AfterElton Briefs: Barrowman cuddles, tattoos for gays and how to put on that Speedo!

(Photo: Getty)

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

• Above: You know, out comedian Alan Carr probably wouldn't be laughing if he knew that Grace Jones was planning on skinning him alive, eating his raw flesh, and making a darling birdcage out of his bones. Just sayin'. (Taken at this weekend's Q Music Awards)

• Check out this mainstream pub's charming piece about Philly's gay bookstore Giovanni's Room, which is celebrating 35 years in business (making it the second-oldest gay bookstore in the country). And they say no one reads books anymore.

• Check out this story about former UDA gunman Sam "Skelly" McCrory, the a paramilitary who outed himself as a gay man after trading a life involved with assassination squads in Northern Ireland for a life dedicated to gay rights activism in Scotland.

• In a follow-up to this morning's inspiring religious news, the chaplain to the London Stock Exchange recently wrote on his blog that gays should have their backsides and chins tattooed with "sodomy" warnings in the way that cigarettes are labeled as harmful to one's health. Um ... sounds kinky, Reverend. (Does my Tigger tattoo count?)

• The Daily Mail has a great interview with John Barrowman. Most interesting tidbit? John still cuddles with his parents on occasiona. Those wacky Scots!