Spanish Mayor, Famous for Weddings, Marries His Male Partner

Francisco Maroto, the mayor of Campillo de Ranas, a tiny village 78 miles (125 km) northeast of Madrid, has made his town famous by making it a magnet for weddings, both gay and straight.

Wrote TIME in 2007: "When the gay-marriage law was passed, Maroto saw an opportunity, deciding to turn his community into a sort of Iberian Las Vegas, albeit one with stacked-stone houses and black slate roofs. 'Some mayors were saying they wouldn't marry gays. I said I would,' Maroto recounts. When Campillo's justice of the peace resigned in protest, Maroto, who took advantage of Spain's new law in 2005, turned the post over to his husband."

Hwoever, he apparently wasn't yet married to Enrique Rodriguez, the "husband" TIME mentions, though they have been together for 14 years. That happened this past weekend.

Watch a clip of the proceedings, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sphere: Related Content

News: David Beckham, Estrogen, Gambia, Rupert Everett, Alzheimer's

Is estrogen the secret to containing the spread of HIV?

Seconds, please: Is David Beckham the hottest waiter of all time?

The two Spanish nationals detained late last week in the west African country of Gambia have been released: "Two Spanish men detained in Gambia for allegedly making homosexual proposals to taxi drivers have been released after five days in jail, a Spanish official said Wednesday. The men were released late Tuesday and left the West African country, said Nicola El Busto, an official with Spain's embassy in Gambia. El Busto declined to give further details, and Gambian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment."

Gossip Girl couple shops, scowls.

Redwood City, CA man who hurled gay slurs, patio table at neighbors, pleads not guilty in court: "Herbert Santos-Coy is facing multiple felony hate crime charges after he allegedly physically attacked his two neighbors on March 30. If convicted he faces up to eight years in state prison, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. Santos-Coy was arrested by Redwood City police after he allegedly came into the carport where the couple was working on their car and began yelling homophobic slurs at them, according to the district attorney's office. He then repeatedly struck one of the victims in the face and swung a wrought iron table at the couple, which missed, according to prosecutors. When police arrived, Santos-Coy resisted arrest, according to police. He was allegedly drinking at the time of the altercation."

In California, assemblyman Mark Leno is expected to become the first openly gay state Senator in California history.

Does Brad Pitt have good taste in tables?

Wisconsin Supreme Court calls suit brought against gay group by Christian activist Reverend Grant Storms frivolous: "Anti-gay activist Rev. Grant Storms of New Orleans sued gay rights group Action Wisconsin after it took excerpts from a 2003 speech Storms made in Milwaukee and claimed he was advocating the murder of gays. Storms' lawsuit was dismissed in 2005, and he was ordered to pay court costs and attorneys' fees. The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld that decision, which had been reversed by an appeals court. The high court's 4-3 decision means Storms' attorney James Donohoo will have to pay more than $87,000 in court costs and fees because the court said he should have known the lawsuit was frivolous."

There must be something about the name Kern.

An interview with Banksy?

Alzheimer's patients are kept from wandering off from a German nursing home by a fake bus stop outside the center: "It sounds funny but it helps. Our members are 84 years old on average. Their short-term memory hardly works, but the long-term memory is still active. They know the green and yellow bus sign and remember that waiting there means they will go home. We will approach them and say that the bus is coming later and invite them in for a coffee. Five minutes later they have completely forgotten they wanted to leave."

That lesbian kiss at Safeco field in Seattle I posted about last month is getting a lot more attention. Sirbrina Guerrero, who was almost kicked out for it, is now speaking out.

Rosie O'Donnell and Howard Stern had a little chat yesterday.

Six in ten Americans say same-sex marriage a private choice that should not be regulated by the government: "As same-sex couples line up to get marriage licenses in California on June 17, the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found that 63% of adults say same-sex marriage is 'strictly a private decision' between two people. That the government has the right 'to prohibit or allow' such marriages was stated by 33%, and 4% had no opinion."

Religious Knesset members initiate amendment to ban gay pride in Jerusalem.

Rupert Everett's anti-American rant: "I'm totally off the States now. The reaction to 9/11 and then George Bush - really, they've got very blobby as a nation. Now they (the Americans) are whiny victims whose language is entirely taken from two TV shows - Friends and Sex And The City - and there's nothing sexy about them any more. And that kind of semi-blindness about the rest of the world, which was attractive when America was exciting, is really unattractive now."

Sphere: Related Content

Two Men Suspected of Being Gay Arrested in Gambia

This isn't the country you want to be arrested in on suspicion of being gay, considering that two weeks ago Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced that he planned to "cut off the head" of any gay person.

