• Moscow's mayor may have banned gay pride, but the Russian government supports the queer right to assemble.

• Gay rights activists may have cheered Italy's potential civil partnership law, but Pope Benedict XVI ain't feeling so cheery. (Surprise, surprise.)

• Potential GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee may not want to comment on Mary Cheney's pregnancy, but he does say he doesn't support gay marriage.

• Scissor Sisters may be uber-talented, but it doesn't really translate on their second Passions appearance. (Or the first.)

• Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead may think they're Dannielynn Marshall Stern's papas, but Zsa Zsa Gabor's hubby, Prince Frederick von Anhalt says he's the real deal.

• The Red Cross may ban men who have sex with men from donating blood, but Cleveland officials think they're wrong.

Cleveland, Ohio, loves the gays. No, let's amend that. It loves them. That's right, they love them. Cleveland especially love when they come to there and spend their money. How do we know? Well, the city's tourism board's publishing a handy-dandy gay travel guide to court the homos. Teaming up with the LGBT Community Center, The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland has worked tirelessly to compile a comprehensive list of gay bars, clubs, businesses and the such to show the rest of the world that "The Forest City"'s more than just Drew Carey's birthplace.

While the Bureau's certainly thrilled by the new developments, not everyone's so enthused by the prospect. According to the city's Fox affiliate, Ohio's Christian Alliance president Chris Long thinks the city should concentrate on attracting more families, rather than spending their time and money courting the cocksuckers.

It seems to us, however, that Cleveland really can't afford to be picky. What the fuck do they have there, anyway? The Rock and Roll Museum? Sure, we guess that's exciting, but does it warrant an entire vacation to Cleveland? We think not. So, unless the city promises to offer every single homo some sweet farm ass, we're not buying. No way. If we're going anywhere in Ohio, it's gonna be Cincinnati. Gotta love the 'Nati.

• After weeks and months of mounting pressure from conservative religious types, WorldPride 2006 is out of Jerusalem and will take over Tel Aviv. [Ynet]

• We weren't the only ones obsessed with the models walking down Paris' runways. [Made In Brazil]

• One of Queerty's best friends attending the opening of the world's largest bathhouse in Cleveland. Unfortunately, he didn't bring his camera. But one blogger did. [FAF]

• Michael Jackson had no idea – zero, people – he was in cahoots with a gay porn director. [Jossip]

We've never been to Cleveland, but from the looks of these pictures, they know how to throw quite a Pride bash. Our buddy the Gay Guru has given us an inside look at the festivities from Saturday, which include not just a parade, but a big "Pride festival" that drew a big crowd. Performing at the festival was Paul Lekakis (of "Boom, Boom, Boom. Let's Go Back To My Room" fame) who presumably has a new single out that must have garnered him enough cash to avoid all that facial work.

Check out the rest of GG's photos for a more detailed glimpse into midwestern gayness.

MEME Mondays, Cleveland Gay Pride Festival (part 2) [Gay Guru]