Russian police detain 40 including activist Nikolai Alexeyev as gays push for Moscow Pride parade

BY ALEXANDER TIKHOMIROV, ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOSCOW -- Gay activists tried to stage two demonstrations in Moscow on Sunday to demand the right to hold a gay pride parade in the Russian capital, but they were blocked first by Orthodox Christian opponents and then by police, who detained a total of about 40 people from both sides.

The gay activists first gathered outside the city council building, where a few scuffles occurred as their opponents tried to disrupt the demonstration, decrying homosexuality as a sin. After police broke up that protest, another group tried to stage a second protest at city hall, but once again police moved in and detained participants, including prominent gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev.

The majority of those detained were gay activists, but some of the Christian demonstrators also were pushed into police buses. Police said about 40 people were detained in all.

Click here to read the complete article.

Gay students graduate openly at U.S. military academies after repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

BY BRIAN WITTE, ASSOCIATED PRESS

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Gay students at America's military service academies are wrapping up the first year when they no longer had to hide their sexual orientation, benefiting from the end of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that used to bar them from seemingly ordinary activities like taking their partners openly to graduation events.

For the first time, gay students at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis were able to take a same-sex date to the academy's Ring Dance for third-year midshipmen. The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., officially recognized a club for gay students this month. And gay cadets at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., are relieved they no longer have to worry about revealing their sexuality.

Several gay students from the nation's major military academies said the September repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," an 18-year-old legal provision under which gays could serve as long as they didn't openly acknowledge their sexual orientation, meant significant change.

"For the most part, it allows us to be a complete person, as opposed to compartmentalizing our lives into different types of boxes," said newly commissioned Air Force 2nd Lt. Dan Dwyer, who graduated from the Air Force Academy on Wednesday. West Point held its graduation Saturday, and the Naval Academy's was set for Tuesday.

Click here to read the complete article.

Polls on gay marriage not yet reflected in votes

BY DAVID CRARY, AP NATIONAL WRITER

NEW YORK -- Poll after poll shows public support for same-sex marriage steadily increasing, to the point where it's now a majority viewpoint. Yet in all 32 states where gay marriage has been on the ballot, voters have rejected it.

It's possible the streak could end in November, when Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington state are likely to have closely contested gay marriage measures on their ballots.

For now, however, there remains a gap between the national polling results and the way states have voted. It's a paradox with multiple explanations, from political geography to the likelihood that some conflicted voters tell pollsters one thing and then vote differently.

"It's not that people are lying. It's an intensely emotional issue," said Amy Simon, a pollster based in Oakland, Calif. "People can report to you how they feel at the moment they're answering the polls, but they can change their mind."

Click here to read the complete article.

Gallery | Sizzle Miami 2012 Soak Him pool party

Hundreds of partygoers filled Finnegan's River in Miami Saturday afternoon for Sizzle Miami's 2012 Soak Him pool party.

Sizzle Miami runs through Tuesday and is based at the Hyatt Regency. That hotel -- 600 rooms -- is completely booked and hundreds more rooms are filled at other downtown Miami hotels, according to Sizzle organizers.

Click here to view a gallery from Saturday's pool party. All photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.

UConn, Cal Clutterbuck make 'You Can Play' videos on behalf of gay hockey players, fans

ESPN via Associated Press reports that the University of Connecticut's men's hockey team has made two videos for You Can Play, a program launched in March is to work to end homophobia in hockey.

Click here to read more about the UConn campaign.

Also, Cal Clutterbuck, forward of the Minnesota Wild, has made a video on behalf of LGBT athletes and fans.

Food Network chef Anne Burrell 'gay & proud,' according to New York Post's Page Six

Out of the closet, according to the New York Post's Page Six: Food Network star chef Anne Burrell.

Ted Allen told Sirius XM host Romaine Patterson, "I am not going to put a label on Anne, but she is dating a woman right now."

Click here to read what Burrell's rep told Page Six.

Click here to read Lydia Martin's recent Miami Herald profile of Burrell.

