Steven S. DeKnight, the creator/head writer of the gladiator series Spartacus: Vengeance, is defending the sex scenes ( same- and opposite-sex ) on the show, according to Reuters. He said, ""Every now and then somebody will say something about oh it's too violent, oh there's too much sex, but that's the show it is." As for the intimate scenes involving people of the same gender, DeKnight said, "It was part and parcel of this world and it's part and parcel of our world now."

Love Free or Die, a document about Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, according to ReligionNews.com . The film follows Robinson as the church wrestles with how to handle lesbian and gay issues. Filmmakers also talked with other gay church leaders, including former Utah Episcopal Bishop Otis Charles, who revealed he is gay after he retired.

Adam Levine and his band, Maroon 5, are changing their post-Grammys bash to a different venue because of a restaurant's anti-gay stance, according to the Huffington Post. The unnamed Los Angeles restaurant backs Prop 8, which made same-sex marriage illegal in California. Levine—whose brother is gay—told People, "We used to go to this Mexican restaurant to celebrate after the Grammys but the place supported the movement to make gay marriage illegal [ in California ] so we bailed on that."

On his new show, The Revolution, Tim Gunn confessed to his co-hosts that he hasn't had sex in 29 years, the Huffington Post reported. However, the Project Runway mentor added, "Do I feel like less of a person because of it? No, not even remotely." When asked why he's abstained, an emotional Gunn said it's because of a previous relationship: "He was impatient with my sexual performance. ... It was at the cusp of AIDS [ and ] I'm happy to be healthy and alive, frankly."

Kim Kardashian joins the cast of Lifetime's critically acclaimed series Drop Dead Diva for a multiple-episode arc beginning with the season premiere, according to a press release. Kardashian joins a list of guest stars that includes Liza Minnelli, Rosie O'Donnell, Paula Abdul, Kathy Griffin and Tim Gunn. The show's fourth season is set to begin filming in February, with new episodes premiering this summer.

Fashion stylist and Bravo TV personality Rachel Zoe was honored in West Hollywood, Calif., at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's "An Evening" benefit for homeless youth services, according to SFGate.com . Among others who attended the benefit were actress Anne Hathaway, former San Francisco mayor and current California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kelly Osbourne, Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs and singer/actress Mandy Moore.

Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am has confirmed that the duo LMFAO will duet with Madonna during the Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 5, according to Digital Spy. Madonna still hasn't revealed details about her set, but it is expected that Nicki Minaj and MIA will join her on stage to perform the Material Girl's new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." It has also been rumored that Cee Lo Green will join the "Like a Virgin" singer on stage to perform some of her biggest hits.

Rapper 50 Cent has agreed to post a photo of his private parts if the New York Giants lose the Super Bowl, the Daily Mail reported. He has entered an agreement with a Twitter user called MyBestAssets to do so after the female user offered to make an obscene bet. She has promised to flash her breasts and reveal her face if the Giants win.

Out actor Zachary Quinto has nothing but good things to say about the sequel to Star Trek, according to Digital Spy. "It's been really great," said Quinto, who once again plays Spock. "We've been shooting for a week and a half, and it's been an incredible return to that world." The actor went on to say that he is thrilled to be working alongside the new cast additions, which include Benedict Cumberbatch ( from the BBC show Sherlock ) and Alice Eve. The film is due to be released May 17, 2013.

So You Think You Can Dance? judges Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman, along with Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba and actress Katie Holmes have teamed to form the Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship, according to an MTV.com item. The foundation only grants scholarships to students studying at accredited dance institutions. Other funds mentioned in the article include the Alec Baldwin Drama Scholarship Fund and Kid Rock's Made In Detroit Scholarship ( which benefits music students ) .

The late Amy Winehouse's father, Mitch, has criticized out fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier's latest collection, which was inspired by Amy, according to the Daily Mail. The French designer took inspiration from the taxi driver's famous daughter, showcasing clothes at Paris Couture Week that mimicked the "Rehab" singer's love for '50s fashion. Mitch tweeted, "We don't support the Jean Paul Gaultier collection. It's in bad taste." However, Gaultier said it's a "tribute."

The Elton John AIDS Foundation ( EJAF ) will celebrate its 20th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party Feb. 26 at the newly redesigned West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, according to PR Newswire. Sir Elton John and David Furnish will host the gala event; lesbian celebrity chef Cat Cora will prepare a special menu and the Grammy-nominated Foster the People will perform. Among the many co-chairs are Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, John Waters, Steven Tyler, David Geffen, Tyler Perry, and Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.

In honor of the 27th anniversary of Los Angeles-based City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, Max Adler—who plays closeted gay bully Dave Karofsky on Glee—has gotten fans to donate $6,000 to his anti-bullying program, according to a press release. Adler is asking his Twitter and Facebook followers to donate $7, $17, $27, $127, $1,027, $1,127 and up at www.cityhearts.org . Before the campaign ends April 17, City Hearts must raise at least $7,000 in qualifying contributions to Adler's campaign to qualify for matching funds of $5,000 from the Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation.

Veteran TV director John Rich has died at the age of 86, according to Deadline.com . He worked on such legendary shows as All In The Family, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan's Island, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Rifleman, The Twilight Zone, Good Times, The Jeffersons and Murphy Brown.

A Brooklyn couple is suing celebrity wedding planner and reality-TV personality David Tutera, the New York Post reported. Wendylee Perez and Hector Santana say they hired Tutera for $15,000, and the My Fair Wedding star told them the price included "anything and everything that is needed" for their wedding in the Dominican Republic. However, that price tag wound up not including him or items such as invitations, a DJ and wedding cakes, they contend.

