THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

ABC News correspondent Gio Benitez got down on one knee and popped the question to his boyfriend Tommy DiDario during a romantic vacation in Europe, E! Online reported. Benitez asked DiDario to marry him in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with a photographer capturing the moment. "'Time is what's left behind in the wake of love,'" Benitez captioned the shot, which shows DiDario holding his hand over his mouth in shock. DiDario, an actor and writer, also took to social media to share the happy news, and posted a photo of their hands with the rings.

The transgender drama About Ray from The Weinstein Company—which stars Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon and which had been scheduled to debut the weekend of Sept. 20—has been pulled. The film will now go sometime later in the year and is, as of right now, unset. About Ray was recently shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. TWC acquired About Ray, originally titled Three Generations, at this year's Cannes Film Festival in a $6-million acquisition deal.

London's Getty Images Gallery will mount a retrospective about Elizabeth Taylor and her fight to stamp out HIV/AIDS, according to WWD.com . Staged in connection with the Elizabeth Taylor Trust and The Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, "Grit and Glamour" is to commemorate Taylor's 30-year involvement in raising awareness about the illness. "Grit and Glamour"—running Oct. 9 to Nov. 7—will feature 50 photographs ranging from studio portraits and contact sheets to backstage images, behind-the-scenes imagery and unpublished photos of Taylor's career and philanthropic work.

A Change.org petition demanding Cher be the one to perform during halftime when the Super Bowl airs Feb. 7, 2016, has collected more than 1,700 signatures, according to NewNowNext.com . "Her music spans through many generations therefore giving her the ability to connect with a wide variety of audience members of all creeds," the petition reads, in part. Cher's petition comes a week after fans threw support behind Britney Spears to become the 2016 halftime performer.

Fifteen women who have helped to create and define contemporary American culture are featured in American Masters: The Women's List, premiering nationwide Friday, Sept. 25, 9-10 p.m. on PBS and available the same day on DVD via Perfect Day Films Inc., according to a press release. Some of the women featured include Alicia Keys, Margaret Cho, Shonda Rhimes, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez, Laurie Anderson, Wendy Williams and Edie Falco. Toni Morrison opens the film with a reading of an introduction she wrote specifically for The Women's List. The film will be available to stream on the American Masters website ( pbs.org/americanmasters ) Sept. 26.

Supermodel/actress Naomi Campbell is the latest public figure to test the limits of social media's nudity standards, The Daily Dot noted. On Instagram, the British icon accompanied a nude black-and-white photograph with a #freethenipple rallying cry. Not unlike Kim Kardashian's first attempt to "break the Internet," the gesture teased an upcoming Garage magazine series. Despite protests from celebs like Chrissy Teigen, Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Chelsea Handler, Instagram's nudity policy doesn't permit topless photography of a particular nature.

Actress Tatum O'Neal has fueled speculation she is more than just friends with Rosie O'Donnell after she jet to the TV star's Florida vacation home, SFGate.com reported. The pair became romantically linked over the summer, but O'Donnell's representative was quick to shoot down the claims, insisting their relationship was strictly platonic. In other O'Donnell news, SheWired noted that she will guest-star on the TV show Empire, joining Marisa Tomei, Chris Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Pitbull and Ludacris as those making special appearances during the upcoming season.

How to Get Away with Murder creator Peter Norwalk sees a plot twist as an opportunity to offer viewers a storyline about living with HIV in 2015, Gay Star News noted. In the show's first season, computer nerd Oliver ( Conrad Ricamora ) was the one who tested positive while promiscuous law student Connor ( Jack Falahee ) did not. "Our goal is to treat that in a very realistic and contemporary way," Norwalk told Entertainment Weekly. "How do you live with an HIV positive gay man as a boyfriend?"

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame angered a lot of radio listeners by speaking about the hype surrounding Caitlyn Jenner during an interview with Power 105.1's "The Breakfast Club, according to The New York Daily News. The rapper ( real name: Juaquin Malphurs ) said Jenner, whom he referred to as Bruce, is "rebuking God" by choosing to identify as a woman. Even after receiving an onslaught of backlash from fans on Twitter, the rapper maintained his position a day later. "I have nothing against transgender people. I simply feel we need to be careful what our children see as 'sensationalized," he tweeted.

After scoring cheers at its Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Universal's Legend—starring Tom Hardy as British gangster twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray—is moving off its Oct. 2 release date to Friday, Nov. 20, when it will open in New York and Los Angeles, according to Deadline. Nov. 20 boasts fewer male-demo pics, such as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2 and STX's The Secret in Their Eyes.

