People in the news Feb. 26

Michael Douglas son denied bail in meth case

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York federal judge has denied bail to the son of actor Michael Douglas in a drug dealing case.

Cameron Douglas pleaded guilty in January to dealing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine while holed up in a trendy Manhattan hotel.

The 31-year-old Douglas was arrested last July at the Hotel Gansevoort in downtown Manhattan.

Prosecutors said at the time Douglas had signed a plea agreement. He faces a minimum 10-year prison term at his sentencing in April.

Douglas has acted in movies including 2003's "It Runs in the Family" starring his father and grandfather Kirk Douglas.

Leif Garrett pleads not guilty in L.A. drug case

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Leif Garrett has pleaded not guilty in a felony drug possession case in Los Angeles.

The plea came Wednesday during the arraignment of the musician and former teen heartthrob.

Defense attorney Andrew Flier said authorities illegally searched Garrett before he was arrested Feb. 1 for investigation of carrying heroin in the city subway system.

Flier says Garrett disputes the contention that he was nervous and sweating profusely, which prompted his search and arrest.

Garrett, who is free on bail, did not speak to reporters.

The 48-year-old has had a series of drug arrests since the height of his popularity in the 1970s.

Flier says Garrett sought help after those arrests and accepted responsibility but plans to fight the latest case.

Clay Aiken to take stage for gay rights this weekend

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - More than a year after disclosing he is gay, Clay Aiken is speaking before a gay-rights event in his hometown.

Aiken will deliver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday. Actress Meredith Baxter, who recently said she is a lesbian, also will deliver a speech.

The 31-year-old Raleigh native, pop singer and 2003 "American Idol" runner-up said he wrote his own speech.

Aiken says his goal is to urge Americans to support equal rights for all. He says that means allowing homosexuals to marry and enjoy rights that heterosexual couples take for granted like inheritance and hospital visitation. Aiken said that goal may take decades.

"It's more important to me, as a parent, that my son have all the rights - if he's gay - than it is for me. I don't want to do anything today that's going to inhibit, or be a detriment to, his rights," he said.

Aiken said he would probably attend Saturday's event with his bodyguard and without family members or friends.