New York's a wild town. Sure, it gets much of its reputation from the hustle and bustle of international culture, fashion, art and everything in-between, but the true meat comes from its fierce, uninhibited inhabitants. Take, for example, downtown darling Ladyfag.

Since moving from Toronto, this woman has taken the nightlife scene by storm, commingling with the freshest - and most made-up - faces in town. Ladyfag lives her life as she sees fit - taking chances, pushing envelopes and making no apologies for her love of the glittering game:

Most of the things I do, my parents would not approve of, but if you ever go out in queer nightlife, you know what wild’s all about. It’s just being over the top. Just meet me at The Cock one time and you’ll see wild styles!

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Some good news for the morning! The four youths accused of brutally beating Kevin Aviance last summer have all pleaded guilty. Aviance (pictured from a photo shoot mere hours before the attack) had been leaving popular New York bar, The Phoenix, when a quartet of queer bullies threw garbage bags and a paint can at him before launching an attack that left the singer with a broken jaw, injured knee and other scrapes and scratches.

Appearing in Manhattan's court yesterday, 21-year old Akino George and Jarell Seares both pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and will both spend eight lovely years behind bars, with five years of parole supervision. Gregory Archie, 19, fessed up to second-degree assault as a hate crime, thus earning six years in the slammer and three years of post-release supervision. Meanwhile, the youngest of the thugs, 17-year old Gerard Johnson, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault as a hate crime and will have 15 long years to think about what he's done. But, it could be worse: had the men refused to cooperate and were later found guilty, they would have faced twenty-five years in prison.

In the days following his attack, while lesser men may be cowering at home, Aviance led anti-violence protesters down New York's streets and insisted:

We can't fight any of these people with arms and bullets and drama. We have to fight all these people with love, every single day.

Four Guilty In Kevin Aviance Gay Bashing [365 Gay]
4 plead guilty in gay bias attack on singer in New York City [International Herald Tribune]

We've just seen yesterday's episode of The Tyra Banks Show on which Kevin Aviance (looking fab, we must say) tearfully recalled his attack and Shirley Phelps Roper (daughter of everyone's favorite homophobic monster, Fred Phelps) explained that Tyra's a fag-enabler. Tyra, of course, was none too pleased and proceeded to get into an argument with Shirley about how she wouldn't argue with her. (Hey, she's a model, what do you want?)

Is it us or does Shirley look a little too excited to be on Tyra? She's either thinking she's totally made it, cumming in her pants over the millions of homos she's about to piss off, or is attempting to send death rays through the television. Either way you cut it, it's one of the most disturbing things we've ever seen. And we've seen a lot of disturbing things...

• Mel Gibson on Good Morning America. (And something else?) [Gawker]

• Kirk on Foley. (And Hastert, too.) [365 Gay]

• "Borat" on faggotry. (And touches upon Kazakhstan.) [The Advocate]

• Harley-Davidson on beef jerky. (And...???) [Rocking Mountain News]

• Kim Ficera on gay rumors. (And with all the big names.) [AfterEllen]

• Kevin Aviance is on Tyra Banks Today! (And go!) [The Tyra Banks Show]

• Ireland on big changes. (And that's all folks!) [Ireland Online]

• The World Cup may have wrapped with an Italian victory, but that doesn't mean we can't all celebrate the man-on-man action. [Queer Beacon]

• The four suspects in Kevin Aviance's gay bashing last month are claiming it was Aviance who provoked them, saying "Calm down, sweetie" when the two parties bumped into each other. That's their defense against the hate crime charge, it seems. [NYDN]

• Chicago's Gay Games are just five days away, which means it's the perfect time for a primer. [About.com]

• Hipper-than-thou shopping listserv DailyCandy just unloaded a part of itself to an unknown investor. Pricetag? $130 million. [WSJ]

If there was ever an unofficial grand marshall of New York City's Gay Pride Parade this year, it was Kevin Aviance. New York's storied drag queen – gay bashed earlier this month – made a grand public appearance atop HX magazine's float, showing no signs of victim — just pride.

