Fashions News

CNN host Anderson Cooper just blogged about a shooting at a junior high school computer lab in California that happened two weeks ago. Consequently, as a result of a hate crime, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death.

Anderson, 40, posed the question, “When does bullying become a hate crime?” Here’s his entry:

“We are focusing on a story that hasn’t received the attention it deserves. The story is about a young man named Lawrence King. He was 15 years old. On the morning of Feb 12, a classmate of Lawrence’s allegedly walked into the computer lab in front of some two dozen other students and shot Lawrence in the head. He was declared brain dead later at the hospital. According to authorities, this was not a random killing, it was a hate crime. Lawrence had recently told people he was gay, and apparently wore clothing that was viewed as effeminate. According to many accounts he had been bullied repeatedly, and some parents have even claimed students knew of threats to Lawrence’s life. At this point it doesn’t seem clear how much school officials knew of the bullying, but a full investigation needs to be done. If this had been an African-American student bullied by a teenage skinhead would it have received more attention? Would school officials have taken it more seriously if it had been a Christian campus leader attacked by another student because of his/her religious beliefs? I don’t have the answers to those questions, but I do think they are worth asking. Bullying is a problem in schools across the country. We’ve seen this time and time again. Is enough being done to stop it?”

In response to this hate crime, both Democratic presidential candidates released statements regarding this tragic event:

Said Hillary Clinton, “I was deeply saddened by the recent death of 15-year-old Lawrence King who was killed at his school in Oxnard, CA. No one should face intimidation or violence, particularly at school, because of their sexual orientation or the way they express their gender identity.We must finally enact a federal hate crimes law to ensure that gay, lesbian and transgender Americans are protected against violent, bias-motivated crimes. We must send a unified message that hate-based crime will not be tolerated.”

Barack Obama is on the same page, adding, “It was heartbreaking to learn about Lawrence King’s death, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. King’s senseless death is a tragic example of the corrosive effect that bigotry and fear can have in our society. It’s also an urgent reminder that we need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity; that we must enact a federal hate crimes law that protects all LGBT Americans; and that we must recommit ourselves to becoming active and engaged parents, citizens and neighbors, so that bias and bigotry cannot take hold in the first place. We all have a responsibility to help this nation live up to its founding promise of equality for all.”

The L.A. Times also has a write-up of last week’s memorial service for King: “At a memorial attended by more than 500 people in Port Hueneme, Lawrence “Larry” King was remembered Friday as a sensitive child who liked to draw, paint and crochet. One Christmas, he helped his mother crochet hundreds of scarves so that U.S. troops in Afghanistan wouldn’t be without a holiday gift.”

Funny guy Robin Williams gets in some father-son bonding time with his eldest child, Zachary Pym, 24, in New York City on Monday. Robin, 56, is in town filming his new movie Old Dogs.

Zachary, aka Zak, is from Robin’s first marriage to Valerie Velardi. Robin is currently married to Marsha Garces, his son’s former babysitter (pictured below). Robin and Marsha have two kids together–Zelda Rae, 18, and Cody Alan, 16.

Ellen Page departs from LAX airport in Los Angeles on Monday after attending the Oscars ceremony the night before.

The Juno star tried rushing through the airport but fans chased her down for her autograph. Looks like she got in at least one or two before her assistant whisked her away!

Page, 21, was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading role but lost out to Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose).

You can still watch Ellen on The Barbara Walters Special here.

Also departing from LAX was There Will Be Blood star Paul Dano, who also attended the Oscars. His film won Best Cinematography and his costar Daniel Day-Lewis picked up Best Actor in a Leading Role. At the airport, Dano, 23, was seen puffing away at a cancer stick…

Paris Hilton and man-of-the-moment Benji Madden hold hands as they shop together Monday afternoon.

An eyewitness recently told Life & Style, “When Paris saw Benji, she only had eyes for him. She walked over and gave him a huge kiss. It was over the top and lots of tongue was involved!”

It just felt like last week that Paris, 27, was dating Swedish meatballs model Alex Vaggo. Just last month, Paris had her tongue down Jared Leto’s throat at Sundance. The hotel heiress is also rumored to have hooked back up with her ex Simon Rex.

As for 28-year-old Good Charlotte guitarist Benji, he and Aussie fiancee Sophie Monk reportedly met on the set of a Good Charlotte video in 2006, were engaged in January 2007 and called it quits last month.

Paris’ ex-BFF Nicole Richie has a baby girl with Benji’s twin brother Joel. Um, small world?

