News: South Carolina, Mormons, Driving Test, Rafael Nadal, Atlanta

Italian man wins $157,700 in damages in driving test lawsuit: "When 26 year-old Danilo Giuffrida told doctors he was gay at his medical examination for military service, they passed the information to the transport ministry, who told him he must repeat his driving test or have his license withdrawn due to his 'sexual identity disturbance.' Giuffrida agreed to re-take his test, passed it for a second time, but the ministry renewed his license for just one year rather than the usual 10 years because of his homosexuality."

Man who created 'Men on a Mission' Mormon beefcake calendar faces excommunication from the Church of Latter Day Saints by council of elders...

Mayor of Nice, France holds press conference to show off birth certificates of the latest members of the Brangelina Bunch, Knox and Vivienne.

Carry on: The new season of Project Runway has eight out gay men.

Report: Retailers shunning Victoria Beckham's men's jeans line. "The delay comes just months after the denim range was relegated to the bargain basement bins of several US boutiques while many announced they would no longer carry it because of poor sales."

Gay Atlanta upholstery/design store owners targeted by vandals: "Beginning late last month, someone has returned to the couple's upholstery and design business in Buckhead over and over, using spray paint or permanent markers to write anti-gay messages on their windows, according to an Atlanta police report."

South Carolina has pulled a gay tourism campaign created by an overseas contractor unaware of the state government's homophobia. Agency investigating ways to discipline employees who signed off on it. Greenville County GOP State Sen. David Thomas: "From my own perspective, it's bad for the state to make such statements about the state, to assert that South Carolina has gay beaches. . "I think that sends a cross message when we're saying, 'Come to South Carolina for its family-friendly beaches.'"

The L.A. Times takes a look at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center's HIV/AIDS web soap meant to educate young men about prevention.

Apple claims sales of one million iPhone 3Gs in first weekend, 10 million downloads from App Store.

Australia: Pope to apologize for sex abuse by priests.

Rafael Nadal: buff on the beach.

HGTV Design Star host Mikey Verdugo is an out gay police officer with a gay bondage porn past. Here are the photos (very NSFW)...

Prince Harry following in the footsteps of Diana...

120,000 take to the streets for Gay Pride in Vienna: " Thirty-degree heat and sunny weather ensured record attendance for the 13th edition of the march, which like almost all other events this year in Austria had a football theme, even two weeks after the end of Euro 2008. 'No more offsides!' organisers urged, calling for legalised gay marriage and an end to discrimination, although daring high heels, rather than soccer boots, were the choice of footwear on the Ring boulevard where the Fan Mile recently stood."

Ewan McGregor out of Africa.

The world's oldest known blogger, 108-year-old Olive Riley, died on Saturday: "An Australian woman described as the world's oldest Internet blogger has died at the age of 108 after posting a final message about singing "a happy song" in her nursing home. Olive Riley 'passed away peacefully on July 12 and will be mourned by thousands of Internet friends and hundreds of descendants and other relatives,' a note on her website said. Riley had posted more than 70 entries on her blog from Woy Woy on the east coast since February last year, sharing her thoughts on modern life and her experiences living through the entire 20th century." Watch a video of Riley here.

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News: Harvey Korman, Madison, Clay Aiken, ExxonMobil

University of Wisconsin-Madison to become largest university with a gay leader: "Cornell University Provost Biddy Martin was recommended Wednesday to be the next chancellor at UW-Madison, a top national research university with 40,000 students. Martin, the No. 2 official at Cornell since 2000, is a professor of women's studies and German studies who wrote the 1995 book: 'Femininity Played Straight: The Significance of Being Lesbian.' About eight to 10 openly gay people have become college presidents and chancellors but mostly at small colleges, said Candace Gingrich of the Human Rights Campaign."

R.I.P. Harvey Korman.

DADDY: Clay Aiken impregnates woman through artificial insemination.

Gay activist from Madison, Wisconsin stabbed to death in Mexico: "[Felicia] Melton-Smyth was known for an annual holiday fundraiser that raised money for gifts for people with AIDS. 'She respected and loved all the people within the gay community of Madison,' Finhert said. Finhert said a celebration of her life is being planned and a foundation is being set up for donations to organizations in her honor."

