News: Aretha’s Hat, New York, James Franco, Endangered Species

Gay bashing reported by student at DePaul University: "I fell to the ground, and the person that kicked me said, 'I know who
you are and I know that you're gay.' That person and two other people just started kicking me and
punching me and like I was pinned to the ground, so I couldn't really
go anywhere. They were calling me things like queer and fag."

Aretha Franklin gives her hat to the Smithsonian Institution.

Zac Efron has a big bro crush on Leonardo DiCaprio.

Openly gay celebrities in Australia advised not to discuss it: "One celebrity talent manager, who did not wish to be named, told
news.com.au he advised clients not to discuss their sexuality, even if
everyone knew they were gay, because homophobia was still rampant
amongst the gatekeepers of the Aussie media, particularly in
television."

Oregon Elections Division throws out complaint against Portland Mayor Sam Adams.

Prosecution winds down in gay porn murder trial of Harlow Cuadra: "More than 50 witnesses have been called so far…"

Phelps church targets school in Plattsburgh, Vermont for Laramie Project production.

Author talks of growing up gay and Black in the South.

London stabbing victim clings to life, gives authorities info: "A man came to the premises, it would appear, and, from the information
given by one of the surviving victims, it was a homophobic attack. That
is a line of inquiry that we are pursuing."

Brad Pitt pays a visit to Capitol Hill.

Sotheby's to auction one of earliest photos of New York City.

Greek community and LGBT community to bond on U of Michigan campus.

James Franco gets book deal for collection of short stories: writing has "claustrophobic" and "immediate" sense of place.

UK teen gets two years in juvie institution for murder of gay truck driver.

Jon Stewart unloads on CNBC.

Jake Gyllenhaal back in spandex.

Endangered Species Act may be reversed by Obama: "The White House will announce today that it is reconsidering another controversial last-minute environmental rule by President George W. Bush, an Obama administration official said Monday night. The Bush-era rule loosened the way the Endangered Species Act guides federal projects, such as roads and dams. The change, finalized in December, eliminated a requirement that federal agencies consult with experts about potential effects on endangered plants and wildlife before allowing projects to go ahead. Instead, federal agencies can determine on their own whether their projects would harm protected species.

Posh Spice thinks she's Inspectress Gadget.

Every swear word in the history of The Sopranos.

Michelle Williams named guardian of Heath Ledger Oscar.

Uganda Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Dr. James Nsaba Buturo says he will submit a bill on homosexuality to the Parliament: "He says the provision in the penal code on homosexuality is too small to cover all concerns in homosexuality. Buturo says the government will not only end at making laws against homosexuality but will also engage in sensitizing schools and churches in the fight against this vice.The President of Defend the Family International, Scott Lively says it is good for the government of Uganda to criminalize homosexuality but the government should subject the criminals of homosexuality to a therapy rather than imprisoning them. Lively says this is aimed at the criminals recovering from homosexuality which is the main objective of those fighting homosexuality and not to punish homosexuals through imprisonment. He says even schools should borrow this idea of therapy in dealing with gay students."