First Openly Gay Electors Cast Votes for Obama in Florida

Today, electors around the country cast their votes to officially elect Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States:

"In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the 538 electors performed a constitutional process to legally elect Democrat Barack Obama the 44th president. More than 131 million voters cast ballots _ the most ever in a presidential election. But Obama's election is not complete until Congress tallies the outcome of Monday's Electoral College vote at a joint session scheduled for Jan. 6. Monday's voting was largely ceremonial, the results preordained by Obama's Nov. 4 victory over Republican Sen. John McCain. Obama was to win 365 electoral votes, to 173 for McCain. With only Hawaii still to vote, all the electors had cast ballots in accordance with the popular votes in their states."

In Florida, Chip Arndt and Gena Keebler (above) were among 27 electors in that state to cast their votes at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. However, Arndt and Keebler are the first openly LGBT electors in the state's history. In August, the Tampa Bay Tribune reported that the state's electors were "the most ethnically and geographically diverse group Florida Democrats have ever had."

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Brody Jenner at Ease with Awkward, Homoerotic Situations

E!'s Marc Malkin reports on Brody Jenner's upcoming Bromance reality show, in which nine men compete to be the newest member of his inner circle:

"Jenner purposely put his wannabe buddies into some compromising and rather uncomfortable situations because he thinks it forced them to show their true characters. For instance, the elimination takes place as they sit knee to knee in a hot tub. 'It's kind of homoerotic and I love people saying that,' Jenner says in all seriousness, adding, 'I'm cool with my sexuality and the gender that I like and I have a beautiful girlfriend. That's why I feel so comfortable with having these awkward guy moments.'"

Watch the trailer, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
Nothing Comes Between Brody Jenner and His Brody Jenners [tr]

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Elton John Loses Libel Case Against Satirist

Media lawyers and journalists were pleased, according to the Guardian, by the outcome of a defamation lawsuit filed against a writer by Sir Elton John. The writer, who Elton said acted maliciously, wrote the piece from the point of view of the singer, and "poked fun" according to the paper's editor, at his charity work:

"John brought the action following the publication in Guardian Weekend magazine, in July this year, of a spoof diary written by Marina Hyde. 'A peek at the diary of Sir Elton John' recorded his fictional thoughts about his annual White Tie and Tiara ball, which raises millions of pounds for the Elton John Aids Foundation. 'Naturally, everyone could afford just to hand over the money if they gave that much of a toss about AIDS research - as could the sponsors,' Hyde wrote, in the persona of the singer. 'But we like to give guests a preposterously lavish evening because they're the kind of people who wouldn't turn up for anything less.' Photos of the ball had been published by arrangement in OK! magazine under the heading: 'The stars dazzle in Chopard as they join Sir Elton John and David Furnish for their annual extravaganza.' The singer, represented by solicitors Carter Ruck and, in court, by William McCormick, claimed that the article suggested that John's commitment to the charity is so insincere that he hosts the ball knowing that only a small proportion of the money raised will go to the charity, and that he uses the event 'as an occasion for meeting celebrities and/or self-promotion'."

A victory for irony as Elton John loses Guardian libel case [guardian]

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Elton John Says Gays Should Want Separate But Equal [tr]

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News: Caroline Kennedy, Iowa, Sean Avery, Phoenix, Scott Caan

Same-sex marriage battle brews in Maine.

Sioux City, Iowa considers resolution declaring opposition to same-sex marriage: "The motion, a mostly symbolic gesture, is on the council's agenda for Monday. Councilman Brent Hoffman, who supports the resolution, says it's important because it clarifies the council's position and directs city departments, boards and commissions to stay in line with that position. The resolution also asks for a statewide vote on whether gay marriage should be allowed."

Dallas Stars axe hockey star/Vogue intern Sean Avery for sexist trash-talking.

Madonna takes spill on rainy stage in Rio.

Phoenix city council to consider Domestic Partner Registry on Wednesday: "Just a month after Arizona voters passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage, the state's largest city is poised to create a program that would grant hospital-visitation rights to unmarried gay or straight couples who live together."

Wolverine in HD.

Grassroots lobbying effort for gay cabinet member launched by Boston group: "Equal Rep is urging supporters to call or e-mail Obama's transition office Dec. 17-19 on behalf of labor activist Mary Beth Maxwell, founder of American Rights at Work, who is reported to be under consideration for labor secretary."