Netflix nabs exclusive rights to LOGO shows. What, no iTunes? Certainly a disappointment for those of us with Apple TV.

Kiss nearly gets lesbian couple tossed out of Safeco Field in Seattle: "Sirbrina Guerrero says she only gave her date a peck, but a mother sitting with her son complained to security and, as a result, they were told to stop or leave. 'And he (the security guard) goes ‘there’s a lady whose son says he saw you guys making out, and I did, too. And you have to stop.’ And I said ‘well, we weren’t making out, but we were kissing and I’m not going to stop,’' said Guerrero…. '(The security guard said) the mom doesn’t want to explain to the kids why two girls are kissing. So I said ‘well, I’m not going to stop, so you’ll have to kick me out. So he said ‘so I suggest you leave then,'’ she said."

A slew of Gossip Girl guy candids.

David Beckham gets a cap in a box.

Rudd government in Australia introduces bill removing discrimination from superannuation laws: "Legislation introduced to Parliament today will extend to same-sex couples and their children the same rights under superannuation enjoyed by married or de-facto couples. 'This bill will take equality for same-sex couples and their children to the next level by introducing long overdue Commonwealth reforms, removing discrimination from superannuation laws as the first step,' Attorney-General Robert McClelland said. 'It will allow reversionary death benefit to be paid to de-facto same-sex partners and their children where they currently have no entitlement.'"

Hot, tranny, or just mess?

L.A. Times editorial: Gay marriage gaining ground. "And why not? Surely the trailing edges of society will soon reflect on the resistance to this phenomenon with chagrin and more than a little embarrassment. It is bracing, after all, to realize how recently much of this nation blanched at interracial marriage, and thrilling to recognize how quickly most of us buried that prejudice, first in law, then in custom."

U.S. News and World Report explores anti-gay hostility in Russia.

Holocaust academic pans gay memorial to Nazi victims: "For many years after the war I had the impression that the Germans understood the immense scope of the crime of the Holocaust which they had committed ... But this time, they made an error. The location was particularly poorly chosen for this monument. If visitors have the impression that there was not a great difference between the suffering of Jews and those of homosexuals, it's a scandal. "A sense of proportion must be maintained."

ExxonMobil shareholders reject resolution to add 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' to Exxon’s non-discrimination statement: "Approximately 40% of Exxon’s outstanding shares voted in favor of the clause, but it was not enough to send the issue to the oil company’s board of directors. The shareholder resolution has come up every year since 2000, when it got 8.2% approval among shareholders. The percentage that voted in favor of the resolution has grown every year since then."

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Posh Spice Feels Unloved by Everyone but Gay Men

While visiting the Dorchester Hotel in London, Victoria Beckham told the UK tabloid The Sun on Tuesday: "All the men that like me are gay. It’s true. I have a really strong gaydar. I do love gay men though."

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Wax Beckhams Open Kissing Booth at DC's Cherry Blossom Festival

As part of a promotion for the 2008 Cherry Blossom Soccer Tournament, wax versions of David and Victoria Beckham opened a 'kissing booth' near the Mall in DC.

The last time the stiff couple made a headlining appearance was in December 2004 in a celebrity nativity scene. At that appearance, an attacker punched the figures, damaging them, and then fled. It appears they've recovered quite well from their injuries, but they are looking just as stiff.

More photos at Popbytes.

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Is There Anything Left for the Beckhams to Brand?

Now the couple has their likenesses on a set of chocolate eggs. They're being auctioned off by a children's charity in the UK. Also available are Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lily Allen, and Prince Harry.

At what point is complete saturation?

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News: Beatles, MRSA, Vanessa Williams, Jamaica, Maria Shriver

Mob of 20 attacks two gay men in Jamaica: "After days of harassment and threats, a Jamaican mob attacked two gay men, putting one in the hospital with serious injuries, while the other is missing...The group broke into the home of the men and attacked them, authorities told The Associated Press. One man had his left ear severed, his arm broken in two places and his spine possibly damaged; the other man, who was chased from their home, has not been found, according to the report."

