• Ruben Solorio has been arrested in connection with the 2005 murder of Arizona-based drag queen, Amancio Corrales. Hooray!

• Get the low down on Sao Paulo Pride parties. Be sure to send us a postcard. And a Brazilian.

• David Banda's the cutest of all Madonna's "stolen" African babies!

• Focus on The Family seems to think that New York state law defines marriage as "between a man and a woman". Good As You calls "bullshit".

• The United Kingdom's foremost expert on sex change operations, Dr. Russell Reid, has been found guilty of professional misconduct after rushing five patients into surgery without following proper procedure.

• Scream screenwriter and known homosexual Kevin Williamson has a new soap: Hidden Palms. AfterElton describes it as a blend between The OC and Desperate Housewives. Sounds juicy shitty interesting...

• It's Fleet Week and this sailor's looking for some action. Also, has a crush on his drill sergeant, no foresight (he included his picture).

• Some people may take offense at Best Week Ever calling this man a "scary tranny", but nothing else fits. Except, maybe, for Norman Bates.

It's Friday, reader. You know what that means - it's Queerty ReBUTTal time! Yay!

You guys did super with the comments. Really. Just super - lisp and all. While we have plenty of thoughts on your thoughts on our thoughts, we're switching it up these week. As you're well aware, we've just kicked off The Style Issue.

Before things go too far, however, we'd like to have a brief look back on some of our other issues and some of the bits that didn't make it. Take a look at some unpublished excerpts, after the jump.

Rosie O'Donnell couldn't handle all the on-stage (and back-stage) battles at The View. ABC has announced that the lesbian comedienne will not be completing her contract, which was meant to expire on June 30th. President of daytime programming Brian Frons released a statement,

We had hoped that Rosie would be with us until the end of her contract three weeks from now, but Rosie has informed us that she would like an early leave. Therefore, we part ways, thank her for her tremendous contribution to The View and wish her well.

Meanwhile, Barbara Walters - The View's mama and O'Donnell's original champion - told concerned citizens:

I brought Rosie to the show. Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at The View. I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change.

Now, it's back to the unemployment line. And poor Hasselbeck can finally unclench her asshole!

Rosie O'Donnell Out at `The View' [SF Chronicle]

Wordsmiths T Cooper and Felicia Luna Lemus certainly have their own storytelling styles, but these lovers' respective works follow similar trajectories. Nothing is every permanent in their stories.

The sand shifts at the precise moment their protagonists seem to have it all worked out. Their impermanence bleeds into everything, from family history to gender and sexuality to interpersonal relations. Lemus’ new novel Like Son follows Frank, a thirty-year old who has to unearth the meaning of a photograph his dying father hands him.

In Cooper’s Lipshitz 6, or Two Angry Blondes, recently released in paperback, the 100-year-old history of a family starts in the pogroms of Europe and ends with the last offspring impersonating Eminem.

This queer couple's unique manner of brandishing the written word make them a perfect addition to The Style Issue.

We sent their friend and Queerty contributor, James Withers on a mission to mine their minds for a look into their literary idiosyncrasies, the evolution of their relationship and the difference between German and American readers. And, as we find out - um - straight away, this trio has more in common than just writing. They all love gay porn. Who knew?

We're thrilled to itty bits over the news that French electronic duo Justice are releasing a new album!

It's not that we don't love their 2003 remix of Simian's "Never Be Alone", but we've just been itching for a new dance club classic. We're not sure how their fresh full-length, †, stands up to their previous aural offerings, but we're digging their first single, D.A.N.C.E., which we've included above.

For those few of you who haven't heard the boys' take on Simian's single, we've included the video after the jump. And, to all of you going out this weekend, be sure to have a D.A.N.C.E. for us...

BTW: † drops on June 18th. Get excited!

Catholics are waging war against Bill Maher, who recently took some time to not mourn Evangelical Reverend Jerry Falwell.

During his riotous oration on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, the 51-year old comedian suggested that gays may gain more rights if we just started a rear-ended religion and offered some clever excuses for gay sex:

We weren't having sex, officer, I was performing a very private Mass, here in my car. I was letting my rod and staff comfort him. Take this and eat of it, for this is my roommate Barry.

Mary Cheney knew her child with lesbian lover Heather Poe would cause a stink. Anticipating the conservatives outrage, Vice-President Dick Cheney's daughter released a preemptive statement:

When Heather and I decided to have a baby, I knew it wasn’t going to be the most popular decision. This is a baby. This is a blessing from God. It is not a political statement. It is not a prop to be used in a debate, on either side of a political issue. It is my child.

Ever wonder what goes into the making of a drag performer? Well, now's your chance. The Power Issue feature subject Adrian L. Acosta has passed along this video of his very queer transformation into loud mouthed Amnesia Sparkles. With a Madonna soundtrack, naturally.

Hordes of homos will descend on Chicago this weekend for the International Mr. Leather contest. And, as per tradition, many participants will pop into legendary S&M club, Chicago Hellfire Club. Unfortunately, trans men aren't invited.

