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Kanye West Angry at Gay Rumors: "Never Question My Manhood!"

Super producer, rapper and fashionista Kanye West continues to publicly explore his sexuality .. whatever it may be. Kanye blasts gossips who speculate about his sexuality—you know what they have said—and insists his "manhood" should "never" be questioned.

The Stronger hitmaker, whose engagement to fashion designer Alexis Phifer ended in 2008, has long been dogged by rumors he is secretly gay. Having previously slammed the "disrespectful" claims, West is furious about new rumors his relationship with model Amber Rose is just for show.

In a rant on his online blog, he writes, "I know my life is the Truman Show for everyone to judge and comment on but I'm not doing a reality show. I'm not doing anything 'for the camera'!"

"I have some ego problems, b**ched out at award shows, have control issues and make some questionable fashion choices but never question MY manhood. This is a message to everybody out there!"

The stylish producer-rapper has criticized hip-hop for being obsessed with gays and gay-baiting, calling attention to rampant homophobia in rap, hip hop and the 'hood. West has admitted to having "feminine ways", "an issue with masculinity" and projecting his own insecurities, creating discussion around homophobia and hip-hop.

The only problem here is his word usage, i.e. "manhood." Last month Kanye West dismissed gay-baiting and told MTV he is "secure in his manhood." Now he says "never" question it. We're all men, straight or gay, but unfortunately in the 'hood "manhood" is supposed to mean masculinity and/or heterosexuality. "Questioning" someone's "manhood" implies they are gay and that is a huge dis.

You May Have Missed ...
Kanye: "I'm Secure in My Manhood" [R20]
Kanye West Vows to Pose Naked  [R20]
Kanye West Embraces His "Feminine Ways" [R20]
"Interior Design" Visits Kanye West's Modernist Home [R20]
Has-Been Rapper Beanie Sigel Demands Kanye and Pharrell "Come Out of the Closet" [R20]
Kanye West Responds to Gay Rumors [R20]
John Legend & Cornel West vs Homophobia [R20]
Kanye on Gay Bashing [R20]
Kanye: "My Own Homophobia" [R20]
Hip-Hop and Homophobia [R20]
Kanye Trifecta [R20]
"The Advocate" Names Common One of the "Coolest Straight People" [R20]
Hip Hop Teen Idol Lil Romeo:"Gay is Okay" [R20]
"Taking the Homophobia Out of Hip-Hop [R20]
Busta: Gays Better Not "Touch It" [R20]
Ja Rule: MTV "Promoting Homosexuality" [R20]
Busta's Homophobic VIBE [R20]

Dean Urges Vermont Legislators to Pass Marriage Equality

As the Vermont House prepares to likely vote for a same-sex marriage bill—and Republican Governor Jim Douglas promises to veto the legislation—former Gov. Howard Dean spoke at the Vermont Democratic Party reception in Burlington. The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee urges legislators to support marriage equality, reports the Burlington Free Press.

"Vote your conscience, not your district. Stand up for doing the right thing; for being a human being. Put human rights above politics—because if you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your political career."

Dean adds: Conservatives should note that the first American soldier to "take a bullet" at the onset of the current war in Iraq was a gay man.

Meanwhile, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas' mailbox and e-mail has been "flooded" with messages. Reports the Associated Press: "In the first two days after he pledged to veto a same-sex marriage bill, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas' [received] about 1,500 letters and messages." An example of one of the many critical messages: "Your choice to veto is a slap in the face and a firm reminder that in your opinion, my partner and I are worth less than others simply because we are of the same gender," wrote a South Burlington man, saying he refuses to be "a second class citizen in this state."

WCAX-TV reports the state house has also been "flooded" with thousands of messages: "The House Judiciary Committee adjourned its afternoon hearing early to allow lawmakers to read some of the communication. The committee's chair said much of it appears to be from out-of-state, part of an orchestrated campaign to sway legislation here. 'I'm most interested in Vermont communications from Vermont residents, Vermont families, who are telling their stories about why this is an important piece of legislation or telling their story about what their concerns are about this legislation. I am most interested in the Vermont stories,' said Rep. Bill Lippert, D-Vt. House Judiciary Committee Chairman. "

The House Judiciary Committee should vote on the bill this afternoon. It is likely to pass and a full vote on the House floor is expected later in the week.

WaPo ABC News Poll: Obama Approval at 66 Percent

Very good news on the homefront as President Barack Obama heads to London for the G20 Summit. The president's approval rating is at 66 percent, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. "Two-thirds of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling the country's top job, and six in 10 give him good marks on issue No. 1, the flagging economy," WaPo reports.

"The number of Americans who believe that the nation is headed in the right direction has roughly tripled since Barack Obama's election" and 42 percent of the public believes the country is on the "right track," the “highest percentage saying so in five years and marks a sharp turnabout from last fall, when as many as nine in 10 said the country was heading in the wrong direction."

Report: GM's Wagoner to Collect $20 Million Retirement Package

By now you've probably heard the White House has rejected the strategic plans of the Big Three automakers.  General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner was asked to resign at the request of President Barack Obama.

What you probably haven't heard is that Wagoner will be eligible to drive away with $20 million in retirement benefits from GM, the corporation that lost tens of billions of dollars under the ousted CEO's leadership, ABC News reports.

"Upon his departure, Wagoner becomes eligible for both a "Salaried Retirement Plan" and an "Executive Retirement Plan" with General Motors. The combined value of the plans at the end of last year was $20.2 million, according to the company's filings with the SEC, although compensation experts said his age—56—may make him ineligible for the entire amount.

"Most of that will be paid out as an annuity over five years, the remainder is a small lifetime annuity," GM spokeswoman Julie M. Gibson said in an email earlier today. But in a subsequent "clarification" email after this story published, Gibson said that the terms of Wagoner's final compensation were not yet hammered out. "Specifics on any compensation entitled to, or actually paid to Mr. Wagoner are still being reviewed," she wrote.

GM has received "billions in loans" from Treasury Department and has requested billions more. Under its agreement with Treasury, the world's once largest corporation cannot pay severance fees to senior executives. But that ban does not appear to apply to retirement benefits. This is your tax dollars at work.

In related news, the president says auto "unions and workers [have] already made painful concessions" and will have make "even more."  Funny. Must have missed the Administration's speech on "painful concessions" from Wall Street and ousted auto executives.

Mehcad Brooks Strips Down and Goes Shirtless on "Dollhouse"

For lunch how about some beef? Former Desperate Housewives, The Game cast member and Rod 2.0 crush object Mehcad Brooks joins the cast of  Joss Wheedon's Dollhouse on FOX—the edgy new sci-fi series that is receiving serious rave reviews—as a recurring character. Oh and Mehcad does what he does best: Goes shirtless.

Brooks is cast as a Sam, a grad student (supposedly) trying to help Echo (Eliza Dushku) find a cure for the outbreak on campus. Only minutes into the episode and immediately after walking into his apartment, Mehcad takes off his shirt. That's one way to keep viewers interested.

 

JUMP for the strip show and Mehcad's bulging, umm, muscles.

At Least 19 Killed in Ivory Coast Stadium Stampede

Tragedy in the Ivory Coast. At least 19 people die after thousands stampede an overcrowded stadium in a World Cup qualifier.

An estimated 36,000 spectators were in the Houphouet-Boigny Arena in the capital city of Abidjan. This was the highly-anticipated game against Malawi and the return of soccer phenom Didier Drogba. Police fired tear gas into one section of the crowd to no avail. Dozens of fans were injured, some seriously.

According to Reuters, " 'Spectators who did not buy tickets were jostling before the match,' Sports Minister Dagobert Banzio said on state television. 'They smashed one of the main gates of the stadium. They were trampled.' "

The BBC reports the tragedy happened "before" the game began but the event went ahead. The Ivory Coast defeated Malawi 5-0.

Riots and crushes are unfortunately all-too-common at frequently overcrowded African soccer stadiums. Last September, 11 people were killed in a stadium riot in the Congo. In June, eight people died in a crush in Liberia.

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Gates: Administration Will Delay Change to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

On January 14, 2009, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama would lift the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. No timeline was given. Defense Secretary Robert Gates appeared on FOX News Sunday and says it will "not" happen anytime soon.

"I think the president and I feel like we've got a lot on our plates right now, and let's push that one down the road a little bit," Gates told Fox's Chris Wallace.

When Wallace asked Gates why there is money in the proposed 2010 budget to enforce the "Don't Ask" policy, the former Bush administration official said the Pentagon will enforce whatever policy is the law.

"Any change in the policy would require a change in the law," Gates said. "We will follow the law whatever it is. That dialog [to end the ban]... has really not progressed very far in this administration."

In 1993, the Clinton White House tackled the thorny issue of gays in the military less than 100 days into its presidency. After polarizing debate, DADT became the flawed compromise that exists today. Since DADT was enacted more than 12,000 servicemembers have been dismissed because of their sexuality, according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Just like health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act, there probably will not be any traction this year on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  Despite the legislative support to end the ban, it probably will be delayed until the Administration begins withdrawal from Iraq. 

Some Background ...
Tauscher Introduces Bill to Repeal "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Conference Call on "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
Gays in Military Do Not Undermine "Cohesiveness" [R20]
Court of Appeals Upholds "Don't Ask" [R20]
Joint Chiefs Nominee: Congress Can Reconsider "Don't Ask" [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chair: End DADT [R20]
Most Soldiers Support Gays [R20]

Tyra Banks, Suze Orman and Phil Donahue Honored by GLAAD

Talk show host Tyra Banks, out financial guru Suze Orman and talk show pioneer Phil Donahue were honored at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Banks received the Excellence in Media Award, Orman received the Vito Russo Award and Donhue was the recipient of the Special Recognition Award:.

Banks discussed the connections between homophobia and racism and credited the gay community for her rise to stardom as a black supermodel in an overwhelmingly white-dominated industry. "You empowered me," Banks told the audience. "And in turn, when I finally had a platform and the power and a voice to get across the points and the messages that are important to me, I brought you along with me, because you embraced me."

Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom and Shelter tied for outstanding limited-release film, black bisexual ESPN.com columnist LZ Granderson won for Outstanding Digital Journalism Article, among other winners. Full list is here. Jennifer Holliday performed and brought down the house. Other GLAAD honorees will be recognized at a Los Angeles ceremony next month.

Newsman's Confessed 16 Year Old Killer Demands Cash for Interview

More details emerge on John Katehis, the 16-year-old Satan-worshiping knife collector who has admitted to the bloody slaying of radio newsman George Weber in a sex-for-cash-hookup gone wrong. Reports say the troubled teen is still demanding money ... this time from newspaper reporters requesting interviews.

The New York Post visited the troubled teen at the psychiatric ward of Bellevue Hospital.

When visited by a Post reporter, Katehis greedily said he'd only tell his side of the story "for cash."

Wearing a light green jumpsuit and a menacing scowl on his face, Katehis again made clear there was only one way he'd spill the beans. "Is this a cash offer?" snarled Katehis. "Cash offers only!"

Once it became clear no money would be exchanged, Katehis shot up and yelled again, "cash offers only!" and stormed out.

The lure of money figures prominently in the tabloid sex slaying. Police say Katehis told them he answered Weber's Craigslist ad offering $60 for rough sex. The teen confessed to savagely stabbing the ABC News radioman in his Brooklyn apartment. The Queens boy was later lured to an upstate rendezvous with detectives after his father "promis[ed] to give him $300."

Katehis has plead not guilty and is being kept in Bellevue for observation. Unfortunately the young man sounds very disturbed or very greedy. Or both.

Alleged Weber Killer Demands Cash for Interview [NYP]

Some Background...
Lisa Bloom: Slain Newsman Should Have "Researched" Teen Killer [R20]
Rough Trade: 16 Year Old, Knife Collecting Satanist Confesses to Brutal Newsman Slaying [R20]
Teen Satanist Pleads "Not Guilty" to Bloody Slaying of Radio Newsman [R20]

March Madness: Louisville's Earl Clark Shows His Abs

You can see the disappointment in the face of Louisville's star player Earl Clark after the team's surprising 64-52 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Midwest Regional finals on Sunday.

Not the best day for Cardinals fans ... but undoubtedly there were some smiles when Clark walked off the floor and pulled his jersey over his head, exposing a treasure trail leading to some interesting artwork.

Watch the strip show on ON THE FLIP SIDE.