Matthew Mitcham moments after his historic win

Following this assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

• Out Olympic champ (and all-around Mister Special in these parts) Matthew Mitcham was presented last night with the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Don Award for his stellar win at the Beijing Olympics (he will share the award with vaulter Steve Hooker). Atta boy, Matt!

• Why do I get the feeling these "Personalized John Barrowman Sweet Dreams Pillowcases" aren't officially sanctioned by the Barrowman estate? (And why am I slightly skeeved imagining just how the real Barrowman might "personalize" a pillowcase?)

• Neil Patrick Harris has joined the cast of Epcot's Candlelight Processional, an annual holiday tradition in which celebrities read the Christmas story backed by a choir and orchestra. NPH will be appearing December 1-3, and we totally wish we could be there for him to put visions of sugarplums (or magi, whatever!) in our heads.

• Above, from our newsy sibs at 365Gay: 40 men are busted in a sex sting police raid, and their photos released to the media before they are convicted. Lambda Legal fires back with a federal lawsuit.

• This LA Times op-ed asks why Sarah Palin is getting a pass after trotting out the tired "Gay is a choice" routine.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

This guy!