(POP NEWS) Brutal; Skinned; Don't Call; PDA; Magic; Oz'd; Come Out; Prowl; Too Much; Down Low; Queer; Chiseled!

• BRUTAL: Shocking Incident of Police Brutality Caught on Camera at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras!

• SKINNED: NYC's 'Rawhide' Gay Bar to Close!

• DON'T CALL ME: Carly Rae Jepsen Backs Out of Boy Scouts Jamboree Over Gay Ban!

• PDA: Gay Couple Kicked Out of California Mall for Kissing!

• MAGIC: Tokyo Disneyland Hosts Lesbian Wedding!

• OZ'D: Slain Gay Mississippi Mayoral Candidate Marco McMillian's Body Had Been Beaten, Burned; Suspect in Custody!

DOWN LOW: Murray TOPS Nadal in Japan!

Rafael Nadal lost to Andy Murray in the finals of the Japan Open Sunday 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, Greg in Hollywood reports.


“Rafa is one of the greatest players ever,” Murray said. “It is always a pleasure to play against him.”

Murray, ranked number four behind Novak Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer, won his fourth title of 2011 and 20th overall.

V-DAY: Japan Soccer Champs: Take That, Tsunami!

Japan's World Cup soccer victory over the US women's team yesterday devastated the Yanks, but also gave a major kick in the pants to the bad fortunes haunting a nation struggling in the wake of a devastating tsunami. It was the first-ever World Cup win for the gutsy women, who endured to outshine the US team in a penalty shootout 3-1. "This was a devastating loss for us," says US midfielder Heather O'Reilly. "We were all stunned when that second goal went in, thinking we were five minutes from a championship." The US dominated play throughout much of the game, and was up 1-0, then 2-1 until a tie pushed the contest into overtime, then, finally the shootout. Nimble, quicksilver Japanese goalie Ayumi Kaihori nabbed two of the American penalty kicks, and Carli Lloyd sent her ball sailing over the crossbars, giving the Japanese their victory margin. Though heartsick, the Americans were generous in defeat, notes the Wall Street Journal. 

"Japan was playing with a very large 12th man—it's called desire and hope," says US striker Abby Wambach. "I feel devastated. Japan, give them all the credit. They never gave up." Adds goalkeeper Hope Solo: "We lost to a great team. I truly believe that something bigger was pulling for this team."

Lady Gaga Goes Panda in Japan:

Lady Gaga has decided she's a panda in Japan, appearing on the Japanese talk show Sukkiri on Tuesday: Gaga appeared wearing a black-and-white dress, with her hair done up in two buns and her eye makeup painted in two panda-like circles. "I really like pandas," she told the hosts of her look, adding, "pandas have paws, and I always tell my fans to put their paws up. I've been eating a lot of bamboo this week," she joked. (Shortly after the appearance, the singer even began referring to herself as Gagapanda on Twitter.)

Gaga also responded to charges she was profiting from inflated shipping fees on the Japanese tsunami relief bracelets she designed:"This misguided lawsuit is without merit and unfortunately takes attention away from the kind deeds of the fans around the world who are supporting  the people of Japan," said rep Holly Shakoor. "The entire $5 donation made with the purchase of each bracelet is going to support the disaster relief.  No profit is being made on shipping costs. Sales tax charges were made in accordance with local legal requirements. Lady Gaga has personally pledged  her own funds to this cause and continues to support the victims of the disaster." 

TEA TIME: Gay candidate wins seat in Tokyo Assembly!

In a historical motion, openly gay candidate Taiga Ishikawa has won a seat in Japanese politics – he will sit in the Toshima Ward Assembly as the country’s first openly gay elected official.


Ishikawa has been a long-time advocate of the LGBT community, publishing books on the topic including “Where is My Boyfriend?” in 2002 under his real name – an unprecedented and bold move that won applauds across the globe.

“I hope this news will give a hope to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who still feel isolated from the society,” said Ishikawa, according to The Japan Times. “I will do my best to make Toshima Ward more friendly to LGBT people, young people and foreigners.”