• Despite an intense effort by organizers to hold WorldPride in Jerusalem admidst military conflict with Lebanon and the homophobia of religious leaders, only a few hundred people showed for the celebrations. [Bay Windows]

• Usually considered deeply conservative, Australia's National Party votes for civil unions for gays and lesbians. [Pink News]

• The the Brits may have foiled a terror plot, it doesn't mean the terrorists lost completely: Travelers are facing a clusertfuck at airports, foiled plot or not. [NYT]

• On HBO's Entourage, is character Johnny Drama just too stupid to realize he's gay? [Personality Machine]

• Who says hotties in undies only get to come out and play on National Underwear Day? [Made In Brazil]

• In Connecticut, the State Supreme Court has denied a request from the conservative Family Institute of Connecticut to get involved in a lawsuit between the state and gay couples looking for gay marriage rights. Connecticut is the second state to allow civil unions, but many advocates are pushing for full marriage rights. [AP]

• Also in Connecticut, it's the Democratic primary faceoff between Joe Lieberman and Ned Lamont. If he loses, Lieberman has suggested he'll run for his U.S. Senate seat as an independent. Connecticut voters: find your polling location here. [NYT]

• In Iraq comes news that insurgents are targeting a new enemy: gay men and boys as young as 11. Reports abound of men murdered for being gay and of boys being sold as sex slaves into gangs — and in some cases, murdered. The murders, of course, fall under honor killings for Muslim families. The result? A influx of refugees in European countries. [The Observer]

• As WorldPride 2006 attendees continue to celebrate in Jerusalem, organizers are quick to express solidarity with gay Palestinians — with a demonstration taking place today. [Gay.com]

• Meanwhile, WorldPride continues to bring out the zealots, with Orthodox Jewish leaders again condemning the event for fear that turning Jersualem into a "homo city" it will bring God's wrath. [WDC Media]

• In Colorado, some 133,000 signatures are expected to be submitted by same-sex marriage foes, a move to increase pressure on voters in November who will decide on the matter at the ballot box. [Advocate]

• WorldPride 2006 kicks off this weekend in Jerusalem, despite vast efforts to have it shuttered or moved. Organizers prepare for a week of events, depsite the on-going attacks with Lebanon. [Pink News]

• Switching from California to New Mexico, three gay bashing suspects have been arrested and charged with hate crimes in the beating of an 18-year-old gay man. [Advocate]

• As Connecticut's Democratic race for U.S. Senate heats up, incumbent Joe Lieberman has decades of healthy relations with the gay community to back him against challenger Ned Lamont. [INW]

• The annual gay pride/AIDS event aimed at people of color in Queens, New York – Pride in the City – had its five year history put into jeopardy after park services officials tried to limit attendance at 1,500 (it usually reaches 5,000) and ban the live concert, supposedly an effort to curb littering and obstruction to beach goers. After plenty of media attention, the city officials relented somewhat: live music will be allowed, at a distance, but attendance will still be capped at a fraction of what's expected. [NYT]

In the aftermath of the 100,000-plus signatures collected to boot WorldPride 2006 from Jersualem and the ensuing rumors that WorldPride had, indeed, been pushed to Tel Aviv comes this evidence that not all hope is lost in keeping the gay pride celebration in the holy city. Not that defacing public propertly should be encouraged. A couple more instances, after the jump.

[Read On ...]

Are earlier reports (including our own) of WorldPride 2006 getting the boot from Jersualem incorrect? That's what's said to be the official word from Jerusalem Open House, the event's sponsor. As you recall, a rumored 100,000 signatures had been collected as part of a conservative-driven push to ban the gay pride event from the holy city. Word surfaced Friday that WorldPride had caved to pressure and was moving to Tel Aviv. Not so, claims World Pride's press rep Renna Communications:

As far as JOH is concerned, there is no change in any of our plans. We have applied for a license to hold the march as planned on August 10. It would be an astonishing setback for freedom of speech if the police opts to surrender in advance in the face of violent threats. I have faith in Israeli democracy, and if it comes to it we will appeal to the Supreme Court. In any case, there is no decision yet by the police, so hopefully, withstanding the many rumors, there will be no reason to appeal.

This is our legal right, we are sure it will be respected. If it isn't respected we will turn to the legal system.

We'll keep you posted.