Chicago Hellfire Club - one of the oldest S&M clubs in the nation - enacted a strict no female-to-male policy ten years ago, thus barring a significant portion of the S&M community.

Of their unfriendly policy, former Hellfire Club president and long-time member, David Igasaki said:

The general rule of thumb is that there has to be a penile attachment... They don't want to admit women. It's not that people are anti-women or personally discriminate against transgender people. It's just that as a sex club there is a desire to protect a gay environment during play.

Critics, however, claim that the Club goes into public space to recruit members. One transman comments: "I don't think that a private club would set up a table at a public venue and allow anybody to talk with you and inquire to attend an event." And transmen aren't the only ones fighting the Hellfire.

We don't know about you guys, but we're all sorts of excited about stepping out this Friday evening. Not only do we need to let off some steam, but we're looking forward to getting down with New York City's freaky population. As 80s-era rap outfit Whodini explains, "The Freaks Come Out At Night". That way they can hide in shadows and surprise you with their freakiness.

And, because we're so pumped about this evening's forthcoming festivities, we've included Whodini's "Rap Machine" after the jump. Computers may not be able to replace rap, but they make hot beats...

Some gay folk celebrated Reverend Jerry Falwell's death, but not The Advocate's fagling homo-journo, Tully Satre.

Satre, who once spilled ink admonishing so-called bisexuals, writes that we homos must preserve our "dignity" whilst discussing the homo-hating reverend's death, "It is in times like these that our wit and will is tested and we must stand with dignity".

Of course, Satre understands that it's hard to keep a straight face in the face of our enemy's death, so he sucks inspiration from the holiest of holy books: The Lord of the Rings. Except, of course, being a young gun, he prefers his books in film form.

I am reminded of a quote from the film Lord of the Rings, when Gandalf says that “Many that live deserve death and some that die deserve life…do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment.” As minorities, we ask to be respected as human beings. We expect people to treat us with dignity and to look beyond our sexual orientation or gender identity. Why then do so many people focus on the politics of Mr. Falwell and find in them reason to celebrate his death?

Kanako Otsuji has changed the face of Japanese politics. In 2003, at the tender age of 28, Otsuji became the candidate to win a seat on Osaka's assembly. In that seat, the politician pushed for social change, successfully passing a law allowing gay couples to rent housing together. Then, in 2005, Otsuji came out as a lesbian, thus becoming the first openly gay politician in Japanese history. Though the public embraced her, Otsuji found some opposition among her political peers, including, according to the Guardian, one anti-queer "comrade" who asked her if she planned on becoming a man.

Despite this ignorance - and her aides' advice to keep a lid on it - Otsuji hasn't given up her political dreams and has just joined forces with the Democratic party to launch a campaign for Japan's upper parliament. Not surprisingly, Otsuji's efforts rest on highlighting Japan's diverse nature, a stark departure from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's chimerical political conformity.

In a message on her website, Otsuji wrote:

I think there is a tendency to put forward one set of values and make it seem as though that is the only beautiful or right way. But the reality is becoming more diverse. Japanese society is not engaging with the wide range of people living in diverse ways, in terms of nationality, race, sex, age and disabilities.

Rosie O'Donnell's friends aren't content watching the View co-host chew out Elisabeth Hasselbeck on camera. They're taking the increasingly furious - and childish - fight back stage. Page Six reports:

Yesterday, Rosie's chief writer, Janette Barber, was allegedly escorted from the building after she was caught drawing moustaches on photographs of Hasselbeck that hang in the "View" studios.

The Post's Adam Buckman reports ABC confirmed in a statement only that "photographs at 'The View's' offices were defaced.

Meanwhile, the Post's gossip column also reports that Rosie may not be returning to The View to complete her contract:

When one fan wrote [to Rosie], "Work isn't worth that battle," Rosie replied, "Agreed." Another wrote, "Please walk away. It's not worth it." Rosie replied, "Well, you know when it's time to go."

To a fan who asked when she would return, O'Donnell answered, "No idea."

Sean Kennedy's family isn't taking the 20-year old's death lying down. The South Carolina homo died after being punched by a man identified as 18-year old Stephen Andrew Moller. Police are unsure whether Moller will be charged with murder or if he'll face the music to the tune of a hate crime. Kennedy's kin hope the latter.

In light of their third child's death, Kennedy's parents are setting up "Sean's Last Wish" through which they'll push for hate crime legislation, something they believe Kennedy would want.

While cleaning out her youngest son's belongings, Elke Parker came across a number of poems, including one called "Grin":

I stand tall with all of my pride. You hate. You discriminate all who are not like you. Yes, your words do hurt. But I stand in the end. I'm a strong person, bigger than you... I'll be standing there with a grin.

A gay man in Amsterdam has suffered a "complete mental breakdown" after being assaulted by three teenagers Thursday night.

