Equality activist—and one of Instinct’s 2012 Leading Men—Shane Bitney Crone turned the tragic death of his partner into a learning lesson for us all. And now this labor of love is about to get a very big premiere! Find out where you can catch the first showing of Bridegroom: A Love Story, Unequaled, after the jump.

It’s turning out to be a pretty political day on the blog! And in a brand-new interview with Instinct, California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom is sharing his fears over the prospects of a Romney/Ryan win, as well as his thoughts on gay Americans throwing their support behind the Republican ticket.

Read what the LGBT ally has to say, after the jump.

Here at Instinct we can’t pretend not to be So You Think You Can Dance fanatics. And like most viewers, we’ve felt a special sense of pride watching Travis Wall evolve from an astonishing talent and competitor to a brilliant, Emmy-nominated choreographer (not to mention 2011 Leading Man). There was a lot of excitement throughout the office when news broke that Wall would not only be creating a dance company, Shaping Sound, alongside SYTYCD alums Nick Lazzarini (season one champ) and choreographer Teddy Forance, but also that they’d be documenting it for the world to see in their new reality series, All The Right Moves, premiering July 31 on Oxygen. The series also features Shaping Sound member Kyle Robinson. Click the link for ...

This Wednesday, November 30 from 7-11 p.m. join Instinct to celebrate our Leading Men and our 14-year-anniversary. We're proud to honor the gay and bisexual men who have taken a stand, set examples and made our cold, black hearts race a little bit faster this year.

The sexiest new hotspot in Hollywood, Lexington Social House, will host the hunt to find your perfect man! Because, let's be honest, the place will be packed with mucho husband/boyfriend/one-night-stand material. If you have been to any of our other events, you know that's how we roll.

And if you're already accounted for, come for the awesome entertainment and to get to know the movers and ass shakers in our community. 

Open bar sponsored by Belvedere vodka...

Dustin Lance Black's play 8 has finalized casting and it looks like they found two leading men not unfamiliar to their roles, playing Instinct's own leading men Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo. Details after the jump.

Equality in sports!

It's certainly timely with all the recent athletic headlines. So, if you're in the New York area this Saturday, join our 2010 Leading Man Frantz G. Hall, his co-host Angie McKnight and their special panel of experts to talk gay sports. 

Saturday, May 21. Metropolitan Room, 9 p.m.

Good news for one of Instinct's friends and past Leading Men today: Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach -- easily one of the key people who fought tirelessly and visibily for the dismantling of DADT -- has learned that the military will allow him to retire with full pension, effective September 30, 2011. 

Victor spoke with the South Bend Tribune about the news. 

"It was a great sense of relief. I didn't expect it," said Victor. 

For years he expected to be dismissed from the military by Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but in January Victor received orders drastically different than what institutionalized discrimination led him to anticipate: he'd continue working his desk job in Idaho through September before being retired from active duty...

For the latest episode of Gay Street Beat, Instinct's very own Jeff Katz calls in to discuss the 10th Anniversary of the legendary AIDS Lifecycle event; Frantz G. Hall -- one of our 2010 Leading Men -- makes a guest appearance with his "Q-Talk" co-host Angie McKnight; and the Grindr Guy of the Week gains traction. Listen here!

We're not often ones to pat ourselves on our shoulder pads, but we've gotta say that we know how to throw a party. If you're in the L.A. area tonight and want to test our confidence, then you MUST check out our big annual Los Angeles bash, Instinct's 2010 Leading Men party at the Kress! 

Simply fill out a quick RSVP note at instinctmagazine.com/rsvp-la and then show up, ready to take advantage of a Belvedere-sponsored open bar!

The 411:

Leading Men - Los Angeles
Instinct Magazine & Belvedere Vodka
Invite You and Your Guests To Celebrate
Instinct's 2010 Leading Men & 13th Anniversary
Benefiting AIDS Lifecycle
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
@ THE KRESS 
6608 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, California
From 7:30-11:30PM

Hosted...

Alicia Keys has enlisted some pretty big Tweeters (and some of our favorite famous people) to cut the digital cord beginning this Wednesday in recognition of World AIDS Day. Alicia, Gaga, J. Hud, Usher, Ryan Seacrest and other big names will all turn off their Twitter, Facebook and other social media programs until $1 million is raised for the Keep A Child Alive foundation.

Keys came up with the "Digital Life Sacrifice" campaign, which includes "last tweet and testament" videos filmed by various entertainers showing them lying in coffins to represent what the campaign calls their digital deaths.

"It's so important to shock you to the point of waking up," Keys said. "It's not that people don't care or it's not that people don't want...

Mondo Guerra, one of Instinct’s shining Leading Men of 2010 and gaydored Project Runway contestant (he was robbed) from the show’s most recent season, already helped the HIV positive community by announcing his positive status during a season 8 episode; now he’s increasing his advocacy by designing a World Aids Day t-shirt for Piperlime.

“I believe fashion can serve a purpose so I designed these T-shirts with the idea of loving and communicating with one another,” Mondo said. “The tree is a symbol of growth and loving yourself and the skull represents family and friends and remembering those who have passed.”

The tees will be sold at Pipeline.com beginning December 1 (World Aids Day) for $50.00, with $20 from each sale benefitting...

Our favorite Vegas boys are stepping back into the music scene for a minute after taking some time off as The Killers prepare to release a special charity holiday single.

It's like three of our favorite things all rolled up into one awesome present: The Killers, new holiday music and a good cause!

As has been the band's tradition since 2006, The Killers are set to release a new holiday tune on Nov. 30. And this year the proceeds from the track will go to benefit World AIDS Day, of course happening on Dec. 1.

Ya know what other World AIDS Day event is happening on Dec. 1?! Instinct's Leading Men L.A. extravaganza—benefiting AIDS LifeCycle! Check the calendar on our homepage for all the deets...