The Point reports: "The police last Friday arrested two men believed to be homosexuals, this paper has been reliably informed. The two are reported to be Spanish nationals. Pere Joan, 56, and Juan Monpserratrusau, 54, held at Kotu police station, allegedly approached two taxi drivers (names withheld) and made proposals to them. Our sources said the drivers acted quickly but secretly by immediately alerting the police, while putting up a show of interest in the advances of the culprits who were lured to a rendezvous in Manjai, where they were subsequently arrested."

International gay rights groups last week condemned Jammeh's remarks.

In February, it was reported that gays were fleeing to The Gambia from surrounding Senegal, to avoid persecution from that government.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Sean Penn, Nova Scotia, Parrots, Channing Tatum, HIV

Homeless man gets 35 years in prison for spitting on a police officer and saying he was HIV positive.

Sean Penn slams Obama's "phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional" voting record, expresses optimism: "I don't have a candidate I'm supporting and I'm certainly interested and excited by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring. I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be. This is the most important election, certainly in my lifetime, and maybe ever."

You'll never guess who is broke and living in a trailer with 20 parrots? Well, actually, you might.

Marriage equality bill introduced in Minnesota legislature: "The Marriage and Family Protection Act was introduced by Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, and Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, on Friday. The bill would make marriage a gender-neutral proposition in Minnesota, allowing same-sex couples to marry. It would also protect religious institutions that have moral objections to same-sex marriage from being compelled to perform such ceremonies."

Spains's Operacion Triunfo (the equivalent to our American Idol) recently featured a hot gay kiss.

McGreevey: Dina paid for the wedding, and honeymoon.

All's well in the land of Ry-chen.

Toronto Lutheran parish to defy church, risk expulsion, ordinate gay man: "Lionel Ketola will be ordained tomorrow night by a non-traditional American Lutheran group that ordains gay candidates. Their ordinations are not officially recognized in Canada or the United States. But despite that, he will then be hired by Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket, Ont., as an associate pastor, where he has interned for the past two years. Members of Holy Cross will also take part in the ordination ceremony."

Channing Tatum's GI Joe gear looks less than comfortable.

Police in Brighton, UK appeal for witnesses following attack on gay man by gang of youths: "About seven boys verbally abused the man, spat on him, forced him to the ground and kicked him in George Street. One member of the group was wearing a hooded top and another had white three quarter length tracksuit bottoms with a navy stripe, police said."

Gay pride group to march on county offices in Nova Scotia: "The group will raise the gay pride flag during a 7 p.m. ceremony at the town’s Water Street gazebo to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. The gazebo is a couple of blocks from the Municipality of Pictou County’s administrative building, where the gay pride flag will not fly. A February resolution banned all except government and First Nation flags from the county’s official flagpole. The municipality said the controversial policy doesn’t target gay pride groups specifically, but allows equal treatment of all organizations that want the county to fly their flags."

Joe Lieberman defends pastor John Hagee: "He represents a lot of people in this country, particularly Christians who care about the state of Israel."

The legacy of Illinois' first openly gay legislator, Larry McKeon, who died this week: "Chicago had never held a meeting like this, for gays and lesbians interested in becoming cops, and for an hour and a half, bleached by ceiling lights, they asked questions. Two officers, among the few on the force willing to say they were gay, answered. Was the department planning to form a special gay unit? No. Did the department intend to set gay quotas? No. Was there a space on the application for sexual orientation? No. Leaning against a wall, watching, was the man who'd organized the meeting, Larry McKeon."

Sphere: Related Content

What has happened to Colin Farrell?

The UK tab Daily Mail recently spotted a man they claim is Colin Farrell looking like a ghost of his former self:

"The emaciated 32-year-old was snapped during a night out in Spain at the weekend. It was impossible to miss his hollow cheeks, sunken chest and stick-thin legs as he puffed away on a cigarette. There was speculation that Farrell had shed weight because of the demands of the film he is currently shooting in the southern Spanish city of Alicante. He is starring alongside Spanish actress Paz Vega and British film veteran Christopher Lee in a thriller entitled Triage. It tells the story of a war photographer who loses his best friend during a harrowing assignment in war-torn Bosnia during the early 1990s."

Other recent shots show him looking thin but with some sort of belly.

Let's hope it's all for the movie role.

previously
Colin Farrell to Serve as Best Man at Gay Bro's Civil Partnership [tr]
Colin Farrell is one of New York's Finest [tr]
Colin Farrell Caught with His Pants Down [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Spain's Zapatero Wins Reelection

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero won reelection over the weekend, but his party fell seven seats short of a secure majority, winning 169 seats against 153 for the conservative opposition Popular Party.

"The Popular Party conceded defeat, but took consolation in the fact that their party also picked up seats. But both the El Pais and El Mundo newspapers said the result could lead to Rajoy's resignation as party leader given that it was his second consecutive electoral defeat against Zapatero. The results were a firm endorsement of Zapatero's policies, which included reforms such as legalizing gay marriage and granting on-demand divorce, once thought unthinkable in the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country."

