’s been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right."

Pop phenom Mika ships in Freddie Mercury's piano for acoustic recording of "Grace Kelly": "He felt totally inspired. He felt the spirit of Freddie surround him and Mika said he felt more creative than he ever had."

Former Melrose Place hunk Grant Show offers another dude his services on Dirt...

Lance and Reichen on the outs? Malkin: "The latest from the slopes of Sundance has it that they've called it quits. This is not the first time that the lovebirds of eight months have broken up. This time around, Bass showed up solo at last night's Blender Sessions party at Tao. Later on, a source spotted him sulking at a party at the Village at the Lift's Heineken Lounge. Bass left the bash around midnight after hanging there for a measly twenty minutes, the party-goer says. Another source reports that Lemkuhl is still in Park City, but has told friends he is cutting his trip short. He says he wants to get on the earliest flight out tomorrow morning."

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