Rosie O'Donnell's ex, Kelli Carpenter, is set to tie the knot with cabaret singer Anne Steele, according to the New York Daily News. Carpenter confirmed that she will walk down the aisle with Steele June 1, 2013. Carpenter said, "We're going to have a picnic barbecue backyard wedding" in Rockland County, and that her four children with O'Donnell "will participate in the ceremony."
Kathleen Pryer, a professor of biology at Duke and director of the school's herbarium, has named 19 new species of fern after Lady Gaga, according to Billboard.com . Pryer said in a statement to the New York Times that she honored Gaga "because of her fervent defense of equality and individual expression. We think that her second album, Born this Way, is enormously empowering, especially for disenfranchised people and communities like LGBT, ethnic groups, women…" The fern reproduces by spores that can grow into plants that could end up being male, female or bisexual.
Lee "Uncle Poodle" Thompson—a breakout star on the reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo—posted a video for Spirit Day talking about the bullying he suffered as a youth for being gay, Advocate.com noted. "I was bullied day in and day out in school," suffering broken ribs and a dislocated jaw, Thompson says in the video for GLAAD. However, he has a happy adult life, with a husband and a supportive family, adding that it's OK for LGBT kids to be who they are.
In Dallas, Madonna took a tumble during a recent concert, Celebuzz.com reported. During her hit "Like A Prayer," she fell face-forward to the floor as she bent down to touch hands with fans. However, she seamlessly turned the tumble into part of the routine. Some have speculated that a fan "pulled" her and that the fall didn't result from a misstep.
American Horror Story co-creator Ryan Murphy revealed that an actor who met his demise on the show last season will be returning: Dylan McDermott, according to The Wrap. McDermott starred as philandering husband Ben Harmon in the first season, but his character died. Murphy tweeted, "So thrilled to announce Dylan McDermott is returning to American Horror Story!" However, he did not say in what capacity the actor will be returning.
Mario Lopez unintentionally stirred controversy by giving a shout-out to Chick-fil-A, Advocate.com noted. The new X Factor co-host tweeted, "Why does it seem like I always crave Chick-fil-A on Sundays?? #Frustrating." Now, people such as Dan Savage and RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Willam Belli have criticized Lopez. On Twitter, Savage sent this reply to Lopez: "Because you're a thoughtless jerk who just alienated the gay men you expected to buy your new line of crappy manpanties?" Lopez has a new line of men's underwear, called Rated M, that he has been promoting.
The "It Gets Better" musical-theater project—a co-production of Speak Theater Arts, the It Gets Better Project and the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles)—premiered Oct. 19 at the University of Iowa, Playbill.com noted. "It Gets Better," according to the chorus' website, "explores what 'better' means for LGBT youth through stories, songs and multimedia on an array of challenging themes." Stops are also planned in University Park, Pa.; Lawrence, Kan.; and Seattle, Wash., for 2013.
Author Anne Rice has confirmed that Interview with the Vampire characters Lestat and Louis were same-sex parents, according to Out.com . In an interview with website I09 to discuss Interview With The Vampire: Claudia's Tale, a new graphic adaptation of her modern classic horror fantasy, Rice said that the characters "were the first vampire same-sex parents. Absolutely! Claudia! She's their daughter." Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt played the characters in the movie.
Out actor Zachary Quinto (Star Trek; TV's American Horror Story), Tony Award nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger and Brian J. Smith will join lesbian Tony Award winner Cherry Jones in the American Repertory Theater production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, Playbill.com reported. Williams' 1945 play about an overbearing mother and her fragile daughter will begin performances Feb. 2, 2013, in Cambridge, Mass., for a run through March 17.
Orlando Cruz, the Puerto Rican boxer who recently came out of the closet, won his first bout since doing so, posting a victory by unanimous decision over Jorge Pazos, according to ESPN.com . Cruz was touched by the support on display at the Kissimmee Civic Center outside Orlando, Fla.—the latest in a continuous outpouring since his announcement that made him the first active male athlete in a major sport to come out. "I was very happy that they respect me. That's what I want—them to see me as a boxer, as an athlete and as a man in every sense of the word," he said.
Writer Jackie Collins claims that out actor Matt Bomer lost the lead role in the upcoming Superman reboot because of his sexuality, according to Digital Spy. Promoting her new book The Power Trip, Collins revealed inside information on Hollywood in an interview with Gaydar Radio, while admitting that it is "tremendously hard" for LGBT actors to come out in Hollywood. Collins did not reveal how she knew the alleged information, but she added, "If Justin Bieber said he was gay, he'd lose all his little girl fans."