Previously
Spanish Deputy PM María Teresa Fernández de la Vega: I'm Not Gay [tr]
Spanish PM Zapatero Appears on Gay Magazine, Warns Conservatives [tr]
Spanish Gay Activists Rally Against Party Plans to Turn Back Rights [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Spanish Deputy PM María Teresa Fernández de la Vega: I'm Not Gay

Spanish Deputy PM María Teresa Fernández de la Vega expressed relief to El Mundo newspaper that she finally had the opportunity to clear up rumors that she is secretly married to a female sportscaster:

"It’s a rumor about me that they’ve invented to do damage, using something that - hear me - I absolutely respect. I have no homophobia. But I’m not homosexual! If I were, I would have no problem in saying so. But it’s just that I’m not! I don’t know her, we’ve never seen each other in our lives, and they have me married to her!"

She says she is extremely happy to sit on her sofa at home, alone, and listen to music.

Spanish Deputy PM: I’m Not Gay [sf bay times]

Sphere: Related Content

Spanish PM Zapatero Appears on Gay Magazine, Warns Conservatives

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made his third appearance on the cover of the Spanish gay magazine Zero this month in advance of national elections on March 9, using the occasion to warn the conservative Partido Popular against rolling back LGBT rights:

"'We will continue to make reforms to improve the conditions of all," he said in an interview with the monthly gay magazine Zero, where he appeared on the cover for the third time since 2002. 'We must facilitate the implementation of the rights that we have already approved: the right to adoption (for same-sex couples), of course, and the right to legally change sex,' he said. If the conservative opposition Popular Party of Mariano Rajoy wins the election, Zapetero vowed to prevent 'a single step backwards' in the policies of his government. 'I will do whatever possible so that Mr. Rajoy does not withdraw the rights of any family,' he said. Spain became only the third member of the European Union, after the Netherlands and Belgium, to allow same-sex marriages in July 2005 with a law that also legalised adoptions by gays and lesbians. The measure was heavily criticised by the Roman Catholic Church in Spain and a section of the Popular Party. The PP has gone to the constitutional court to challenge the use of the word 'marriage' in the law, and has vowed if elected to withdraw the right of gays and lesbians to adopt. Homosexuality was legalised in Spain in 1979, four years after the death of dictator Francisco Franco whose regime shipped gays to institutions that some activists have likened to concentration camps. 'We are the envy of other countries for what we have achieved (on gay rights), and we have the support of a lot of countries,' said Zapatero."

Earlier this month, Spanish gay activists rallied in Madrid outside the PP's headquarters.

Sphere: Related Content

Spanish Gay Activists Rally Against Party Plans to Turn Back Rights

Spanish activists rallied outside the headquarters of the Popular Party's headquarters over the weekend, worried that if the conservative party wins the election on March 9, they will follow through with plans to reverse laws allowing same-sex marriage and gay adoption in the country.

The AP reports: "The Socialist government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero legalized gay marriage in July 2005 and passed legislation allowing gay couples to adopt. The PP immediately appealed against the laws at the Constitutional Court and its leaders have pledged that if elected they will overturn adoption rights and downgrade gay marriage to a civil union. Protesters carried banners reading 'Rights are fought for. We are for a secular State,' 'No to religious dictatorship' and 'Democracy is a daily battle.' The PP is backed by Spain's staunchly conservative Catholic Church."

You may have missed...
Gay Argentinians Cesar Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim Wed in Spain [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Argentinians Cesar Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim Wed in Spain

Cesar Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim, two of Argentina's leading gay activists, are making international headlines for marrying in Spain today because their home country won't let them. They plan to campaign for legal recognition of their marriage when they return to Argentina.

This is the bizarre photo of the couple published by Spain's newspaper El País. Isn't it romantic? I can't think anything I'd rather do after my gay wedding than troll the streets of Madrid looking at billboards of scantily clad women.

The AP reports: "Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim were able to wed because Suntheim has dual citizenship in Argentina and Germany – allowing him to marry within the European Union. Spain began allowing same-sex marriages in 2005, granting gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones to marry, adopt children and inherit each other's property. Although Argentina does not recognize gay marriage, the Buenos Aires legislature approved a law in 2002 permitting same-sex civil unions, granting gay couples in the Argentine capital economic and family rights similar to those of heterosexual couples. Mexico City and some Mexican and Brazilian states also recognized these unions. Uruguay alone in Latin America legalized them nationwide."