Robert-James Collier has said he's been humbled by viewers' supportive response to the struggles of his Downtown Abbey character, gay under-butler Thomas Barrow, Advocate.com noted. Thomas, often involved in devious plots against other Downton servants, emerged as a more sympathetic character last season as he sought a "cure" for his homosexuality. He said, "To see something on the TV in a main show that they can identify with is quite rare, so I really tapped into that. It's really humbling when you see letters [from teens who haven't come out to their families], because Thomas is moving people—and that's what drama's supposed to do."

The premiere of Neil Patrick Harris' Best Time Ever and the first part of the season finale of America's Got Talent propelled NBC to an easy win in the Sept. 15 ratings, TheWrap noted. Harris' live variety show drew a 1.9 rating/7 share in the advertiser coveted 18-49 demographic and 6.7 million total viewers.

Out director Bryan Singer has revealed his next film project following X-Men: Apocalypse—an adaptation of the classic Jules Verne novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," TheWrap noted. "It's my 50th birthday ( ouch ), and I just put the finishing touches on the script for my next film. A story I've wanted to retell since childhood," the director wrote on Instagram.

Usher, Common, Tori Kelly, Laverne Cox, Katie Holmes, Connie Britton and Sunidhi Chauhan are among the guest performers added to the bill for the Global Citizen Festival, to be held Sept. 26 on New York's Great Lawn in Central Park, according to Billboard. They'll join previously announced headliners Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay for a day of entertainment with a cause: to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Actress Brie Larson is in talks to replace Emma Stone as Billie Jean King opposite Steve Carell's Bobby Riggs in Battle of the Sexes, TheWrap revealed. Little Miss Sunshine filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris will direct the Fox Searchlight, project from a script by Simon Beaufoy. King was 29 when she beat 55-year-old former Wimbledon champion Riggs in a 1973 match known as the "Battle of the Sexes."

Caitlyn Jenner is officially saying goodbye to her former self, Bruce Jenner, US Weekly noted. The transgender star, 65, has reportedly filed legal documents for official gender and name changes. Jenner filed the documents in Los Angeles on Sept. 15—but without some required personal information. The I Am Cait star is seeking to keep some details, including medical history, private, claiming that she's received threats and fears that releasing details will make the situation worse.

In Vancouver, singer Patti LaBelle threw a male fan off her stage who started stripping, Vibe noted. The fan proceeded to strip and allegedly asked the "Lady Marmalade" singer to "spank him." She then said, "Don't you dare, not on my stage. Didn't I say I was 71 years younger? I am not Nicki Minaj or that little, Miley. Get off of my goddarn stage, b***h!" LaBelle later issued an apology to the attendees, stating, "I'm sorry I didn't let my security do what he felt he had to do earlier. ... Don't ever come in my face again. Next!"

Writer/director Michael Worth is releasing his lesbian-themed feature film Seeking Dolly Parton as a $3.99 digital rental on Vimeo at Vimeo.com/ondemand/seekingdollyparton starting Sept. 25, according to a press release. Seeking Dolly Parton is a romantic comedy starring Kacey Barnfield ( Resident Evil: Afterlife ) and Anya Monzikova ( Iron Man 2 ). The film centers on a lesbian couple wanting to have a baby and the ex-boyfriend ( played by Worth ) who steps up to help to unexpected results for all. Visit Vimeo.com/ondemand/seekingdollyparton.

It's official: YouTube sensation Ingrid Nilsen, who came out as lesbian in an emotional video posted to her channel in June, is dating fellow Internet star Hannah Hart, The Daily Mail reported. Hart, 28, confirmed she is dating the 26-year-old beauty vlogger in the October issue of DIVA magazine. "We've actually been friends for a couple of years and then... circumstances kind of aligned," said Hart, who is known for the My Drunk Kitchen YouTube series, in which she cooks and drinks with a range of interesting guests.

Rapper Angel Haze—who describes themself as agender, with a preferred use of gender-neutral pronouns—talked with Billboard about their newest project, Back to the Woods. Among their statements: "What I learned with music, it's interesting because I'm an autodidact and really observational person. I learned in music that you can express anything in the world under the guise of love." Beyond issues with music, the 23-year-old has faced several personal issues: They've overdosed and been sent to the psych ward twice, and their publicized relationship with Ireland Baldwin fell apart earlier this year.

