MYSTERY: String of Gay Bashings in West Hollywood Unrelated!

A string of recent gay bashings in West Hollywood, reported in detail over at WeHo Confidential, are not related, says Mayor John Duran and police officials.

The blog and Duran are at odds over what is going on. Said Duran, yesterday: "This is what happens when people try to do investigations through social media. You know somebody, who knows somebody. Before you know it there are a rash of gay beatings going on, it's not true."

L.A. Weekly says it is looking into it.

REPENTED: Bristol Palin Heckler Now Sorry!

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt—or threatened with bodily harm. Stephen Hanks, the 47-year-old who said some nasty things to Bristol Palin regarding her momma (an exchange that was, of course, caught on film), has now apologized. Though he originally said he'd gladly do it again, Hanks has backtracked after threats were made against him, his family, and his dog, explains Hanks' lawyer. In a statement released to E! News, Hanks says, "I have come to the conclusion that no matter what my feelings are towards Sarah Palin, I should not have expressed them towards her daughter, Bristol Palin." 

He continues: "My political views are solely mine, and not those of my friends, colleagues, or the establishment for which I work. I apologize to them for my poor judgment that night, and to Bristol for any hurt my actions may have caused her. I wish Bristol success with her television show, and much happiness in the future." As for that TV show? In the statement, Hanks also notes that the exchange wasn't staged, and that he didn't even realize it was being filmed. (E! calls BS on that, considering a camera crew was with her the whole time she was in the bar.)

FOREVER: Melissa Etheridge gets well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Congratulations to Grammy and Oscar winner Melissa Etheridge who received her star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame this week – just a few weeks after another openly gay star, Neil Patrick Harris, received his, reports Greg in Hollywood.

“It’s going to be here forever. So like, after the Zombie Apocalypse, they’re going to come here and they’re going to dig up Hollywood and they’re going to see my name,” Melissa joked at the ceremony.

The star, whose hit singles include Come to My Window and I’m the Only One, felt that at 50 perhaps she was too young for such sidewalk immortality.

“It’s been an amazing journey and it continues to be an amazing journey,” she told the crowd. “I feel kind of young to have this happen but I’ll take it, it’s great.”

BRAWL: Bristol Palin Clashes with Gay Man at Saddle Ranch Bar !

While shooting her reality TV show, Bristol Palin got into it with a gay man who heckled her as she rode a mechanical bull at the Saddle Ranch bar in West Hollywood.

Hollywood TV writes: "Bristol Palin...was enjoying her time at West Hollywood's Saddle Ranch restaurant with her friends and the film crew of her new reality show. Bristol got on the mechanical bull and rode it. But, as Bristol fell off the mechanical bull a man from the bar started shouting things to Bristol such as 'Your mother is a whore,' 'Did you ride Levi like that,' and 'Your mother is a f***ing devil.' Well Bristol was not happy and having any of that especially in front of her film crew and the paparazzi. Bristol quickly walked over and confronted the man and both began shouting and arguing."

(OUTscene America) PRE-view: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka to be honored at L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Gala Nov. 12

When Neil Patrick Harris got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week, I thought how nice it was to have his longtime love David Burtka by his side.

That’s why I’m so glad to learn that Neil and David will be honored at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s 40^th Anniversary Gala & Auction on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles.

They are the perfect pair to join the Center in celebrating “40 Years of Family” at the gala.

Neil and David are steadfast supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations, including the Center and have given generously to help LifeWorks, the Center’s youth development and mentoring program, thrive.

(OUTscene America-PRE-view) Out stars Sam Harris and Levi Kreis among “Leading Men of Broadway” at Ford Ampitheatre on Friday!

This sounds like a one-night only concert not to be missed!

Friday night at 8:30 p.m. is New York’s Finest: The Leading Men of Broadway which will star (in alphabetical order) David Burnham (The Light in the Piazza), Brandon Victor Dixon (Tony nominee for The Color Purple), Sam Harris (Tony nominee for The Life and Star Search champion), Chad Kimball (Tony nominee for Memphis), Million Dollar Quartet Tony winner Levi Kreis, and American Idol alum Ace Young.

These multi-talented men will heat up the open-air stage by recreating the original performances that thrilled Broadway audiences in hits such as Wicked, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Memphis, the recent revival of West Side Story, The Lion King, the recent revival of Hair, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many others.

 

Harris is directing and promises “a powerful and seductive evening of extraordinary entertainment with a rare combination of New York’s hottest stars.”