The man - known only as Alexander - had been walking back from his boyfriend's mother's house when three teenagers - who he identified as Moroccan - pushed him into the water at Rembrandt Park. The youths then spent three hours throwing sticks, stones and words as they forced Alexander to do laps. Alexander's boyfriend recalls:

He was scared to death, he heard the three talking to each other in Arabic and thought they planned to do the worst to him. Alexander feels he must have been swimming around in the pond for about two hours before a car with bright headlights arrived at the scene. The boys got scared and ran off.

Swiss model Arno Galmarini gives a new, fresh meaning to "beautiful". As you can see in these Sandro Bross snapped shots, he's quite a fetching young fellow. Find out exactly how fetching, after the jump.

• We're not sure what's funnier - the fact that a bird took a shit on President Bush or that ABC News actually used the word "poop".

• HX Media's Boston rag, In Newsweekly., found itself in the papers this week when associate publisher Bill Berggren's criminal past came back to haunt him. It seems Berggren has been arrested for a number of incidents and some questioned his role as leader for Boston's Pride Committee. Rather than cause a stink, Berggren stepped down voluntarily. And Berggren ain't the only one on Innews' stepping down. From Boston's Weekly Dig:

In the last few weeks, their masthead has gotten a lot lighter in its loafers—editor James Lopata has left the building, as have distributor Thomas Kilduff and associate editor Alexander Sliwinski... We hear grumbling in the streets, too, that their freelancers haven’t been paid in eons.

• You know what would help the African continent's millions of AIDS patients? Doctors. Too bad there's a shortage.

• Jenny Bailey can now call herself the United Kingdom's first trannie mayor, thus crushing our life long dreams...

• South African hooker outs celebrities, media refuses to pass names along.

• Mitt Romney doesn't hate gays:

I oppose discrimination against gay people. I am not anti-gay. I know there are some Republicans, or some people in the country who are looking for someone who is anti-gay and that’s not me.

Style's more than just fashion. It's more than just clothing, bags and all that other couture clutter. It's the details, the thoughts and the theories that go into the minutiae of our everyday existence.

Style's the painting you picked up at the flea market, technologically-advanced fabrics, an poet's sonnet, young designers, the way you crack a joke, the way you brush your teeth. Over the next few weeks we'll be exploring the ins and outs of what we feel are some of the most "stylish" people, places and things. But, never fear, we will be talking about fashion. You gotta look good, right?

One-half NelSon knows a thing of two about looking good. The New York artist and party promoter has made a career of it. NelSon's look didn't spring from some fashionista caldron. It's a plotted, polished piece of work that stems as much from a creative spirit as a need to communicate.

We wanted to pass his word along, so we asked Interview's Justin Conner to sit down with the one known as NelSon. Of course Conner had no trouble tracking NelSon down - those kids have been vamping it up together for years. And on this particular night, they found themselves at Mr. Black, where NelSon hosts a weekly Thursday party, "Feelings".

Get a feeling for NelSon's fashion philosophy, performative personality and stylish spirit, after the jump. We promise one-half NelSon will have your heart in a strong hold!!

(Oh, c'mon! We couldn't resist. That's our style. And we'll be flashing it tonight at "Feelings". No doubt we want to see yours.)

Man oh man, some homophobes in Kosovo have serious issues! An anymous person or persons sent a hateful note to the leader of the gay rights group, Centre for Social Emancipation. The" revolutionary" recipient - known only as Mr. Z - couldn't believe the severity of the threats, which translate thus: "We will fuck you mother, burn you with all your belongings, and will make you carry your intestines in your own hands, you lewd man”. Talk about lewd! The author goes on to accuse Mr.Z of “smearing the pure and freedom-seeking nation" and says he should "prepare his funeral within two weeks”. Yikes!

Despite the imminence of the warnings, the Serbian province's police initially refused to pursue the case. Looking for some justice, the CSE enlisted the help of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights. Under growing pressure, the police opened an allegedly flawed exploration. A CSE spokesperson declares:

We believe that Mr. Z’s right to use all the possible legal remedies has been violated by the police officers... His privacy was not respected as he was being interviewed in the reception room and at least seven different police officers and random citizens walked into the room, thus stopping the interview process and finding out what had happened.

Gay, Lesbian Youth Leaders Under Serious Death Threats [UK Gay News]

A big tsk, tsk to former View co-host and forever airhead, Debbie Matenopoulos. The E! correspondent caused a bit of a scandal at last night's Knocked Up premiere after shrugging off an alleged queer's queries about her tacky shoes (pictured).

Via Open All Night:

Barbara Walters and company may want to consider bringing back long-ago The View co-host Debbie Matenopoulos to stir up controversy once outspoken Rosie O’Donnell leaves the show. When a man inquired if the stones inlaid in Matenopoulos’ shoes were tiger eyes, she looked at him and said, “Are you gay?”, and walked away. The shocked gentleman told us that he is simply a gemstone enthusiast, and felt offended by the rude remark.