AfterElton Briefs: "True Blood" Casting News, A Sitcom Star Comes Out, and More!

Happy belated birthday to Bette Midler. The divine one turned 64 yesterday.

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.

• My state has let me down. The NY Senate has voted down marriage-equality. Please go to Towleroad for a roll call of which senators voted for the measure, and the spirited and compassionate arguments they put forward. As many of them said "it is inevitable".

Congratulations Mr. Mayor

• Congratulations to Evan Low, who has become the mayor of Campbell, California. The 26 year-old has become one of the youngest gay and youngest Asian-American mayors in the country.

• Harvey Milk was one of 13 individuals inducted into the California Hall of Fame yesterday, along with such eclectic personalities as Carol Burnett and Danielle Steele.

• Above you can see a head-exploding segment from The Rachel Maddow Show that takes on Uganda's "kill all the gays" law and its connection to pastor Rick Warren and other awful people.

Happy Birthday to out actor Dan Butler (left, with partner Richard Waterhouse), who turns 55 today

• In news that shocked the hell out of me, Meredith Baxter, the star of the 80''s sitcom Family Ties and countless Lifetime "he did her wrong" films has come out as a lesbian.

Coot?

• In big True Blood casting news, three new roles have been announced. Prison Break star Marshall Allman will play shape-shifter Sam's younger brother, Theo Alexander (who i'm not really familiar with) will play the young lover of the Vampire King of Mississippi, and in news that bowled me over (sorry), gorgeous Ugly Betty star Grant Bowler will play a werewolf named ... Coot. A werewolf. You know what that means, people! When a werewolf transforms, he has to be naked! Well, except in PG-13 teen films, but True Blood ain't PG-13!

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