• PlanetOut-owned Men magazine named abdominally-bless Johnny Castle as their "Man of The Year". On a somewhat related note, Matt Damon won People magazine's Sexiest Man top slot. Note that the gays have far more flare - and flesh. [See a NSFW shot of Castle, after the jump. And be sure to check out the magazine's new blog.]

• Iranian Chief Justice halts "gay" execution, calls sentence violation of Islamic teachings:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has learned that the Iranian Chief Justice, Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, has nullified the impending death sentence of Mr. Makvan Mouloodzadeh, a 21-year old Iranian citizen found guilty of multiple counts of anal rape (ighab), allegedly committed when he was 13 years old. The Iranian Chief Justice described the death sentence to be in violation of Islamic teachings, the religious decrees of high-ranking Shiite clerics, and the law of the land.

For the record, no one accused the man of rape.

CONTINUED »

There's could be new day dawning in Toledo, Ohio.

Democratic councilman Joe McNamara has introduced legislation for a domestic partnership registry, thus giving gay couples the option of filing for employer benefits. While some balk at the idea of queer inclusion, McNamara insists it's for the good of the city's coffers:

This is a creative-class-driven issue. Studies have shown a community that's accepting is more attractive to the creative class. Something like this helps Toledo's reputation, whether or not it's used.

Equality Toledo honcho David Mann agrees, "[It]will cost the city of Toledo nothing [and] will provide real benefit for those families and an opportunity to have their relationship recognized".

Toledo's city council will hold a meeting Friday to discuss McNamara's proposal. Hopefully greed will overcome any homophobia council folk may harbor…