Adam Lambert: too ‘gay’ for America?

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has managed to upstage Madonna and upset America with his latest performance – including a gay kiss and some crotch-caressing hanky-panky.

During his three minute appearance at the American Music Awards this week Lambert managed simulating oral sex with a male dancer and a full on lip lock with his (male) keyboardist.

A victory for gay visibility? - or just a tacky gay stereotype? The jury’s out. Regardless, the performance has racked up enormous media interest following 1, 500 complaints from viewers.

It was the singer’s first post Idol live performance to promote the release of his debut album ‘For Your Entertainment’ – presales of which has guaranteed the number one spot for Lambert this week.

Controversy followed the 27 year old star the morning after the show when a scheduled follow-up appearance on Good Morning America was subsequently cancelled.

“Given his controversial American Music Awards performance, we were concerned about airing a similar concert so early in the morning.” Producers said.

The cancellation annoyed fans and gay activists who claim the ABC network had no problem airing Madonna’s 2003 VMA performance which featured a three-way kiss with Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.

In an interview with CNN Lambert claimed the sexual content had not been rehearsed and occurred in the heat of the moment. However he feels there’s a double standard within the entertainment industry.

"Women performers have been pushing the envelope sexually for the past 20 years and all of a sudden a male does it and everybody goes, 'Oh, we can't show that on TV'. To me that's a form of discrimination and it's a double standard, and that's too bad."

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New Moon star Taylor Lautner set to become new gay fantasy

He’s only 17 and dating Taylor Swift – allegedly! - but hunky Taylor Lautner is fast becoming a sex symbol to women - and gay men!

The American actor and martial arts expert who stars in the latest installment of The Twilight saga says he hit the gym five times a week to prepare for his leading role. And both the ladies and gaybies agree - the results are absolutely buff-ing brilliant!

Lautner, who had a minor part in prequel vamp smash ‘Twilight’, has gained more than 30 pounds of solid muscle for his latest role and it seems producers can’t wait to show it off…

On general release this Friday, The Twilight Saga:New Moon features Lautner beefed-up and bare-chested in many of his scenes. And this time his character Jacob Black is accompanied by some equally hot buff buddies as the werewolf pack:The Quileute.

Bemused by all the attention he’s getting the star says nothing could have prepared him for the ‘phenomenon’ of Twilight which so far has grossed $445 million dollars worldwide.

He remains coy however in regards to his rumoured romance with country superstar Taylor Swift, telling a packed New Moon press conference: “The very funny thing is that all of you have seen every single move I make, so I guess I can leave that up to you to decide”

Swift is remaining tight-lipped too and responded with a non-plussed “I don’t know” when asked about their relationship.

Seems we’ll have to wait a little longer to get confirmation on those ‘are they?’ or ‘aren’t they?’ rumours…

One thing’s for sure though, straight or gay – we’re mad about the boy!

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Catholic Church threatens to pull services over gay marriage

 

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington D.C has said that it will discontinue its service programs in the district should the city go ahead with a proposed same-sex marriage law.

Disruption to services that The Catholic Church runs could affect tens of thousands of the district’s residents.

Under the law religious organizations would not be required to cater to same-sex marriage requests but must abide by laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexuality.

Church leaders are anxious that they will be forced to recognize same-sex couples in regards to such things as employee medical benefits and adoption rights.

In an interview with The Washington Post on Wednesday spokesperson for the archdiocese, Susan Gibbs, said that the proposed bill is problematic for The Catholic Church.

"If the city requires this, we can't do it," she said. "The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem."

Chairman of the city’s Health Committee, David Catania responded by saying he is baffled by the church’s stance considering that in 2008 it received about $8.2 million in city contracts.

"If they find living under our laws so oppressive that they can no longer take city resources, the city will have to find an alternative partner to step in to fill the shoes," he told The Washington Post.

In a separate interview council member Mary M. Cheh said she hoped the Catholic Church would reconsider.

"Are they really going to harm people because they have a philosophical disagreement with us on one issue?" she asked. "I hope, in the silver light of day, when this passes, because it will pass, they will not really act on this threat."

The same-sex marriage bill is due for the council vote next month.

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Links for this story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/11/AR2009111116943.html?nav=hcmodule

Obama lifts US ban on HIV travel and Immigration

President Barrack Obama has announced that the ban on HIV-positive people entering the US is to be lifted early in 2010.

The disclosure came as Obama signed a bill reauthorizing federal funding for an HIV-related healthcare policy – to improve availability of care for HIV positive people and their families.

At the signing ceremony the President told attendees that the ban on HIV-positive people entering the U.S. was instituted 22 years ago “in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact”.

"We are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people with HIV from entering our own country," he said. "If we want to be the global leader in HIV, we need to act like it."

He added that overturning the ban is a “step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment. It's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives".

Obama said that the repeal would take effect “just after the new year”. With January 1st a holiday the new rule is expected to be implemented on January 4th.

Leading UK sexual health charity The Terence Higgins Trust has welcomed the decision.

Lisa Power, Head of Policy at the charity said "Terrence Higgins Trust has campaigned for many years to end this discriminatory policy. We hope its ending sends a strong signal to governments and politicians globally who support such pointless gestures. Entry bans have no justification on public health grounds. Their only real impact is to increase stigma and prevent ordinary people with HIV from getting on with their lives."

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True Blood gets Gay injection

It seems everywhere you turn these days vampire chic is all the rage - especially in the states where HBO fang-fest True Blood has become a cultural phenomenon.

The tv series has become a massive hit in America pulling in over five million viewers for its second season finale screened last month.

Based on The Southern Vampires Mysteries (also known as The Sookie Stackhouse Novels) the multi-award winning show has both shocked and enthralled viewers in America and is currently gaining momentum in the UK.

In an interview with gay media site advocate.com True Blood producer Alan Ball has revealed the show is about to up the gay ghoul factor with the introduction of a new homo-erotic vampire character.

“We'll be meeting the vampire king of Mississippi and his long, long-term companion -- and by long-term I mean really long-term -- Talbot. I think Lafayette may meet a love interest, and certainly Pam, who works with Eric, she's certainly got a lesbian vibe -- I don't know that that's all she is, but she certainly does seem to appreciate the women.” said Ball.

When asked why he thought the vampire genre had struck a chord with gay fans Ball said “I think it's certainly not a huge step for LGBT people to identify with any group of characters that are, as a group, outsiders, that mainstream society feels threatened by; that are fabulous and powerful and sexy and all of that stuff.”

Meanwhile fancy dress costume stores the length and breadth of America are preparing for a bumper Halloween. According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Foundation the vampire look this year is second only to witch outfits.

Fang-tastic!

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Related Link for this story:
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