Note to Elton John: never lend your Nan Goldin photos to the Baltic Modern Art gallery. Via The Telegraph:

A photograph by a controversial American artist which is part of Sir Elton John's private collection has been seized by police from a gallery on suspicion it may have breached child pornography laws.

The image, which featured two young girls one of whom was sitting down with her legs wide apart, was taken by the renowned photographer Nan Goldin.

The shot, from the artist's Thanksgiving series, was to be exhibited at the Baltic Modern Art gallery, Tyneside, this week along with some of her other work. But the day before it was due to be viewed by the public, police came and removed the image over fears that it might be breaking the law.

It is thought that one of the assistant directors at the centre called in the authorities last Thursday after a private view as he was concerned that the picture could be offensive.
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A Northumbria police spokesman said yesterday: "The circumstances around who may have been involved in the production of the image and who may have owned it or owns it forms part of the investigation. We attended the Baltic Centre last Thursday at the invitation of the management who were seeking advice about an item for an exhibition prior to it going on public display. This item is being assessed and Northumbria Police, in consultation with the CPS, is investigating the circumstances surrounding it. The incident is ongoing and investigations are now being carried out."

Investigators are apparently still stuck on one major detail: But is it art?

Mika's certainly garnered more than his fair share of gay press in recent months. Most of the ink revolves around the pop-star's secretive sexuality. As we all know, the crooner won't confirm rumors he's a queer.

At first glance, it would appear Out's July issue follows the same old story. Take a peek inside, however, and it soon becomes clear that their Mika-related coverage ain't just a guessing game. The issue serves as a rumination on the state of the gay nation. And with potentially liberating results.

No doubt homos have come a long way over the past four decades or so. While we've certainly got a way to go, Out wonders what's become of the screaming queen. As EIC Aaron Hicklin write in his editor's letter:

It may be disingenuous of Mika to claim that who he sleeps with is immaterial, but for an increasing number young gay men, identifying as gay is becoming anachronistic, if not completely irrelevant.

Have militant gays gone the way of the dodo? Find out, after the jump…

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