Celebs Customize Shepard Fairey for Marriage Equality

More than 80 entertainers and political figures including Julia Roberts, Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pine, Jessica Biel, Natalie Portman, Bradley Cooper, Lance Bass, Dave Matthews, Jared Leto, and Charlie Sheen have contributed signatures and/or enhancements to a set of "Defend Equality - Love Unites" original prints with a design by Shepard Fairey which became well-known during California's campaign against Proposition 8.

The project (undertaken in partnership with entertainment networking group HOMOtracker and its annual fundraiser ‘FallOut’) will go up for auction on November 10 on the website Charity Buzz and will benefit the grassroots marriage equality group FAIR. The group is also holding an event in West Hollywood on November 12 at which the prints will be on display.

The image above was enhanced by Virginia Madsen. Check out contributions from Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Marc Jacobs, Michael C Hall, and Cheyenne Jackson,
AFTER THE JUMP...

News: George Michael, Moon, Sonia Sotomayor, Iraq, Dinosaurs

George Michael denies split with partner Kenny Goss.

NASA probe takes aim at Moon.

D.C. police investigating man's death at "JO party": "The organizer of the men's parties, who asked that he be identified only as David, said the victim appears to have fallen on a cement floor in the basement of the house about 5 a.m. and possibly hit his head on a metal pipe or a brick wall. He said he does not believe the victim fell down a flight of stairs, as some have speculated in postings on Craigslist."

Gossip Girl ménage à trois in the works.

Chicago police officer Richard Fiorito trumped up charges against gays and lesbians, video shows.

Shepard Fairey and the art of the election to be featured in new book, Manifest Hope.

WATCH: Joe the Plumber's stand-up comedy routine.

Florida student teased for being gay breaks, assaults another student: "He said he had been teased for two days and that he was upset and lost control. He said he was sorry if he hurt anybody, but when he gets angry he cannot control himself and that it runs in the family, according to his Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office report."

David Beckham hangs out with his in-laws.

Spice Girls plotting reunion?

New York magazine takes a lengthy look at the danger faced by gays in Iraq.

Gavin Newsom struggling with fundraising in California gubernatorial bid?

Former Boston City Councillor sues police department, alleging gay bashing following sting over liaison with teen.

Sharon Lettman named Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition.

Largest ever dinosaur footprints found in France: "Imprints measuring up to 2 metres (6ft 6in) in diameter and stretching over a vast area of land have been uncovered near the village of Plagne, 30 miles west of Geneva, according to the National Centre of Scientific Research. In a statement, the centre said the significance of the prints could not be overestimated. 'According to the researchers' initial work, these tracks are the biggest ever seen,' it said."

Sonia Sotomayor begins work as SCOTUS justice: "in the two cases on the docket, she asked as many questions and made as many comments as Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. The only sign of her newness was that she at times forgot to turn on her microphone before posing a question."

Backstage with Rufus Wainwright at last night's benefit for New York's Ali Forney Center.

David Letterman apologizes on air to wife and staff.

Tasmania to allow same-sex couples to register relationship.

Whitney Houston to join Desperate Housewives?

Dr. Erik Steele on marriage equality in Maine: "In the end, though, gay marriage is not about marriage or teenagers, and it is not even about gays as much as it is about us. Over the last 250 years, Americans have slowly chipped away the bias and ignorance used to deprive almost every American except wealthy, white men of equal standing before the law. The right of civil marriage for gays is about continuing that same march toward 'one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' You cannot oppose it without betraying American values and the rights hard won for you by those victims of prejudice in almost every family tree who fought in their time for the rights we have in ours."

News: Orcas, Shepard Fairey, Twilight, Marc Jacobs, Iran, John Kerry

Vermont Senate gives final okay to same-sex marriage bill. "Lawmakers passed the measure on Tuesday in voice vote with no debate." On to the House.

SHOCK: Hundreds of killer whales seen in Gulf of Mexico.

Robert Pattinson smells like a man, a dirty one.

Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone to adopt?

