The official and final design for the magnificent New York City AIDS Memorial has been unveiled, and it is absolutely eye-catching! Check out the story behind what will likely become one of the city's top attractions after the break.

In a true show of "pride" (It's Long Beach's Gay Pride Weekend), the city has announced that they will break ground this month on the very first park in America to be named after civil rights and LGBT leader Harvey Milk.

More after the jump!

Ooh! This is pretty special.

The NAMES Project Foundation/AIDS Memorial Quilt has announced that in honor of its 25th anniversary this year, The AIDS Memorial Quilt will be returning to Washington, D.C., in its entirety this June and July.

More after the jump.

They were rumored to be rivals in the beginning, but Mariah and Whitney quickly rose above the gossip to let their unique relationship shine. Nothing might be testament to their bond more than the video Mariah has just uploaded to her YouTube channel, a montage of her famous duets with the late legend. Grab the Kleenex and follow the jump to watch... 

Updated Tuesday, 10 a.m. EST

A gorgeous, symbolism-heavy design from studio a+i has been selected as the winner of the AIDS Memorial NYC contest that was launched in November. But, on Tuesday, owners of the park decided to toss out the (gorgeous) winning entry in favor of their own design. Details follow. 

Activist and one of Instinct's 2011 Leading Men Sean Chapin points us to video of Sunday night's Harvey Milk memorial in San Francisco. Milk was assassinated on November 27, 1978. Follow the jump to watch.

Are times really that tough that even a thief can lower themselves to stealing slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk's memorial plaque? Apparently so, as authorities in San Francisco are currently investigating the case of Milk's stolen commemorative marker.

Our crush runs deeper than ever for Davey Wavey after watching this heartbreaking, but also uplifting video titled "Jamey Rodemeyer: 250 Balloons To Remember The Fallen..." Grab some tissue and watch after the jump.

The epitome of glamor, the late Elizabeth Taylor provided the world and her legacy with one final moment of fashionable grand drama on Thursday. So what did Elizabeth do in death that might be as inspiring and elegant as anything she did in life?

Even our Abbey punch-card doesn't have as many holes as Elizabeth Taylor's. The legend simply adored the WeHo watering spot, frequenting it even more than Zac Efron! To pay its respect, The Abbey has created a cocktail in her honor (the ultimate tribute, in our opinion!) and will hold a memorial event this weekend for charity. Follow the jump for the details!

A Pride march unlike any other in the world took place yesterday in Jerusalem as thousands from the city’s GLBT community marched for their political rights in the Holy Land as well as in memory of the victims of the Tel Aviv gay center shooting, which marked its year anniversary yesterday.

While Jerusalem's longest Pride march has been historically marred with violence, yesterday's event unfolded calmly, despite the typical sight of the area's vehement anti-gay protestors.

From the AP:

Marchers said such opposition has forced the gay community of Jerusalem underground in most parts of the city.

"In a religious society, a lot of people still don't realize we actually exist," said Sarah Weil, 26, who helps run an organization for lesbians...

Our friends at GLAAD have put together a still-growing list of vigils across the country scheduled for tomorrow, the two year anniversary of California high school student Lawrence King's brutal, hate-inspired murder.

If you're in L.A., stop by City Hall at 7 p.m. tomorrow for a vigil and mobilization.

For information on vigils in other areas, we've copied GLAAD's list and pasted it below. We'll add new events to the comprehensive list as they come in.

California

Spectrum Lawrence King Vigil
Camarillo, California
Friday, February 12, 2010
6:00 PM
Location: California State University Chanel Islands
Co-Sponsored By: Spectrum Center for Multicultural Engagement Center for Civic Engagement Housing and Education
Questions: http://vcra.we...