Proverbial reverend Al Sharpton insists he did not out Anderson Cooper.

Sharpton appeared on Cooper's CNN show Wednesday to discuss James Dobson's attack on Barack Obama, who Dobson claims is "distorting" the bible. Arguing against Dobson, Sharpton said, "I may have some very conservative personal feelings, but I feel you have the right to live your life differently. I may think that what you do Anderson is gonna put you in Hell, but I'm gonna defend your right to get there." Loads of people took this to be an unintentional "outing."

Sharpton, however, claims he's clueless to Cooper's carnality.

Sharpton, unaware of the controversy, told Gay City News, "I have no idea of his sexuality. I was not talking about him as an individual anyway. It could have been anybody." He said any thoughts he might have about things that condemn people wouldn't include homosexuality. "I support same-sex marriage and have been lambasted by the right for it," he said.

More than a decade ago, this reporter [Andy Humm] asked Sharpton at a party if his support extended to performing same-sex marriages as a minister. "Step outside," he shot back. "I'll do you right now."

Oh, Al!

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper found himself the center of attention on his eponymous show last night.

The silver fox had invited Focus On The Family's Tony Perkins, journo Roland Martin and Reverend Al Sharpton, whom we were surprisingly happy to see you. Well, we weren't happy to see him, but we were tickled pink when, while discussing James Dobson's blasting of Barack Obama, Sharpton kinda, sorta outed Cooper: "I may have some very conservative personal feelings but I feel you have the right to live your life differently. I may think that what you do Anderson is gonna put you in Hell, but I'm gonna defend your right to get there."

Cooper blushed before thanking Sharpton for his concern and insisting that he personally is "not that concerned" about his afterlife. And, really, why would he?

Watch the video, after the jump!

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Dan Mathews isn't your typical activist.

This fun loving rabble-rouser regularly humiliates himself for his cause, gets arrested and finds himself under fire from flying beef. No, he isn't a gay activist - well, he is gay and an activist, but Mr. Mathews spends much of his rabble-rousing energies fighting for furry friends. Yes, that's right, Mathews works for PETA.

Say what you will about the vegetable loving organization, but you can't deny that they're effective, making headlines and grabbing ink left, right and center.

The model turned activists' memoir, Committed, just came out in paperback, so our meat loving editor took some time to pick Mathews' brain on the evolution of his work, what makes his organization so effective, how to use "impure" allies and what gay organizations can learn from PETA's sensational ways.

Read all about it, after the jump.

[Image by Todd Oldham]

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The Scientological shit keeps flying!

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Radio host Michael Savage tainted the air waves with his repulsively closed mind Monday. A caller phoned in to ask why Savage refused to attend last week's Republican debates. Savage first explains the bad blood between him and the news channel - something about Whoopi Goldberg, Al Sharpton and Joy Behar plotting a character attack on Larry King Live - and how Ted Turner set up a "bear trap" for conservatives.

From there, Savage launches a verbal assault on "Anderson Blooper" and Keith Kerr, the retired brigadier who asked the presidential candidates about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And, from what we gather, Savage isn't so keen on Kerr:

I don't care about this old queen, frankly. He disgusts me to make — my flesh crawls from the old queen. That was a general? Now you wonder why we're still in Iraq five years later. General — with General Keith Kerr, you know why we're still in Iraq five years later. That's all. He wasn't just racking up cue balls at the pool table. I'm sick of it! I'm sick of the whole country, it's like Rome! It's melting down like Rome!

Christ, won't someone feed Savage to the lions, already?

The 65-year old commentator also commented on Cooper's sexuality: "Why don't you enlist, Anderson? I'm not saying you're gay. But you certainly could enlist if you're so interested in "do ask do tell.""

Has HRC learned its lesson? The gay group may not have supported trans folk during the ENDA debacle, but they're now throwing their weight behind a trans-inclusive anti-discrimination law in Scottsdale. And they're not alone:

The Human Rights Campaign and National Gay & Lesbian Task Force have joined local gay rights advocates, including Equality Arizona and the Arizona Transgender Alliance, in backing the measure. The state chapter of Sharpton's National Action Network also is supporting the measure.

The ordinance would bar discrimination in employment, housing and other accommodations based on sexual orientation, gender identity as well as traditionally protected categories such as religion, gender, race and ethnicity.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are also joining the fight.

Gays, blacks, abortionists and free speech warriors joining forces? Social conservatives must be livid - and scared!

• We can't believe we've never experienced the magic of Scottish noisemakers Orange Juice. This track's called "Rip It Up" and we love it more than we love ourselves, if you can believe that…

• Celebrities keep GOP donations under wraps.

• Gay man's killer takes prison dental technician hostage; said nurse unscathed.

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Pundits have been pondering what will become of Pat Robertson now that he's endorsed abortion-allowing, gay loving Rudy Giuliani.

They got at least part of answer today after anti-abortion activist and Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry took aim at Robertson - among others.

Note his clever take on NYC's current mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

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Singer David Banner's no fan of Al Sharpton.

The "Play" singer (born Levell Crump) broke out the haterade when he told SOHH to pass along a message to the media loving Reverend: "The next time you see Al Sharpton, tell him I said fuck him and he can suck my dick."

Sharpton refuses to sink to Banner's level, a spokesperson Kirsten John-Foy says:

From time to time we do encounter people that have sexual fantasies about Reverend Al Sharpton, but they are always women and Crump's proposition is a first.

However, in keeping with the National Action Network's Decency Initiative, I am sure Rev. Sharpton would not call Crump the "N" "B" or "H" word.

And, despite Crump's personal request, I am sure Reverend Sharpton would not call him a faggot. He would just pray for him.

Well, that's good to know. We can't help but wonder, however, why "the f-word" gets spelled out, while all the niggers, bitches and hoes get trendy abbreviations…

While we're on the subject of Martin Luther King, we'd like to point you to an article by our old friend, sappho-journo Jasmyne Cannick.

In said article, Cannick uses King's his 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to scold black leaderes for their Tim Hardaway-related silence.

Cannick insists that black leaders' muteness only proves that they're just as complicit in homophobic oppression as their white predecessors. By eschewing the inflammatory issue, black leaders are derailing King's dream and creating a nightmare for queer blacks.

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• We’re glad that MTV decided to not go the stereotypical route when selecting the mandatory gay Real World cast member. Oh wait, they did. [Towleroad]

• Anne Heche’s mom may still hate the Gays, but she doesn’t seem to loathe her daughter. They're now on speaking terms. Still, we think it’s safe to say her relationship with Ellen remains pretty shitty. (Thanks, Carrie) [Anne Heche Official Site]

• Al Sharpton reveals that he grew up with a gay family member whom he won’t name. This being gay uncle week, we think we have a strong inclination as to who it might be. [WIS 10]

• Dr. Stanley Biber, who, over 30 years time, rebuilt thousands of men into women and vice versa, won't be working on any more trannies. RIP. [The Advocate]

• We’d love to see Brokeback Mountain take the box office from behind and totally top it this weekend. [Variety]