REPENTED: Has George Michael Seen the Light?

An out-of-breath, emotional and physically fragile George Michael gave a brief press conference outside his London home today to speak about the pneumonia that almost killed him and explain to fans and the press why he tried to keep it quiet.

Said Michael: "It was by far the worst month of my life, but I am incredibly, incredibly fortunate to be here – and to have picked up the bug where I did...I got streptococca-something … It's a form of pneumonia and they spent three weeks keeping me alive basically."

Michael thanked all the fans who sent him support and the medical staff that kept him alive.

OFFENSIVE: English Soccer Star Faces Criminal Charge of Racism!

The captain of England's soccer team faces a criminal charge of hurling racial insults at an opponent during a game, the BBC reports. John Terry allegedly let loose on black player Anton Ferdinand during a match in October. Prosecutors studied the footage and said it amounted to a "racially aggravated public order defense," notes AP.

Terry is using the old my-remarks-were-taken-out-of-context defense and vows to clear his name. "I have never aimed a racist remark at anyone and count people from all races and creeds among my closest friends," he says. "I will fight tooth and nail to prove my innocence." The charges are part of a larger crackdown on racism in soccer, and a Liverpool player might find himself in a similar predicament. Bleacher Report has more on that here.

New Hotel Trend: Women-Only Rooms!

In the new trend among high-end hotels, men need not apply. The ritzy Dukes in London is the latest to experiment with women-only rooms, notes Katy Holland at Aol. The idea is to cater to single females or women traveling in groups, and the no-boys-allowed rule applies even to the hotel staff that caters to the rooms. The Naumi in Singapore and Premier in New York City have similar offers, though a Denmark government agency recently ordered the Bella Sky in Copenhagen to stop offering women-only floors.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Britain's Manliest Man' Sacha Harding's 'Gay Times' Cover Shoot!

Rugby pro Sacha Harding, who was voted 'Britain's Manliest Man'. answers some silly questions for Gay Times at his cover shoot for their latest issue.

STEAMY: British Sailors Lip-Dub Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You'!

The ship's company on the HMS Ocean made this video after learning they would be home for Christmas. They arrive back on December 9 after  7½ months away - 225 days with 176 at sea, according to their YouTube page.

They were diverted to Libya after planning for a seven-week deployment. There are lots more details on the video page, but it's apparent they need to blow off some steam.

Mariah Carey tweeted to them last night: "This is the best thing I've ever seen, you guys just made my day! Happy Happy Christmas!!! x0x0 to the troops."

SPOTTED: Gay Men Prowl London Sex Shop for Ben Cohen!

Anti-bullying advocate and rugby player Ben Cohen was on hand to sign his 2012 beefcake calendar at the London sex shop Prowler this week and more than a few folks turned up to show their support.

you can get them here.

SCORE: Meryl Streep Channels Margaret Thatcher in 'The Iron Lady'!

Meryl Streep takes on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

DENIAL: Rugby Player Claims He Turned Gay and Became Hairdresser After Suffering Stroke!

Chris Birch, a Welsh former rugby player, says that after breaking his neck during practice while doing a backflip, and then suffering a stroke, he woke up gay and decided to become a hairdresser.

It's a rather bizarre story from the UK's Daily Mail: Before the accident Chris was planning on settling down with his girlfriend, although they were having a break from each other at the time of his accident. He worked in a bank and spent his weekends watching sport and drinking beer with his rugby friends. But after the stroke he found he was no longer interested in sport and had little in common with his old friends. He quit his job to become a hairdresser and started dating a man he met at a club night.

Birch says his neurologist told him the stroke may have opened a new area of his brain.

Said Birch: "It sounds strange but when I came round I immediately felt different. I wasn't interested in women any more. I was definitely gay. I had never been attracted to a man before - I'd never even had any gay friends. But I didn't care about who I was before, I had to be true to my feelings...Suddenly, I hated everything about my old life. I didn't get on with my friends, I hated sport and found my job boring. I started to take more pride in my appearance, bleached my hair and started working out. I went from a 19st skinhead to a 11st preened man. People I used to know barely recognized me and with my new look I became even more confident.'

INSULTING: Bullied UK Students Advised to 'Act Less Gay'!

In one school district in the UK, students being bullied over homosexuality have been advised to "act less gay" and change their appearance: In a damning report by Essex County Council, pupils revealed they had been accused of making themselves a target for bullies by choosing to behave or look differently. As wel l as criticising their supposed sexuality, teachers reportedly told youngsters to “wear their hair differently” if they wanted to avoid trouble.