Welcome to the just-opened Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool: "The four-star, 110 room Beatle themed hotel opens its doors to the public... and is only a stone's throw away from the site of the famous Cavern Club."

Gay rights activist and psychotherapist Myra Riddell dies at 81.

This is why the Spice Girls tour is ending.

Anti-gay graffiti found in DC police station men's restroom: "'It's extremely offensive, so we're taking it very seriously,' [Police Chief Cathy] Lanier said. Lanier sent an e-mail to police department personnel Thursday night that said, 'All members of this department put their lives on the line every day, and I will not tolerate any member treating another police professional with disrespect.' Lanier said she will 'impose the most serious penalty' if the perpetrator is found to be a member of the department. The graffiti was found in an area that is accessible to both officers and civilians, Lanier said, so it is not clear who may have left the message."

New Chicago Episcopal bishop Jeffrey Lee shows support for gay clergy: "'That's one of the tragedies afflicting the church right now,' he said. 'So many of us seem to think that salvation depends on our theological correctness.'"

Gay Republicans flocking to McCain?

First lady of California Maria Shriver joins Kennedys in 'surprise' Obama endorsement.

SF health officials apologize to gay community for MRSA scare: "We regret that our recent news report (1-14-08) about an important population-based study on MRSA USA300 with public health implications contained some information that could be interpreted as misleading. We deplore negative targeting of specific populations in association with MRSA infections or other public health concerns, and we will be working to ensure that accurate information about the research is disseminated to the health community and the general public."

San Francisco-based music journalist Adam Block dies.

Police break up suspected 'gay' party in India: " A team, led by deputy police commissioner Bhujangrao Shinde, raided the Agrawal bungalow at Yeoor and detained six persons, including the main organiser, Sahil Bhoricha (24). Liquor bottles and condoms were seized from the bungalow. Entry to Yeoor Hills was restricted during the operation. Ashok Row Kavi of Humsafar Trust, a gay rights group, condemned the action as unfair, given that all the men detained were adults and were not found violating any law. A magistrate denied the police custody of those arrested."

Robbie Williams becomes a bear.

Britney Spears' family finally takes control of the situation.

Western Montana Gay and Lesbian Community Center hold "skate against hate" in Missoula to raise awareness about anti-gay violence there.

Gerard Butler and Jonathan Rhys Meyers party it up in L.A.

Ohio health officials to study smoking habits of gay teens: "Health officials are allocating $60,000 to identify the smoking habits of those teens and develop a tobacco-prevention campaign for them. Ohio Department of Health spokesman Kristopher Weiss says gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community has a smoking rate at about 40 to 60 percent. As part of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Community Youth and Young Adults Anti-Tobacco Social Marketing Project, officials will form focus groups among youths ages 12 through 20 at an LBGT center in Columbus."

Melbourne, Australia holds gay pride march...

Vanessa Williams to be honored as "Ally for Equality" by the Human Rights Campaign. More...

Second memorial service for Heath Ledger held in L.A.: "Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, Ellen Degeneres and other celebrities gathered at the Sony Pictures lot on Saturday to remember Heath Ledger. This service comes a week after a smaller gathering that included ex-girlfriend Naomi Watts was held in Beverly Hills. Other mourners included Heath's father Kim, representatives from CAA (the agency that represented Heath), director Todd Haynes, and actress Shannyn Sossamon who was Heath's co-star in "A Knight's Tale". "I'm Not There" director Haynes spoke at the service."

Police raid gay bar in Philippines, arrest 10 for alleged prostitution: "The men were nabbed inside the Male Bucks Hosto Bar in Angeles City around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Members of the raiding team used a female informer who posed as a customer. The informer told authorities that the "entertainers" were dancing on stage clad only in their underwear."

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Brand Beckham Continues Quest for World Domination

David and Victoria Beckham, in two separate ad campaigns occupy two of Tokyo's prominent skyscrapers, Victoria appearing to gaze wantonly across Omotesando Crossing toward her husband in his Emporio Armani briefs.