Jessica Simpson seemed disoriented and dizzy as she slurred her words during an appearance on the Home Shopping Network, and fans were quick to react to her behavior on social media, TheWrap noted. The singer-turned-designer joined host Colleen Lopez to sell her "Kiss Me" Super Skinny Gray Jeans. However, viewers were more focused on Simpson's seemingly bizarre behavior, as she told stories of her sister, Ashlee, sharing jeans with her husband Evan Ross. Twitter erupted with comments from viewers who thought Simpson may have been drunk during the segment.

Tyra Banks is struggling to get pregnant, Page Six reported. "It's been really difficult," the 41-year-old retired model and TV personality told People of undergoing IVF treatments. "I've had some not-so-happy, traumatic moments." Banks, who's graced the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition twice, said she's been planning a family since her early 20s, but always pushed it back.

Vanessa Williams is joining the CBS series The Good Wife in a recurring role in season seven, Entertainment Weekly noted. The Ugly Betty alum will play Courtney Boalt, "an extremely successful, self-made businesswoman, who is potentially interested in backing Peter Florrick's ( Chris Noth ) campaign for president. In the process, she meets Eli Gold ( Alan Cumming ), sparking a mutual attraction," reads an ABC release.

British singer Ed Sheeran recently talked about his night at a gay U.S. strip club, according to News.com .au. "We were in Atlanta the other day and it's the home of strip clubs," Sheeran told the show Sunrise. "The last time I was in Atlanta I went out with Taylor Swift's dancers and we went to this gay strip club called Swinging Richards—which was quite fun. So I was trying to take everyone there, but then everyone was telling us about this elderly strip club for pensioners, which sounded interesting but we never ended up there."

In a new short film, Coming Out for Animals, from the multimedia nonprofit Our Hen House ( www.ourhenhouse.org )—whose mission is to change the world for animals —a group of activists from the LGBT world talks about how they personally connected the dots and came out for the animals, too, a press release stated. Coming out for Animals highlights personal stories of connections between gay rights and animal rights, all told while enjoying vegan dishes.

Britney Spears announced she's signed up for two more years in Las Vegas for her popular residency show, Piece of Me, at Planet Hollywood, according to USA Today. Spears has been in Vegas since December 2013. In a press release from Spears and Planet Hollywood, she said the show will undergo "a substantial re-imagination" to add "jaw-dropping elements" designed to achieve "new heights."

NBC is developing a revival of the series Hart to Hart that would recast the central Robert Wagner-Stefanie Powers characters from the original as a gay couple, TheWrap noted. Sony Pictures Television is set to produce the project with Carol Mendelsohn. The original Hart to Hart starred Wagner and Powers as a wealthy couple who serve as amateur detectives. The new version would feature a gay couple—one a private investigator, the other a lawyer.

Designer Anne Bowen slammed Kanye West as unethical after he added his runway presentation to the New York Fashion Week schedule at the last minute, creating scheduling conflicts for those slated to present on the same day, US Weekly noted. "Kanye knows he is a media sensation and it is just not ethical to do this," she complained. "It's like we are David and he is Goliath." Bowen and Naeem Khan were set to present at the same exact time, but West's announcement threw off their schedules.

Writer Jackie Collins—the sister of actress Joan Collins who was known for dishy novels such as Hollywood Wives—died Sept. 19 at age 77 after battle with breast cancer that she kept largely secret, according to The L.A. Times. Collins revealed the illness only to her family and closest friends until she spoke about it in a recent interview with People magazine. Her website stated that she wrote more than 30 best-selling novels, including Hollywood Wives and Hollywood Husbands, selling more than 500 million copies of her works globally.

Joining a long list of artists, Lionel Richie has announced that he will begin a Las Vegas residency, Billboard reported. Richie announced the news on the Today show on Sept. 16, in addition to performing "Easy." Richie said his residency will begin in April 2016 at The Axis at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Sony is rebooting the Charlie's Angels franchise, and Elizabeth Banks is in talks to direct the film, TheWrap noted. Banks will also produce with her husband and producing partner Max Handelman; the studio is still searching for a writer. The film will be based on the hit television series of the 1970s about three female detectives, played by Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, who worked for mysterious benefactor Charlie. In 2000, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu took the film to the big screen, directed by McG, followed by a sequel in 2003 titled Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.

A judge ruled that a businesswoman will continue to pay $25,000 a month plus maintenance expenses on a hilltop convent that Los Angeles' Catholic archbishop wants to sell to pop singer Katy Perry, according to U.S. News & World Report. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant accepted an offer from entrepreneur Dana Hollister, who wants to use the convent for a hotel and restaurant project, to make the payments to a small order of elderly nuns while lawsuits over the sale of their former home are pending.