AfterElton Briefs: We Love Dolly, Prince Harry Kissed a Boy and Liked It, Adam Lambert's Honor Roll and More!

Their honor roll on the cover is one I can get behind.

Following this assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear. Yes, we're serious.

• The 16th Annual Out 100 issue is, well, out. The cover, as you can see, above, brings the sexy in a dignified manner, and reflects a decent amount of diversity. 

Adam as photographed by Jason Bell for Out

• Making the honor roll is my personal goddess, Cyndi Lauper, but most gays here are likely more excited by Adam Lambert. A quote that some may dismiss as fluff, but has more depth than appears at a glance is:

To some people, me being sexual is really offensive because I’m gay. They’re like, ‘He’s being really gay.’ And I’m like, actually, ‘No, I’m just being sexual.’ Male sexuality is frightening to America [but] female sexuality is all over the place.

• Every gay blog on the planet has carried the too-hot-for-TV video for Enrique Inglesias' "Sad Eyes" video from 2000. This is 2009, and we don't have a television station that plays music videos, and the web knows all. It does appear he may be overcompensating for something around the 3:00 mark.

• The blogs can't stop talking about the apparent death of Window Media, owner of some of the biggest gay publications in the world. I know that as a young gay man coming into himself and his views, the Washington Blade was hugely important, and really, because of their DC locale, you can't underestimate their importance to the gay movement. Bilerico is tracking possible buyers for different parts of Window Media as the story unfolds.

• We had mentioned last week about the insanely cool 10-year-old who was refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance until same-sex marriage was law, but now he's had an insanely long and articulate interview with CNN, which you can watch above.

• Michael Urie did a great interview with NPR that ranges across his life and role on Ugly Betty, and serves as a prescient counterpoint to that noxious Newsweek article we've been talking about.

• Dolly Parton rocks, especially for someone who specializes in bluegrass music these days. She's always had a loyal gay following, and more than a few drag queens take on her look. Did you know she got Buffy the Vampire Slayer made? Now in the video above, she comes out in support of gay marriage on Joy Behar's show. Her, I believe, unlike some country artists trying to sell me something. And below, she give some decent advice about life, with an apparent nod to Lady GaGa and that Kermit the Frog outfit.

• Sir Ian McKellan did a wide ranging interview with the Los Angeles Times about his AMC miniseries, The Prisoner, gay rights, Gandalf, and everything else. Besides, that, he looks hot - he is the gay Sean Connery, just getting sexier with age.

• In England, at a nightclub, a young gay man approached a bunch of military men and offered to buy one of them a beer in exchange for a kiss. Not only did they not beat the crap out of him, he got his kiss. Oh, and the military man in question was Prince Harry.

• There have been reports that Jane Espenson has been replaced on SyFy's Caprica series by Kevin Murphy, best known for his work on Desperate Housewives. The story's originally pitched it as trouble for Jane, but AfterElton.com Editor Michael Jensen reached out to Jane, and got this quote:

It's not a big deal - just a shift in some of the duties.  Running the room wasn't leaving me any time for actual writing and I missed it a lot.  Kevin is really good and sharp and brings a fresh energy to the room, which is freeing me up so I can do some heavy writing for the big finale. 

• If you're wondering why I'm running that picture of the cast of Glee, well, it's partly because you guys eat anything from the show up. But mostly it's because of Cory Monteith, dancing with his arms over his head. It reminded me of a comedy bit by our own Daniel Leary. Just skip to the 4:36 mark.

• Absolutely horrible things were done to a gay teen in Puerto Rico over the weekend. It's truly horrible, and I'll let you go read it if you want to, but if not, just take a minute have a nice thought for the memory of Jorge Mercado.

• Below, you can see some newly branded products such as STR8 cologne, and STR8UP vodka flavors that some are calling homophobic. I don't know that I'm ready to pull that card out, but I can honestly say I was taken aback and felt unwelcome. You guys?

The cologne stand on left is pretty clear about who they want buying.

• Sir Elton John is evidently recovered from his bout with e.coli and will be able to perform tonight in New York City at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's "An Enduring Night" benefit tonight.

• The Pet Shop Boys will be releasing a five song Christmas EP on December 14th. Looking at the track list, it doesn't seem like a Christmas album, but hey, it's new Pet Shop Boys!

• It's not gay, but it is timely - the Leonid Meteor Shower is tonight, with around 20-30 shooting stars each hour. Go outside and take a look, especially if you're in a part of the country without a lot of light pollution.

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