1. Ben Cohen released a sexy promo video to promote his annual benefit calendar. Don't worry, it's not just a lesson in narcissism,former rugby player Cohen continues his activism and knows that men (and we assume some women) enjoy buying his calendar of him look hot and furry. And it's for a good cause! Every purchase of StandUp branded merchandise benefits the anti-bullying work and grants of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.
2. A hate crime against a gay man in Chile has inspired a wave of gay rights awareness. According to The Economist, 24-year-old Daniel Zamudio was beaten unconscious in a park last year in Santiago for being gay. His four assailants carved swastikas into his skin, branded him with cigarettes, and smashed his right leg with an 8kg rock. His tormentors were sentenced October 28 and the government has passed anti-discrimination laws and positive discussions around gay rights have been a theme in this year's presidential election, with most frontrunners saying they support same-sex marriage.
3. Andrew Rannells may become regular in Season 4 of HBO's Girls. We already know that we'll be seeing more of openly gay actor Rannells playing Hannah's gay ex-boyfriend on the upcoming third season of the show. But it seems, according to Deadline, he's slated to become a regular on the show if it is picked up for a fourth season (and we hope it will).
4. Coca-Cola is expected to make an announcement to aggressively protest Putin's and Russia's anti-gay and homophic laws. All Out held a demonstration at Coke's Atlanta campus on Monday as well as a petition with 150,000 signatures calling for Coca-Cola to formally call for the repeal of Russia's anti-gay law and to donate funds to human-rights activists there. As Richard Socarides writes in a piece at the New Yorker, could there be a "rainbow on every Coke can?"
5. Neil Patrick Harris was named the 2014 honoree for the Drama League's 30th Annual Gala. The one-night-only evening will consist of musical selections drawn from NPH's career in theater, film, and television. The Drama League's event supports educational initiatives for promising young artists. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494.
6. Indigo Girls' Amy Ray will record and release her first country album. Goodnight Tender marks a dramatic departure from Ray's previous work, both as a solo artist and an Indigo Girl. Along with a group of trusted artists and collaborators, Ray's sessions included fiddle, banjo, dobro, pedal steel, guitar, mandolin, bass, and drums gathered 'round a few microphones to create an authentic, vintage sound. It will be released Jan. 28 on her own Daemon record label.
Watch a video of Ray discussing the reasons for making this record below:
