First Bollywood actor on the cover of a gay magazine

Imran Khan has become the first Bollywood actor to feature on the cover of a gay magazine in India.

The Delhi Belly star appears in the new issue of Bombay Dost.

Wearing faded jeans and a pigeon-imaged T-shirt, he poses above the tagline: "A Bollywood Brokeback... Why not? Imran Khan comes out with a startling revelation."

Khan told the magazine: "It is flattering to be called a gay icon. I have always been a supporter of gay rights."

Devansh Patel, Bollywood columnist with the Harrow Observer, told Digital Spy: "Imran Khan has been a strong supporter for the gay community in India and across the globe.

"So him being on the cover should be a much-needed boost for the gay community, that they've got one of India's top actors to back them."

Khan appeared to kiss Ranbir Kapoor on the lips while filming an episode of Koffee with Karan earlier this year.

The two stars also featured in a parody of Tarun Mansukhani's gay-themed release Dostana while hosting the 2009 Filmfare Awards.

Celina Jaitley is the Hindi film figure considered to be the most widely associated with the Indian gay rights movement.

Gay rights work to bring honour to Kim Cattrall

GLAAD Media Awards is set to honour 'Sex and the City' star Kim Cattrall for her gay rights work late this month.

The actress, best known for playing feisty Samantha Jones in the racy franchise, will be handed the Golden Gate Award at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ceremony in San Francisco, California.

Recipients are picked for doing work which increases 'the understanding and visibility' of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"Kim Cattrall has not only grown acceptance of our community through story lines on shows like Sex and the City but used her platform to speak out for equality. We are proud to honour such a talented and passionate advocate," the Daily Express quoted GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios as saying.

The prize giving, hosted by Glee star Naya Rivera, will be held at the San Francisco Marriot Marquis on 14 May.

Onir refutes sexual assault allegations

London/Mumbai, Jan 16 : Gay Bollywood filmmaker Onir Anirban has strongly denied sexual assault claims made against him by 28-year-old actor Yuvraaj Parashar.

Parashar, who appeared in last year's commercially underperforming Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyun, alledges that the filmmaker coerced him into a sexual encounter, after agreeing to meet the actor to discuss potential film roles.

Onir, who has won acclaim for his socially relevant work in projects such as My Brother... Nikhil, Sorry Bhai and Bas Ek Pal, denied the assault charges, speaking to IBNS London correspondent.

Rejecting Parashar's claims, the filmmaker said that the actor had stayed the night at his Versova residence by mutual consent.

Onir commented: "This has been a nightmare. For me, the only thing that I want to add, is that my orientation is not my definition, nor am I ashamed of it. But I cannot let anyone use it against me and malign me and my integrity."

Following the allegations Onir, is considering taking legal action against the debutant actor.

"I want to reinstate that I have not molested him, nor promised him anything and I will not seek cheap publicity that he wants out of this but I will fight with him legally," said the director, who has worked with leading Hindi film figures including Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Suri, Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani.

Onir, who has gained widespread public support on social network platforms including Twitter and Facebook, said: "I know that I have done nothing wrong and I am angry that someone misued my trust."

Model-turned-actor Parashar, was the subject of earlier media interest, after claiming that his family had disowned him for appearing in a gay-themed project.

Onir is recognised as one of the few out gay film directors working in Indian cinema.