Hairdressers or brothers? You decide. But the timing of the “news” about this 4,000-year-old gay kiss couldn’t be more convenient as Brokeback climbs the box office and gay marriage is legalized in the UK. Researcher: “Same-sex desire must be considered as a probable explanation. We can only say for certain that the carvings show a profound intimacy between the two men, and the people who built the tomb were possibly unsure how to portray this.”

What’s next, Sir Download-a-lot? iPod designer Jonathan Ives to receive third most senior honour (CBE – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) from her majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Thousands of children in luck as new laws come into effect in the UK allowing gay and unmarried couples to adopt them. Law is seen as one of the “most significant changes in modern adoption history” and will allow up to 2,000 kids who were left behind last year the chance to find a family.

Merry Christmas, Fag. Police investigating homosexual slur etched into lawn in San Jose, California on Christmas Eve. Community official: “This was a vicious attack. It was meant to intimidate and threaten.”

Spain widens its embrace of human rights. Nation plans to offer asylum to sexual refugees, those fleeing persecution based on gender and sexual orientation.

Gay police officers tie the knot in Britain. They met at a Christmas party at their police station, fell in love, married in front of 300 and had their party at the police station bar, then honeymooned in Lapland. Police superintendent Liam Macdougall: “I am delighted for Darren and Chris personally and pleased to see the enactment of steps taken to provide a level of equality that has previously been absent,” he told the Citizen. Thames Valley police fully supports and encourages diversity and this is another step towards achieving a wholly representative and diverse workforce.”