News: Whitney Houston, Syria, James Franco, Gay Ice Cream

NYT tells New York Senate: Vote on marriage equality.

Actor David Carradine found hanged in hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand.

She's written a letter to daddy.

Real Housewife of New Jersey Danielle Staub fights back against anti-gay slurs: ""If you wanna do that thing that Italian guys do out here in Jersey, do it, but I'm taking offense by it."

Ed Westwick gives good face.

Whitney Houston to return: album release date set.

Gays in Syria beginning to come out: "Most of those behind the bold move are born into the urban middle-class, "the driving force behind homosexual emancipation," adds the young reporter, speaking to AFP on condition that he not be identified. 'It's on the Internet that they truly come out,' he adds. The world wide web is a way for gays to 'overcome social restrictions' and unwind in safe anonymity, or to build up a circle of acquaintances, he says. Some 200 Syrian gays banded together to form a group labelled 'I'm just like you' which published an appeal for tolerance."

Eminem discusses Bruno stunt: "I'm thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it."

Sacha Baron Cohen sued for Bruno Bingo stunt.

James Franco pulls out of UCLA commencement speaking engagement: "I deeply regret not being able to keep my commitment to giving the commencement speech at UCLA's graduation this year. Unfortunately the date conflicts with me needing to be on location to begin pre-production on my next film. I wish everyone in the 2009 class the best of luck in all of their future endeavors." Or, you know, maybe this is why.

Sit-in held at site of Cincinnati-area gay bashing.

NGLTF reports reveal need for religious voices in fight for equality. Report author: "The findings of these two reports are highly relevant for future battles on marriage and family equality because these are deeply moral issues. Faith voices have much to contribute to the debate and authentic religious-secular partnerships are essential to achieving human and civil rights for LGBT Americans."

KRXQ radio host Rob Williams and Arnie States incite violence against transgender children.

Documentary about NYC Restaurateur Florent to show at New York's New Fest.

Are Twitter and Facebook robbing us of compassion?

Tolerance lacking at Virginia law schools?

Scoop: Big Gay Ice Cream Truck coming to the streets of NYC.

Sundance Channel celebrates Pride with digital shorts.

Lesbian couple allege discrimination at Fresno hospital: "Orbin said the paramedic told the nurse on duty that she had collapsed after marching 14 miles for civil rights, and the nurse gave her a dirty look and said 'ooooh.'  She continued, 'I asked if Teresa could come back with me, but the nurse told me I was in a no visitor zone. When I asked her why everyone else had visitors, she said 'those people are different'."

News: Geoff Farrow, Orcas, Harry Potter, Transsexual Gene

U.S. launches attacks into Syria; civilians reported among dead.

Scientists see devastating plummet in population of Puget Sound killer whales: "While the official census won't be completed until December, the number of live "southern resident" orcas now stands at 83... The three pods, or families, that frequent western Washington's inland marine waters -- the J, K, and L pods -- are genetically and behaviorally distinct from other killer whales. The population reached 140 or more in the last century, but their numbers have fluctuated in recent decades. They were listed as endangered in 2005."

Lindsay Lohan is an Anne Heche type of gay.

Australian researchers discover gene linked to male-to-female transsexualism.

New trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

New York judge okays gay divorce: " A Manhattan lesbian couple wed in Massachusetts got a court's blessing to seek a divorce here, according to a decision published yesterday. And it was bittersweet victory, said one of the women involved in the split. 'My community is so important to me that it's really mixed emotion,' said the woman, who asked to be identified only by her initials, C.C. 'I would rather them recognize [a right to enter in to] marriage first, and then [allow] divorce. But it's a big step forward for our equality and our rights.'"

Connecticut justice of the peace ready to perform same-sex marriages.

Sarah Palin the Marxist: "Just last month, in an interview with Philip Gourevitch of the New Yorker, Palin explained the windfall profits tax that she imposed on the oil industry in Alaska as a mechanism for ensuring that Alaskans 'share in the wealth' generated by oil companies."

The L.A. Times profiles Father Geoffrey Farrow, who earlier this month was suspended after coming out of the closet and voicing his opposition to Proposition 8 to members of his congregation: "He had given himself over to a church that has, despite moderating its views in recent decades, condemned homosexuality and marginalized gays, even though in Farrow's opinion a sizable percentage of priests are gay. Farrow conceded that he has considered church teachings 'monstrous,' especially given the history of violence and suicide victimizing gays. But he said he has always believed in the church, if not in the men who led it. It's like loving a family member despite a falling out, or loving your country even as you doubt its leaders."

Zac Efron has been in touch with his trainer.

Canadian Gay divinity student told to stay in closet if he wants to be ordained: "George is gay. That could lead to the 'abomination' of a man lying with a man, as stated in the Old Testament. George is also graduating from the University of Toronto divinity school in May, qualifying him to be ordained as an Anglican Priest. But the ordination is not going to happen, if he continues to openly acknowledge his sexual orientation." George: "There is a fair amount of hypocrisy in the issue. If you keep the fact you are gay to yourself, even though others may know about it, the Anglican bishops can pretend you are straight and ordain you. As soon as you are open about it, you are treated differently. Don’t ask, don’t tell. Nobody acknowledges the hypocrisy."