Fox 31 Denver video | From Steve to Stevie: Man discovers he’s actually a woman

From Fox 31 in Denver:

DENVER — Steve Crecelius is a prominent local photographer. He’s lived his entire life as a man but recently discovered – he is in fact a female.

“I remember wearing my mom’s clothes and makeup, very secretly, not telling anybody,” Crecelius said.

About 40 years later, Crecelius discovered during an emergency room visit for a kidney stone that he was intersex, born with both male and female organs.

Now Crecelius lives as Stevie, a woman, and has stayed married to wife Debbie, with whom she has six children.

Click here to read the complete story.

Hollywood City Manager Douglas Hewett charged with DUI after leaving Swinging Richards strip club

BY CARLI TEPROFF, CTEPROFF@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Hollywood City Manager Douglas Hewett was charged with driving under the influence after leaving Swinging Richards, a gay male strip club in Northeast Miami-Dade last month.

The arrest was made public Friday.

Hewett had been on the job just six weeks when the incident occurred.

“At the time of the incident, I advised each member of the City Commission who expressed their concerns about this serious matter,” Hewett wrote in an e-mail Friday, declining to elaborate further.

Click here to read the complete article.

Kathy Griffin: 'Every day of my life is gay pride'

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com

The last time Kathy Griffin played South Florida, she stayed on Star Island with pal Gloria Estefan, who dared the bawdy comedienne to toss her bikini top.

“I love a dare, so I swear on my mother’s life that while I’m not afraid of the paparazzi – I really did do it as just a dare — so I took my top off. My real boobs are real. So I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of shame there. There’s not exactly bulbous like the Real Housewives. They’re actually real. It turns out that I didn’t realize that Star Island has paparazzi all the time. There’s a not-entirely-flattering picture of me topless, jumping off the dock at Gloria Estefan’s house,” says Griffin, who returns Saturday, June 2, to play Hard Rock Live near Hollywood. “Which I understand that Gloria has had to apologize to the Cuban-American community for ever since.”

Griffin, the foul-mouth comedy star who’ll say just about anything, hesitates on the topic of Mariela Castro, Fidel’s controversial niece who angered Cuban Americans this week by visiting gay activists in San Francisco and New York.

“We’re going to go there? I’m a f---ing comedian, are you f---ing kidding me? Do you want the tickets to burn in front of my hotel room? I’m not touching that one with a 10-foot pole and neither are you, Steve, how dare you? Here’s what I know: I love an empanada,” Griffin says. “If the gay Cubans are upset, I’m upset with them because I know my God-damn fan base, and it’s women, gay Cubans and their husbands who are dragged there.”

Ever topical, Griffin says she found the “upside” to this week’s story about a North Carolina pastor who told his congregation that gays and lesbians should be put in electrified pens until they die out.

“Everyone is covering it. That is actually a very good thing,” Griffin says. “Now, I’m not going to lie, there are times that I would want to put my 91-year-old alcoholic mother Maggie in an electric fence as well, but for a totally separate reason. And I would feel at least a little bit bad about it.”

Griffin, 51, is happy President Barack Obama supports gay marriage.

“What are you kidding me? What is this, 1982? I’m completely pro-gay marriage,” says Griffin, whose new Bravo network comedy airs 10 p.m.Thursdays. “I don’t know if you know my stand on heterosexual marriage, but I am completely against the legalization of heterosexual marriage. I think that heterosexual people who are currently married should go to prison. And I think that every single gay person who wants to get married should. And the government should pay for the wedding.”

June is Gay Pride Month, but Griffin says “Honey, every day of my life is Gay Pride.”

“I texted with Cher last night. What the f--- do you want? There’s a pride flag coming out of my a-- this minute!,” she says. “I’ve been to the White Party, the Black Party, I’ve been to the Bear Rendezvous, I have been to twink night, I have called gay bingo at Hamburger Mary’s. I have yelled 'O 6 9' more than any gay man I know.”

Griffin says she also has lots of lesbian fans:

“You’re darn right I do. I’ve played that Dinah Shore golf party more than I can tell you. And I don’t even know how to golf.”