HOW LONG do you think Paris and Benji’s relationship will last?

Pamela Anderson suits up in a very low-cut superhero costume for her upcoming action comedy, Superhero Movie.

As you might be able to tell, Pam spoofs Invisible Woman, Jessica Alba’s character in the Fantastic Four movies. SNL alum Tracy Morgan plays Professor X and pictured below is Mrs. Xavier, also in a suit and bald.

Superhero Movie opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, March 28th.

Check out IGN.com for a report of their on-set visit.

Jordin Sparks performs her new single “No Air” (feat. Chris Brown) during TRL’s Spankin’ New Ladies Week at the MTV Times Square Studios in New York City on Monday.

The 18-year-old American Idol champ also premiered her new “No Air” Music Video.

UPDATE: Watch Jordin perform “No Air” on TRL at MTV.com.

Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight and boyfriend Mark Cornelsen hold hands during the 2008 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood on Sunday.

Cornelsen was the 2007 Matthew Shepard Point Scholar. Watch the video below of Mark talking about how his story affected his generation or read his story below!

“Mark grew up in a small town close to the Canadian border called Ferndale, Washington. Brought up in an extremely conservative, religious household, Mark received a very negative reception when he came out. His family’s religious views left absolutely no room for understanding or acceptance; there would be no compromise. Mark was ostracized from their lives, and he was left to lead a life of independence at the age of sixteen.

Donating back to his community and excelling academically were always top priorities while in high school. Mark graduated from high school a year early by attending college courses, and he is currently working multiple jobs to help fund his education. He is involved with the ONE campaign to provide AIDS and poverty education globally and is establishing a local chapter. He is eager to become more involved with GLSEN and many GLBT organizations within the Bay Area in the coming months.

Mark is attending San Francisco State University in the fall of 2007 where he will earn a degree in Resort/Commercial Recreation Management with a minor in International Business. He aspires to be the director of an international luxury resort.”

Paris Hilton is in the middle of creating a new reality TV show, reports Us Weekly.

“The show is going to be about her searching for a new best friend,” a source says. “Paris is tired of the haters and she’s looking for someone new. She’s looking for someone new and cool who she can trust.”

Paris and then-BFF Nicole Richie starred in The Simple Life from 2003 to 2007.

Added the source, “[The new show is] going to be full of good chick drama and you will see a side of Paris not seen on Simple Life.”

That’s hot. Or not?

During one of his monologues, host Jon Stewart poked fun of pregnant Angelina Jolie.
He said, “Earlier, I mentioned there were two very famous quite pregnant actresses here tonight. Actually, I was incorrect. I’ve become aware that there’s a third. Jessica Alba is pregnant, Cate Blanchett is pregnant and Nicole Kidman is pregnant.” (Nic wasn’t in her seat, so they flashed a still image of her. She was there was on the merlot carpet, though.)
Continuing his joke, Jon gave out an imaginary Oscar: “The baby goes to…. (drumroll) Angelina Jolie. On my god, Angelina Jolie. I’m just stunned. It goes to Angelina Jolie. That’s terrific. Obviously Angelina couldn’t be with us tonight–it’s tough to get 17 babysitters on Oscars night. I’ll accept this baby on her behalf.”
Watch the video of Jon Stewart joking about Angelina Jolie here.

Cunard ocean liner Queen Victoria (front) passes the Sydney Opera House as sister ship the QE2 waits to swap berths in Sydney Harbour Feb. 24, 2008 before the QE2 begins her final voyage ahead of becoming a floating hotel in Dubai and Queen Victoria continues her maiden 106-night-long world voyage .

Cunard ocean liners QE2 (front) and Queen Victoria pass each other in Sydney Harbour Feb. 24, 2008 as they swap berths before the QE2 begins her final voyage ahead of becoming a floating hotel in Dubai and Queen Victoria continues her maiden 106-night-long world voyage .
Cunard ocean liners QE2 (front) and Queen Victoria pass each other in Sydney Harbour Feb. 24, 2008 as they swap berths before the QE2 begins her final voyage ahead of becoming a floating hotel in Dubai and Queen Victoria continues her maiden 106-night-long world voyage .

Cunard's newest ocean liner the Queen Victoria is berthed at Circular Quay in Sydney Feb. 23, 2008, after arriving from Melbourne during her maiden 106-night-long world cruise. The 90,000 tonne liner, with a crew of more than 1,000 carries 2000 passengers and is 294 metres (321.52 yards) long.