Sphere: Related Content

News: Jamie Oliver, PETA, Mr. Gay, DNC, Swordfish, Clay Aiken

Pam Spaulding covers the unsavory details and unpleasant memories emerging from the DNC anti-gay discrimination trial filed by former LGBT outreach director Donald Hitchcock: "We all know the party has had to figure out how to placate the LGBT constituency and keep the gay press at bay while trying to tap the religious vote; you'd think they'd want to put more effort into getting non-voters to show up at the polls. Way too much energy is being spent on the wrong things -- revisionist history, posterior-covering maneuvers, bickering -- there's so much to be done in 2008 and folks need to keep their eyes on the ball."

UK 'naked chef' Jamie Oliver to slice up obese human corpse on TV in order to prove point about overeating? Oliver: "This all stems from shoving s*** in your mouth. This man ate himself to death."

Too good for Newsweek: Clay Aiken's above-it-all interview reveals nothing about his fight on a plane, Kelly Ripa and homophobia, Ford commercials, or high school football.

2007 Darwin Awards announced: "the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it."

Spanish national election set for March 9 seen as showdown over values: "Antonio Poveda, president of the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays and Transsexuals (FELGT), a group essential in organizing massive gay pride demonstrations in favor of same-sex marriage, said his group wasn't planning any street protests. But they would be engaging in public information campaigns ahead of the election, he said. Poveda said Spain has become one of Europe's most progressive countries in same-sex issues, with same-sex marriage continuing to have 60 percent approval. He thinks the recent attacks on gay marriage by conservative Catholics will backfire because 'people are sick of having that type of doctrine imposed on them.'"

Florida man catches swordfish with bare hands: "It has not been determined if the fish was sick, or had been recently caught. After a few photos, and some cuts and bruises on the man who caught the fish, the fish was released."

Madonna denies that 'Raising Malawi' charity is actually a front to funnel money into Kabbalah. REP: "The reality is - and it's never been a secret - that the Raising Malawi organization was co-founded by Madonna and Michael Berg, who is one of the spearheading executives of the Kabbalah organization. The Raising Malawi organization is completely separate from the Kabbalah, and they are run as two separate organizations. Accountability will be very clear and very specific, and all funds will be accounted for."

Who's the gayest of them all: waxed muscledudes battle for the gay sash in L.A.!

Maryland Insurance Administration's definition of "domestic partnership" inspires outrage from "pro-family" groups: "To qualify for coverage under the new regulation, domestic partners must be at least 18, can be straight or gay, and must have lived together for at least six consecutive months. The definition incensed Republican lawmakers, the Maryland Catholic Conference and a group promoting traditional values, which said it sanctifies cohabitation by straight couples. 'Now you can just say, 'I break with thee,' and you're gone, you can enter into a new relationship,' said Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (R-Cecil), noting that Maryland law requires married couples to separate for a year before seeking a divorce. Added Doug Stiegler of the Maryland Family Protection Lobby: 'This legalizes cohabitation. It's a huge cultural change.' Although they did not attack same-sex couples directly, opponents said the state insurance agency should not be in the business of telling insurance companies who qualifies for medical coverage."

Critically-acclaimed queer hip-hop opera Bash'd headed back to Toronto and then to off-Broadway in June.

PETA killed 97% of the dogs, cats, and other pets it took in for adoption in 2006: "During that year, the well-known animal rights group managed to find adoptive homes for just 12 pets. The nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is calling on PETA to either end its hypocritical angel-of-death program, or stop its senseless condemnation of Americans who believe it's perfectly ethical to use animals for food, clothing, and critical medical research. Not counting animals PETA held only temporarily in its spay-neuter program, the organization took in 3,061 'companion animals' in 2006, of which it killed 2,981. According to Virginia's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the average euthanasia rate for humane societies in the state was just 34.7 percent in 2006. PETA killed 97.4 percent of the animals it took in. The organization filed its 2006 report this month, nine months after the VDACS deadline of March 31, 2007. 'Pet lovers should be outraged,' said CCF Director of Research David Martosko. 'There are thousands of worthwhile animal shelters that deserve Americans' support. PETA is not one of them.' In courtroom testimony last year, a PETA manager acknowledged that her organization maintains a large walk-in freezer for storing dead animals, and that PETA contracts with a Virginia cremation service to dispose of the bodies. In that trial, two PETA employees were convicted of dumping dead animals in a rural North Carolina trash dumpster."

UGLY: Dad sodomizes 18-year-old stepson with metal object and beats him with a baseball bat to avenge rape of 8-year-old daughter.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Whale Sharks, A&F, Nate Berkus, CIA Tapes, Spain

CIA declassifies letter from Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) urging the agency not to destroy interrogation tapes: "You discussed [in a briefing the previous week] the fact that there is videotape of Abu Zubaydah following his capture that will be destroyed after the Inspector General finishes his inquiry. I would urge the Agency to reconsider that plan. Even if the videotape does not constitute an official record that must be preserved under the law, the videotape would be the best proof that the written record is accurate, if such record is called into question in the future. The fact of destruction would reflect badly on the Agency."

