Rugby To Beefcake To Opera

(Tipped by JMG reader Piet)

Pogo - Joburg Jam

From his coming World Remix project.

Johannesburg Pride 2010 Focuses On Anti-Gay Discrimination Across Africa

South Africa, the only nation on the continent with full LGBT equality, celebrated gay pride this weekend in Johannesburg with a march meant to draw attention to persecuted gays across Africa.

Organisers said more than 18,000 people took part in the protest in the economic capital of South Africa, the only country in the continent which allows same-sex marriages. On one float, a transvestite dressed as an angel sat on a swing on a giant map of Africa which carried the slogan "We are all African!", the theme of the 21st edition of "Joburg Pride". "We are aware of the fact that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people across Africa are being arrested, their human rights are under threat and it's a growing phenomenon on the continent," said organiser Luiz de Barros. "South Africa having an enlightened constitution, we have a responsibility to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Africa," he said.

In 38 of 53 African nations, homosexuality is against the law.

Daily Ungrumble

After just a few more hours we won't have to hear about soccer for another four years. Of course, there's one aspect of the sport that isn't entirely boring.

The All Marriage Equality World Cup

Several readers have written to note that Sunday's World Cup final will be between Holland and Spain and will be played in South Africa. All three nations grant full marriage equality rights to their LGBT citizens. That's pretty cool, eh?

UPDATE: A reader in Italy sends us his map of this year's World Cup participants and the status of marriage rights in each country. Embiggen for details.

BREAKING: Majority Of Americans Remain Bored By Dull Sport Of Soccer

WORLD CUP: USA Beats Algeria 1-0

The USA team just beat Algeria 1-0, moving them on in the World Cup playoffs. Apparently this is a very big deal.

Landon Donovan scored in the first minute of stoppage time off a rebound, advancing the United States to the second round at the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Algeria. With the U.S. perhaps three minutes from elimination, Jozy Altidore was stopped on a breakaway by goalkeeper Rais Bolihi. Donovan hustled in and kicked in the rebound to win Group C Wednesday. After his U.S. record 44th international goal, Donovan joyously ran to the corner flag and his teammates ran down the touchline to mob him. Donovan was in tears when the game ended and the United States had moved into the second round. With just its fifth shutout in World Cup play, the United States (1-0-2) won a World Cup group for the first time since 1930 and will face the runner-up in Group D this weekend.

UPDATE: YouTube already yanked the video.

Vagina Dentata

A South African doctor has invented a female condom barbed with sharp teeth. The device is meant to be worn by women as a rape deterrent.

According to Human Rights Watch, South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world, and many women in the country live in constant fear of being attacked. One South African doctor, Sonnet Ehlers, is saying enough is enough — she sold her house and car to finance and invent a female condom laced with sharp tooth-like hooks that clamp onto an attacker’s penis upon penetration. The design is controversial, with many saying that the device is a “medieval” solution, but Ehlers believes it’s a way to make rapists think twice about the crime they’re about to commit. Called Rape-aXe, the female condom is inserted by a woman much like a tampon. Of the effects of the condom on an attacker, Ehlers explained, “It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it’s on. If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter… however, it doesn’t break the skin, and there’s no danger of fluid exposure.” Further more, only a doctor can remove Rape-aXe once it’s lodged on, meaning that hopefully, police can be on standby to make an arrest when the injured assailant look for medical help.

Critics say that the Rape-aXe may cause even more violence by a woman's attacker.

Fireworks On South African Television

South Africa faces more racial turmoil after the murder of white supremacist Eugene Terrablanche, whose funeral was attended by hundreds. Recently white supremacist politician Andrie Visagie caused a scene during an interview on national television, storming off the set and threatening a young black female guest on the show. Watch this.

Tears For Ricky Martin

Copyranter reports that a South African ad agency is using Ricky Martin's coming out to plug their line of tear-proof mascara.

Our tactical ad was an immediate response to the high level of local and international coverage given to this piece of showbiz news last week. We wanted to offer young female fans a quirky, tongue in cheek solution to the announcement in a ‘tear proof’ mascara.

It's unclear whether the usage of Martin's name is legal.