A bisexual Australian teacher has been found guilty of blackmail after taping himself and a closeted mate having sex. The teacher threatened to expose the man if he didn’t pay $3,000, which turned out to be the fine he now faces. [The Age]

After opposing gay civil union legislation and employment non-discrimination initiatives in the Washington Assembly, State Rep Richard Curtis suddenly finds himself battling allegations of homosex tendencies according to Spokane newspaper The Columbian:
I am not gay,” Curtis told Columbian Editor Lou Brancaccio. “I have not had sex with a guy.”
Curtis says he’s the victim of an attempt by an alleged male prostitute and would-be extortionist seeking to take advantage of his kindness and generosity after “trying to help somebody out.”

Fellow politico State Senator Joe Zarelli’s advice to Curtis? “Come say your piece and do your thing.”

It seems doing precisely that is what got Curtis in his present predicament in the first place.

“Curtis … Continued…

• Who would have thought that an iPod jacket actually could turn out to be somewhat fashionable? [Gizmodo]

• Liz Smith blackmailed Rock Hudson’s blackmailer. This is why you never mess with a dirt-filled gossip queen. [NY Post]

• The Arizona tourist board is targeting people who have plenty of spending money: us queers. [USA Today]

• Colorado will have voters decide on domestic partnerships by the end of this year. It ain’t marriage, but we’ll take it if we can get it. [Denver Post]

• Michael Jackson is interviewing for a job and it isn’t at a day care center. [Forbes]

• HBO keeps their queer programming coming. You … Continued…