CARNAL NATION

Gossip columnist Perez Hilton (real name: Mario Lavandeira) has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the manager of the hip-hop group The Black-Eyed Peas for allegedly giving him a black eye outside a nightclub in Toronto. Hilton is seeking unspecified damages of more than $25,000. Bryan Freedman, Hilton's lawyer, said in a statement. "Whether you love Perez or hate him, he is entitled to his freedom of speech without fear of physical violence. This lawsuit will make the statement that violence is never the answer." Hilton has been roundly excoriated in the media for using the word "fag" in his altercation with with Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am.

He claims he used the anti-gay slur because he thought it would be the worst insult he could call the hip-hop singer. "I wish none of it had happened," said Hilton. "I can't take it back. I did what I thought was best at the moment to stand up for myself in a nonviolent yet still assertive way. Clearly, I am not homophobic. Also, I am not nor have I ever claimed to be a spokesperson for the gay community." The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) called for Hilton to apologize, saying that his use of the slur legitimizes the word for mainstream audiences.

According to the Advocate, Hilton has promised to donate any money he receives from the lawsuit to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, but the foundation has declined the offer. In a statement, Judy Shepard, mother of the slain Matthew, graciously but pointedly declined the donation, "We do not know the details of the lawsuit, whether it has been filed, the nature of his claims or the likely outcome. But because the lawsuit presumably involves the physical attack prompted by Mr. Hilton's admitted use of an anti-gay slur, the Foundation will be unable to accept any funds obtained in such a manner." This sounds like the worst insult that could be hurled (and rightly so) at the gossip columnist. What goes around, comes around.