AfterElton Briefs: Ben Cohen Does America, Six Reasons Why PETA's Gay, the New "Celebrity Apprentice" Cast, and More!

Happy 25th Birthday to out Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson

• Zap2it.com is asking readers to weigh in about our interview with Disney Channel President Gary Marsh about the exclusion of gay characters on Disney shows. So far, the comments are mostly pro-gay, except for a few "If they include them I'll switch to Nickelodeon," and some person who insists that Miley Cyrus and all of The Jonas Brothers are gay ... oh, and The Jonas Brothers aren't really brothers, and are gay for each other.

• Austrian television celebrity Alfons Haider (who many believe was the inspiration for Sascha Baron Cohen's Bruno character) will be dancing with a straight male partner on the next season on Austria's Dancing Stars.

• In ratings news, CBS has renewed Big Bang Theory for three more seasons. Meanwhile, ratings for last night's Southland aren't out yet, but last week's season premiere ratings were on par with last season.

• He's coming! Rugger God Ben Cohen will be in NYC this weekend to kick off the "The Ben Cohen Acceptance Tour 2011," which will "support the activities of GLSEN based in the USA. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."

• Six reasons why PETA's Gay.

• America Fererra will join the cast of The Good Wife for three episodes this season, playing a graduate student who romances Eli, played by Alan Cumming.

• The cast for the new season of Celebrity Apprentice has been announced. Oh ... dear. Get ready for Star Jones, Meatloaf, Latoya Jackson, David Cassidy, Lisa Rinna, Jose Conseco, Gary Busey, Mark McGrath, Nene Leakes, L'Il John ... and naked gay Richard Hatch.

• Lady Gaga is confirmed to perform at the Grammy Awards, which will be held February 13th, the same day her single "Born This Way" is released.

• I mentioned Ben Cohen, and here's news about another athlete we've loved for a while. Former college wrestler (now coach) Hudson Taylor has started the website Athlete Ally, as "a resource to encourage athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the sports community to respect all individuals involved in sports, regardless of perceived or actual sexual-orientation or gender identity or expression." He's asking everyone who visits to take a pledge to help end homophobia in sports.

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