News: MS, Anderson Cooper, Glee, Gay Adoption, Martha, Tulsa

Scientists reverse Multiple Sclerosis in mice.

Utah paper refuses to run gay couple's wedding announcement.

NeNe Leakes can't get enough Anderson Cooper.

Samantha Fox to marry her manager Myra Stratton: “We might get Liz Mitchell of BoneyM to do the ceremony - she’s a pastor now… and have the do [party] in Siberia.”

Gay couple claims ejection from Internos Wine Cafe in San Francisco for kissing.

Glee gets a new promo!

Anchorage Mayor mulling veto of anti-discrimination ordinance: "This issue is important to our community and, as such, deserves careful consideration. It is my responsibility not only to listen to constituents but to examine the ordinance's language in depth."

Bethenny Frankel trashes Gwyneth Paltrow's cooking skillz.

Michael Feinstein and Cheyenne Jackson record album.

Car bursts into flame outside Martha Stewart property.

Planet discovered that orbits its star backwards.

Activist Michael Petrelis zaps anti-Harvey Milk press conference in SF's Civic Plaza.

On a gay adoption: "We are often asked what Scott calls his two fathers. Before the adoption, we asked ourselves the same question. Some gay couples we know who had adopted let their child use their first names, but that seemed to deny Scott the chance to use a word used by most of his friends. Others, where one partner is from a different country, used something like 'Daddy' and 'Papa' to differentiate. In the end, we settled on 'Daddy' (for Michael) and 'Dad' (me), uncertain whether Scott would be able to make sense of the distinction. We needn’t have worried. He gets it right all the time."

Shia LaBeouf reveals his hand to the world.

Boxing in Brazil.

Protest planned at Rhode Island National Organization for Marriage event this Sunday.

Tulsa mayoral candidate says #1 issue for city is putting a Christian creationism display in the Tulsa Zoo.

Lockerbie bomber to be freed? "If the Scots do this, they should be ashamed of themselves. The man is a mass murderer and he would be given a sympathy he did not afford his victims."

Woman faces second-degree murder charges in Boulder, Colorado for stabbing her husband after he told people, 'I'm a gay guy'.

Craig Vincent-Jones, executive director of the L.A. County Commission on HIV, on Arnold Schwarzenegger's draconian HIV/AIDS budget cuts.

Vancouver gay basher Michael Kandola to stand trial: "Smith was holding hands with another man on Davie St Sep 27, 2008 when police say a group of men yelled homophobic slurs at the gay men. Kandola then allegedly punched Smith."

News: John Amaechi, Clinton, Iowans, Kenny Chesney, India

Former pro basketball player John Amaechi is blogging from Beijing!

BrightSide: Restaurant/bar funded by Heath Ledger before his death to open in Brooklyn.

Murdered trans woman Angie Zapata mourned in Colorado.

The Atlantic publishes a whole bunch of Hillary Clinton's campaign memos. Here's some of the reaction...

Will Britney Spears attempt it again at the VMAs?

Will John Edwards come around now on gay marriage? "Asked about his position on same-sex marriage a year ago, John Edwards said that he 'personally [does] not' support gay marriage, citing his religious beliefs as basis for his opposition. Even without the hindsight we have recently acquired about Edwards' own marriage, this was the response of a bigot. We now know that as with most bigots, Edwards is a hypocrite. As he was spewing inane statements about being "on a journey" on the issue of gay marriage, he surely had to remember the journey that lead him just months earlier to break his civil obligations and spiritual vows in his union with his wife Elizabeth."

The Sioux City Journal profiles Chuck Swaggerty and Jason Morgan, a gay couple who are not only parents but plaintiffs in the same-sex marriage case making it through the state's court system: "Here we are, 10 years together, two kids together and yet somebody can be married for a month and they can have insurance at their jobs and we can't. But it's really more than that. ... Marriage, it is really more about love and family."

