Page 1 Consider (02/09)

32 Candles? "You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation," the new book by 32-year-old film journalist Susannah Gora, looks like a fun read. Still, I can't help but think it would have been better if Matt Rettenmund had written it. (USA Today)

Windy City Gay Idol: Click HERE if you're a Gay who's Got Talent.

Three's Company: Media Decoder gets to the bottom of David Letterman's surprise Super Bowl ad with Oprah Winfrey and arch nemesis Jay Leno, which was easily one of the year's best. (MediaDecoder)

All God's Children: Every bit of Christian teaching can be summed up in three words: God is love. That is the simple truth that teaches tolerance of same-sex unions. Read Eric Lax’s Op-Ed piece HERE.

Mandatory Glamour: My girlfriend Natasha Leggero has a really hot new Web site. (Official)

'Community' College: An instructor at Fresno City College is under fire over his alleged teachings about homosexuality. Two FCC students accuse Dr. Bradley Lopez of presenting religious-based and anti-gay views as scientific fact inside the classroom. The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to FCC President Cynthia Azari on Monday demanding that the school ensure that all its health science classes teach unbiased and medically accurate information. (CBS 47)

X Marks the Spot: Robbie's got it bad for "X-Factor" stud Shayne Ward and that ain't good. (ChartRigger)

Payback: New Jersey’s largest gay rights group is suspending donations to political parties after feeling spurned by Democratic lawmakers who did not pass a gay marriage bill. Garden State Equality is also asking its 65,000 members not to contribute to parties. The group has not said it will refrain from donating to individual candidates. (NJ.com)

Gay Pride (and Prejudice): Erik Piepenburg profiles Ben Whishaw, making his American stage debut in "The Pride," a play about gay identity and the price of sexual liberation. Read the article, and hear an audio slide show HERE.

Virginia Is for Gay Lovers: The Virginia Senate passed a bill Monday that would make it illegal to discriminate in the state workforce, including on the basis of sexual orientation, marking the first time such legislation has passed either chamber of the Virginia General Assembly. (WaPo)

Bending Over Backwards to Hate: After Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, a curious silence befell the right: Now that explicit anti-gay animus is an albatross, those who oppose gay civil rights are driven to invent ever loopier rationales for denying those rights, whether in the military or in marriage. Orrin Hatch, for instance, limply suggested to Mitchell that a repeal of “don’t ask” would lead to gay demands for “special rights.” Such arguments, both preposterous and disingenuous, are mere fig leaves to disguise the phobia that can no longer dare speak its name. If gay Americans are to be granted full equality, the flimsy rhetorical camouflage must be stripped away to expose the prejudice that lies beneath. Read Frank Rich’s Sunday Op-Ed column, “Smoke the Bigots out of the Closet” HERE.

11th Hour Decision: Maybe I should consider following my job to Gainesville after all. (Story)

I HEART Iowa: A majority of Iowans do not believe gay marriage should be discussed by the Legislature, according to the latest Des Moines Register Iowa Poll. (ChicagoPride)

Did You Hear About Your Punishment? It seems Sarah Jessica Parker has quietly purchased three houses in recent years on Long Island's East End, shelling out $12.4 million for the expand-as-you-go Amagansett compound. While I love Carrie Bradshaw as much as the next gay, am I the only one who thinks she should have to give one of 'em back for "Did You Hear About the Morgans?"? (NY Post)

Hard Copy: So they really did publish a Levi Johnston Playgirl magazine. (VGL)