Even though the gay community didn't exactly rally behind Kevin Aviance during his brutal beating on June 10, it showed its support when droves of men and women marched from the East to West Village Saturday to protest the spike in anti-gay violence — which, according to some reports, increases during gay pride month. Official data shows reported homophobic attacks up to 23 from last year's 18, though certainly the actual number of violent incidents is much higher. Aviance, meanwhile, was in there among the protesters.

"You can't keep a good queen down," Aviance told the crowd. But he warned against meeting violence with violence.

"We can't fight any of these people with arms and bullets and drama. We have to fight all these people with love, every single day," he said.

"Stop the violence. Stop the hate. Just love, love, love."

Towleroad has more photos.

Aviance Leads Rally Against Anti-Gay Attacks [NY1]

As Kevin Aviance made his way from the hospital to the press corp yesterday, with his jaw wired shut and unable to speak, most of the media attention swirled around a moot New York Times debate and whether the alleged assailants will be tried as adults. But so far, it looks like only City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a lesbian, is addressing the elephant in the room: that nobody among the onlooking crowd tried to intervene or even called 911 during the attack.

"What happened to Kevin over the weekend is just outrageous," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan). "I hope the district attorney prosecutes those responsible to the fullest extent of the law, and that this crime is prosecuted fully as the hate crime that it was."

Quinn, who is gay, had equally strong words for the witnesses who allegedly did nothing as Aviance was dragged down the sidewalk.

"When New Yorkers see a victim of a crime, they have a responsibility to pick up the phone and call 911," Quinn said.

"We can't ever go back to the days of people just closing their windows when they hear someone in trouble."

Which reminds us of the counsel we received way back in 5th grade during a D.A.R.E. session that turned into a discussion on rape and violence: Never rely on a crowd to help you. When in danger, single out an individual by making eye contact or shouting his name if you know it, and demand him to call 911 and help you. Certainly, perhaps easier said than done. But mob mentality doesn't only strike when there's a day after Christmas sale at Wal-mart.

Like 'your soul was pulled out' [NYDN]

Early Saturday morning (late Friday night), singer Kevin Aviance was attacked by six or seven men outside the Phoenix bar in the East Village of Manhattan. He is scheduled to perform during New York Pride, but may not be able to as his jaw is currently wired shut.

When we heard about this story yesterday, we were shocked and saddened that not just a violent crime, but a gay-bashing could happen in what we always considered a safe neighborhood, and we were frightened that it happened right outside one of our favorite New York hang-outs.

The attack occurred around 1 am, and reports say that passersby did nothing to stop the assault from happening even though there were "pedestrians everywhere." We ask one simple question: where were all the smokers? On Friday night at the Phoenix, there had to have been at least ten gays smoking outside at any given time. We need to stick together better than this.

Fourth Man Is Arrested After Attack on a Dance Recording Artist in the East Village [NY Times]
3 Arrested in Attack on Singer on East Side [NY Times]

We are amazed by fashion a lot around here. We find it an art form worthy of praise and respect. We think some fashion designers are true geniuses and the things they do with cut and fabric are otherworldly and almost magical.

Then we see something like this and think, what the fuck? This would be acceptable only if you were Kevin Aviance (or in DaLipstyxx). And just how does it stay on? Jesus.

Oh, and there’s more. Just turn down the speakers because in addition to the gay panties, is a very gay soundtrack. Enjoy.

Someone over at Low Culture has way too much time on their hands. This made us laugh out loud and I can only wish I was 6'1''

Charles Busch, John Cameron Mitchell, Keo Nozari, and Kevin Aviance are among the downtown celebrities performing at NYC Loves NOLA, a benefit for the American Red Cross taking place September 18th at Acme Bar & Grill. Cajun food, transsexuals, and helping people in need? We are so there.

Everyone knows Queerty was the big launch of the day, but Q Television Network also made a splash with Brunch, the first gay morning show, hosted by Queer Eye for the Straight Girl’s Honey Labrador and QTN Veteran Scott Withers. It debuts today.

Alison Moyet's wonderful covers album Voice today receives a proper US release, you know, only a year after its European release date.

New Orleans resident, Fleshbot editor, and Queerty friend Jonno is doing alright. He did have to leave his home and all his clothes in New Orleans. Shoot us an email if you want to help with donations.

First day and we are already handing out blowjobs. Who is next?