Griffin and her friend Anderson Cooper usually co-host a CNN New Year's Eve special from Times Square in New York, with cutaways to drag queen Sushi in Key West.

"Sushi is an icon on CNN and should be well-known globally. I have done everything I can to make Sushi a global superstar, which is what she deserves to be," Griffin says.

Griffin says she worries about her own safety in the Conch Republic.

"When I go to Key West, I’m like f---ing Britney Spears," Griffin says. "Alright, I’m not going to lie. I love my gays and they love me and we find each other, but for me to go to Key West, you know I need heavy security, because I’ve got gays trying to pull out my hair extensions. Everybody wants, as Britney would say, a piece of me.

"I have been to Key West. It’s great. What I think is fascinating about Key West is there is a little bit of a Sharks and Jets, West Side Story turf war between the Jimmy Buffet heads -- they have a name -- the Parrot Heads. There’s a turf war between the gays and the Parrot Heads down there in Key West. I just want to stay out of that mess.

"I don’t dislike the Parrot Heads. I’m just saying I’m more likely to hang out with some gays sweating it out in Key West. Those are some sweaty gays and you know what that means: fewer clothing."

Griffin knows her concerts are not everyone's cup of tea and that's alright, too.

"Leave your Bible at home. Leave  your children at home. This is Mommy and Daddy night. Or Daddy and Daddy night. Or Mommy and Mommy night."

She's not bothered when audience members walk out in disgust.

"I live for that moment. I had someone walk out during a special taping, which none of my other comedian friends had ever seen," Griffin says. "I had a guy in the front row be so appalled by what I said, and I believe I was making fun of probably some deity or Scientology or something, and I saw him nudge his wife, stand up and leave in a huff. And then, as he was walking down the aisle, he turned -- and this was during a taping for one of my Bravo specials -- he turned around and yelled f--- you!"

On Friday, Griffin plays Clearwater, “the hub of Scientology.”

She may reach out to famous, embattled Scientologist John Travolta. “I might go down there myself and give him a handjob. Or at least try.”

IF YOU GO

Kathy Griffin appears 8 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Hard Rock Live near Hollywood. Tickets $60-$95 available through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000.

Jewelry maker LoveAndPride to donate $2,500 to gay candidates who support marriage equality

News release from LGBT jewelry maker loveandpride:

Forward-thinking, LGBT e-commerce destination, loveandpride (www.loveandpride.com) celebrated its seventh anniversary today by announcing it will donate $2,500 to openly gay political candidates supporting marriage equality and running for office this fall.  Candidates will be selected according to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund’s endorsements, and loveandpride’s donation will be made through Campaign Political Action Committees (CPACs) who support those candidates.

The completely redesigned website continues loveandpride’s expansion beyond lesbian and gay designer jewelry collections into full-fledged lifestyle brand featuring streetwear, beauty and home categories.  Motivated by its founding principles of equality, tolerance and diversity, the company still donates a percentage of net proceeds – in some cases up to 100% – to charitable organizations benefitting the LGBT community, including Marriage Equality USA, the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Human Rights Campaign (HRC).  In its seven-year history, loveandpride has donated over $380,000 to the above organizations, as well as Lambda Legal, The Mercury Phoenix Trust and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).

“Furthering civil rights and meaningful change is what we believed in then, and it’s what we believe in now, said loveandpride’s co-founder and lead designer, Udi Behr.  “Giving back to the community we love is vital to us – and so is championing the idea that philanthropy is cool, for whatever cause excites you.  It’s our dream to do both.”

With a majority of Americans backing same-sex marriage for the first time in 2011, loveandpride continues to add a chic mix of streetwear, beauty & grooming, and home design brands appealing to all open-minded people – independent of one’s sexuality.  The common denominator is showing support for equality, tolerance and diversity – by choosing an online store that donates proceeds to organizations that advance civil rights for all Americans.  New features and brands on the relaunched website include:

* Create-Your-Own-Ring – Choose your diamond and setting for the price you want, and loveandpride’s interactive ring-builder shows your customized options – for both engagement and commitment rings.