Meanwhile, David Beckham in the flesh has planted himself in Natal, Brazil, where he arrived yesterday, wearing none other than a Marc Jacobs T-shirt featuring his naked wife. He's there to announce plans for his third soccer academy.

It wasn't long before he gave them the look they really wanted, however, and revealed that he has a new tattoo: "The intricate new star studded design which extends the length of his left forearm is wrapped around an existing Hindi inscription of wife Victoria's name."

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Posh on Beckham's Bulgeboard: It's Great, Huge, Enormous, Massive

Victoria Beckham took a break from the Spice Girls tour to attend the Roberto Cavalli show at fashion week in Milan, where last week a gigantic version of David Beckham's Emporio Armani ad was erected at the intersection of Via Cusani and Via Broletto.

She didn't mince words about the giant billboard:

"I’m proud to see his penis 25 foot tall. It’s great. It’s huge. It’s enormous. Massive. If I looked like that I’d walk down the street in my panties too."

The remarks follow her December boast about the football player's package: "I’m proud I still have a really good sex life with David. He is very much in proportion. He does have a huge one, though. He does. You can see it in the advert. It is all his. It is like a tractor exhaust pipe!"

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That's My Bag, Baby: Slava Mogutin Not Happy with Juergen Teller

Russian artist/photographer Slava Mogutin is not happy with the recent Marc Jacobs - Juergen Teller "Victoria Beckham in a bag" ad campaign concept.

A similar series of photos 'Ilya_Gucci' (2001) featured in Mogutin's book Lost Boys got a a lot of attention a few years back, and Mogutin says he'd like a check, please.

He writes: "Just for the record: the bag wasn't mine and I've never bought, owned or worn a single Gucci item. Ilya & I found that now famous shopping bag in the apartment in St. Petersburg where I was staying at in the winter of 2001. I could never imagine that this photo would be reproduced and exhibited endlessly over the past few years and end up in the private collection of Tom Ford. To me, it's an ANTI-FASHION image, 'a portrait of a body as merchandise,' as one critic put it."

More in the series can be seen on his site.

The other Teller photo, AFTER THE JUMP...

You may have missed...
Gay Clay Doll Created in Response to International Homophobes [tr]

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Marc Jacobs Makes Victoria Beckham a Bag Lady

Photographer Juergen Teller's new campaign for Marc Jacobs features Victoria Beckham wearing his new "backward heel" shoe.

Though I'm not sure which image is funnier, part one or part two, AFTER THE JUMP...

She does know how to laugh at herself.

Recently
Posh Spice tops Mr. Blackwell's list [tr]
Victoria Beckham on Ugly Betty: First Look [tr]
David Beckham Erection Marks Start of Fashion Week in Milan [tr]
Giorgio Armani and Posh Spice Boast About Beckham Bulge [tr]

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News: Mr. Blackwell, Iran, Jesse Metcalfe, Wii, Dykes on Bikes

Iran claims video of aggressive action toward American ships is U.S. fabrication: "The US has released grainy footage, apparently showing small boats speeding near the American warships. In an audio recording, an Iranian radio operator appears to say 'I am coming at you; you will explode'. The Iranian parliamentary speaker has dismissed the affair as being part of a US propaganda campaign against Tehran."

NSA report confirms Vietnam "Gulf of Tonkin" episode never happened. (via americablog)

Mr. Blackwell releases annual worst-dressed list. The winner? "Forget the fashion spice - wearing a skirt would suffice! In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty posh can really wreck-em." See who else made it.

Out writer Josh Kilmer-Purcell starts "Phags for Phelps" site after striking up email correspondence with Shirley Phelps-Roper: "I've long believed that the more chances America gets to see blatantly ugly homophobia in action, the better it is for the GLBT community. To quote Supreme Court Justice Brandeis: 'Sunshine is the best disinfectant.' Half humorously, half seriously, (as in everything I do) I suggested in my recent OUT column that gays and lesbians start a 'Phags 4 Phelps Dephense Phund.' Fred Phelps, if you don't know who he is, is the patriarch of a one-family-band of hate called the 'Westboro Baptist Church.'..I honestly think that the more America sees this ugly hatred, the more they shy away from it. So I suggested starting the "Phags 4 Phelps Dephense Phund" to keep them away from bankruptcy and out on the streets where they belong."

