Remember Rick Astley? No, we didn't either until Mollygood's Cord Jefferson started singing "Never Gonna Give You Up". Then we remembered the red-headed British soul singer. He's kind of like a British, 80's version of Clay Aiken. Only better. Obviously.

Above you'll find the video for 1987's "Whenever You Need Somebody". After the jump you can feel guilty enjoying "Never Gonna Give You Up", also from 1987. Sadly, Astley hasn't released a single since.

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Sanjaya Malakar may be one of the most puzzling cultural icons in recent memory. Why did so many people vote for someone everyone agreed blew? Where does a 17-year old kid get the gumption to sport a pony-hawk? What does his contradictory success mean for the "merit" of American Idol? (And, yes, the show does have merit, evidenced most readily by Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson.) In Gayville, our terrain, many have speculated about whether the young "singer" qualifies as queer. Such Idol speculation's nothing new - just look at Clay Aiken and lawsuit plagued Mario Vazquez.

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Towleroad writes that young Clay Aiken just got off a five-day UNICEF mission to war torn Afghanistan. Of the trip, Aiken says:

As a former teacher I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn. Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing.

Nicely done, Mr. Aiken. We can't even front like we're not proud of your work. We can, however, scratch our heads at your get up. Yeah, you're trying to blend in and all, but you look like a douche.

Any one word for this picture, readers?

The faggot furor over Out's controversial cover continues. Genre editor Chris Ciompi laid the smack down against the monthly fag-rag and competing editor Aaron Hicklin, telling married gossip mongers Rush and Malloy:

Your right to privacy is a constitutional right. Maybe Jodie and Anderson would prefer to be known for their work, not their sexuality. The climate of the United States today still would not allow that to occur. With Anderson, many people would perceive his credibility to be undermined.

I think [Out editor] Aaron Hicklin wants to use [Cooper and Foster] to sell magazines. It's politically reprehensible, when he has a list of 50 gay people, to choose two people who are not out.

Sounds like someone's a bit jealous, if you ask us. Sure, both Genre and Out have their draws, but we have to say Out's a bit more... Oh, we won't say it. We're sure you thinking men already know where we're going with that one.

Meanwhile, those curmudgeons over at GLAAD piped in, insisting they do not condone outing people, but Neil Giuliano made sure to add that Cooper and Foster's names have not been smeared, because that would imply that being gay's "a bad thing". And we all know GLAAD loves to support the gays.

For his part, Hicklin defends his placement of Cooper on the cover, telling R&M:

...If you live in New York City, and if you're gay, it's not too long before you spot Anderson Cooper at certain bars or concerts.

In the case of Anderson, we felt that was a bogus argument because he's talked about his life numerous times, he's been the cover subject on lifestyle magazines and men's magazines like Maxim. He's allowed his personal life to be scrutinized with one exception - his sexuality, his relationships.

Hicklin also said that the magazine's legal team advised against putting Clay Aiken on the cover - not because Aiken would sue, but because he looks too much like Jodie Foster. Can't have two lesbians on the cover, now can we?

Imagine the shit storm that would start.

Out-and-out debate over Jodie, Anderson [NYDN]

Holy shit!! That's totally Clay Aiken! And he totally doesn't look like some horrible monster from tranny hell! Wait, is the world still spinning?

The silly bugs over at Best Week Ever have asked their derelict readers to caption this picture of the aforementioned Clay Aiken. To be more specific, they want some pithy remarks on his style. We didn't submit any suggestions, because, well, we're lazy. We do, however, appreciate this particular comment - please allow a preemptive [sic]:

How many bags does one closet ghey dude need for an incognito hook up?

I bet one bag is filled with condoms and towels and the other if filled with sorted diguises and costumes…

We'll see that bet and raise you a bazillion million gagillion!!!

Although, now that we think about it, we're not sure we want to tango with someone who spells gay in such a nonsensical manner. Seriously, it's possibly one of the most common words in the English language! And it's only three letters. Sheesh.