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka offer the paps a tanned "aloha" at LAX.

2007: The year in evidence for a Bush/Cheney impeachment.

Jake Gyllenhaal would like to eat his lunch uninterrupted.

Abercrombie & Fitch catalog resurrected: "For its second go-around, however, the magazine-catalog hybrid will debut and be available exclusively in London, where the American fashion brand opened its first international flagship at 7 Burlington Gardens in London last March in what formerly housed Jil Sander, steps from Savile Row. Sam Shahid, who designed the magazine in its six-year run, is back at the helm as creative director."

Canadian students continue to fight gay blood ban.

Inside the listening party for Madonna's forthcoming album.

Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero hits out at the Catholic church and its recent "pro-family" rallies in Madrid: "Zapatero said that his government was carrying out policies which were supported by the ‘immense majority’ of the Spanish people, and Spain would continue to act in that way. Making no effort to mask his anger at the Cardinals and Bishops who led the Catholic Church event in the Plaza de Colón, Zapatero reminded them that the Spanish Constitution ensured that there was room for everybody in Spain, that everybody has the right to have rights, whatever they think, and whether they belong to a religion or not."

The minute-by-minute on Britney's meltdown...

The Big Give: Nate Berkus tapped to host Oprah's new reality show: "The series follows 10 people who 'criss-cross the country, giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to unsuspecting people who are in for the surprise of their lives.' The contestants will be given a challenge in each city, and then the judges (chef Jamie Oliver, NFL player Tony Gonzalez, and Chris Rock’s wife Malaak Compton-Rock.) will eliminate one contestant - ultimately awarding 'the biggest giver' the show’s prize."

Massive whale sharks "thriving" off Australia's west coast.

Little Britain's Matt Lucas hijacks housemates on the new UK season of Big Brother.

British mother awarded compensation from gay nightclub after claiming manager called her derogatory names like "breeder": "The tribunal in Southampton awarded Mrs Legg £3,000 in compensation for being harassed for being 'straight' and a further £3,222 for being unfairly dismissed. However, the tribunal did not find that she was sacked because she was heterosexual."

They're big shoes to fill, but do David Beckham's also leave the largest carbon footprint in human history? In related news, Victoria Beckham has an 'enemies' list and Graham Norton is on it.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Tiger Attack, Janet Jackson, Beards, Apple and Jay-Z

Gay and lesbian retirement home in Santa Fe targeted by homophobic vandals.

SF Zoo: Tiger may have been "teased" before it attacked.

Vince Vaughn pays off ungodly gambling debt to ice cream cone.

Elton John to play gig in Abu Dhabi: "Sir Elton John has surprised fans by announcing he will play his first gig in the United Arab Emirates later this month. The flamboyantly gay star, who has sold 250m albums in a four-decade career, will perform at an open-air concert in Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace Hotel. The decision could leave Sir Elton open to charges of hypocrisy, because of the UAE's poor record on human rights. Homosexuality is illegal: those convicted of it face jail sentences, or compulsary psychiatric 'treatment', including the injection of hormones designed to 'cure' them."

HuffPo's Alex Geana finds Clinton online presence strong among Iowa's gays and lesbians: "All the Iowans I talked to are still greatly undecided, but I was able to garner some interesting mentions. Such as Clinton volunteers and campaign workers in the chat rooms, not only to connect and be social but to actually champion her as their choice. Is Hillary the only one that fosters being 'out' on the campaign trail? No one mentioned other campaigns so comfortable with the online world, apparently Obama and Edwards staffers don't identify with both their sexuality and campaign, but that's just a theory."

Late night hosts undergo beard analysis.

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on Gene Robinson and out clergy: "He is certainly not alone in being a gay bishop; he's certainly not alone in being a gay partnered bishop. He is alone in being the only gay partnered bishop who's open about that status."

Miami commissioner Marc Sarnoff fends off resident bothering him about his sexuality: "Let me state that bringing the persons sexual preference to bear in a conversation is not only wrong, but it denigrates all the progress we as a tolerant society have made. It reminds me of the Boy who cried Wolf. When the Wolf arrives no one believes them. Equally when race is brought into an issue and it is not present it belies the credibility of the story teller the next cry for wolf. No one will believe their stories. You demonstrate today that we have a great deal more to achieve as a society before we can call ourselves tolerant. As long as one of you is out there we have much prejudice to stamp out and in time we will."

Miss Jackson poised for some Feedback.

Apple rumored to start record label with Jay-Z. Announcement forthcoming at Macworld?

Long Island, New York law firm turns focus to LGBT issues.