Berlin police force bans fashion labels over their popularity among neo-Nazis: "The brands Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, ACAB, Alpha Industries, Consdaple, Lonsdale, Pit Bull, Outlaw, Troublemaker and Thor Steinar have all been put on a black list. According to police authorities, the labels are seen as a sign of right-wing extremist views and it would be damaging for officers to be associated with such ideologies. Disciplinary action will be taken against officers found wearing any of the brands at work."

NBC police drama Southland introducing gay cop (spoilers).

Twilight sequel's wolf pack is introduced.

Freedom Action Inclusion Rights (F.A.I.R.), a Southern California-based grassroots organization fighting for marriage equality And the repeal of California's Proposition 8, partners with Shepard Fairey to open 'Love Unites' store. 100 percent of the proceeds go toward efforts to repeal Proposition 8 and secure equality in California.

Openly gay Valparaiso University student stripped of senate seat after row over what constitutes "minority" status: "The student senate leaders learned that its bylaws did not include sexual orientation as a qualifying minority status. The position should be set aside only for racial and ethnic minorities, according to school officials. That has been the 'historic pattern,' said Reggie Syrcle, executive director of university relations."

Iran considers death penalty for "offensive" bloggers.

Divorce Court preview: Ted Haggard now a heterosexual without issues.

Inside the viewing party for RuPaul's Drag Race with Bebe and Rebecca Glasscock at NYC's Therapy bar.

GLAAD Director of Entertainment Media Damon Romine taking job with Screen Actors Guild.

Emile Hirsch gets serious for L'Uomo Vogue.

John Kerry writes in the Huffington Post about the Massachusetts gay immigration case I posted about on Friday: "I believe Tim and Junior should be reunited based on their legal marriage in the state of Massachusetts. I believe that all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, should be assured equal protection under the law...But when you cut to the chase, I don't believe Tim and Junior, or any other couple in a similar situation, should have to wait for Congress to come around to the truth that laws like DOMA are discriminatory and wrong."

Oprah interviewing women leaving men for other women today.

Big Gay Musical finds distributor: "Embrem Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to 'The Big Gay Musical,' a musical comedy film directed by Casper Andreas and Fred M. Caruso starring an ensemble of Broadway actors. It plans to premiere the film, currently in postproduction, at film festivals this summer. The cast includes Liz McCartney ('South Pacific'), Jim Newman ('Minnelli on Minnelli'), Joey Dudding ('A Chorus Line'), Marty Thomas ('Xanadu'), Andre Ward ('Xanadu'), Daniel Robinson ('Hairspray'), Jeff Metzler ('Mary Poppins'), Brian Spitulnik ('Chicago'), Josh Cruz ('Wig Out'), Celina Carvajal ('Tarzan') and Steve Hayes, one of the stars of the film 'Trick.'"

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.

Shepard Fairey Arrested, Released, Arraigned on Tagging Charges

Street artist Shepard Fairey, best known for his Obama "Hope" image and his Andre the Giant street graffiti, was arrested Friday night (for at least the 15th time) on his way to his first solo museum show, at the ICA in Boston:

"Fairey was arrested...on his way to the Institute of Contemporary Art to DJ at a sold-out party kicking off his first solo exhibition, 'Supply and Demand.' Two arrest warrants had been issued Jan. 24 after police determined that he had tagged property in two locations with his street art campaign featuring Andre the Giant and the word 'obey,' said Boston police officer James Kenneally."

The ICA released a statement in support of the artist: "We believe Shepard Fairey has made an important contribution in the history of art and to popular thinking about art and its role in society."

Fairey plead "not guilty" in Brighton District Court this morning and was released on his own recognizance.

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

Shepard Fairey Discusses Street Art and Social Change

USA Network this week announced the winners of their 'Character Approved Awards' which honor individuals for their creativity and influence on American culture. With the announcement comes this short video of street artist Shepard Fairey discussing his work, which includes, of course, the (now in the Smithsonian) Obama "Hope" image as well as his graphic created for the marriage equality movement (above).

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
Shepard Fairey: Obama's Warren Invite a 'Slap'; Time Cover Commission 'Bittersweet' [tr]
EXCLUSIVE: Shepard Fairey 'Defend Equality' Art for Marriage Equality [tr]
Shepard Fairey for Obama [tr]