• Floridian gay activists still fighting for anti-gay bully bill. Three students sat down with Republican Rep. Alan Hays to discuss the matter. One of the students, 22-year old Jessica Osborn recalls the meeting, "After telling him my story he proceeded to say he was repulsed by homosexuals, and we needed extensive psychological treatment." For his part, Hays says he doesn't remember saying gays repulse him, but he does admit he told them they need psychological treatment. What a guy. [The News-Press]

• Brideshead Revisted will be revisited on the big screen. So, who will play Charles and Sebastian? Matthew Goode and Ben Whishaw, respectively. [New Now Next]

• Kenneth Hill stressed out about coming out to his grandparents. Considering he's the biggest fag this side of the rainbow, however, they already knew. [QueerSighted]

• Wait, Clay Aiken was kidding when he asked people to invent the most scandalous gossip about him? Now we have to cancel that gallon of motor oil, fifty nipple clamps, a dozen Japanese Macaque, those loaves of French bread and that call to Matt Sanchez. Fuck. [The Clay Aiken Fraud Squad]

• Ryan Davis' directorial take on marriage in the United States. Largely improved and strangely captivating. [YouTube]

• Is Cord Jefferson's penis an Uncle Tom? We don't know, but his crush on Kristen Davis makes him worry... [Mollygood]

• Why the gays love Ugly Betty. [Out]

• Don't forget the Queerty-sponsored, Svedka-stocked, eastern bloc-housed Good Times tonight. We've included the flyer after the jump. We would have included last week's pictures, too, but we've been too lazy busy to resize them. Thankfully guest DJ, Sparber posted them on his blog. Thanks, Sparber. You're the breast. And, yes, those boys are cute. [Twerking]

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If there's one person we love, it's that adorable scamp Rupert Everett. Sure, he may have a reputation for being a bit of a diva, but that doesn't mean he hasn't got some valid points to make, so we're thrilled to itty-bits that Out Magazine's taken some time to sit down with the gay actor to chat about his new memoir, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins.

Sitting down with fellow Brit and Out EIC, Aaron Hicklin, Everett chats about his new book, growing up gay and the state of the gay celebrity nation. While he laments the dearth of out gay celebrities - a shortage that's particularly irksome when straight actors land the choice gay roles - Everett's not looking to be the go-to gay in the celebrity village.

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We had a bit of fun of Clay Aiken's expense earlier this week. First, we reposted some incriminating Manhunt pictures courtesy that scamp, Perez Hilton. Loads of people came to his defense, offering the preposterous excuse that they had been photoshopped to discredit Aiken's mythical masculinity.

In an effort to discredit their conspiracy theories, we offered some press pictures of Clay wearing the same rings as the man in Manhunt pictures. Pretty damning evidence, right? Not according to the so-called Claymates and the big man himself, Clay Aiken.

A reader sent us a message Aiken posted for members of his fan club in which takes a surprisingly aggressive stance against the muckrakers:

It seems over the past few weeks, the tabloids and gossip mongers have had their hands full coming up with new and exciting "scandals" for me to be a part of. Yet, for all of their efforts to be on the "cutting edge" and the forefront of bull$#@& journalism, it seems that some of them may be running out of ideas and resorting to recycling and re-hashing some of their older tall tales. How sad!?

Sad, indeed. Our tears are flowing more freely than our sexuality.

To combat folk like us, Aiken's urged his fearless soldiers to concoct their own scandal:

Come up with the most outlandish story you can that places me (either alone or with others close to me) in a really juicy/tawdry/scandalous/shameful story.

Then, use any photos, videos, audio clips of me that you can find along with your favorite multimedia enhancing/"doctoring" program (like a PhotoShop or a sound/video editor) to create your "evidence"!

Clever Clay - now you can do anything and say it's just your fans doing your bidding, rather than you looking to do some butting. You're smarter than you look.

Dive into that there jump, read Aiken's entire message and take him up on his offer. We look forward to a story involving Aiken, a Latvian nun, a marmot and loads of peanut butter, cum and possibly some piss play.

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Alright, from one gay, talented musician to another, not-so-out and certainly not-as-talented musician. Of course you kids remember this morning's post on which we linked to Perez Hilton's photos of a man looking suspiciously like Clay Aiken trying to get some digital dickin' on Manhunt.

