News: Venezuela, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Chapel Hill, Mormons

Marriage Equality New York holding rally tonight to protest anti-gay vote in Maine: "Please join us at a rally on Nov 4th in Union Square on 14th Street side at 5:30pm urging the NYS Senate to vote and in response to the votes on marriage equality across the United States."

50 Cent is a power ______.

Venezuelan police harassing and arresting LGBT citizens: "Like most of those arrested, our identity documents and mobile phones were taken away, we were beaten, our sexual orientation was insulted in degrading language, and we were refused permission to speak to the Justice Ministry officials and members of the National Guard who were present."

Mark Kleinschmidt becomes openly gay mayor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Just Jared interviews Glee's Mark Salling.

Author details how Tom Cruise personally audited him for Scientology: "You tell the ashtray, 'Sit in that chair.' Then you actually go over and put the ashtray on the chair. Then you tell the ashtray, 'Thank you.' Then you do the same thing with the bottle, and the book. And you do this for hours and hours."

Fort Worth, Texas task force makes recommendations on expansion of gay rights in the city: "Jon Nelson, an attorney and chairman of the task force, called the recommendations 'one of the most far-reaching actions this city has taken, in the shortest amount of time.'"

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell, who refused to marry an interracial couple, has resigned.

Female Spectacled Bears suddenly go bald in Leipzig.

Carrie Prejean - Miss California USA settlement details revealed: "We've learned the Pageant will fork over around $100,000 for Carrie's lawyers and publicists connected with the public battle royale. That money goes directly to her flacks and not into her bank account. We're told Carrie personally gets zilch. What Carrie walks away with: Her book comes out on Monday and we're told the Pageant won't fight her for writing it without its permission."

Sean Penn's son arrested at school.

Blu Dot tracks NYC abandoned chairs in "curb-mining" experiment.

Foundation for Reconciliation to deliver 2,000 signatures to Mormon leaders: "About 50 people are expected to deliver the petition to the offices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday. Organizer Cheryl Nunn of Santa Cruz, Calif., says the petition is a reaction to the Salt Lake City-based church's support for Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot initiative that banned gay marriage in California."

Brad Pitt dresses up his beard with beads.

Facebook: the movie?

Seattle gay rights pioneer Paul Barwick reflects on applying for a marriage license in King County, Washington in 1971: We knew they weren't going to give us one, but damn it, they were going to have to tell us no to escort us out the door."

Early marriage equality advocates?

Gay Annapolis alderman candidate to file complaint over gay 'child molester' smears.

Dallas Morning News corrects article labeling OUT and The advocate "alternative lifestyle magazines."

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison recommends gay man as U.S. Attorney: "Some Republicans are vehemently and unapologetically not ready for that. That could make it even harder for Hutchison to woo social conservatives in her bid to outflank and oust Gov. Rick Perry in March. "

Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga to hawk MAC lipstick for AIDS fund: "MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick and Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick, $14 each, will launch in North America on March 18 and globally throughout the month, with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to the MAC AIDS Fund."

News: Showgirls, Sam Adams, The Louvre, John Barrowman, Atlanta

Death of culture: McDonald's moves into the Louvre.

A Showgirls sequel?

Lady Gaga appeared on the MTV reality show Boiling Point three years ago — here's the video.

Weekly Standard defends military gay ban: "Another way to put this is to say that honor, which is by the testimony of soldiers throughout the ages of the essence of military service, includes the honor of being known for heterosexuality, and that, for most heterosexual males, shame attends a reputation as much for homosexuality as for weakness or cowardice."

New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to endorse William Thompson for NYC mayor.

NYT Consults Blog on anti-gay bullying.

The Onion to release range of greeting cards.

Glee preview: The boys sing "It's My Life".

Artist's painting finds buyer after he vandalizes it with graffiti.

Paul Hogarth: Defeating Question 1 in Maine about mobilizing the base. "If every Mainer votes in the upcoming election, Question One will lose – and conservatives who’ve won on 'gay marriage' in every state where it has been on the ballot will suffer a humiliating defeat. But this is an off-year election, and young people who strongly support marriage equality are much less likely to turn out. And while voters in liberal Portland are with us, I have gotten this apathetic shrug from people – saying it shouldn’t even be on the ballot."

Gourmet magazine folding after 68 years.

Trial starts for Alabama judge accused of sex-for-leniency trades: "The respected circuit judge once was the Democratic Party's choice to be the first black federal judge in south Alabama. Then his career collapsed under allegations that he brought inmates to his office and spanked them with a paddle. Later, an indictment accused him of sexually abusing male inmates in exchange for leniency. The trial on charges of sodomy, kidnapping, sex abuse, extortion, assault and ethics violations is set to start Monday."

Professor calls for Gay and Lesbian Studies curriculum expansion in Massachusetts...

Sean Penn beats up another paparazzo.

John Barrowman storms London's West End in La Cage Aux Folles.

Male model fix: Marlon Teixeira.

Roman Catholic Bishop faces child porn charges.

Signature-collecting deadline looms in Portland Mayor Sam Adams recall campaign: "The campaign won't reveal exactly how many signatures they have, but organizers emphasize they need more than 32,000. Sunday is their last full day to collect signatures to get a recall of Mayor Adams on what they hope will be the November ballot."

Miss Gay Indiana pageant hits Muncie.

Documents indicate gay bars not targeted by police in Atlanta.

Three Americans share 2009 Nobel Prize for Medicine: "Americans Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak were named winners of the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for research that has implications for cancer and aging research. The trio solved a big problem in biology: how chromosomes can be 'copied in a complete way during cell divisions and how they are protected against degradation,' the citation said."

Diego Luna: Gael Garcia Bernal is a Better Kisser than Sean Penn

On last night's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Gael Garcia Bernal appeared with BFF and sometime co-star Diego Luna, and Bernal demanded to know whether he or Sean Penn is the better kisser. A refreshingly comfortable exchange when compared with some of Franco's.

Said Luna: "I have to say Gael is a better kisser. And he doesn't smoke, which is good. At 8 am in the morning. He's good. Yes."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Jesus Christ, Football, Susan Boyle, 100 Days, Sean Penn

Obama's 100 day Gay Report Card. Emma Ruby Sachs in HuffPost: "And when it comes to actual change in the lives of LGBT people, nothing has been done. Obama has failed to hand in any of his assignments."

Brian Sims: a gay college football story.

Guess who wants to play Susan Boyle in the movie?

Sean Penn files for divorce.

Guido Westerwelle hopes to be Germany's first openly gay foreign minister: "I am convinced that today one’s private life is no longer an obstacle. Some other countries may have had a problem with the fact that Angela Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany. Of course she does not wear a veil on the red carpet when she visits certain Arab states. The American secretary of state (Hillary Clinton) must also hold talks in countries in which women are systematically oppressed. The decision as to who we send as a government representative rests solely with us Germans based on our political and moral standards.”

BUTT magazine holding open call for submissions of gay-themed video art.

Estranged wife of Nevada governor wants veto override of domestic partnership legislation.

Gay man forced out of dying partner's room at Oregon Health and Science University hospital: "The nurse said, 'Christopher is very ill. There are some life and death decisions that have to be made and now is not the time for friends to be in the room.' I'm like, 'we don't have any friends in the room'."

Florida to get Jesus vanity plate.

Amsterdam park notifies visitors that they are approaching a 'gay cruising area':  "The signs 'clearly indicate what is happening in each zone; also those where gay men are known to practice 'cruising',' municipal spokeswoman Manon Koffijberg said...'If you don't want to be confronted by a vision of that sort, the signs allow you to avoid specific areas,' said Ms Koffijberg."

Australian curry company denies homophobic attack at Sydney fair.

Channing Tatum courted for Twilight role.

Vampire outtakes.

Astronomers snap the most distant object they've ever seen.

A look at Trouble the Water, the documentary about Hurricane Katrina.

Washington man pleads guilty in gay immigration fraud case: "A man accused of advising straight immigrants to claim homosexuality - and potential persecution in their home countries - when they applied for asylum has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud."

Senior Thai monk plans to offer "manners course" for monks who wear make-up and carry pink purses.

Alberta, Canada adds sexual orientation to human rights laws: "But the move to expand protections under the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act was accompanied by a provision allowing parents to pull their kids from school discussions of religion, sexuality or sexual orientation — a move that could let parents yank students from classes on such topics as evolution."

News: Howard Stern, GLAAD, Rush Limbaugh, Paris, Gavin Newsom

Hearings to begin on marriage equality in Vermont.

With Giuliano leaving, GLAAD launches search for new president.

Paris to get set of twin towers from Norman Foster?

Howard K. Stern arrested for drugging up Anna Nicole Smith. Mugshot.

NYC24 covers the false arrests of gay men in NYC porn shops and more specifically the story of Robert Pinter - VIDEO.

Ellen's next guest is...her wife.

Moscow Pride organizers appeal to European Court of Human Rights, ask for 1.7 million Euros over 155 banned Pride marches: "They are asking for 11,000 Euros compensation for each march banned. In all, the organisers of Pride applied to City’s Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, for 155 marches, five each day during May 2008. All were dismissed."

