Quickies: Thursday, July 7 2011

> A federal appeals court ruled that "don't ask, don't tell"should be immediately halted (canceling the stay put on last year's original judgment which ended the ban on gay soldiers serving in the military).

> The debut of Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall's new opera, Beached, was canceled earlier this week when a school which was participating in the production deemed the gay content to be offensive. However, after a few tweaks (including changing the word "queer" to "gay"), the opera's opening is back on track.

> Stylist (and Gaga co-collaborator) Nicola Formichetti denies that he said he "doesn't work with fat people."

> Love the Real Housewives franchise? Get ready for The Real Housewives of the Bible.

> Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy signed a measure on Tuesday which protects transgender people from being discriminated against on the basis of their "gender identity or expression."

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