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Bail Denied for Anti-Gay Reggae Singer Buju Banton

There is an update to the case of anti-gay "murder music" singer Buju Banton, who has been jailed in Miami on federal drug conspiracy charges. Bail has been denied and he will be transferred to Tampa, reports the AP.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff issued a temporary order of detention for the 36-year-old singer, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie. Banton did not speak at the hearing, except to reply, "Yes, sir," to the judge's questions... Banton has been in federal custody since last Thursday. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. According to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration affidavit, Banton and two others traveled to Sarasota last week to purchase a large amount of cocaine from an undercover law enforcement officer. The DEA was tipped off by a confidential informant who agreed to wear a recording device during the drug negotiation session. Banton's attorney said the singer is "completely innocent" of the charges against him. "He's a very spiritual person," Herbert E. Walker III said. "He has a lot of faith in God. He's confident he's going to be exonerated."

Gay activists in North America and Europe have called attention to Banton's "spiritual" lyrics, which incite violence and call for attacking, torturing and killing gays. His song "Boom Bye Bye", a dancehall anthem released in the 1990s, calls for shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. In recent years, the singer's North American and European tour dates have routinely met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations.

The federal drug conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Earlier this month, Banton's ninth album, Rasta Got Soul, was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album and sparked outrage. GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD)  spearheaded an online petition drive against The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The petition is HERE.

WATCH: London Sings "Happy Birthday" to JLS's JB at 02 Arena

Sorry for being a few days late on this: Jonathon "JB" Gill—he of the quarter-sized nipples in gay vague British boyband of the moment JLS—is all smiles as he celebrated his 23rd birthday with about 20,000 of his closest friends at London's 02 Arena as the crowd sang "Happy Birthday". The band was one of the headliners at the mega-popular Jingle Bell Ball that included Lady Gaga.

The boys sayJB's swagger attracts the most male attention.

Marvin, as usual, never can keep his shirt on. Aston strips off, more images of the lads in concert and several videos AFTER THE JUMP.

Anti-Gay Singer Buju Banton Jailed on Drug Conspiracy Charges

Anti-gay "murder music" singer Buju Banton has been jailed in Miami on federal drug conspiracy charges:

"Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine. Banton has homes both in Jamaica and Tamarac. While legions of dancehall reggae enthusiasts view Banton as one of the most prolific voices of Jamaica's poor masses, critics say he's a gay basher whose lyrics incite violence by calling for attacking and torturing homosexuals. His song 'Boom Bye Bye', a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire."

In recent years, the singer's North American and European tour dates have routinely met with protests, demonstrations and cancellations. In October, San Francisco-based LGBT activists met with Banton and afterwards the reggae singer's anti-gay rhetoric appeared even more hardened: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs, 'There is no end to the war between me and faggot'. The same night after I met with them [gay activists], they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me? I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."

Jamaican news coverage of Buju Banton's arrest has, predictably, attempted to link his legal problems to his anti-gay views.

Banton's recent Grammy nomination has been met with outrage. GLAAD, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) have spearheaded an online petition drive against The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The petition is HERE.

JLS' Aston: "I Wear Girl's Sneakers All The Time!"

In your regular update on British boyband of the moment and gay faves JLS: Aston Merrygold confesses that he prefers to buy women's "trainers" aka sneakers.

The petite but "perfectly formed" 21-year-old JLS hunk, known for doing flips and somersaults on-stage and constantly flashing his abs, says he prefers stylish footwear that's not too butch. "I wear girls' trainers all the time, Aston tells The Sun. "Why not? I like the colours." Aston's choice in footwear doesn't seem the bother the band's fans. Aston was recently voted The Sun's second-favorite JLS member and hottie Marvin Hume was first.

In related news: The boyband just announced they will release their second album in 2010.

Behind-the-Scenes with Beyoncé and Lady GaGa: "Video Phone"

Behind-the-scenes with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and a few hot dancers on the shoot for "Video Phone" ON THE FLIP SIDE.

Spotted: Pharrell Williams Debuts New Studded Louboutin Sneaks

Rapper, designer, super producer and fashionista Pharrell Williams makes a scene when he debuts these new Christian Louboutin Studded Louis Sneakers. Retail price: $1200.

The week before, PW stepped out in the white Louis. These look a little nicer than the black version, but I'm really not feeling the spikes.

WATCH: Bebe Zahara Benet Sings "I'm The Sh!t"

Bebe Zahara Benet, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, releases her new video for the anthemic "I'm The Shit". Bebe serves it to the children, pays homage to Ru  and amps up volume on the nasty. Can't wait to hear the Peter Rauhofer remixes and love the Ferrari red metallic dress. Watch AFTER THE JUMP.

ABC Books Chris Brown After Canceling Adam Lambert: Convicted Felony Abusers More Appropriate?

ABC's Good Morning America (disclaimer: former employer) is being criticized for immediately booking convicted felon and girlfriend abuser Chris Brown after canceling Adam Lambert over his pan-sexually charged American Music Awards performance, the New York Post reports:

Brown will do a taped tell-all with Robin Roberts, followed by a performance of songs from his new album. But TV insiders say the appearance, slated to air the week after next, has outraged feminists and gay activists who wonder why a convicted girlfriend abuser is more palatable to the network than an openly gay man who broke no laws with his raunchy performance on the "American Music Awards."

An ABC source said, "The network is giving a mixed message—that it doesn't trust someone who shocked with an unpredictable show and a gay kiss, but then it is happy to go ahead with Chris Brown, who was convicted of felony assault." ABC News has insisted that Lambert's sexual orientation did not play a role in its decision to pull the plug on his "GMA" appearance this week.ABC insiders said they ruled the "American Idol" star's sexed-up shenanigans on Sunday's awards show -- which included him groping a female dancer, kissing a male musician and shoving a male dancer's face into his crotch—were inappropriate for morning TV. One said, "He was not canceled over a gay kiss. He showed himself to be unpredictable on live TV."

In August, the R&B singer was sentenced to probation and six months community labor for the brutal beating of pop star and former girlfriend Rihanna. The sentencing revealed the couple had a history of domestic violence. In a recent interview on CNN's Larry King Live, Brown claims he does not remember beating Rihanna into a bloody pulp.

WATCH: Thousands in Puerto Rico Hold Vigil for Slain Gay Teen, Calle 13's René Pérez Speaks Out

More developments into the brutal murder of Jorge Steven López Mercado, the gay 19-year-old who was brutally murdered, decapitated and dismembered in Puerto Rico. On Thanksgiving Eve, thousands marched through the capital of San Juan to hold a candlelight vigil for the slain teen. The crowd demanded authorities investigate the case as an anti-gay hate crime—which apparently prosecutors have agreed to do under considerable pressure.

AFTER THE JUMP watch video of the demonstration.

Pedro Julio Serrano, a spokesman for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said as the marchers gathered outside the island's Department of Justice: "We're gay people, straight people, young people, old people. It is Puerto Rico that's walking tonight."

The mutilated body of the 19-year-old college student and gay youth activist was discovered Nov. 13 along a road in the mountain town of Cayey. Last weekend, there were more than a dozen vigils for Lopez across the country. The teen was laid to rest on Monday and close to 1,000 people attended the funeral. Miriam Mercado and Jorge López, the parents of Jorge Steven, attended the vigil with Jorge Steven's 9-year-old brother Jorge Gabriel. Mrs. Mercado—who has become a model of compassion after professing her love for her gay son and uploading a videotaped message thanking supporters throughout the world—tearfully addressed the crowd last night again: "'You have given us hope at our most difficult moment as a family,' she said. 9 year-old Jorge Gabriel led the crowd in chanting 'Long-live Steven.'"

Andrés Duque at Blabbbeando reports: "Political leaders were conspicuous in their absence. Two weeks after the horrible crime and the worldwide outrage it has elicited and there is still no word whatsoever from Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuño, a conservative darling who is being mentioned as a potential 2012 Republican U.S. presidential candidate. Amazingly, two well-known and extremely well-loved Puerto Rican showbiz darlings did make an appearance. René Pérez, lead singer for the most successful reggaeton band in the world, Calle 13, and Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001, marched in last night's vigil in support of Jorge Steven's family. After the vigil, they stopped to give my friend Pedro Julio Serrano the following declarations on video."

René Pérez said, in part: "What happened was atrocious. The crime was viciously awful, and strong and unjust, and it's also unjust that it hasn't even been spoken about. Speaking of stupid things, they honor Paris Hilton in the Senate, and they cannot speak about this?" In the video translated by Duque, and also on Twitter, the top-selling reggaeton singer in the world adds this "powerful" support for equality: "I am 'Homo' because I'm 'Homo-sapiens', I am 'sexual', hence I am 'Homo-sexual' as well."

Watch Pérez and Quiñones' words of support—with a translation from Blabbeando's Andres Duque—AFTER THE JUMP.

Turning to the investigation: 26-year-old Juan Martinez Matos has been charged with first-degree murder and jailed on $4 million bond. Martinez has confessed to killing and mutilating Lopez. It appears he is laying what appears to be a "gay-panic" defense, claiming Lopez was wearing a dress and he believed the victim was a female prostitute. Martinez claims Lopez tried to stab him and he defended himself with a kitchen knife.

NGLTF’s Serrano contradicts the account. Serrano tells Doug Ireland at Gay City News: "None of Jorge Steven’s friends, and I’ve spoken to many of them, knew anything about his ever having engaged in sex work, not his family, and not the police,” Serrano, who met with investigators on the case, [says]. "Nor was he known as a cross-dresser. He identified and lived as a very proud gay man, he was very genuine and authentic. He was just very fashion-oriented and what you could call a gender-bender, but not in a transgendered way."

The Puerto Rico Department of Justice has agreed to investigate the murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado as a hate crime. There have been at least 20 murders of gay men or transgender women since a 2002 hate crime law was passed in this U.S. territory. This will be the first time it has been applied.

WHEN YOU JUMP watch video of the demonstration shot by CNN iReporter Christopher Pagan. Also watch singer René Pérez and Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quiñones'—with a translation from Blabbeando's Andres Duque—AFTER THE JUMP.

WATCH: Hasselbeck Slams Adam Lambert's "Sexual Aggression"

The ladies of The View took on Adam Lambert's controversial pan-sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards, which attracted some 1,500 complaints.

After Sherri Shepherd graphically described Lambert's performance—"He was sticking his finger between the legs of his dancers! I can't show you what he did" she tsked tsked—right-wing babe Elisabeth Hasselbeck slammed Lambert's "sexual aggression": "Subjectively ... there seemed to be a sexual aggression that came across in the performance. Does anyone know what song he sang? Does anyone remember what he sounded like? Because let me tell you this, this is the mistake Adam Lambert will make time and time again. We will not remember him as a performer or someone with a voice if he continues to do things like this. He will smarten up and sing."

In related news: Adam Lambert's Good Morning America performance, scheduled for tomorrow, has been canceled because of his act at the AMAs CBS' The Early Show reportedly gladly scooped the Idol star. #ShameOnYouABC quickly trended to the second most popular topic on twitter.

Watch the clip WHEN YOU JUMP.