Updated Thursday, 2:15 p.m. EST

The two men arrested on a Celebrity X gay cruise for allegedly having sex in view of people on the Dominican shore have been formally charged and sentenced.

Following Ricky Martin's public condemnation of Puerto Rico's effort to stop protecting its LGBT citizens from hate crimes, the island's Governor Luis Fortuño has indicated that he opposes changing the current law as well. Details follow. 

On Monday we learned that Puerto Rico was moving toward eliminating existing LGBT protections from its hate crimes law. By Monday night, one of its most prominent citizens and one of the world's most visible out celebrities spoke out against the pending legislation. So, what does Ricky Martin have to say about his homeland's attempt to lessen the punishment of its unfortunately rampant epidemic anti-gay hate crimes?

Puerto Rico, one of the last places in this part of the globe that should be considering fanning the flames of anti-gay violence, is moving closer to doing just that. Details follow.

Though (the now former) Puerto Rico Sen. Roberto Arango's 2009 vote for a constitutional ban on marriage equality truly victimized his LGBT constituents, the disgraced closet-case is now saying that he is the one due a pity party.

Updated Monday, 10:30 a.m. EST

Puerto Rican closet-case Roberto Arango has resigned from his post as senator. Guess he wasn't simply promoting his incredible weight loss on Grindr by sharing pics of himself doggie style, cheeks spread! (If that's how you lose weight or show off your svelte body then we know plenty of folks who'd be giving LeAnn Rimes a run for her money right about now!) Details on Arango's resignation follow.

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...

The mother of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, the Puerto Rican teen brutally murdered last week, has finally spoken out about the tragedy and her feelings about her son. JoeMyGod shared the statement, which came via the Blabbeando blog.

"When my son told me he was gay, I told him, 'Now, I love you more'. I want to tell the world that hatred is not born with human beings, it is a seed that is planted by adults and is fostered creating a climate of intolerance and violence. We must change our ways and understand that anyone...

UPDATE: A Spanish-language newspaper is now reporting that a 28-year-old man has been arrested in the murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. The story goes on to say that the suspect allegedly propositioned Jorge to have sex with him in exchange for money. The suspect is reportedly set to be questioned by Puerto Rican police today.

On November 14, the body of a well-known and loved Puerto Rican gay teenager was found burned, decapitated and dismembered. Hard to stomach, yeah? Unfortunately, though Obama has passed the Hate Crimes Act, Puerto Rico might not classify the barbaric slaying as such.

A letter sent in to Michael Musto explains:

"This has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but it's a difficult situation...