South Korean police officer comes out, vows to fight prejudice: "On Dec. 30, Private Kim Hyun-jong (not his real name) posted an article about his homosexuality on the online riot police community Web site. He is the second policeman from the squad to have openly come out after YooJeong Min-shik identified himself as being gay and refused to finish his service term for which he was prisoned in 2006. In South Korea, men can serve in the riot police as part of their mandatory military service. In the article, Kim said that coming out was not easy, but what was more important was that he faced discrimination and insults, that should be outlawed at military camps. Kim, who works at a police station in Yongsan, Seoul, said his coming out was almost an 'outing' (forced to make a coming out by others) after some fellow policemen read some private information he had saved on his computer. He said he first tried to deny it, but later made up his mind to declare his sexual identity."

Roman Catholic bishop in Spain claims that underage boys want abuse: "There are 13 year old adolescents who are under age and who are perfectly in agreement with, and what’s more wanting it, and if you are careless they will even provoke you."

Gayhane: Gay Muslims find nightlife in Berlin. "European Muslims, so often portrayed one-dimensionally as rioters, honor killers or terrorists, live diverse lives, most of them trying to get by and to have a good time. That is more difficult if one is both Muslim and gay. 'When you’re here, it’s as if you’re putting on a mask, leaving the everyday outside and just having fun,' said a 22-year-old Turkish man who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear that he would be ostracized or worse if his family found out about his sexual orientation. Safety and secrecy come up regularly when talking to guests, who laugh and dance, but also frequently look over their shoulders. To be a gay man or lesbian with an immigrant background invites trouble here in two very different ways."

Ryan Reynolds is a ruff ryder.

'Obscene' Terence Koh Jesus statue causes uproar in Britain.

STUDY: Gay seniors rely on friends for medical care when ill. " Those who were helped were suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, muscular/skeletal illnesses, cardiovascular disease, or other afflictions associated with aging, according to the Rockway Institute. Thirty-eight percent of the survey participants reported to have received care within the past five years from people who weren't health care professionals. Of the group who received help, 76% said that they had also assisted others in their time of need. The sample comprised 199 LGB adults ages 40–85 who were located through elder care agencies in New York City and Los Angeles."

Sphere: Related Content

Sportrait: Raúl

Real Madrid's team captain Raúl was spotted catching some sun time in Miami Beach over the holiday.

In related news, that team's president is reportedly set to make a record £50 million play for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has expressed his interest in playing in Spain at the height of his career. In the meantime, enjoy Raúl.

One more shot AFTER THE JUMP...

You may have missed...
Sportrait: 2007 Heisman Award Hotties Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, Colt Brennan, and Chase Daniel [tr]
Sportrait: David Kopay [tr]
Sportrait: Busted French Rugby Players [tr]
Sportrait: Amir Khan [tr]
Sportrait: Frederic Michalak [tr]

(image source)

Sphere: Related Content

News: Voyager 2, Liza Minnelli, Morocco, Florida Gay Marriage Ban

Group proposing amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Florida reaches necessary 611,009 signature goal: " One of the signatures belongs to Gov. Charlie Crist, although the state's top Republican has not trumpeted the issue during his first year in office." And why is this significant?

Liza Minnelli collapses, tumbles off stage in Sweden...

Human Rights Watch demands Morocco overturn the convictions of six men sentenced to prison for homosexual conduct: "The men have been in jail since they were first arrested by the police between November 23 and 25, 2007, after a video circulated online – including on YouTube – purporting to show a private party, allegedly including the men, taking place in Ksar el-Kbir on November 18. Press reports claimed the party was a 'gay marriage.' Following the arrests, hundreds of men and women marched through the streets of Ksar el-Kbir, denouncing the men’s alleged actions and calling for their punishment."

Shooter at New Life, Ted Haggard's former Mega-church, may be a victim of the church's ex-gay reparative therapy program.

Spice Girls reveal their aircraft: Spice One.

Arctic ice melting at alarming pace: "An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point. One even speculated that summer sea ice would be gone in five years...'The Arctic is often cited as the canary in the coal mine for climate warming,' said NASA climate scientist Jay Zwally, who as a teenager hauled coal. 'Now as a sign of climate warming, the canary has died. It is time to start getting out of the coal mines.'"

Plaque to be laid commemorating site of early gay bar, honoring Black Cat Cafe's role in San Francisco's gay rights movement.

Gay cruise plans March takeover of tropical island in Australia.

Ben Cohen gets suddenly modest for Gay Times.

Spain recognizes UK couple's civil partnership after protracted campaign: "Their campaign paid off, as the Spanish government has now agreed to recognise the civil partnerships of UK lesbian and gay couples. 'We visited the British Consul on 29th November to change our status in our passports,' the couple told PinkNews.co.uk. 'We have made a little bit of history by becoming the first UK same-sex couple resident in Spain to have their civil partnership acknowledged in law and in the observations section of our passports.'"