Parkinson's Disease linked to exposure to common solvent.

Madonna, Guy tour the slums of Mumbai.

Youths arrested for alleged anti-gay attack on December 5 on the Washington Metro say they targeted victim because he was drunk, not because of his sexuality.

Queen Elizabeth loves Wii bowling: "A Palace source told The People: 'When she saw William playing a game after lunch at Sandringham she thought the Nintendo looked tremendous fun and begged to join in. She played a simple ten-pin bowling game and by all accounts was a natural. It was hilarious. William was in fits of laughter. He was enormously impressed at having such a cool gran. And although she is 81 the Queen's hand-eye co-ordination was as good as somebody half her age.'"

Jesse Metcalfe's Hollywood hair-cut.

Anti-gay Pastor Ken Hutcherson has reportedly initiated the Microsoft stock-buying scheme I posted about in November: "It's unclear what effect, if any, the initiative could have on the stock price. It would be difficult to influence company direction -- just to gain a 1 percent stake in Microsoft, about 31 million people would each have to spend $104 to buy three shares. Microsoft has about 9.36 billion outstanding shares, and its largest holder is Chairman Bill Gates, with 858 million shares, or 9 percent of the total. Capital Research and Management Co. follows with nearly 557 million shares, or 6 percent."

Scientists float new global warming weapon: super-hairy soya plants.

Court rules that "Dykes on Bikes" can keep their name.

Genre takes on the cheekbones of Michael Lucas: "I am very proud that Genre chose me to be on their cover, as national consumer magazines—even if they are gay—tend to shy away from putting members of the adult community front and center."

Wonkette has a chat with former Gawker editor Choire Sicha about the New Hampshire primaries and which Romneys might be worth molesting: "Josh. Josh is the hottest thing since bacon was invented."

Kentucky gay rights groups thumb noses at one another: "The general advisory council of the Kentucky Equality Federation has approved a resolution not to be aligned with the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. Jordan Palmer, president of the federation, released a copy of his group's resolution noting the break. It said the group 'has received many reports from federation management and affiliated organizations about difficulties in working with current leadership of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance and particularly its chief spokeswoman, Christina Gilgor.' It added, 'It is obvious that the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, through its current executive director, is alienating many members of the Kentucky Equality Federation and its affiliated organizations and thus becoming less of an effective force in lobbying and working for improvement of gay rights in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.'"

Simon Cowell sheds some of his moobs.

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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.

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News: Tony Romo, NJ Death Penalty, Edward Hopper, YMCA

NJ Governor Corzine signs death penalty ban.

Des Moines Register endorses Hillary Clinton and John McCain.

The NYT takes a look at the life of gay historian Allan Bérubé, and his well-known book Coming Out Under Fire: "The book sprang from a box of letters. One day in the 1970s, a friend of one of Mr. Bérubé’s neighbors salvaged from a Dumpster a cache of correspondence exchanged by a dozen gay G.I.’s during the war. The men, who had met at an Army base in Missouri, were posted to different spots, but they continued to write — in particular about what it was like to be gay wherever they had fetched up. The letters found their way to Mr. Bérubé. 'I sorted them out and had a good cry,' he told the University of Chicago alumni magazine in 1997. 'It really captured my heart and raised a lot of questions, so I started doing research.'"

Bimbo Curse: Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo hit with worst game in ages as Jessica Simpson appears at game wearing his jersey. It was the first time in three years the Cowboys haven't scored a touchdown, losing to the inferior Philadelphia Eagles. According to People, "The 27-year-old Pro-Bowler ended the game with a quarterback rating of just 22.2 – that's the worst ever in his entire career. (In comparison, his average rating this year is over 100.) His previous low? Last December, when then-girlfriend Carrie Underwood was in the stands."

Magazine collector aims to preserve archive of Thailand's gay history.