Provincetown business owners take sides over "family week": "Family Week, which just ended here, is causing a turf war between different local businesses: those who benefit from having several hundred children and their parents pushing strollers through town and those who most definitely do not."

The extent to which, unfortunately, some people, even law enforcement, associate gays with child molesters was illustrated in this incident which happened at a Fire Island resort town over the weekend (not one of the gay resort towns).

Wild Kingdom: Polar Bear remains found in shark's stomach: "...they are unable to say whether the shark attacked and ate the bear or whether it simply scavenged a bear's carcase."

Kenny Chesney is an athletic supporter: "Payton volunteered a story he heard about Chesney helping Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie undress for a shower last January while the two were in Birmingham, Ala., to rehabilitate from surgery."

Kylie Minogue is "The One".

Lady Gaga is always on.

With the recent boost from health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, challengers to India's law criminalizing homosexuality are hopeful the antiquated law can be done away with: "The Delhi High Court is set to address a petition filed in the court by the NAZ Foundation, a Delhi-based non-government organization for HIV and AIDS prevention. The group is challenging arrests under 377."

Shia LaBeouf may not lose his finger after all.

News: Bionic Eye, 'Celeb' Ads, Tammy Baldwin, Underwear

LGBT groups demand action on Michael Causer gay bashing death in Liverpool. Outrage! activist: "It was going to happen sooner or later and I am stunned how the local media here in Liverpool have downplayed coverage of this story which I feel is due to the lack of a vocal LGBT community in Liverpool."

Chace Crawford on gay rumors: "I just don't even want to speculate on that. It's just one of those things that rolls off my back. There's not one seed of truth to it, so it'll just go away in the end. I have actually met Perez Hilton a couple of times. He's normally very nice. But if he covers an untrue rumour, then I have to accept that it will become one of those things people will speculate about."

Just when you think you've heard it all (warning: graphic).

Tina Brown to unleash The Daily Beast after fictional newspaper of Evelyn Waugh's Scoop.

"Celeb" ads hurting Obama in the polls — response too soft?

Behind the scenes of the Paris Hilton John McCain spoof. Director: "I was literally in my car and thought Paris must respond. It's her duty as a citizen. Within three hours I was on the phone with her and she was into it. Our next goal is a town-hall-style debate between Paris, McCain and that sea creature that washed up in Montauk."

McCain and the age issue: "Some older people may have mild cognitive problems without meeting criteria for dementia. Mild cognitive impairment might affect attention, language, judgment, memory, reading, or writing. It may be noticeable to the individual or to other people, but it does not severely impair activities of daily living."

Scientists unveil first step to the bionic eye.

Apple pulls $999.99 "I am Rich" iPhone App that did nothing, but someone actually bought it while it was still available.

Shia LaBeouf may lose a finger.

Two Spoons: Play about gay dads to open in New York in September.

Made in Brazil and Kenneth in the 212 check out National Underwear Day.

Jerry Falwell died poor.

Kansas lesbian loses primary after last -minute anti-gay smear campaign by opponent: "Inga Taylor, a Victory-Fund endorsee, had outraised and out-organized her opponent, Gail Finney. But Finney and her supporters launched a late mail, e-mail and phone campaign highlighting Taylor’s sexual orientation and contributions to her campaign from the Victory Fund."

Great piece from AfterElton featuring broadcast news pundits and their thoughts on gay issues.

"Ex-gay" wingnut James Hartline claims lesbians rampaged during San Diego Pride march: "Calling itself San Diego Dyke March, the group of approximately 300 lesbians so disturbed a number of residents in the community of North Park, that one fearful churchgoer who resides in the area has alleged that a number of other church members were forced to keep their children indoors to avoid being exposed to the disgusting activities of the women. During the march, one shirtless woman exposed her bare chest."

Ryan Phillippe sweats bullets.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin: Why I am backing Barack.