Well, we got a lot of comments in a very short amount of time, including this not-so-love note from a reader named Susan:

Do you all really think Clay Aiken is that stupid? Please - just goes to show the intelligence level of this site. Go back a year ago and you will see exactly the same text in the same kind of e-mails. Give it up will ya. Not even Perez is that stupid - and he is way down there.

Oh, please, Susan, Perez may be a lot of things, but he ain't stupid.

Aiken, on the other hand, well, it seems you're wrong and he is, in fact, unforunately, a total dunce. Yes, reader Derek, the pictures could be photo shopped, but how would that explain these pictures of Aiken wearing the same rings as his alleged double?

Also, with regard to the remark from VMag (V Magazine?), "Queerty and Perez Hilton are both toxic to the gay community." Interesting hypothesis. We think we're way less toxic than, say, famous people who deny their sexuality, thus depriving young fans a potential idol.

What about this post from "Clay Aiken": "Yes, I am gay! deal with it!" Hoax? Probably, but wouldn't it be nice if Aiken wanted to set up a little chat with us? We're really very sweet...

Oh man, seems like Clay Aiken may be up to his old tricks, if you will. Gossip monger Perez Hilton has posted a set of photographs and text from what seems to be Aiken's attempt to get a little cock action.

Writing under the disgustingly saccharine and totally unsexy name, happychappy2, a man looking suspiciously like the American Idol runner-up wrote, "I do have pics - but I have a VERY recognizable face and can't post them". He then said he'd send them along if his would-be butt buddy promised complete discretion. Unfortunately internet based promises don't mean shit, thus, the conversation and some webcam pictures are now readily available here.

While we can't say for sure, it seems to us that the boy is, in fact, Aiken. Of course, this can mean only one thing. Okay, two things: one, obviously he's a big cocksucker (or, at the very least, extremely curious) and, two, he's got no brain.

Seriously, there's endless speculation over your sexuality and you still put yourself and your career at risk by trolling Manhunt? Dumb, dumb, dumb. Good thing the boy's duped millions into thinking he can "sing", because doesn't seem like he's got much else happening for him...

It seems fame's gone to Clay Aiken's ginger head. After winning a singing contest, 15-year old Joshua Willard got the change to sing with North Carolina's Greensboro Symphony during Aiken's holiday concert. Poor Willard's dreams were shattered, however, when the singer deemed his chosen song (Stevie Wonder's Superstitious) inappropriate for the festive occasion. As if that's not enough to make you sharpen your pitchforks, Aiken didn't win any hearts with his once-signature sweetness. Gossip-mongering TMZ reports:

Willard says Aiken was rude to audience members and told several people to sit down and cover their mouth. Clay even showed a raunchier side by pretending he had flatulence every time feedback came through the speakers.

Oh, Aiken, everyone knows American Idol losers don't fart. But, wait, it gets worse:

An hour after the show, Willard got to meet Clay, but says that Miss Thing was "snotty" and acted like he was too good for his little fans. The former Claymates were even told not to take individual pictures with Aiken, only group shots. Willard is devastated and says that due to Aiken's behavior, he now "could care less of Clay."

Sensible kid, huh?

(PS: This picture of Clay Aiken never fails to make us giggle. And then, of course, cringe. It almost gives us a tinge of sympathy for the kid...almost.)

• This is getting ridiculous: another pastor from Ted Haggard's church has stepped down. Eric Gorski writes, "Christopher Beard, who headed a ministry that trained young adults in leadership skills, stepped down Friday after admitting to "a series of decisions displaying poor judgment, including one incident of sexual misconduct several years ago..." [Denver Post]

• If there's one thing GMHC's new leader Marjorie Hill knows, it's that fighting stigmas half the battle. [The New York Blade]

• Speaking of battles: everyone's favorite civil rights warriors, the ACLU, is taking on a Rhode Island abstinence program. Their preferred weapon: herpes. [365 Gay]

• Best Week Ever's got some behind-the-scenes footage of Clay Aiken on Days of Our Lives. Seriously, the fact that this kid's "not gay" defies reality.

• $35 billion. That's how much money America's pot industry brings in every year. That's right, billion. [LA Times]

• Homo-journo Brian Juergens thinks this year's movies may be the gayest yet. Gayer than last year, even. Astounding. [AfterElton]