The Paris Hilton presidential campaign jumps the shark (if it hadn't already).

New York: Gay groups use donations to become a force in elections.

How plastics promise a computing revolution: "Scientists are now able to synthesise plastics that conduct electricity and others that behave as semiconductors like silicon. Thought the silicon revolution was earth shattering? Well, according to some pundits, you ain't seen nothing yet."

News: Syrian, Luke Macfarlane, Batman, Seattle Opera, Outfest,

Killer of Daytona Beach cross-dresser sentenced to life in prison.

Becks is a Sharpie in new print campaign.

Gay Syrian Jojo Jako Yakob to be deported from Scotland: "It has now emerged that an immigration tribunal has turned down his request to stay in the UK, despite accepting that Yakob is gay and that Syria criminalises and represses homo– sexuality."

He came out shirtless: Matthew McConaughey has a child.

Kenyan bishop threatens to quit over gay marriages: "The Reverend Thomas Kogo, a bishop at the Eldoret ACK Diocese, has issued the quit notice, saying he could not support a church that condones homosexuality. Kogo, who has just returned from a pilgrimage in Israel, said the faithful must uphold the sanctity of the Anglican family. He said those advocating for gay marriages were driven by desire for money and wealth. 'God recognises marriage between man and woman, and there is no way we will accept homosexuality and gay marriages. The Bible is very clear on the matter,' he said."

Boy George speaks to Newsweek about denial of visa: "I am hardly a threat to national security. I am just a performer trying to do his job. I have called America home at different times in my life. I love America, and the American people have always treated me with love and kindness since I went there as a 19-year-old boy with my band Culture Club."

Turkish oil wrestling!

SAS Scandinavian Airlines launches dedicated gay website: "The website is unique in its personalised aspect, providing a ‘gay’ counterpart to the popular SAS crew tips, offering tips from SAS’ own gay crew members on the best offerings in Stockholm and Copenhagen."

Gay and lesbian Christians to protest Pope Benedict's arrival in Sydney: "The protest, calling for equality for gay and lesbian followers, will take place at the Pitt Street Uniting Church this Sunday, coinciding with Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in Sydney. Catholic writer and educator Michael Kelly said gay and lesbian people had been marginalised and condemned by mainstream churches, particularly the Catholic Church. He labelled the 'version of Christianity that is coming to Sydney' as propaganda. 'We call on gay and lesbian Christians ... to join us in standing up for the goodness of being gay, and not allow right-wing religious propaganda to silence our faith, hope and love,' he said."

Batman refuses to work with Robin.

Brothers and Sisters' Luke MacFarlane interviewed at the Rome Fiction Festival.

L.A.'s Outfest film festival begins tomorrow. Here's the official site. It's opening with the gay hockey film Breakfast with Scot. Also, here's a new piece from indieWire on the state of queer cinema...

Indian actor walks off talk show after being asked about sexual orientation: "What sort of a question is that Sajid? First you call me for your chat show, and then ask me such stuff!"

American Idol's 'gay stripper' David Hernandez spotted sucking female face in San Diego.

Seattle Opera announces three LGBT nights for upcoming season: "At these designated performances, patrons may pay $100 for discounted main-floor orchestra seating, private intermission receptions (with wine, hors d'oeuvres and desserts) and admission to preshow lectures. The inaugural event — an Aug. 22 presentation of 'Aida' — will be hosted by Seattle Opera trustee JJ McKay and Washington state Sen. Ed Murray. Tickets for the evening are on sale now." (site)

UK Offers Gay Syrian £46 to Get Lost, Go Home

The UK Border Agency has reportedly offered a gay teen Syrian seeking asylum in Scotland less than $100 (£46) to get him to accept deportation and return to Syria, the Scotsman reports:

"Jojo Jako Yakob, 19, fled his homeland two years ago after being arrested, shot and beaten before being tortured in a Syrian jail when he was caught distributing anti-government leaflets. Once prison guards discovered that Yakob, a Christian member of the repressed Kurdish minority in the Arab state, was homosexual, he suffered horrific beatings and was assaulted so badly that he slipped into a coma. He fled to Scotland but his application seeking asylum was rejected and the Home Office has ordered his return to Syria, where homosexuality has been banned. Last night, 'Save Jojo' campaigners criticised the UK Border Agency for sending Yakob, who is currently being detained at Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Falkirk, a 'weekly' letter, asking his permission to be 'repatriated' back to Syria. A spokesman for the campaign said the agency has offered Jojo £46 'in cash' on leaving the United Kingdom 'to assist you in reintegrating into your home country. This could be used for example to set up a business, further your education or assist with housing'. Leading gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell labelled the UK Border Agency as 'immoral' in its attempt to get Jojo into accepting deportation. He said: 'This insulting offer shows the scurrilous, immoral nature of the UK Border Agency. The sum of £46 would barely pay one week's rent, never mind help Jojo start a new life. The idea that he should risk his life and go back to Syria for £46 is an absolute disgrace. It shows the depth to which the Labour Government is sinking in its desperate bid to pander to racist and xenophobic opinion.'"

Yakob's case is similar to that of Iranian teen Mehdi Kazemi, who was granted a temporary reprieve from deportation when public outcry in late March brought attention to his case.

Government offers Jojo £46 to go home [scotsman]