BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN - GAY ACTIVIST BOUGHT BROKEBACK SHIRTS

LATEST: Longtime gay activist TOM GREGORY was thrilled when he placed the winning bid of $101,100 (GBP59,000) for two cowboy shirts featured in the movie BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN.

The items were listed on auction website eBay and are the actual shirts worn by the movie's ill-fated gay lovers, played by HEATH LEDGER and JAKE GYLLENHAAL.

Gregory insists the shirts represent the ongoing plight of homosexuals trying to gain acceptance in society, and are a significant piece of movie history.

He says, "They really are the ruby slippers (WIZARD OF OZ memorabilia) of our time."

Gregory logged his winning bid with just 28 seconds left before the 10-day auction came to a close on Monday (20FEB06).

The shirts were donated by Focus Features, distributor of Brokeback Mountain, and the winning bid will benefit Variety - The Children's Charity of Southern California.

The new owner doesn't have any special plans for his new purchases and will keep the shirts "as they were, on the hanger, entwined. I would never wear them, put them on, or separate them."