Early Sunday Morning: Greenwich Village group tries to preserve Edward Hopper's Big Apple landmarks.

PrideWorks conference offers beacon of hope for isolated gay kids: "This was the ninth year of the PrideWorks gathering, which is put on by the Hudson Valley chapter of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network. The conference is sponsored by numerous community groups, including a local Merrill Lynch office, the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association, the Westchester-East Putnam Region PTA and a state senator, Suzi Oppenheimer, a Democrat from Mamaroneck. In the beginning, in 1999, there were no students, just 125 adults, mostly educators who worked with gay children. This year, there were about 200 adults along with 300 boys and girls. Some, like Michael, attended with their parents. More arrived in school buses with their Gay Straight Alliance clubs."

Posh Spice skin pouch horrifies onlookers.

Colorado College students stage bitterly cold day-long sit-in to protest homophobic and racist incidents on campus: "The most recent events include anti-gay graffiti on several dorm room doors. Students say they got together to organize the event to show that they won't tolerate this type of actions on their campus or in their community. Students say this isn't in response to any one event, but a culmination of events over a period of time." (video)

YMCA lifeguard in the UK punches lesbian after making homophobic remark: "Luke Rawcliffe, 18, of Rixton Close, Thornton, pleaded guilty to assaulting Louise Raycroft. Pam Smith, prosecuting, said Ms Raycroft was walking through the bus station with her female partner when they were approached by a group of men. Rawcliffe called Miss Raycroft an inappropriate word and without any provocation punched her on the forehead. She was knocked to the floor and hit her head...The defence added that there was an altercation with the two women and one swung out at a friend of Rawcliffe's. Rawcliffe, who had been drinking, then hit the woman on the head."

Flyer: Britney Spears scores with "Piece of Me" video all about how the paparazzi chases that mess around. Write what you know.

Oldest human being dies at 116.

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News: Robbie Williams, Saturn, Neo-Nazis, Andy Roddick's Banana

Neo-Nazi group targeting gay politicians: "Openly gay Chapel Hill (NC) Town Councilman Mark Kleinschmidt is the target of a bunch of online neo-Nazi thugs who have compiled a list of out gay elected officials, or as one put it, 'List of Open and Unapologetic Faggot Politicians.'"

Gay gossip cabal: "Whatever Paris Hilton is, she came by it honestly."

Watch Barbara Walters "most fascinating" segment on David and Victoria Beckham.

Brazilian President announces LGBT summit: "President Luiz Inazio Lula da Silva of Brazil has announced the country’s first National Conference of Homosexuals, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals, a controversial event that will be held in May 2008 with the explicit endorsement of the government’s Special Secretariat for Human Rights. According to officials, the event will seek to develop directives that allow public policies and a national plan that promotes the rights of homosexuals to be implemented. The conference will also work on strengthening the “Brazil Without Homophobia” program."

Britney Spears has a new man in her life: Jesus Christ.

Fugitive anti-gay shooter arrested in Atlanta: "A fugitive task force arrested a 30-year-old man on charges he shot at two young men while making derogatory comments about homosexuals outside a predominantly-gay Midtown bar in October. Tommy Lee Gresham, 30, of Cobb County is facing a charge of aggravated assault, Atlanta police Officer Darlene Harris said. The Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested him Tuesday afternoon after a Cobb County police officer spotted the wanted man and followed him home. Greshman, nicknamed 'Stretch,' is accused of shooting at two young men Oct. 19 outside the WETbar, located on Spring Street, after he followed them from a nearby gas station. Neither man was seriously hurt; one had a graze wound and the other was hit by ricocheting shrapnel, Harris said."

Hey bidders, those of you who miss out on David Beckham's half-eaten corncob from Wellington, New Zealand may still be able to get in on Andy Roddick's half-eaten banana from the Davis Cup!