A-LIST: Adam Lambert and Kathy Griffin appear at 2011 Los Angeles Equality Awards

The flashy singing star and the D-List comedienne were the big draws at this weekend’s Los Angeles Equality Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday night. [check out photos on Socialite's Life]

The awards recognize the achievements of the organization, its sponsors, members, staff and volunteers as well as members of the LGBT community. Other honorees included Daniel O’Donnell (Equality Leadership award) and Facebook (Equality Advocate Award).

I love how in his acceptance speech, Adam talked about missteps when he first became famous post-American Idol but now he recognizes the responsibility and the opportunity that comes along with being a high-profile openly gay star.

Adam later wrote via Twitter: “Thank you Equality California for such a lovely evening!! And @sam_sparro for a great intro.  

BOOTY CALL: Phillippe, Lovato Hook Up!

He's twice her age, but when has that ever mattered in Hollywood? Ryan Phillippe, 36, is apparently hooking up with troubled Disney starlet Demi Lovato, 18. The two have been secretly dating for months, a source tells E!, adding that "it was really hot and heavy" until Phillippe's daughter with an ex-girlfriend was born two weeks ago, which "kind of threw [Lovato] for a loop." Another insider tells Us the two "were just hooking up," not engaging in anything "serious." TMI alert: Phillippe's eldest, daughter Ava, is just seven years younger than Lovato.

GOING HOLLYWOOD: Will, Kate Glam It Up in LA!

AP) Hollywood royalty mingled with the real thing as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent a sun-splashed day on the polo fields of Santa Barbara County followed by a diamond-studded night amid movie glitterati at the midpoint of their tour of California. Prince William wowed the crowd with four goals at his charity polo match then he and the former Kate Middleton headed by helicopter to downtown Los Angeles for a black-tie film industry event that drew Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand, Jack Black, and Jennifer Lopez, among many others.

LA Pride Parade recap: Johnny Weir a proud grand marshal; Margaret Cho proud of LGBT community

The Following was Posted by Greg Hernandez on his Site, Greg in Hollywood. 

 

Attorney Gloria Allred, a parade regular who this year rode the route flanked by a posse of “Glorias,” first appeared before the press with her client, California corrections officer Andrew Johnson.

 

Johnson had complained very publicly that his department would not allow him to attend LA Pride in uniform. But once Allred got on the case, much publicity ensued. The department ended up reversing its decision and allowed Johnson to wear his uniform.

 

The furor over comedian Tracy Morgan’s recent homophobic rant during a stand-up act was on the minds of some of those involved in the parade – especially his remark that he would stab his son to death if he were to find out he was gay.

 

Rodney Scott, President of Christopher Street West, the organization that organizes LA Pride, grew emotional when he talked about it. He stood next to a 16-year-old gay male and said tearfully: “Can you imagine him coming home, telling his parents that he is gay, and his father stabbing him?”

He added: “Tracy, you owe this entire community an apology. To make a statement that you would stab your own child. It’s not acceptable.”

(LA Gay Pride) Johnny Weir on being grand marshall!

Weir with Liberman at HRC Dinner in Seattle, 2010

Johnny Weir was grand marshal of today’s L.A. Gay Pride Parade in West Hollywood.
 

The openly gay three-time U.S. figure skating champion talked to OnTheRedCarpet.com about the honor.

“This is actually my first gay pride parade ever,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect, I would assume lots of glitter and lots of six packs – it is Los Angeles.”

“I never dreamt of being the grand marshal of a gay pride parade, simply because it took me a long time to find my pride,” he added. “I always was focused more on my sport and making something of myself other than being gay and being born that way. That was just something I was born with, the same with me being white, so I always wanted to do extra, do more.”

“In the last couple years, with so many people having trouble and me being in the spotlight more than ever in my life, I realized that I am proud!” Johnny said. “I am so happy to be me and I’m so happy for all the things that I was born with. And I need to show that to the world, that it’s okay to be different, it’s cool to be this amazing addition to society… And for our brothers and sisters who can’t celebrate pride around the world, like one of my favorites, Russia. Their pride parade in Moscow got shut down and that egged me on even more to be here and be supportive of my community.”

Because He’s Hot! Adrian Grenier Spotted in WeHo!

GRANTED: Gay Corrections Officer Gets Permission to March in Pride Parade!

Following yesterday's press conference led by attorney Gloria Allred, a gay corrections officer from Chino, California whose department said that marching in West Hollywood's Gay Pride parade in uniform would "discredit" the agency, will now be allowed to march after an abrupt change of tune by the department, TMZ reports: The Department now says, "CDCR acknowledges that [its policy] is outdated and requires careful revision. Therefore, Correctional Officer Andrew Johnson will be allowed to wear the CDCR uniform in the upcoming Gay Pride Parade..." 