The comments have been met with outrage by anti-bullying campaigners and gay and lesbian support groups across the county.

MEATBALL: UK Denies Assange's Extradition Appeal!

Julian Assange is likely headed to Sweden after a British court today rejected his claim that extraditing him to face sex assault charges there would be "unfair and unlawful." Charges of rape and sexual coercion, stemming from alleged incidents last August, await the WikiLeaks founder in Sweden. "There can be no doubt that if what Mr. Assange had done had been done in England and Wales, he would have been charged," read the ruling, rejecting Assange's claim that his actions would not have been considered criminal in the UK.

Supporters crowded outside the London courthouse, notes the Telegraph, carrying signs that echoed Assange's own claim that the charges were politically motivated. Assange's remaining hope of avoiding extradition is an appeal to the country's highest court, notes the AP, an avenue a legal expert says Assange can take only if today's ruling involves an issue of "real legal significance." Barring that, Assange will likely be extradited within 10 days.

OUT: Irish Comic Oliver Callan Comes Out on Live TV!

Oliver Callan, an Irish radio-turned TV satirist best known for the radio show Nob Nation, appeared on Ireland's The Staruday Night Show to respond to a newspaper columnist who accused sketches he did of David Norris and GAA star Paul Galvin as being homophobic, but Callan the whole interview on its head by coming out.

Callan received a huge round of applause from the audience.

RESPECTED: LGBT Rights Pioneer Axel Axgil Dies !

The gay rights pioneer who became known as "Axel Axgil" came out of the closet in Denmark, 1948. The next day he lost his job. This weekend, he died of "complications from a fall." He was 96 years old.

According to The Washington Post: Axgil, born Axel Lundahl-Madsen, was among the founding members of the organization — one of the oldest gay rights groups in Europe — in 1948.

On Oct. 1, 1989, he and his partner Eigil were among 11 couples to exchange vows as Denmark became the first country to allow gays to enter civil unions, with nearly the same rights as heterosexual couples. Eigil Axgil died in 1995.

In the 1950s, both were sentenced on pornography charges to short prison terms for running a gay modeling agency that issued pictures of naked men. The men melded their first names into a new surname, Axgil, and used it in a public show of defiance.

OUT: Welsh Rugby Player Jed Hooper Comes Out of the Closet!

Jed Hooper, a Welsh pro rugby player, has come out of the closet: The 22-year-old back row forward came out to family and friends earlier this year. And Hooper has now spoken exclusively to the Evening Post in the hope that his story can help other young rugby players come to terms with their sexuality.

Said Hooper: "I met someone earlier this year who said he could not be with someone who was in the closet. That, basically, was the catalyst that I needed. Before that, I think I had already told about ten friends and their reaction was very positive so that gave me an inkling of what might happen. And I also thought if the crap really hits the fan then at least there are ten people on my side!...I was never going to do it bit by bit, that would have been too drawn out, so I decided to text everyone and also put it on Facebook. I was horribly nervous. I wrote and rewrote the text four or five times, and I had my finger on the 'send' button for ages before I finally pushed it. The text basically said something along the lines that 'I've been hiding it and fighting it for too long, and I can't hide any more. If you can accept me this way then great ... and if you can't then I don't need you and you can get lost!' I then cried my eyes out as I was thinking to myself 'what have you done?, but very quickly I must have had 40 replies and all of them were positive."

BUSTED: Teen Arrested in Connection with Murder of Gay Scottish Barman Stuart Walker!

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of gay Scottish barman Stuart Walker. Walker's body was found beaten and burned in a rural area outside Cumnock in Ayrshire in Scotland early on Saturday after spending a night out with friends.

STV reports: Strathclyde Police confirmed the man was taken into custody on Thursday evening, less than a week after Mr Walker's body was discovered at an industrial estate in Cumnock, Ayrshire.

A police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that an 18-year-old man is currently detained in connection with this inquiry."

No further details have been offered.

Divisional Commander John Thomson of the Strathclyde Police said earlier this week that the victim’s lifestyle was the "main focus" of his inquiries: "I don’t think it was a random attack by someone who will strike again. I suspect Stuart may have known this individual or met this individual shortly before his death."

DRAINED: Gareth Thomas Retires from Rugby!

Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby icon who stunned the sporting world when he came out of the closet in December 2009, is retiring from rugby, he announced Monday..
Said Emanuele Palladino a spokesman for Thomas’ management company Distinct:

“We can confirm that Gareth Thomas is officially retiring from both international and club rugby with immediate effect. This marks the end of what has been a remarkable career for a remarkable person. Gareth hopes that through his achievements both on and off the field he has left a lasting legacy within the game.”