Matt Bomer—who stars on TV's White Collar and the upcoming stripper movie Magic Mike—is in talks to appear on the show Glee as the brother of gay student Blaine ( played by Darren Criss ) , according to the Huffington Post. If he appears on Glee, Bomer would be the latest guest star in a season filled with celebrities such as Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull and NeNe Leakes.

Sarah Jessica Parker will take over the role of feminist icon Gloria Steinem from the ailing Demi Moore in the film Lovelace, according to an Advocate.com item. Moore was slated to join the biopic of '70s porn star Linda Lovelace as Steinem, but officially dropped out after reportedly checking into rehab. Amanda Seyfried portrays the title character, and other actors in the film include James Franco, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone and Adam Brody.

Openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson has said that he'll officiate lesbian actress Cynthia Nixon's wedding to education activist Christine Marinoni in May, according to the Huffington Post. "I've been invited by Cynthia and her partner to officiate at their ceremony over Memorial Day weekend," Robinson told Queerty. Nixon—currently earning waves for her role in the Broadway show Wit—was the subject of controversy recently for saying that, for her, being gay was "a choice."

Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown said that the '90s band will reunite this summer, according to an US Magazine item. "I think the Queen's Jubilee concert is the event I'd be looking at more closely for that to happen," the 36-year-old said on Australian TV before changing the subject after realizing she revealed too much. The Spice Girls—who had hits such as "Wannabe" and "Spice Up Your Life"—last performed together during a reunion tour that launched in 2007.

Hundreds of people gathered at an L.A. church Jan. 28 to pay tribute to the late singer Etta James. According to US Magazine, Christina Aguilera performed James' hit "At Last," while Stevie Wonder sang with the church choir. The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy. On her official website, Aguilera said, "Etta James was a force to be reckoned with. [ She was ] a true gift to music and a woman of great spirit and courage."

Host Steve Jones and singer/judge Nicole Scherzinger are leaving the Fox show X Factor, according to USA Today. Jones said Jan. 30 on Twitter that he wouldn't be returning to host the show's second season. Jones, a British TV personality, called his departure "a shame" and added that he couldn't "complain as I've had a great time." He gave no reason for his departure.

Actress Cynthia Nixon is bisexual and that "is not a choice," she told The Advocate exclusively. The former star of Sex and the City—now on Broadway in Wit—has been the source of controversy among the LGBT community because of a comment she made to The New York Times about sexuality and choice. She told The Advocate, "While I don't often use the word, the technically precise term for my orientation is bisexual. I believe bisexuality is not a choice, it is a fact. What I have 'chosen' is to be in a gay relationship."

Legendary actress Shirley MacLaine is joining the cast of the British period drama series Downton Abbey for its third season, People.com reported. MacLaine, 77, will play Martha Levinson, the American mother of Elizabeth McGovern's wealthy countess, Lady Cora Grantham. The Steel Magnolias star will butt heads with Dame Maggie Smith, who portrays the cynical Dowager Countess Violet. The second season of the critically acclaimed series will conclude Feb. 19.

Elton John advised Madonna to lip-synch her Feb. 5 Super Bowl performance, Digital Spy reported. John said on Good Morning America, "I've never seen a decent [ halftime show ] —never, ever. You have to play live, but I don't think you can. In all fairness to everyone who's done one before, you may be able to sing live, but it's really hard to play live."

George Michael has suggested that he may reschedule the canceled dates of his "Symphonica" tour, according to Digital Spy. The "Too Funky" singer was hospitalized with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, late last year, forcing him to axe some of his shows. He tweeted that he hopes to perform again in September and hinted he'll debut "brand new tracks" then.

Singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf has said that a new album by legendary singer Patti Smith moved him to tears. Wolf has not confirmed if he's on the record, which will be Smith's first in five years. She has said that a song about Amy Winehouse for the new CD. Wolf reportedly will enter a civil partnership with boyfriend William Pollock this year.

Raven Symone—who many may remember as tiny Olivia on the '80s hit The Cosby Show and from the kids' show That's So Raven—will star in the musical Sister Act, Deadline.com reported. Whoopi Goldberg, who played lead character Deloris Van Cartier in the film and its sequel, produces the Broadway adaptation ( which opened April 2011 ) , which features original music by Alan Menken.

Katy Perry has extended a record, Digital Spy reported. Her latest single, "The One That Got Away," has become her sixth Pop Songs chart-topper from the album Teenage Dream. Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake are the nearest rivals for the record, at four apiece. The Pop Songs chart is only based on airplay, unlike Billboard's Hot 100, which incorporates airplay, sales and streaming.

Colman Domingo—known from Windy City Queercast and the Logo series The Big Gay Sketch Show—is co-starring in playwright-director Athol Fugard's staging of his work, Blood Knot, according to Playbill.com . The drama—launching the Signature Theatre Company's new home on West 42nd Street in NYC—co-stars Obie Award winner Scott Shepherd. Opening night of the play about two biracial South African brothers is Feb. 16.

The Muppets have criticized Fox Business News for saying that their new film is anti-oil, anti-corporate propaganda aimed at influencing kids, the Huffington Post reported. "It's a funny thing: They were concerned about us having some prejudice against oil companies, and I can tell you, that's categorically not true," Kermit the Frog said in a press conference. Miss Piggy added that the charge was "almost as laughable as accusing Fox News of being ... news."