Federal judge denies dismissal of Gay Pride lawsuit against Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford: "The group, which sponsored the 20th Gay Pride Parade in Birmingham last summer, filed suit against Langford, saying he discriminated against them when he refused to allow city workers to hang Gay Pride Week banners on city property when other organizations, including sports events, cultural festivals and religious meetings, had banners displayed by city workers."

NYT: The Year in Ideas 2008.

Just who is the hottest Brazilian of 2008?

Greenwich, Connecticut the state's "epicenter" for same-sex weddings.

New York to allow both names of same-sex couples to appear on child's birth certificate: "The decision, which echoes similar provisions in states that allow gay marriages or civil unions, is one of many changes since Gov. David Paterson ordered state agencies in May to respect out-of-state gay marriages. The state Health Department said Friday it had agreed to the change, which came after a lesbian couple who are expecting a baby filed a lawsuit. The change would apply statewide outside New York City, which is considering revamping its own birth certificate forms to accommodate same-sex couples."

Burglar claims he was held captive by a ghost for three days after he broke into a home.

Gay 'Town Hall' held in Salt Lake City: "The forum was a rare opportunity for virtually every gay rights group, from Equality Utah and the Log Cabin Republicans to the Queer People of Color Network, to collaborate and solicit new ideas. The top priority: Equality Utah's Common Ground initiative, a collection of six bills aimed at the 2009 legislative session that would enhance legal protections offered to LGBT Utahns."

Actor Scott Caan shows off the goods (NSFW)

Caroline Kennedy to pursue Hillary Clinton's Senate seat: "The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, whom friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Ms. Kennedy will ask Gov. David A. Paterson of New York to consider her for the appointment, according to the person told of her decision. The governor was traveling to Utica today and could not immediately be reached for comment."

A new Survivor has been crowned.

Johnny Marr quashes latest Smiths reunion rumors: "The stories circulating about a Smiths reunion are, as usual, untrue."

South African man thrown off train by police officers who find him carrying a woman's handbag: "They asked me why (I was carrying it) and then said I was a woman without breasts. They also said I was a woman who shaves. They continued verbally abusing me, asking if they could 'buy' my services...When we reached Ellis Park station, the train stopped to pick up passengers. As it was pulling off, they opened the doors and pushed me out. I rolled three times, injuring my back."

Tom Cruise admits he was arrogant with Matt Lauer.

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Versace Plans Hotel with Refrigerated Beach in Dubai

Dubai appears to be quickly outpacing the West in its display of conspicuous consumption as the Versace fashion house announces plans for a refrigerated beach:

"The beach will have a network of pipes beneath the sand containing a coolant that will absorb heat from the surface. The swimming pool will be refrigerated and there are also proposals to install giant blowers to waft a gentle breeze over the beach. The scheme is likely to infuriate environmentalists...However, Soheil Abedian, founder and president of Palazzo Versace, said he believed it is possible to design a refrigerated beach and make it sustainable. 'We will suck the heat out of the sand to keep it cool enough to lie on,' he said. 'This is the kind of luxury that top people want.' Hyder Consulting, a British construction consultancy, is overseeing the engineering on the project. The hotel will be marketed strongly in the UK where Dubai is a popular tourist destination, attracting about 800,000 Britons a year."

No thanks.

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Gay Penguins 'Best Parents in the Zoo' According to Keepers

A pair of gay penguins in China who were segregated from others after repeated attempts to steal eggs so they could raise a child of their own were apparently given some eggs to look after by zookeepers after animal rights groups complained, the Daily Mail reports:

"In response, zookeepers gave the pair two eggs laid by an inexperienced first-time mother. 'We decided to give them two eggs from another couple whose hatching ability had been poor and they've turned out to be the best parents in the whole zoo,' said one of the keepers. 'It's very encouraging and if this works out well we will try to arrange for them to become real parents themselves with artificial insemination.' Wildlife experts at the park explain that despite being gay the three-year-old male birds are still driven by an urge to be fathers. 'One of the responsibilities of being a male adult is looking after the eggs. Despite the fact that they can't have eggs naturally, it does not take away their biological drive to be a parent,' said one."

The photo is apparently the fenced-in gay penguin pair having an argument with a neighbor.

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