Thomas released a statement as well, saying he wasn't sure of his next step, and thanking those around him:

“I have listened and discussed this decision with many of my family and close friends. My mind has told me that the time to retire is now. If you can't give 100 percent to rugby then you can't do it justice. This is a sad day, but I know that my time has come to an end as a player. My passion for the amazing game will never end or leave me however.”

VIOLATION: Slain Gay Scottish Barman Most Likely Knew Killer, May Have Been Sexually Assaulted!

A few more details have emerged in the death of gay Scottish barman Stuart Walker over the weekend. Walker's body was found beaten and burned in a rural area outside Cumnock in Ayrshire in Scotland early on Saturday.

Pink Paper reports: Strathclyde Police previously said they were investigating the possibility that he was attacked because of his sexuality, but now, Divisional Commander John Thomson says the victim’s lifestyle is the "main focus" of his inquiries. As Walker’s body was found partially undressed, Thomson said a sexual element to the crime had not been ruled out.

The details were announced at a press conference in Kilmarnock police office, last night.

It was revealed that Walker – a former assistant manager at the Royal Hotel in Cumnock – had almost certainly known those who killed him. Thomson said: "I don’t think it was a random attack by someone who will strike again. I suspect Stuart may have known this individual or met this individual shortly before his death."

Initial reports that he was found tied to a lamppost were incorrect, police said. They still do not have a motive for the murder.

VICIOUS: Gay Man Found Brutally Murdered in Scotland!

A gay man's body was found beaten and burned and tied to a lamppost on the outskirts of his hometown Cumnock in Ayrshire in Scotland early On Saturday. Stuart Walker, who had recently started work at a bar days before his murder, was supposed to have attended his grandmother 80th birthday party but never showed up.

Police are investigating whether Walker's being gay played a part in the crimes against him (as many are speculating), but, as of yet, have no solid evidence.

The Daily Record reports: Stuart's friends last saw him alive near the fire station in Glaisnock Street at about 2.30am. His scorched and beaten body was found tied to a lamppost just before 5am on the Caponacre industrial estate on the outskirts of town.

Detective Inspector John Hogg, of Ayr CID, said yesterday: "It is imperative that we find out where he was between 2.30am and 4.50am, who he was with and why this happened to him.

"We understand that there may have been a number of house parties in the nearby Netherthird housing estate in the early hours of the morning - between 2am and 3am.

"At this time we do not know if these parties are linked to our investigation or not, so again, any information on that is important. Officers are checking CCTV and carrying out door-to-door inquiries in the area and we would encourage anyone with information to approach them or to call."

Yesterday, flowers were laid near the murder scene. One left by his gran read: "Miss + Love you always our dear grandson. Sleep tight, Gran and Papa."

CHARM: Paul McCartney Marries a 3rd Time!

For Paul McCartney, hopefully the third time is at least more charming than the last: The former Beatle wed his girlfriend of four years, American heiress Nancy Shevell, today at the Westminster Registry Office in London, reports the BBC. Unlike his disastrous marriage to Heather Mills, all signs bode well: The Registry Office is the same place where he married Linda McCartney in 1969, and daughter Stella McCartney—who rather famously hated Mills—designed the bride's dress.

APPROVED: UK Passports Update 'Mother' and 'Father' Language to Accommodate Gay Parents!

Language on UK passports is being updated to accommodate same-sex couples, the BBC reports: New forms including "parent one" and "parent two" alongside "mother" and "father" are expected to be brought in by the end of the year.

The Home Office says the additional terms will ensure passports are issued securely and safely to the right person. Gay rights groups say the current form is "discriminatory" but family values campaigners say the changes denigrate the roles of mothers and fathers.

The proposals also include sex-free passports to allow transgender people to opt out of identifying themselves as either male or female.

BUST: Assange Memoir Sells Just 644 Copies!

A war of words between Julian Assange and publisher Canongate generated plenty of free publicity for Julian Assange: The Unauthorized Autobiography but that hasn't translated into sales. The book—which the WikiLeaks founder worked on with a ghostwriter before withdrawing from the project earlier this year—sold only 644 copies in the three days after its release in Britain, the Guardian reports. 

Canongate's publishing director says he expects sales of Assange's life story to pick up. "We're proud of the way we handled what has been a difficult and unusual launch, and we are extremely proud of the book," he says. "Fortunately, the conversation now seems to be moving away from the 'publishing story' and focusing on the quality of the book itself." Canongate says it plans to pay Assange royalties—as soon as the memoir sells enough to cover the $500,000 advance he received.