Voyager 2 probe reaches edge of solar system...

Isaiah Washington shows up unannounced to join Grey's Anatomy cast on "diversity day" at the writer's strike: "Asked if Washington was with the Grey's group, Heigl, who had previously publicly criticized Washington told The Daily News, 'He's not with me.' But Washington denied there were problems with his former co-workers. 'They're former castmates. I've been in over 25 movies, I have lots of former castmates.' he said."

Gay Washington D.C. council member calls for transit police probe after recent alleged anti-gay assault on Metro train.

Sphere: Related Content

Brits Jailed for Murder and Anti-gay Assault

Two stories to report from the UK.

A jury of eleven delivered a guilty verdict in the case of Stuart Martin, 29, a heroin addict who murdered his lover, ex-seaman Francis Ottley with an axe two years ago after having an argument.

The Argus reports: "Ottley, 54, was killed in the mobile home he was travelling around Spain in. The former resident of Dover, Kent, was fulfilling a long held ambition to travel around Europe after coming into nearly £100,000. He had left the UK two years before his death following health problems. Unemployed Martin enlisted the help of another man to dispose of his body on a rubbish dump in the La Linea area before returning to the UK. The body has never been found."

The jury spent seven hours deliberating the case before returning the verdict. Justice Michael Tugendhat sentenced Martin, who had reportedly grown up in foster homes, to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 14 years. Said Tugendhat to Martin: "The circumstances of the murder of Francis Ottley are horrific. He was very vulnerable, travelling alone in Spain in the coach he had converted. Your extremely disadvantaged childhood and upbringing are contributing factors to the way your personality developed."

And Michael Wood, of Uppingham, was sentenced to a year in prison for the continual harassment of pub owner Alan Pickersgill.

Stamford Today reports: "Michael Wood was originally barred from the Crown Hotel in Uppingham after making a series of 'unpleasant remarks' to licensee Alan Pickersgill. But the 40-year-old refused to accept the ban and returned to the pub, in High Street East, last September, Leicester Crown Court heard. Wood, of Branston Road, Uppingham, angrily branded Mr Pickersgill and his male partner 'poofs' before grabbing Mr Pickersgill around the throat. Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said: 'He called him a 'Yorkshire poof' and said he would 'have him'. The complainant was left somewhat shocked.' Wood, who was ushered out of the pub by staff and customers, was eventually arrested and quizzed about the incident two months later."

Wood later returned to punch Pickersgill in the face a final time.

Said the judge: "We live in a tolerant society and homophobic remarks are totally unacceptable. These two incidents must have been very upsetting. People are entitled to go out for a quiet drink without this sort of thing going on."

Drug addict murdered gay lover in Spain [the argus]
Man jailed for gay attack [stamford today]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Cindy Sheehan, Alzheimer's, Lindsay Lohan, Ottawa Gay Kiss

Anti-gay marriage advocates in Massachusetts announce they won't attempt to get a proposed amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in 2010.

Kiss-in at Ottawa, Canada restaurant restaurant results in apology from owner: "Adam Graham and Phillip Banks were sitting on the patio of Mexicali Rosa's at Dow's Lake, enjoying a few beers and gently kissing. The weather was bad, so the two were alone on the patio. 'This guy comes up to us, out of the blue, and he awkwardly says 'there are children inside and they have questions',' says Graham. It was the restaurant manager, and he asked the two to 'cool it down or leave.' According to Graham, the manager said he would tell any 'normal' couple to do the same."

Scientists stop progression, reverse Alzheimer's Disease in mice: "The treatment is a protein, specifically designed for the job, based on the three-dimensional structure of two other proteins involved in the progression of the disease. It works by sticking to one of these proteins so that it cannot bind with the other - a step that triggers a succession of biochemical events that lead to the death of the nerve cell and ultimately to the patient's symptoms."

Daniel Craig inks £13 million Bond deal to become Britain's highest-paid actor.

FLASHBACK: The tunes of Tammy Faye.

Kylie Minogue choosing cover as first single off new album — either Culture Club's "Victims" or Roxy Music's "Love is the Drug".

Spanish judge faces disciplinary action after stripping mother of custody of her two daughters because she is a lesbian: "The judge in the south-east region of Murcia handed the girls over to their father's care, arguing that a homosexual environment threatened their education and upbringing. The decision has provoked outrage among Spain's gay community, and the Supreme Court has opened disciplinary proceedings against him."

Gay porn clip on Conan O'Brien used without studio's permission.

Huh? Lindsay Lohan arrested for driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, and possession of cocaine. Her second DUI arrest within three months.

25%: Bush approval rating hits new low in American Research Group poll.

