Homophobia of the Rich & Famous + Buddy's Billboard

Class act Paris Hilton

Last week was one filled with more hot messes, particularly of homophobic explosions amongst the rich and famous, it seemed. A savvy NYC cabbie had Paris Hilton and her gay, male friend in his backseat. So what did he do? He taped their conversation, of course. Talk about your cash cab! Well, when that hit shit the fan, it created a furor because it was full of anti-gay rancor. Of gay men, Paris said, "They’re disgusting! Dude, most of them probably have AIDS!" Paris said she'd "be so scared if I were a gay guy. You'll like, die of AIDS." This from the woman famous for a sex tape showing her being, like, most unsafe.

What's an airhead.... er, I mean an heiress like Paris to do but apologize profusely and tell us she adores gay men? Exactly what she did, wouldn't you just know it.

Then, washed-up '80s author, Bret (Bright Lights, Big City) Easton (American Psycho) Ellis felt the need to stir the pot, perhaps for his own desperately needed publicity. He agreed with Paris' vapid comments and added, "As someone who has used Grindr? Paris Hilton isn't that far off." Ahem.

Then there was the incident from the world of sports.

Truth Wins Out reported: "Yunel Escobar, a 29-year-old Cuban baseball star who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, wore eye black during Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox that had a homophobic message written on it: “TU ERE MARICON.”

Commonly translated: “You are a faggot.”

Escobar didn't play on Sunday, saying he had flu-like symptoms. Aw, Yunel, stop being a maricon and get in there and play! Need I add, he then issued a public apology. Just talking out of his his cap, I tell you.

Well, we've got some fierce business on Billboard, with no apologies or homophobic flare-ups, as divas jockey for position on the Dance/Club Top 25 and beyond.

Florence + the Machine take over the #1 spot with "Spectrum (Say My Name)" this time out, while last week's "Let's Have a Kiki," by Scissor Sisters, rests at #7 after burning up the chart all the way to the top.

Pink's in the pink at #5 with "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)," and Mariah Carey's "Triumphant" at #8, up from the 13th spot last week. Madonna's holding onto the top 10, turning up at #10 with "Turn on the Radio." Rebecca Ferguson's "Nothing's Real But Love" is in 12th place, down one nook from #11 last outing. And Cyndi Lauper's "Sex Is in the Heel" sashays its way down to #18, after peaking at #6.

Finally, Kristine W debuts in the Top 25, at #25, up 11 spots from #36 last week, with the divalicious "Everything That I Got." Just under the Top 25, Gossip's "Move in the Right Direction" moves right up to #26 and Sweden's Gravitonas does nicely at #27 with "Call Your Name." Pet Shop Boys' "Winner" winningly rises to #30 from 38th place.

Peace, love & disco, y'all, to readers from Australia to Saudi Arabia to Russia, Latvia and Ukraine. No need for war, hatred, prejudice or those nasty, homophobic outbursts.Get Excited & Carry On!

Here's Buddy's dance-music video of the week: