The AP is breaking news today that American Idol contestant David Hernandez -- who has made it to the round of 16 this week -- worked at a gay male strip club in Phoenix called Dick's Cabaret. He appeared fully nude at times and performed lap dances for the club's "mostly male clientele," according to the club's manager.

Apparently, he was also a bartender at the now-defunct Phoenix gay bar Burn. Photos of Hernandez as a bartender were posted on American Idol fan site VoteForTheWorst.com (which, apparently, encourages people to do just that. So counterculture!) How did they find these pictures? By combing through MySpace, of course.

(Note to self: If ever on the biggest show on television, delete all profiles on social networking sites...)

I think David should just let this all breeze by him... and if he's gay (which people are rumoring, but I know a LOT of straight men work at gay bars), more power to him! Just don't deny it, OK?

I just got off the phone with Joan Rivers.

photo by Michael Lamont

Okay, wait...let me start at the beginning.

One of my best friends back in Boston called to tell me that he and his wife just had a beautiful baby boy (congratulations!). My friend and I are going on and on about how weird it is that he's now a dad. Just as he says the word "surreal," my office phone rings. I tell him to hold on for a second so I can answer.

It's Joan Rivers.

Now, don't get the wrong idea. Joan doesn't normally call me. In fact, she never has. But today we're scheduling an interview for our April issue, and with lines crossed, emails exchanged, and time zones confused, we have yet to make it happen...until I pick up the phone. And it's her.

I tell her I have my friend on the other phone, that he and his wife just had a baby, and Joan's full of compliments,going on to ask if it's a boy or a girl. "A boy," I confirm. And she says, "Well, that's just wonderful...too bad it's not a girl. Born on a Leap Year. She only has to have a birthday every four years. Well, I'm sure a gay baby would like that, too."

Probably not the first thing my new-dad friend wanted to hear about his baby boy, but I laughed out loud!

At 74 years young, this woman is still a mighty dynamo with a sharp wit at a moment's notice. Lisa Rinna on the red carpet? Yawn. Ryan Seacrest? Super bore. Joan made the red carpet something to behold. Now it's just a boring train of mundane moments. Nobody does red carpet better than Joan.

If you're in L.A., check out Joan's new show JOAN RIVERS: A WORK IN PROGRESS BY A LIFE IN PROGRESS at the gorgeous Geffen Playhouse. For more info and tickets to go to geffenplayhouse.com

Everyone's favorite "not gay" bathroom-busted Idaho senator shot a press release to several newspapers in his home state requesting applications for summer interns this week. Preferably college seniors. And, I assume, preferably well-versed in all sorts of etiquette. Because in Washington, you never know what kind of situation you'll find yourself in. Here's some text:

For those interested in politics, it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while serving the people of Idaho."

and, of course:

Interns are paired with staff members based on experience and interests, in order to best utilize their talents.

I know some go-go-boys with really impressive, um, resumes...

[via 365gay.com]

It hurts my mind to think about all the complicated power dynamics and race implications going on here—none of which are probably very progressive—but we'll just leave that well enough alone for now, and simply marvel in the timeliness of the following Craigslist ad that the fine fellows at Fleshbot uncovered:

I am an attractive, in shape hung (9 inches) black male from Atlanta here on business. I am looking for a masculine white male to service me, then get pounded in my hotel room today or tomorrow (saturday). Send your pics, stats and background info. I want to wear my Obama mask while I pound you.

[via Craigslist, Hung Black Male (9)_Seeks White Masc Bottom To Pound Wearing Obama Msk - 34]

Dear lord. I didn't even know they made Obama masks!

Was anyone else surprised at a few high-profile gay moments from last night's ceremony, especially considering that there weren't any big "gay issue" movies in the contest?

Here are my three top gay moments:

3. John Stewart's crack about the (real-life) hetero couple who won the Best Song Oscar for "Once." According to Stewart, backstage the couple kissed their matching Oscars together; the woman, Marketa Irglova, wondered if the two male statues should be kissing. Her sig-other, Glen Hansard, said, "Why not? It's Hollywood!"

2. "Freeheld," the surprise winner for Best Documentary Short. Here's the synopsis from Oscar.com:

Facing death from cancer, Detective Lieutenant Laurel Hester of the New Jersey Police Department spends the final year of her life fighting a policy that will not allow her to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree.

In her acceptance speech, co-filmmaker Cynthia Wade, said:

It was Lieutenant Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight for, against discrimination would make a difference for all the same sex couples across the country that face discrimination every day. Discrimination that I don't face as a married woman.

1. The best gay moment of all last night? Mega-producer Scott Rudin [pictured here, in a rather dour Coen brothers sandwich] accepting the Best Picture award for "No Country For Old Men," and unashamedly thanking his partner, John Barlow, by name, and calling him "honey." More power to ya, you bear, you!

PLUS... My vote for best dressed after the jump.