Before being arrested at a sit-in at Rep. John Conyers office, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan announced she'll run against Nancy Pelosi in the 2008 Congressional election: "The Democrats will not hold this administration accountable so we have to hold them accountable, and I for one will step up to the plate and run against Nancy Pelosi."

Qantas Airlines' new kangaroo logo scrutinized: "Fat and pregnant, and a bit like a wombat."

New York Times Michele McNally F-bomb brouhaha widens as gays at the paper demand action: "A Times source tells us that assistant managing editor Bill Schmidt, who's in charge of newsroom administration, will hold an open meeting with the gay caucus tomorrow at 2:30. Steve Reed, the head of the gay caucus, e-mailed members to announce the meeting and that Schmidt will "be unable to discuss in detail the specific case we've been talking about, because it's a personnel matter."

Sphere: Related Content

Nadal, Banderas, Moya: Spanish Threesome at the French Open

Spain's Rafael Nadal put on a sexy pose for Antonio Banderas at Roland Garros today after creaming his compatriot Carlos Moya in the quarter final of the French Open. Nadal won 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.

Moya joined Nadal and Banderas later for a photo. Now that's some hot Spanish action.

You may have missed...
Sportrait: Rafael Nadal [tr]
Sportrait: Rafael Nadal (part 2) [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Gay 'Crime of Passion' Killing Reported in Canary Islands

A 39-year-old British man from Edinburgh, Scotland is being held in the stabbing death of a German man Karl Heinz Thonningen, 44, in the Playa Del Ingles resort in Gran Canaria.

According to the Edinburgh News: "Spanish police, who only reveal the initials of suspects, have identified the arrested man as EB. They then passed the case on to a Spanish judge to investigate, and the man, who has not been charged, is due to appear in court in private later today or tomorrow. The area of the killing is packed with bustling gay bars and Mr Thonningen is understood to have gone on a night out while his partner stayed in the hotel. At about 5am, he was walking along a quiet street called Calle Timple where he was staying with friends, when he was attacked and stabbed through the heart. His body was found by another holiday-maker who immediately called police. Forensic officers cordoned off the area but have been unable to trace a murder weapon. Ambulances attended the scene but according to reports, Mr Thonningen had suffered a violent attack and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him."

The attacker, EB, was discovered after the attack in a drug-induced coma and authorities believe it was a suicide attempt. They also believe that the attack was motivated by EB's discovery that his victim was in a long-term relationship.

According to unconfirmed reports, both EB and Thonningen were at the resort with their respective partners.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Dane Cook, Connecticut, Hammerhead Shark, Wii

Michigan Supreme Court to decide whether or not partners of gays and lesbians employed by public universities and state and local governments should be able to receive health benefits: "The appeals court in February cited Michigan's 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment against gay marriage — which makes the union between a man and woman the only agreement recognized as a marriage "or similar union for any purpose" — as also barring domestic partner benefits for the same-sex partners of public employees."

Immaculate conception: Hammerhead shark gives birth having had no contact with males. "This form of asexual reproduction, called parthenogenesis, has been found in other vertebrate species, including some snakes and lizards. But this is the first time it has been documented in a shark."

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may have obstructed justice as recently as March by attempting to "shape" Monica Goodling's testimony before the congressional hearings.

Tremont Street in Boston the latest gay ghetto to dissipate.

"Bridal shop" for gays opens in Barcelona. Owner: "I saw the opportunity to do business after the law was approved. I didn't know of any other country that had a shop or boutique for gay weddings. It will be an exclusive and personal product for a special day. It was obvious that gays, who also marry, needed their own bride shop."

Does Dane Cook get this week's Photoshopped body award?

Beckham checks on the melons. Yep, still ripe.

Irish priest from Feakle Parish apologizes to congregation for breaking his law of celibacy after photos published on a gay website.

Nintendo: 35 million Wii consoles by 2012.

As Connecticut awaits gay marriage decision, the noise does not subside: "Motorists sounded their horns in support of the gay rights activists in front of the state Supreme Court today. They were trying to influence the seven justices inside who are contemplating whether or not to give same sex couples full marriage rights under the state's civil unions law. A much larger crowd across the street at the state capitol celebrated the withdrawal of a same sex marriage bill from the general assembly but members of the Family Institute of Connecticut are still fearful that the state Supreme Court will make it happen without the legislature as happened in Massachusetts."

Sphere: Related Content

David Beckham Makes Adjustments

David Beckham makes some adjustments during Real Madrid's win against Recreativo Huelva on Saturday. They won 3-2 and currently have a slight edge over Barcelona to capture Spain's La Liga title.

In other brand Beckham news, he's set to receive an award tonight for being the ‘Greatest Briton Overseas’, whatever that means. He's also considering a career as an art dealer (you know, if his current career path doesn't make him any money).

Sphere: Related Content