If Nigeria can't play fair, they may not be able to play at all. The African nation, which has been mulling comprehensive homophobic laws, has applied to host The Commonwealth, also known as the Olympics for Britain and their 52-former colonies.

Glasgow, Scotland and Abuja, Nigeria lead the hosting competition, but some claim Nigeria's unjust laws violate the Games' philosophy. The Guardian's sportsman, Nicky Campbell, writes

I might best explain by adducing Article 2 of the Commonwealth Games Federation constitution, which earnestly promotes "gender equality and tolerance"; or Article 7, which says "there shall be no discrimination against any country or person on any grounds whatsoever including race, colour, gender, religion or politics". That is clear enough, then, and that is Abuja scuppered, then.

One would hope so...

CONTINUED »

Here's the perfect job for the flannel loving homo: working for Scotland's Forestry Commission. The wood-loving organization's launched a campaign to recruit gay, lesbian and transgender lumberjacks and create a more diverse work environment. Of the move, a SFC spokesperson says:

We want to make the workforce as diverse as possible, to develop a diversity strategy for the whole of the organization.

It may be that people have resisted change over the years and the job of the diversity manager will be to spread the message that diversity will bring benefits to all levels of the organization.

Gay groups have lauded the campaign, but, not surprisingly, religious leaders aren't so keen on the idea. Calling the push "social engineering", a tradition-loving spokesperson said:

This is nothing more than state sponsored indoctrination. The ideologues behind diversity schemes like this should realize true diversity is realizing not everyone agrees with gay relationships.

We're pretty sure they're aware, doll face. They just don't care.

It's worth noting, we think, that our source article opens, "Forestry bosses are echoing the famous Monty Python sketch about a cross-dressing lumberjack." Are we the only ones who find that a bit distasteful?

(As for the accompanying image, it's from a an artist named Marco Fransen. He's from The Netherlands and describes himself as a "straight acting gay man". Hmmm, we're not sure how we feel about that, but we like his "art" (read: drawings and pictures of scantily clad and/or naked men. See for yourself here.)

Scotland may be one of our favorite places in the whole wide world. Sure, the food leaves a bit to be desired, but what they lack in culinary skills, they make up in musical wonders, such as Glasgow-based, Camera Obscura.

Considering their sentimental - yet never maudlin - blend of pop, folk and rock, it should come as no surprise that the six-member popsters have close-ties to Belle & Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch, who lent his expertise to their single, "Eighties Fan" from their 2006 debut, Biggest Bluest Ever.

In the seven (!) years since, Camera Obscura's quietly been building a notable yet completely underrated buzz. Most recently, they garnered favorable reviews for Let's Get Out of This Country. This here's the video for the titular single. You'll love it. If you don't love it...well, tough shit, we suppose.

They may be a small community of 48,000, but The Faeroe Islands are making big moves. The semiautonomous Danish land between Scotland and Iceland - has officially banished gay discrimination. Though there aren't that many queers about, the islands gained some pretty negative attention following a September attack on a 25-year old gay tourist, Rasmus Rasmussen. That attack may have spured lawmakers to reconsider a similar vote from last year - a vote that tossed the issue. The International Herald Tribune reports:

The issue had been under heated debate on the islands after the 32-member Lagtinget last year turned down a similar proposal. Those who opposed the bill argued that homosexuality was against the Bible.

"We're very, very happy. To us it has been a matter of human rights," said Annita a Fridriksmoerk, who proposed the bill together with a Republican party colleague. "The Faeroese law was limping behind other modern societies," she said by telephone.

Wow, anti-discrimination laws and telephones? This place is incredible! Although, we're not sure we'll be heading over there anytime soon. First of all, it's far as fuck. Second of all, you never can tell how a new law will affect such a small, religiously minded community. Especially considering the fact that the vote was 17-15.

Residents will either embrace the change, thus providing a welcoming enviornment for the queer traveler. Or, conversely, they'll feel threatened by the change, pretend they're welcoming, beat you to death, hack you to bits and feed you to the fishies. What we need is a guinea pig. And we know the perfect person (see below).

Glasgow city council leader Steven Purcell has come out of the closet, confirming speculation that he's of the cocksucking variety. A young, vibrant politician who's made a name for himself with socially-minded policies, 34-year old Purcell admits that he and his wife have separated in the wake of his homosexual realization. Rather than keep things quiet in the name of his career, Purcell wants the public to know the truth. He issued a statement saying:

For the last year my marriage has been in trouble and some months ago my wife and I separated. One of the issues we have been facing up to is the fact that I have realised I'm gay...

Now that they are aware of the situation, and that Katrina and I are clear that they understand the issues, I want to dispel the rumours and get on with the important job I am privileged to do as leader of the city council.

Purcell also said that the persistent rumors were distracting him from his occupational duties. While we've never heard of Purcell before, nor did we hear anything of his alleged homosexuality, we've got to give the kid credit for having balls. Nicely done. Much better than a politically-motivated smoke screen. And far more classy, too. (As if we know anything about class.)

As for his wife, she says Purcell's faggotry "comes as no surprise", and she's committed to maintaining their friendship. At least until after the divorce.