Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

LISTEN: Trey Songz Jokes About Male Fans on London Radio

PHOTOS: GETTY

R&B poptart and "BQ Sex Siren" realness Trey Songz appears on London breakfast radio to promote his new album Chapter V.  For those of you who love Trey Songz's sexy voice,  you will love the wide-ranging interview. His Treyness discusses everything from his favorite attribute —"My smile. I love my smile!"—to his smartphone addiction and tour plans.

There is cute exchange at top where Trey discusses "Trey's Angels"—the name for female Songz fans—and says he doesn't mind if the two male co-hosts or male fans are also called "Angels." It's a really fun interview and you can see that Trey is enjoying himself—after several awkward moments while on the promo tour.

The bit about male fans at 00:35. Listen AFTER THE JUMP ...

Ne-Yo: Stop Calling Me Gay

R&B singer-songwriter of the moment Ne-Yo explains for the umpteenth time that he is not gay: How can I be gay because I have a girlfriend and she is expecting a baby?

FIRST LOOK/LISTEN: Cover Art for Kelly Rowland's "Grown Woman" and "Rose Colored Glasses"

Big big hair for Kelly Rowland in the leaked cover art for "Grown Woman," the new Ne-Yo written and Stargate-produced track. This will be the third single from her upcoming and self-titled new album. The first two are the David Guetta singles are the ferosh anthems "Commander" and "When Love Takes Over." Kelly Rowland is due September 14th.

Also leaking: The cover art for Rowland's new Dr. Luke-produced midtempo track "Rose Colored Glasses."

Although the upcoming album title is not too original, Rowland has found her groove and it's fabulous. Listen to "Grown Woman", see the "Rose" cover art and music video and watch a clip of Rowland performing at Los Angeles Gay Pride—Kelis performed there, too—ON THE FLIP SIDE ...

WATCH: Ne-Yo Demonstrates His Oral Techniques at Glamorama

Singer-songwriter of the moment Ne-Yo is the talk of Minneapolis after his recent appearance at Macy's Glamorama. Unfortunately much of buzz is around his on-air gum popping and less around his fashion aesthetic, notes Star-Tribune columnist C.J.

Ne-Yo spends too much time cultivating a look to have it marred by chewing gum. But there the singer-songwriter was Friday night at the Glamorama after-party, taking pictures with fans, trying to dance like Fred Astaire, all the while chomping on gum. Gum chewing is incompatible with donning the hat and the glasses and the nice suit and the shoes, Ne-Yo. Gum chewing minifies the sophisticated style you so studiously attempt to convey.

What did Coco Chanel famously say? "Look in the mirror and remove one accessory." For Ne-Yo, those accessories would be chewing gum and lip gloss. 'Cause, you know, Ne-Yo has said several time he is not gay. Definitely not gay.

WHEN YOU JUMP, Ne-Yo pops his gum and demonstrates his oral technique. Thanks Percy.

News: Andrew Howe, Alabama, Michelle Obama, Madonna

On the same day the Alabama House of Representatives approves a resolution that praises Miss California Carrie Prejean for her public stand against marriage equality, members vote to add sexual orientation to the state's hate crimes law. The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery was approved by the House on a close 46-41 vote. It updates a hate crimes law passed in 1994 that included race, color, religion and national origin. The bill now goes to the Senate.

· Is Perez Hilton a problem for the gay community?

· Ne-Yo channels Vin Diesel: I'm not gay, I only "date" women in Europe.

· After suffering an injury to his left Achilles tendon, Italian track and field sensation Andrew Howe will abandon the long jump this season and concentrate on sprinting.

· Madonna back with Jesus Luz? Page Six reports Madge has "reunited with her Brazilian man-candy and insiders are crediting her friends in the fashion world. Marc Jacobs 'wrote a letter of support for Jesus' work permit' to allow him to stay in the country, said our source. 'Marc campaigned for Jesus, saying he is highly talented and a necessity to the label.' " 

· FOX "News" will not air Obama's prime-time news conference marking his 100th day in office.