Protests cause Grenada to re-think not allowing gay cruises to dock there: "Several hotels received visitor cancellations after the Toronto Star reported last week that the country was questioning whether to allow entry to gay cruise ships, tourism minister Clarice Modeste-Curwen said in a statement yesterday. Some protesters also wrote the Canadian government asking that aid be cut to Grenada's Port of St. Georges where cruise ships dock, she added. 'This does not augur well for our tourism sector.' She said: 'We will continue to welcome all visitors and we will work, along with our population, to ensure that their time and ours will be enjoyable. Grenada respects the rights of all persons of all persuasions and lifestyles.' Left unmentioned was that homosexual relations remain illegal in Grenada. The government's position was reached 'following several days of consultations on the matter involving tourism officials and various stakeholders,' the minister's statement said."

UFO Moons: "Two of Saturn's small moons look eerily like flying saucers, new observations by the Cassini spacecraft reveal. The moons, which lie within the giant planet's rings, may have come by their strange shape by gradually accumulating ring particles in a ridge around their equators. The Voyager spacecraft discovered the moons, called Pan and Atlas, in the early 1980s. Pan, which is 33 kilometres wide, orbits Saturn within a gap in the planet's A ring called the Encke Division (scroll down for image), while the 39-km-wide Atlas orbits just outside the A ring. Both moons have a flattened shape, being wider than they are tall. But their uncanny resemblance to UFOs only became clear recently, when Cassini viewed them with its powerful cameras."

New NowNext takes a look at the funniest gay rumors of 2007.

Robbie Williams to return to Take That after all? Mom: "On the question of him doing something with them, I feel that will happen. It would be something he wanted to do. I'm thrilled that out of all the negative stuff that happened, there's now something great happening. Take That were excellent when they were all together and they are excellent now."

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #194

KEITH OLBERMANN: A recent eviscerating special comment on waterboarding.

STEPHEN COLBERT: Introduces Nancy Pelosi at the Glamour Women of the Year awards.

THE POLITICS OF PARSING: John Edwards unleashes attack video on Clinton positions. Clinton: "I wasn't at my best the other night. We've had a bunch of debates and I wouldn't rank that up in my very top list. But I've answered probably, I don't know, more than 5,000 questions over the last 10 months and I have been very clear about where I stand and what I want to do for the country."

VICTORIA BECKHAM: Promo for her appearance on Ugly Betty this Thursday.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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News: Vermont Hate, Richard Nixon, Mont Blanc, Judd Apatow

Rhode Island Supreme Court to hear arguments tomorrow in the case of two lesbians who married in Massachusetts but want a divorce in Rhode Island: "A Family Court judge has asked the state Supreme Court to decide whether he has the authority to rule on what's believed to be the state's first same-sex divorce case. Lawyers for the women say the case has no bearing on whether gay couples can get married in Rhode Island. The General Assembly has repeatedly rejected gay marriage bills."

Contemplating the hotter Affleck.

More hate in Vermont: Burlington school hit with anti-gay graffiti. "Vandals spray-painted a swastika and other racist messages around the entrance to the city's middle school, but maintenance staff were able to clean it up before classes started Monday, officials said. Linda Carroll, principal of the school, said the graffiti included racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic words and images."

Gawker took a trip to OUT magazine's party for their most recent issue, featuring the bare ass of Tom Ford.

Street in the San Fernando Valley to be named for lesbian psychotherapist Betty Berzon.

Brad Pitt and family are setting up home at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York for a cool $100K a month.

Victoria Beckham poofs out in Paris.

Superbad director Judd Apatow lashed out at studio executive who axed his TV shows: "I don't understand how you can [bleep] me in the [bleep] when your [bleep] is still in me from last time."

Ricky Gervais lampoons George Michael's sex life in Extras (clip).

Richard Nixon called Fred Thompson, then a young Senate lawyer, "dumb as hell" during the Watergate investigation.

A group of climbers hauled a portable Jacuzzi to the top of Mont Blanc, set it up, and got in. Wouldn't be too much fun if that thing slid down the hill. (via kottke)

Performance by former Kids in the Hall actor Scott Thompson at Softball Gay World Series inspires letters of apology from tournament director: "According to our source, the comedian began bombing right after he dissed Kathy Griffin. You don't diss Kathy to the gays! He then went on to clear out the stadium with 'lame vulgar jokes and even used the N word.' At one point, he stopped his act and addressed a gaggle of lesbians that turned their backs to him, and said, 'Thanks for turning your backs while I'm here actually trying to do something. Trying to perform!'"