Allred had filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation.

BANNED: Dept. Won't Let Gay Cop March in Pride Parade!

A gay police officer has enlisted Gloria Allred's legal help—so you know we're about to report on a buzzy lawsuit. The unnamed cop is filing a discrimination complaint against his department, which he says denied his written request that he be allowed to march in uniform during Sunday's West Hollywood Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade. And in its response, the department apparently wrote that such a move would bring "discredit" to his employer. A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon, reports KTLA; the department's name has not yet been announced.

CAUGHT: Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux Make Their Relationship Public!

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are making their whirlwind romance public, as they were spotted dining at a favorite hotspot of Jen’s — The Tower Bar at SunsetTowers in WeHo!


The couple enjoyed a nearly three-hour meal on June 2, and were photographed leaving together, X17 Online reports.

“They weren’t even hiding anymore,” the photographer said. “She knew we’d spot her together with Justin but she still left with him in the same car. Coming from her, that’s as good as a press release announcing she has a new boyfriend!”

CAUGHT: Drunken Christina Aguilera carried out of nightclub!

Christina Aguilera seems to really be working on her rep as the new Hollywood trashbag on the block: she was spotted falling out of The Beverly Nightclub in West Hollywood Friday night.


Lucky for Xtina her rebound BF Matthew Rutler was on hand to help her out of the club.

Christina seems to be quite the fan of the bottle since her break-up with ex-husband Jordan Bratman. On the 1st of March she was arrested for being “severely intoxicated” whilst her BF was arrested for DUI and her friends are reportedly worried about her drinking.

"She's nearly fall-down wasted every night," a source told Us Magazine.

We're HERE: America believes 1 in 4 citizens are gay!

Friday’s news from Gallup is a stunner, indeed, for apparently they find that US adults, on average, estimate that 25 percent of Americans are gay or lesbian.


To get to that figure, it took over half of Americans (52 percent) estimating that at least one in five Americans are gay or lesbian, including 35 percent who estimate that more than one in four are.

Thirty percent put the figure at less than 15 percent.

Only 4 percent of respondents chose a figure in line with scientific data, released earlier this year by UCLA’s Williams Institute.

In West Hollywood a solid 38 percent of people identify as gay, lesbian, transgender or bi-sexual.

Johnny Weir named L.A. gay pride grand marshal

Johnny Werr and Martin Liberman at HRC NW Dinner
Sept 2010.

"Pop Star on Ice" and "Skating With the Stars" judge Johnny Weir has been named grand marshal of the 2011 L.A. Gay Pride Parade, Reuters reports.


The openly gay three-time U.S. figure skating champion and star of "Be Good Johnny Weir" has been an advocate for gay rights and will oversee the June 12 parade as it travels along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.

"Johnny lives a life with a defined purpose, is dedicated to helping young people and is not afraid to be himself, sometimes not always an easy thing for a world-class athlete," said Christopher Street West board president Rodney Scott.

Said Weir: "I'm not ashamed to be me. More than anyone else I know, I love my life and accept myself. What's wrong with being unique? I am proud of everything that I am and will become," the two-time Olympian said.

The 41st annual Los Angeles Pride Parade draws more than 400,000 people to West Hollywood for a weekend of events celebrating gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender visibility. It is organized by Christopher Street West, the group that produced the first LGBT Pride Parade.

Previous grand marshals have included Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Chelsea Handler, Cyndi Lauper and Kathy Griffin.

CAUGHT: Ryan Phillippe Dines Alone in WeHo TWICE!

Within 48 hours Ryan Phillippe was SPOTTED in WeHo dining alone, most recently at BOA. Earlier it was at In and OUT burger. Where was his Girlfriend, Amanda Seyfried? I am surprised that any gay man in the vicinity would not want to join him! Via socialitelife.com

GOSSIP: Alexander Skarsgard SPOTTED in WeHo!

Alexander Skarsgard wears his usual Nike workout gear while heading to Equinox to work on his fitness on Thursday (May 19) in WeHo according to Just Jared.


The 34-year-old True Blood actor got in a workout the day before at Runyon Canyon where he was spotted on a solo run.

Alex recently opened up to GQ about filming love scenes on his hit TV series.

“It’s really clear to Steve [Moyer] and to everybody else what the deal is—which is that Anna [Paquin] is like a sister to me,” Alex said. “Those love scenes take quite a bit of acting, actually. A lot of acting.”