Yes, it's that time again, when buds are on the trees and visions of beefcake swim in the heads of gay men everywhere. Is it the rising temperatures? Is it that the UPS guys are back to wearing shorts again? We're not sure, but spring seemed the perfect time to launch the second annual AfterElton.com Hot 100, where we ask gay and bi men around the world for their picks of who the hottest men are in popular culture.

Last year's poll was a testament to the diversity in tastes among gay and bi men, and this year, to get as many balls rolling as possible, we're providing Top Tens from members of the AfterElton.com team and some of our favorite online personalities. Ready to make your own contribution? Head on over and vote!

And so, without further ado, here are my picks ... 

Hot 100 vet Taye Diggs

10. Chris Evans (Actor, Sunshine)

9. Seann William Scott (Actor, Southland Tales)

8. Taye Diggs (Actor, Private Practice)

Jay Brannan, photographed by Nicolas Moore

7. Byung Hun Lee (Actor, G.I. Joe)

6. Jay Brannan (Musician and actor, Shortbus)

5. Alessandro Calza (Actor, Ciao)

Ian Roberts (from Outrage magazine)

4. Ian Roberts (Aussie rugger turned actor, Kiss Me Deadly)

3. Eddie Cibrian (Actor, Ugly Betty)

2. Ryan Reynolds (Actor, The Nines)

And my new top pick for the year...

Rugby has long had a reputation as one of the most physically demanding (not to mention dangerous) sports, but unlike American football (where the players wear sissy stuff like padding), there have been small but notable steps taken when it comes to gay inclusion. Australian rugby player Ian Roberts came out, spoke about how disappointed he is that there are not more openly gay players, and even appeared in Superman Returns. And then of course there is the very gay-friendly UK rugby star, Ben Cohen, who has gained attention for embracing his gay fanbase.

LOGOonline is premiering a 4-part documentary series about one season in the life of a predominantly gay rugby team, the Chicago Dragons, who are playing in a straight league. Their goal for their second season is to ... well, to win a game ... and it's a hilarious and enlightening look into machismo, self-doubt, and teamwork.

My favorite is part three, where they head south to face the Atlanta Bucks, and some interesting self-hatred comes out when they admit to being terrified of losing to "another gay team". During the visit, we're treated to the curious sight of two opposing sports teams having a pre-match party, and after the goodie-bags of condoms and lube, the question of whether it's appropriate for adversaries to hook up.

Will the Dragons win a game? Will the two team mascots get it on after downing jello shots? Tune in and see! We've posted the first episode after the jump for your viewing pleasure, or head on over the Dragons' website to learn more, and maybe sign up for the bachelor auction coming up next month.

Click on through for the first episode! (And yes, Logo does own AfterElton.com, but that doesn't make gay rugby players any less compelling, we promise!)

 
Hey, they said it! (Kevin from Brothers & Sisters)

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual 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.

• If born-again wingnut Stephen Baldwin were president, he'd make it clear that gay marriage is "not acceptable". If I were president, I'd make it clear that Bio-Dome was "not acceptable". Come on, wasn't this guy in Threesome, Last Exit to Brooklyn and The Usual Suspects, and isn't his brother Billy currently doing wonders for queer visibility on Dirty Sexy Money?

• Although the above pic of Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys) in a dunce cap is the best of the bunch, there are other pics from the upcoming Brothers & Sisters episode over here. 

• We mentioned Tim Gunn's appearance on Ellen in today's Queerview, and here's a video of the sit-down part of the silver charmer's visit. He really is just the coolest.

T.R. Knight at the 27 Dresses Premiere

• T.R. Knight looked dashing as ever at the premiere of BFF Katherine Heigl's new movie, 27 Dresses. Meanwhile, when asked how complicated his duties were as Heigl's bridesman, he replied, "I just stayed out of the way ... I'm not allowed to get married so I have no advice!" Churrrrrch!

• Lifetime's Carson Kressley-hosted new makeover show How to Look Good Naked broke the ratings record for reality premieres with the net's key demographic, so keep an eye out for more shows where gay men parade naked women around for fun. Kinda like Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency on opposite day!

• We know Brit soap Skins had some impressive gay content in its first season, so it's a shame that the otherwise amazing promo for season two that's after the jump doesn't feature any guy-guy stuff. (Note: it does feature lots of shirtless fellas and some gorgeous art direction.)

Our friends over at The Advocate were kind enough to pass along some great candid pics from inside their recent 40th Anniversary party. Aside from being a gay celeb watcher's dream, the event also featured a silent auction to benefit The Point Foundation.

(all photos courtesy JPI Studios)

BFFs Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight

(photo: Sean Smith)

Out athlete Ian Roberts

(photo: Brandon Charles)

Perez Hilton, Candis Cayne, and Billy Baldwin

(photo: Brandon Charles)