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Victoria Beckham on Ugly Betty: First Look

A shot from Victoria Beckham's upcoming performance on Ugly Betty has been released of Vanessa Williams fitting Victoria Beckham into a Vera Wang bridesmaid's dress.

According to Buddy TV: "She was particular about not launching herself as an actress because she is aware that she isn't one. That's why she wants to play herself, so she doesn't have to act."

The Daily Mail reports that Posh's one-time appearance netted her a £70,000 paycheck, and the episode is reportedly titled "Nice Day for a Posh Wedding."

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #154

MITT ROMNEY: New spot. He's deeply troubled by the culture which surrounds us today.

THE QUEEN: The BBC covers its recent apology to the Queen after they suggested she stormed out of the Annie Leibovitz photo shoot.

VICTORIA BECKHAM: Part one of the critically-ravaged TV special Victoria Beckham: Coming to America. The other parts are here.

CAZWELL: His new video "Watch My Mouth".

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here!

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News: Dublin, Hedi Slimane, Iraq Marine, L.A. Galaxy

Corporal testifies that "Marines in his unit began routinely beating Iraqis after officers ordered them to 'crank up the violence level.'"

Presidential hopeful Mike Gravel thanks the gays after HRC and LOGO decide to lift their under-funding ban and allow him to participate in the upcoming "gay debate".

Tired of the 'gay vague' look, Jesse Metcalfe channels Kevin Federline.

Proposal to offer same-sex couples the same financial benefits as straight couples to go before Australian cabinet following Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report: "The commission found same-sex couples were discriminated against in 58 pieces of federal legislation under which they were denied basic financial and work-related entitlements, tax concessions and superannuation benefits available to heterosexual couples."

Flurry of confetti greets Beckhams at L.A. Galaxy welcome ceremony. Couple plans to open chain of exclusive international nightclubs.

SURVEY: "iPhone could emerge as the most successful product introduction of the 21st century". 1 in 3 reportedly want one.

Owner of London's popular G-A-Y bar considering buyout offer: "We consider the offer to be positive and are currently awaiting confirmation of that offer being confirmed before a final decision is to be taken. We anticipate the offer to be formalised in early August."

Indian singer Sonu Nigam accuses journalist Subhash K Jha of retaliation after the writer's sexual advances were rejected: "He used to harass me with his homosexual desires to an extent that my family was affected. We all know that the film industry consists of many gays and homosexuals. Even I have many gay friends but they have never tried to come close to me because they know that I am not interested in it. I’m not a fool that I don’t understand his intentions. I’m not a villager that I don’t know whatever is happening. I even told him about my girlfriends but slowly and slowly when he did not get any positive response from my end, he started criticising me in his articles and his feelings got bitter towards me."

Hilary Duff no "Stranger" to gay clubs.

Akron, Ohio wants in on the gay tourism dollar.

Hedi Slimane, Jeff Koons, and Dieter Rams to guest edit October issue of Wallpaper: "Each is designing his own cover for the London title, and each has been given his own 20-page section, said publishing director Andrew Black. In the Slimane segment, there's an interview with the designer by German artist Thomas Demand, and 10 collectible, poster-size photographs shot by Slimane. The photos are very personal ones, said Black: There are fashion shots, details from everyday life and abstract images. Slimane has been hands-on, in touch with the magazine's staff every day. "We're an eclectic title with so many disciplines of design — we decided to have three guest editors instead of one," said Black. He said the editors chose Slimane because "he's someone we've admired for a long time." And also, no doubt, a designer with some extra time on his hands since leaving Dior Homme."

Outhouse: Dublin, Ireland gets gay community center.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #153

JAKE GYLLENHAAL: His appearance with Rufus Wainwright in San Francisco I posted about in June, reciting the spoken word portion of "Between My Legs".

VICTORIA BECKHAM: Her i