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom named grand marshall of Long Beach Gay Pride parade.

Gay couple describe terrifying home invasion to Welsh court: "Nathan Dally, 22, yelled: 'I’m going to kill you, you faggots', as he kicked in married couple Daniel Smith and Gary Samuel’s door, Cardiff Crown Court heard yesterday. The couple were so scared they called 999 and quickly moved their wardrobe to block their bedroom door. But it was left slightly ajar and Dally, of Caer Gwerlas, Tonyrefail, reached through, only leaving the house when Mr Samuel hit him with a hockey stick. Helen Roddick, prosecuting, said: 'They were both in bed at night and then saw the front door was shaking. One male was at the door kicking it with force and another two or three males were standing back.'”

Channing Tatum spends some time posing around a car because, you know, a car is a guy thing.

Christina Aguilera and Sia hunker down in studio.

Artush and Zaur: Novel describing "a gay love affair between an Azeri and an Armenian amid war between their countrymen as the Soviet Union collapsed" causing controversy. "A book discussion between the author and readers was canceled amid reports of threats and intimidation. 'The police told them -- if you don't do it, we'll do it ourselves,' [writer Alekper] Aliyev told Reuters. 'And they withdrew all the books from sale.' He said the owner of Ali and Nino had just called to say police had closed two of their stores. They reopened a day later. An Interior Ministry spokesman denied any knowledge of the case, saying: 'The police do not interfere in trade and the selling of books.'"

Nate Montana grabs his junk.

The Big Picture looks at dog sledding.

Current Bush tax system saves Rush Limbaugh $1.5 million every year.

Ancient Great White Shark fossil unearthed.

Sean Penn wins paper straw hat fedora award from hat company for bold moves on Milk.

Nathan Lane on gay actors coming out: "It’s such a personal thing, and I don’t think it does anybody any good to out people or force them out of the closet. I don’t see the point. It can still be very difficult in this business, so I’m sympathetic to that. You hear rumors and gossip, but nobody really knows except that person, and it’s ultimately up to them. Now, there are times when the press goes easier on or is more forgiving of someone, and I' say, How come he got a free pass?' But ultimately, I don’t feel resentful"

News: Lincoln, Joaquin Phoenix, Sundance, Philippines, kd lang

Presbyterian leaders in Kentucky vote to allow gays and lesbians to be ordained as pastors, elders and deacons.

Abraham Lincoln's watchmaker carved a secret inscription to the president on the inside of his pocket watch. The watchmaker's memory of it is nicer than the reality: "The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a President who at least will try."

Stunt? Joaquin Phoenix attacks "bitch" in his audience - VIDEO.

Florida judge orders school board to allow Gay-Straight Alliance to meet at Yullee High School near Jacksonville.

Center Square: San Francisco reading of one-man play about Paul Lynde halted by "cease and desist" letter.

Gay man picked to head Sundance Film Festival: "Actor Robert Redford, who founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, said [John] Cooper 'brings to the position an infectious enthusiasm as well as a deep understanding of the Sundance brand and culture. Forward thinking, he is a natural choice of succession to lead the Festival into the 21st century.' In recent years, Cooper has been involved in distributing short films on platforms such as iTunes, XBox360, and Netflix. He's also recently spearheaded the Art House Project, an initiative of 18 art houses from across the country designed to connect regional audiences to the Sundance's films and filmmakers."

It's probably best not to give a woman-beater a Kids' Choice Award.

Oh, just kiss and get it over with.

Three new biographies explore authors who were gay (or struggled with it).

Trial to begin over anti-gay killing in Brooklyn's Crown Heights. Killer thought victim was flirting with him.

Philippines military opens recruitment to gays. Commanding officer: "I don’t have anything against gay people but I am still in the dark, I cannot imagine how they will perform and discharge their duties once they are accepted in the military"

Boston Gay Men's Chorus to tackle kd lang's "Big Boned Gal" in next concert. Somebody please send a video.

Apparently, Sean Penn's suit from Milk is a Mormon magnet.

Big Gulp: Croc gobbles shark in Australia.

Website scans NYC sandwiches.

Clay Aiken to present GLAAD award to Tyra Banks.

Gambling regulators in Las Vegas recommend $50,000 fine and a 6-month suspension of a slot machine license for city's oldest gay bar Snick's, over public sex complaint.

In praise of Sonny Bill Williams.

Google to increase user surveillance: "Google’s influence over our lives is set to grow further after it anounced today that it will track millions of people as they move through the internet in order work out what their interests are. Using that information, it will then provide targeted advertising to suit users' individual tastes."