* Apparel – From Ernest Sewn’s American-made, Japanese-inspired jeans and 2(x)ist’s fashion-forward underwear to COMUNE’s raw skateboarding style and ALPHA Industries’ military inspired outerwear, loveandpride carries many brands of both men’s and women’s wear.

* Beauty, Home, Accessories, ‘Toys’ – From fragrances & cosmetics (Osea Malibu, mica gem) and home design (Peter Ibruegger Studio, Faceplant) to accessories (dizm eyewear, ZH Collection) and toys (Jimmyjane, BOOM movement), loveandpride lives up the ‘destination’ hype.

Udi’s exclusive jewelry collections – including the Erase Hate Collection supporting the Matthew Shepard Foundation, LOVE Made in Heaven honoring Queen’s Freddie Mercury, and the bestselling collections inspired by SHOWTIME’s groundbreaking TV series Queer as Folk and The L Word and HBO’s wildly popular True Blood – remain a fixture on the site.

Udi, who’s the “F” (‘friends & family’) in what he calls LGBTF, says he designs pieces that are both fashion and social statements, because, “As a jewelry designer, I know that not all diamonds are created equal.  As a husband and a father, I know that all love is.”

Video | Church member defends pastor who said to pen gays and lesbians behind electrified fence

CNN's Anderson Cooper speaks with Stacey Pritchard, a member of the Rev. Charles Worley's church, who defends his sermon about homosexuals -- that gays and lesbians should be penned behind an electrified fence and allowed to die out.

Gallery | Sizzle Miami 2012 for LGBT men and women of color opens at Hyatt Regency hotel

Sizzle Miami 2012, "for all men and women that love and adore people of color" has opened at the Hyatt Regency in Miami. Hundreds of attendees checked in Thursday during Memorial Day Weekend.

For more pictures of registration on Thursday, click here. All photos by STEVE ROTHAUS/ Miami Herald Staff.

From Sizzle's website:

Just What Is Sizzle Miami:
Sizzle Miami, conceived almost 11 years ago, has grown to become America’s most celebrated and anticipated urban gay event in an atmosphere unparallel to none.

Party-seekers from around the world convene in sunny Miami, Florida celebrating life, pride & liberty! Originally a one-day occurrence, Sizzle Miami has evolved into a 5-day smorgasbord of captivating day-time events, and pulsating nightlife.  Sizzle is also proud to be the largest and respected social gathering of the year.

When is Sizzle?
Sizzle Miami occurs during the Memorial Day. In the year 2012, Sizzle Miami will begin on Thursday 24th May and end the morning of Tuesday 29th May.

Who Can Participate At Sizzle?
Sizzle is open to all men and women that love and adore people of color. Although Sizzle participants are mostly comprised of African-Americans and Latinos, all races are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Is Sizzle A Pride Event?
No we are not a pride in the traditional sense. We are about throwing the hottest, sexiest day and night events in the Nation. We don’t offer workshops, however Health & Wellness seminars and outreach initiatives are offered by our community partners.

Is there A Membership or Registration Fee?
Currently Sizzle does not charge a membership or registration fee to attend the events. Sizzle  events are open to all.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Participate At Sizzle?
As long as you can give or take a… well nevermind. All of our events are twenty-one (21) to plus.

Click here for a full schedule of events, including Babylon VIII at Mekka in downtown Miami; a pool party noon Saturday at Finnegan's River; and a day Sunday at Haulover Beach.

Brazil Senate committee OKs gay civil unions

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRASILIA, Brazil -- A measure allowing same-sex civil unions passed its first legislative step in Brazil's Congress, where it has lingered for 16 years.

The human rights committee in Brazil's Senate approved a measure Thursday that would change law to say a civil union is between two people, without specifying gender. It doesn't approve gay marriage.

However, Brazil's judiciary has already cleared the way for gay marriage in the nation, setting national precedent.

Last year, the top court approved civil unions for same-sex couples. State courts have since allowed those unions to become full-fledged marriages.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Marta Suplicy, who says legislators need to put into the penal code what courts are already allowing.

The bill must pass other Senate committees before going to a full vote.