AfterElton Briefs: "Gay Times" Visits "Emmerdale" Farm Boys, Ellen Does the Weather, and the Twinkle Takeover

Plus Robert Pattinson blushes for MTV, McDonalds angers conservatives and gays alike, and Gareth Thomas goes digital.

I can't think of a PG-13 caption.

• We're not the only ones who think Danny Miller has been "acting his socks off" on Emmerdale, and now he's on the cover of Gay Times with Marc Silcock for an article titled "Farm Boys." Looking at the photo, I was wondering when Marc is going to strip down for Cosmo UK like Danny did.

• If you wanted to know all things Gareth Thomas, you're in luck, because Wales' rugby hero has expanded his digital empire beyond Twitter now with GarethThomasOnline.com. Note, there are lots and lots of pictures.

• Ian Thorpe is one of several Aussie celebrities stepping out of their comfort zone to act in a one off of One Night In Emerald City for charity.

• The censored graphic novel of Importance of Being Earnest that Apple had censored for the iPad has been reviewed and the company invited to update their app with uncensored panels

• Joan Rivers sat down with Logo for their "Ask a Celebrity" series. Here she gives advice to shy gay man who feels overshadowed by more outgoing folks in social settings.

• This weekend is Broadway Bares XX Strip-opoly, and the "Go to Jail" troupe hit the windows of Rufskin in NYC to strip down and raise money. boyculture has amazingly complete coverage of the dancers' lack of coverage.

• That French gay McDonald's ad continues to make waves in the United States. Today in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, McDonald's COO says the company is very aware of individual markets and mores, and that the gay-themed ad would never run in the United States. He also notes that he's a Christian, and I'm trying not to bag on Christians so frequently, so I'll just say that if he thinks that is relevant, he's a really bad Christian.

• Further fallout from that same ad comes as the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) severed its ties with the company over their refusal to entertain an ad like that in America, and will no longer accept final contributions from the company. I'm not a fan of how forgiving GLAAD can be on certain subjects, but it seems like this action just means the NGLCC gave up any chance of changing the culture at McDonalds.

• Ellen DeGeneres is in Chicago promoting the taping of her upcoming TBS comedy special and crashed the morning broadcast of NBC Chicago. It's a typical Ellen comedy routine that the anchors were not expecting, especially the weatherman.

• In Canada there's been a series of sidewalk chalk art protesting the ban on gay men donating blood. Students from local universities have been creating the protests.

• The recent extension of family leave by the federal government that included same-sex partners has been expanded again, this time including opposite sex partners as well as family relations.

• The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 42% of gay and bisexual African-American men in Milwaukee are HIV+.

• GLAAD has a call to action about Clear Channel rejecting two designs for St. Petersburg Pride.

• I don't really know what to say about this interview with Robert Pattinson. He's asked what is the strangest piece of merchandise he's ever seen his face on in relation to the Twilight onslaught. His answer makes him blush, but I'm wondering why it's not in every gay pride goodie bag.

• I'm not sure how his being out plays into this news, but out shadow minister Chris Bryant has called French a "useless language." I wouldn't turn my back on any mimes anytime soon if I were him.

• Tomorrow we see the closing arguments in the Prop 8 trial in front of Judge Walker, and based on his questions, many feel confident his ruling will go our way. The only thing I feel confident about is that the verdict is going to be appealed for years.

• This article on the Twinkle Takeover: Gay (and Gay-Seeming) Boys on the TV and at the Mall seems to be trying to make a really good point, but never quite gets there. Still, it is true that younger men are less afraid of certain perceptions than any other time in modern history, and that can only be a good thing.

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