Attorney for Knoxville anti-gay church shooter Jim Adkisson lays groundwork for insanity plea: "Stephens said Tennessee law requires that the case get to the criminal court level before the defense receives money to pay for a mental evaluation. 'It is my burden to prove that he was insane at the time of the commission of the offense, Stephens said outside court. 'It is absolutely critical a mental health expert see him now at this critical stage.'"

News: Ryan Seacrest, Howl, Ang Lee, Jay Brannan, The Cock

UK teen fights for his life after anti-gay attack: "Michael Causer, 19, was battered on Friday morning in Tarbock Road, Huyton, as he walked home after a night out. Today police described the attack as a hate crime. Locals said Mr Causer was never involved in trouble or fighting. One friend told the ECHO: 'Michael is just a tiny lad really. He’s not very big at all. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s a little sweetheart. I can’t believe this has happened to him. Everybody’s thoughts are with his family. I can’t believe Michael has been attacked because of his sexuality. It’s disgusting.' Friends said Mr Causer lived with his parents in Whiston and has two sisters and an older brother. Residents said he was delighted after getting a job at a hairdressing salon."

Ryan Seacrest attacked by a shark!

Ang Lee holds open casting call for Elliott Tiber film in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Those of you attending Stockholm EuroPride in Sweden may want to check out this concert on August 1 conducted by New York's Jonathan Sheffer with several guest opera singers. We hear John Cameron Mitchell is also in town for a performance of Hedwig Wednesday night.

U.S. Olympic team's Ralph Lauren outfits on display.

Harsh lighting does not suit Daniel Craig.

WordPerfect creator Bruce Bastian writes $1 million check to fight Proposition 8 at San Francisco HRC dinner: "Supporters of the effort to ban same-sex marriage already have taken in more than $1.2 million from out-of-state contributors for the fall campaign. And even before Bastian, a co-founder of the WordPerfect software company, opened his checkbook, gay and lesbian rights groups and their supporters from around the country had put more than $1.3 million into the fight against the ballot initiative."

A Mexican man's journey to see Jay Brannan.

Colorado bans WTF license plate: "Other combinations banned by the state include KKK, ASS, HEL, FAG, COP, FBI, GAY, JEW, JAP, WOP and CAT."

Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan love The Cock.

Obama supporter's car keyed: "The words 'white power' and 'I'm gay' were etched into the car of Karen Wastradowski last Saturday. Wastradowski had left her car in the driveway of her home when the vandals struck. She filed a report with Vancouver police. Wastradowski said a blue "Elect Obama" sign in her yard could have caused the crime."

Howl: James Franco to play beat poet Allen Ginsburg. “I’ve certainly read ‘Howl.’ I was very into the beatniks when I was in high school, and I still am. So I certainly have read Howl many times.”

Shia LaBeouf's pre-DUI arrest confession: "It’s not something that is conducive to being a role model. … And I don’t know how to do it like a gentleman. I don’t know how to have one drink."

AfterElton calls out science fiction author Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game) for a homophobic essay in the Mormon Times: "In this essay alone, he calls us liars, says that we have 'sex-role dysfunctions,' and that we’re 'tragic genetic mix-ups' (even as he indicates elsewhere in the essay that humans have an absolutely unalterable 'long mammalian tradition of heterosexuality'). Previously, in a long history of anti-gay screeds, Card has said he supports anti-sodomy laws that would criminalize same-sex behavior (though he grants that we shouldn't all be thrown in prison and labeled sex offenders — just enough of us to set an example so that we all go into hiding, living lonely, miserable, fearful lives)."

Show us the proof.

Mario Lopez named host of Extra.

Canadian court claims Nigerian asylum seeker "cooked up" story that he's gay to obtain refugee status: "According to court documents, the man mixed up the names of gay bars he claimed to frequent in Winnipeg, called no witnesses to support his claim, and although he joined the gay lobby group EGALE, he could not describe that organization's function and was therefore accused by the board of only joining up to bolster his claim."

