According to an anonymous official with Iraq's Interior ministry, "Six gay men were shot dead by members of their tribe in two separate incidents in the past 10 days." In the most recent attack, two men were killed Thursday in Sadr City area of Baghdad after they were disowned by relatives, the official said. The account from Reuters goes a bit deeper:

"Two young men were killed on Thursday. They were sexual deviants. Their tribes killed them to restore their family honor," a Sadr City official who declined to be named said. The police source who declined to be named said the bodies of four gay men were unearthed in Sadr City on March 25, each bearing a sign reading "pervert" in Arabic on their chests.

A Sadr City cafe, known as a popular gathering spot for gays, was also set on fire. Homosexuality was legal in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's regime until 2001.

Remember that old ad with Iron Eyes Cody crying over trash? Well, this weekend watch out for the Texas Rollergirls, who join forces with other volunteers for Keep Austin Beautiful's Clean Sweep annual citywide cleanup this Saturday, April 4 (remember, don't litter: Cody couldn't chase you down on skates.) But they'll be changing the outdoor wheels for something grippier on Sunday night for the second bout of the 2009 season. The Hustlers took to the road last week, traveling to Philadelphia to take on the undefeated Philthy Britches. Unfortunately for the ladies in silver and purple, they couldn't break the home team's four year winning streak, hearing the whistle blow on a 129-64 defeat. They'll be looking to bounce back after that result, but also to even the score after their ultra-tight 12-19 loss at March's season-opening round robin to Sunday's opponents, the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers. The bigger challenge may be reserved for the Hell Marys. Coming out of the round robin 0-3, they'll be facing the 3-0 Hotrod Honeys. If they can pull off a win, that would stand as one of the most impressive upsets the sport has ever seen. The action starts Sunday, April 5 at 7pm (doors 6.30pm) at Playland Skate Center (8822 McCann), tickets $12 advance, $15 on the door, or $10 if you buy direct from a skater.

If you’re like me, then your bracket is probably crumbled up and waiting to be thrown in the trash by now. I’m not bitter, but I would like to thank Rick Pitino for not realizing that all the Cardinals had to do to beat Michigan State’s man-to-man defense was spread the floor and create one-on-one matchups. I’d also like to thank Coach K and the Puke She Devils for ruining my bracket in the third round once again, but like I said, I’m not bitter. There are still four teams left, and if you’re like me, you’re probably trying to figure out who to cheer for, so with that in mind, here are four reasons to cheer for each team in the Final Four.

Sad news for fans of Austin film and stage: The body of local actor Lou Perryman was discovered in his home on Thursday by Austin police, working off of information provided by a man who is now being held in custody. According to News 8 Austin, 36-year-old Seth Christopher Tatum turned himself in Thursday morning, confessing to attacking Perryman and also stealing his car: "He basically made the statement that, 'By the way, that's a stolen car, and I'm pretty sure I killed the owner of the car,'" Sgt. Joseph Chacon said. "We found out the owner of the car, went to address on a 'check welfare' call. That's where we found Mr. Perryman." Perryman is perhaps best known for his work with Eagle Pennell in the films The Whole Shootin' Match (1978) and Last Night at the Alamo (1983), although he continued to work steadily in TV and film. He was also a member of the Austin theatre company Big State Productions and took part in their now-legendary production In the West. More details as they come in. And here's Perryman talking to the Chronicle in 2007 with his Shootin' Match costar Sonny Carl Davis on the occasion of the film's DVD release by Watchmaker Films.

Local photographer Carlos San Miguel caught the action with his lens Wednesday night at the Austin Convention Center as the Toros returned home to defeat the Tulsa 66ers 131-119. DeMarcus Nelson led the Toros with 29 points as Malik Hairston returning from a stint with the San Antonio Spurs picked up 26 points in 34 minutes. Dwayne Jones (12 boards, 26 points) and Marcus Williams (26 points, 10 assists) both picked up double-doubles for the winning Toros. Catch the Toros next home games: Vs. Iowa: Sat., April 4, 7:30pm. Vs. Reno: Tue., April 7, 7:30pm. Vs Rio Grande Valley: Wed., April 8, 7:30pm; Fri., April 10, 8:30pm. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St., 236-8333. $8-23. For more, click here.

The Austin Chronicle shelves BookPeople The last time rivals BookPeople and The Austin Chronicle met on the softball diamond, the game was decided by two runs. The Opening Day rematch of the 2008 Alternative Softball Championship game was another nail-biter, and the champions again held off BookPeople to come away with victory, 21-15, last Sunday. The difference may have been the Chronicle (1-0) turning a pair of double plays in a game that was mostly offensive. BookPeople batted a respectable .540 with four doubles and three triples, while the Chronicle batted .600 with two triples. The BookPeople Filthy Animals (0-1) were also depleted by injuries, including outfielder Ryan Van Eck apparently breaking his collarbone in the fourth inning on a diving catch; pitcher Jim Brooks pulling a hamstring; and shortstop Jeff “Tacocat” Freeman hobbled by a grounder to the knee. I always hate to see a player injured and I hope they all mend well and quickly.

It's one thing to laugh and groan and gag at the many filthy antics of the jackass crew from the relative safety of your couch. It's comedy, right? But what about when you take away the divider, between antic and audience? What if one of the original jackasses was right there – right in front of you – unleashing his special brand of jackassery in real time and in spitting distance? Is it still comedy? Or is it performance art? Or simply an invitation to get puked on? Actually, Dave England is known more as the poo guy in the crew (although he does a pretty neat trick involving the regurgitated raw contents of an omelette – bon appetit!). He also knows something about digital filmmaking and viral marketing, which is why he'll be teaching a workshop on those very subjects at the Austin School of Film on Sunday afternoon (4/5). Then later that night, the so-called Lord Supreme of Self-Destruction will take the stage at the Alamo Ritz to screen some of his very favorite moments in masochism from the jackass franchise. After that... well, after that, we're promised "Live Self-Destruction." Details are fuzzy, but you can bet it won't be pretty. On the other hand, it'll probably be pretty fucking funny. Tickets are still available. Go here for the workshop and here for the Alamo event.

Watching Leonard Cohen's 1989 Austin City Limits episode before his second show at the Long Center last night, it's amazing the difference two decades makes. On the studio stage, Cohen is sweating, his voice strong but slightly slurred, no doubt from the tequila he mentions drinking. It's a hit or miss hour from Cohen in his more "experimental" period after 1988's I'm Your Man. The hints of synthy, New Age schmaltz were gone for the most part Wednesday and Thursday. The impeccably-suited, graceful, and surprisingly limber 74-year-old skipped onstage both nights and delivered two three-hour tours of his oeuvre, including "Famous Blue Raincoat," "So Long, Marianne," and "Tower of Song." The crowd was reverent, tearful, grateful. I'd liken the shows to a religious ceremony, but Cohen might take exception. Check out next week's paper for a full review by yours truly.