· The first book devoted to Michelle Obama's style hits bookstores next week.

· New music: Basement Jaxx's "Rain Drops". 

· Union activist Mary Beth Maxwell appointed senior adviser to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Jennifer Hudson on "Jennifer Hudson": Interview and Giveaway

Jennifer Hudson's career has skyrocketed ever since her star turn as a finalist on American Idol. It's no surprise that with every step of her career, the Chicago native has increased her profile as a gay icon. The Academy Award-winning screen debut in the screen adaptation of Dreamgirls. The role in last summer's Sex and the City film. The cover of the Out 100 issue. Two more movies are in the works—Winged Creatures and The Secret Life of Bees—and the 27-year-old singer actress is not slowing down.

Tomorrow is the release of Jennifer Hudson, her long awaited debut album. In a recent telephone interview—unfortunately, just before her engagement was announced—J Jud chatted up the new album. Oh and of course she dished divas, Dreamgirls, drag queens, and, her love for the gays.

ROD 2.0: You starred in a movie, you won an Academy Award, you have a new album coming out ... You're doing it all. How does it feel to wake up every morning and look at an Oscar?

JENNIFER HUDSON: (LAUGHING) Well, I am taking it day by day. There is a lot happening at once but I am staying grounded. That is what is important. But yes, the Oscar is there at home in Chicago.

It must be very difficult to be maintain some privacy and have a life. I'm sure you're recognized everywhere you go. How do you deal with that?

Oh yes. The publicity around Sex and the City, the awards, Dreamgirls ... it's a whole new world. It is taking some time to get used but I'm just me, I'm the same person, but people don't view me that way anymore. Even my sister can't go to work without being approached or treated differently. That's not really fair because I was the one who wanted this, not my family. But we're dealing with it, you just have to work differently and look at everything as a challenge.

How did you become a gay icon so quickly? Right now I'm looking at your MySpace page and it looks like you have hundreds of gay friends.

Oh really? I wouldn't be surprised. That's for real. Offline, most of my friends are gay. They always have been. I feel so honored that the children are looking out for me. If the gay community thinks I'm hot then I must be must be doing something right! If the kids say I'm fierce, I'll take that as the best compliment of them all.

"The children"? Girl, that's old school. I grew up in Chicago on the South Side.

Ohmygosh did you really? I didn't know that. I would have LOVED to have hung out with you. I started off singing at the gay clubs. At the drag shows. Not many people know that. Have you ever heard of the East of the Ryan?

Jennifer, yes! On 79th Street. Was it Monday nights? Flame Monroe used to host and ...

(JENNIFER SCREAMS) Oh lord! I can't believe we are talking about the same spot and the same people. Yes, honey, Miss Flame Monroe went on to [BET's] Comic View and she blew up. I remember all the old school girls like Sasha Valentino, Indigo Blue, Miss Tanya. That's how I started off singing, at the drag shows. I used to make tips, big tips. Rod, when I first started singing, you wouldn't believe it, some of them did not believe I was a real girl! I almost had to pull something out to prove it! But the children have been looking out for me ever since.

What about the photo for your album cover? There was some controversy over that.

There was but I didn't pay any attention. People are going to say what they are going to say. I like the photo. I think it's hot.

It is. Very hot. But I was living for those Francois Rousseau photos in the Out 100 issue. Now those were stunning.

Yes, yes, yes! Those were fabulous pictures. He is a very talented photographer. I can't wait to work with him again. That was such a great issue of the magazine. So many talented people doing things for the community.

Let's talk about the new album. Did you feel a lot of pressure to release "Spotlight" as the first single? Or did you want to go in a different direction

There was more pressure to [choose] something that everybody would like and at the same time something my fans would enjoy. "Spotlight" was a good introduction to me, my talent, and, for the radio. It was a good introduction to me as an artist. Everyone has heard me on Idol, in [Dreamgirls], in the clubs ... hitting all the notes .. but there is a whole lot more to me as an artist. I hope the album gives something to everyone.