News: Marriage Language, Jupiter, Harvey Milk, Bahrain

California marriage ballot measure language changed: "Proposition 8 on the November ballot had been described as a measure to limit marriage between a man and a woman. But the Secretary of State's office says that description was changed to reflect a May 15 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The ballot title and summary now describe the initiative as a constitutional change to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry. The revised language also says California could lose several tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes if same-sex marriage were banned. Critics of the measure say the change accurately shows the initiative would take away a current right of Californians."

Close up on Jupiter.

Bunny boiler: Tricia Walsh-Smith puts another hit out on Kathie Lee Gifford, sells husband's condoms on eBay.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom weds in Montana.

UK Survey: 4 of 5 Protestants say gay sex is a sin.

Shia Labeouf crashes car, arrested for DUI.

'Harvey Milk Day' bill awaits action in California senate: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill, which awaits action in the Senate after passing the Assembly, 45-28, with most Republicans voting no. Randy Thomasson, of Campaign for California Children and Families, which opposes AB 2567, said the bill is a new tactic in a long push to portray homosexuality in a positive light to kids. 'Harvey Milk Day is the equivalent of having Gay Day at every school in the state,' he said."

Bahrain MP: No homosexuals allowed.

Play about gay Christians offered up to bishops at the Anglican Lambeth Conference.

Lucas Grabeel on shooting Milk: "No one told me how great I was. The director hardly spoke to me. I was just doing my thing and talking to these amazing actors. In the beginning of shooting, I thought, 'You guys must hate me. I must be the worst actor. I don't know what to do' and they were like, 'You were hired to do the job. That's why he hired you.' It was an amazing epiphany."

Mario Lopez immortalized in oil.

UK activist Peter Tatchell slams Northern Irish homophobic politicians: "It is particularly hypocritical for unionist politicians to play the homophobic card when their hero, William of Orange, had male lovers."

Anti-gay New Jersey group National Organization for Marriage stepping into California gay marriage battle: "NOM, a taxable political advocacy group that can raise money without contribution limits, has quickly built up some fundraising muscle. It started a California chapter in January. By March, the group had raised just over $775,000, according to campaign finance filings. Only the California umbrella group ProtectMarriage.com has raised more for the cause. While NOM's biggest chunk in California _ $250,000 _ came from the Knights of Columbus, the group has also raised smaller amounts from individuals. The group says it has now raised more than $1 million in California and more than $2 million overall."

Naked Cowboy cuffed, mocked in SF.

Matthew McConaughey takes 20-day-old son surfing.

Washington Post looks at the transgender homeless: "It's hard to explain -- just as the spectrum of gender is hard to explain. Parents' and society's rejection of children who don't fit the norm is hard to explain, too. But most confounding of all is the forbearance these young people have in the face of intolerance and cruelty. They go -- like the definition of trans-- 'across, beyond and through' preconceptions. They are unlike anyone I have encountered before."

Director of Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival fires director Carol Coombes: "'Carol is British and in 60 days she might have to leave the country,' said Harvey Burstein, a festival founder and former board member. He said Coombes' visa requires she be employed in the film industry and that she was to get her permanent residency or green card in November. Coombes, fired on Friday, joined the festival in 2001 and became director a few years later. She declined to comment. 'It's a very unfortunate complication of a very heartfelt, thought-out decision,' said festival board member Mark Gilbert."

Shia LaBeouf 'Embarrassed' by Slap Video, Gay Slur

The clip I posted yesterday, which was circulated heavily around the internet, showing a presumably inebriated Shia LaBeouf taunting his friend to slap him by goading him on with, among other things, the word 'faggot', has been pulled from YouTube and LaBeouf has made a statement through his representative, E!'s Marc Malkin reports:

"The videotape that is currently being circulated is several years old and captures Shia playing a game among friends in which he uses a derogatory word toward a friend. He regrets having used the word in any capacity and is very embarrassed that this footage is being seen by anyone.”

Clip AFTER THE JUMP...