After seeing this behind-the-scenes-queens video of Ricky Martin's new album cover shoot, it's obvious that the record label went for the least titillating shot from the bunch. Need I ask why chains, pits or shirtless frolicking in a studio all did not make the final cut? Blasphemy!

Watch after the jump. 

Ricky Martin's lightning-quick pace that catapulted him from a closeted pop star to one of the LGBT community's most visible and tireless out celebrity activists has caught the attention of GLAAD, which will honor him with the Vito Russo Award designated for media professionals who make significant strides in promoting equal rights.

"Ricky coming out was a game changer for many gay and transgender Latino children, who for too long did not have many out gay people to look up to," said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, in a statement released to the press. "Through his music, videos and interviews, Ricky has sent an important message that our community wants the same things all people do: an equal...

A reinvigorated Ricky Martin spoke candidly with Parade Magazine about his new role as an out gay rights activist.

On being a voice in the gay community.
"There's no pressure from anybody. It's something I feel really good about doing. I have been an activist for human rights for many years. Today, I'm in touch with who I am and I have the opportunity to be in front of a camera and talk to millions of people. After I wrote the book and went on Oprah Winfrey, so many people have come to me, telling me, 'Ricky, thank you because I understand what acceptance is today.' 'Ricky, thank you. I feel better about myself because you have a very beautiful family and the words 'dysfunctional family' don't exist in your life.'"

His message...

Not to be outdone by the divas of spring and summer (Janet, Kylie, Dolly, oh my!), another diva is packing up the fam and hitting the road—Ricky!

Riding the (coming out?) wave of recent publicity, Ricky Martin has just released a whole batch of tour dates of the U.S. and, naturally, Puerto Rico.

3/25/2011 Coliseo de Puerto Rico

3/26/2011 Coliseo de Puerto Rico

3/27/2011 Coliseo de Puerto Rico

4/8/2011  Orlando, Amway Arena

4/9/2011  Miami, American Airline Arena

4/12/2011 Montreal, Bell Centre

4/13/2011 Toronto Casino Rama

4/15/2011 Atlantic City, Borgata

4/16/2011 New Jersey, Prudential

4/17/2011 Uncasville, Mohegan Sun

4/19/2011 Chicago, Allstate Arena

4/22/2011 Dallas, Verizon Theatre

4/23/2011 Houston, Toyota...

Charles Barkley gave an incredible shout out to the LGBT community in front of an audience that needs to hear it. During a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.-discussion on yesterday's pre-game show for the Celtics basket-base (or whatever) game, Barkley called us a "great people." Love this man.

"You know, people try to make it about black and white. He talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now — people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexual people. God bless the gay people. They are great people."

(Via Towleroad)

Ricky Martin has become quite the activist since officially coming out. The new Ricky is even apparent in his music according to the video for his first single since the life-changing event, "The Best Thing About Me Is You." Hate to say it (and I'll never chastise his courageous public fight for LGBT rights) but I miss the old shallow, hip-shaking, low-common denominator music he became known for. At least is his pure sex appeal hasn't changed.

If you thought the dark rooms at Splash or the Mayan were the places to ring in 2011, you might have been wrong -- with Coldplay's Chris Martin on piano, Beyonce wooed audiences with a gorgeous and intimate rendition of "Halo" on New Year's Eve at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas. 

Sure, his music helped him make his initial pop culture splash in the 90s, but it was his hunk, rhythmic hips that seared him in our brain organs. Luckily, Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin returns to both the music and the hips in the just-released cover art for Musica Alma Sexo.

The tats, the tank and the tris all have me wondering if Papi is Spanish for DILF!

Erasure recently revamped its classic "A Little Respect" along with the youth chorus from the Hetrick-Martin Institute (home of the Harvey Milk High School). The HMI Redux is now available to purchase on iTunes, with proceeds benefitting Harvey Milk High.

"I would get married. That’s why I want to have that option. There are many countries around the world where same sex marriage is a right. We can go to Spain and get married, we can go to Argentina and get married, but why do we have to go somewhere else? Why can’t I do it in my country where the laws are protecting me? I don’t want to be a second class citizen anymore. I pay my taxes, why can’t I have that right?" -- Ricky Martin, who is quickly stepping up to become the (gorgeous) face of the gay rights movement, tells Larry King.

(Follow the jump for a clip)

"Since I can remember, I have felt a very strong attraction to other men and, although I can say that I have also come to feel a lot of attraction and a lot of chemistry towards women, it is men who ultimately awaken what is instinctive, the animal in me," writes Ricky Martin in Me, out Tuesday, November 2. 

Cyndi Lauper Gives A Damn, as evident from six months full of emotional celebrity-studded (this time literally thanks to Ricky Martin's inclusion) PSA's generated by her new organization.

The latest cause Cyndi (as well as Elton John, Idina Menzel, Wanda Sykes and Rachael Harris) lend their voices to is the scourge of hate crimes afflicting the contemporary world. Whether or not Sir Elton's appearance is an effort to regain some credit in the straight gay world, the collection of household names coming out to fight during a period of increased need in the community is invaluable.