Ne-Yo co-wrote and produced that track, right?

Yes and he is amazing. We worked on three songs together and I'd love to work with him again. Ne-Yo is an amazing songwriter. He's one of my favorites.

The release date is around the corner. How do you feel?

The album comes out on September 30. I'm really excited about this. I want to thank everyone who has supported me before. I also want to tell the gay community and all the children that I will always stand by them. Just look for me, I'll be around. If you see me on the street, just say hello, I speak to everyone. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

Jennifer Hudson (Arista) will be released on September 30. Thanks to Arista Records and Jennifer Hudson's management, limited copies are available for giveaway to Rod 2.0 readers. In the comments below, explain why you're a Jennifer Hudson fan and/or what you've heard from the new album.

Ne-Yo on Persistent Gay Rumors: "I'm NOT Gay!"

R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo channels Sanjaya Malakar—or perhaps actor Rodney Chester—to explain for the umpteenth time that he is not gay: He just really understands women.

Appearing in an interview at Straight.com—please stop laughing, it's the website of the Vancouver-based weekly The Georgia Straight—Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" defends his sexuality against rampant "internet rumors."

"In not ever having to deal with anything like this before, I got mad," he explains. "But then Jay-Z broke it down for me, like, 'This is the music business. You gotta take the bad with the good. If you're doing something right, haters are going to come around, and they're not going to go anywhere. You gotta learn how to let that roll off your back.'

"Anybody that knows me, knows I'm not gay," he continues. "If you wanna know, I've been an open book since day one. All you've got to do is ask, and I'll tell you: I love women."

Just as a point of reference, the chatter about Ne-Yo began long before last year's unfounded "coming out" which he never specifically denied. There is an active 56-page, 1200-post message board at Topix devoted to the supposedly colorful escapades of the R&B singer. It's interesting that Ne-Yo is now specifically denying the rumors.

Ne-Yo: Ready for Love [Straight]

Did You Read ...

Ne-Yo: "You're Nobody Until They Say You're Gay" [R20]
Shemar Moore: "I'm Not Gay" [R20]
Rodney Chester of "Noah's Arc": "I'm Still NOT Gay" [R20]
R&B Singer Tyrese Will Ban ALL MEN [R20]
Kanye Responds to Gay Rumors [R20]
Has-Been Rapper Beanie Sigel Demands Kanye and Pharrell "Come Out" of the Closet [R20]

Ne-Yo on Gay Rumors: "You're Nobody Until They Say You're Gay"

R&B singer and songwriter Ne-Yo channels Gabrielle Union in a new "tell-all" interview with Vibe that actually tells very little that we already have not heard. Ne-Yo addresses the persistent gay rumors as the price of fame. (PDF of article HERE.) The songwriter behind Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" never denies them per se, but, the writer goes out of her way to dismiss the rumors with some tired clichés:

Ne-Yo—who was briefly married and has a one-year-old son—was about to be accused of being gay.

Let's face it—if you're some kind of famous, rumors like this can fly fast and free. And you're particularly vulnerable if you're a good looking, little known, unattached star who's lived most of his life out of the public eye...

And while it would seem that the topic of his sexuality would be the last thing he would want to address, he's still game to talk about it. In fact, he's philosophical about his first taste of controversy. "For one," he says. "I'm an R&B singer, that's one strike against me, I've never been a thuggish dude. This is is the way I look at it now. For one, you're nobody 'til they think you're gay—that's the truth of the business."

Assuming you could get past that "accused of being gay" throwaway line, there is not much other substance to the story. You have to wait until the very end of the piece to read a half-sentence about those rath]er lame b/j photo (NSFW), described as "mysteriously leaked to the internet." In other news ...

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough [Vibe-PDF]

Some Background ...

Gabrielle Union: "You're Nobody Until Someone Says You're Gay" [R20]