Film actor Daniel Craig has said that his sex-symbol status is "embarrassing," according to Digital Spy. The James Bond actor, who's 44, said he prefers people to treat him as normally as they can, crediting his family with keeping him grounded. He also said, "I like going to the gym every day because I'm in physiotherapy every day. But when I go on holiday, I eat and drink what I want. I just try and get normal because I think too much working out is bad for you."
Singer Adele has given birth to a boy, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old singer and partner Simon Konecki welcomed their child Oct. 19. Adele announced her pregnancy back in June, writing on her official blog: "I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together." On the music front, her newest single is the theme song from the upcoming James Bond movie, Skyfall.
Kelly Osbourne has revealed that she was once on the brink of suicide because and her drinking and drug intake, according to Digital Spy. Osbourne told Fabulous magazine, "I woke up one day and wished I was dead. I wanted to kill myself. I had a period where I behaved really badly, I was a complete arse, but I was incredibly unhappy, incredibly messed-up." However, she subsequently went to rehab and, six months later, signed up for Dancing with the Stars—which proved to be life-changing.
After a national theatrical release, Kenneth Del Vecchio's An Affirmative Act—the first-ever courtroom drama about the legalization of same-sex marriage—is now available on iTunes and DVD, according to a press release. This film, released by Screen Media Films and Universal, will be available on VOD beginning Dec. 4. In this thriller , a lesbian couple is arrested and prosecuted for fraudulently marrying as a "man and woman" in order to obtain equal benefits.
Former Jersey Shore star Angelina Pivarnick is backpedaling on an antigay rant that brought her much criticism, Advocate.com reported. In a recent online debate with gay singer Adam Barta, Pivarnick said gay couples shouldn't marry, adding, "If you want to date each other, fine. We'll see how it works. But in the end, they should really go and marry the other type." Pivarnick subsequently told TMZ that many of her gay friends have informed her "how ignorant my comments were," and she has apologized.
Brando Enterprises has filed suit in federal court in California against Madonna and Bhakti Touring, Inc., saying the "Like a Virgin" singer has been using the late Marlon Brando's image on tour without permission, according to The Wrap. In fact, according to Brando Enterprises, their representatives "expressly refused to grant such rights to the Defendants" when they were approached. Brando Enterprises is seeking general and special damages, as well as revenues and profits received as a result of using Brando's image, plus treble damages, statutory damages, attorney's fees and costs.
Testimony has begun in a defamation suit by Sam Lufti, Britney Spears' ex-manager, against her parents, the New York Post reported. However, Spears will not testify; she remains under a court-ordered conservatorship and a judge told her not to participate. Spears' father, Jamie, has been in court with his wife, Lynne, whose book on Britney's most depressing days led to Lufti's suit. The family's attorneys have portrayed Lufti as a destructive force.
RuPaul, in talking about the upcoming fifth season of the Logo show RuPaul's Drag Race, said that his series "is The Carol Burnett Show ... for a new generation," according to Dujour.com . When asked if he expected the show to be a "juggernaut," Ru responded, "I always expect everything I do to be a juggernaut. It's not always the case, but I go into everything thinking it's God's gift to the planet." As for what makes Ru feel beautiful, the entertainer said, "my foundation on an emotional level, which is understanding your intention on this planet, is probably the most important thing."
Grammy-winning singer Barry Manilow will perform 17 shows at the St. James Theatre in New York City starting Jan. 18, according to Newser.com . Manilow, 69—whose most famous song may be "Copacabana (At the Copa)"—had 25 consecutive Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1975 and 1983. His new show, called "Manilow on Broadway," has tickets ranging in price from $50 to $350.
Ellen DeGeneres—honored recently with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor—said before the event that the prospect of Mitt Romney in the White House "scares" her, according to Gay Star News. She told Politico.com, "If you're a woman, you should be very, very scared of that, for many reasons. nd obviously as a gay person he doesn't believe in me having the same rights so, of course, I'm not happy about that."
Singer Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z have lost a battle to trademark the name of their baby daughter, Blue Ivy, according to the Daily Mail. The celebrity couple had filed legal papers to protect the name of their first born child soon after her birth in January. The couple was reportedly planning to launch a range of baby-related items called Blue Ivy that would've added to their fortune, estimated at approximately $1 billion. However, the pair lost out on trademarking their daughter's name to a wedding planner based in Boston who had called her company Blue Ivy three years ago.
Former ice skater Matt Savoie married his partner, attorney Brian Boyle, earlier this month in Sturbridge, Mass., Gay Star News reported. Savoie told Ice Network, "One thing that even our officiant talked about in our ceremony, and that Brian and I have experienced in this process, is that it's really wonderful to be in a state that recognizes marriage between gay couples." Savoie and Johnny Weir (who married his partner earlier this year) represented the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
Angela Lansbury got confused recently when she went to the wrong event by mistake, the New York Post reported. Guests and performers at Encompass New Opera Theatre's tribute for composer Alan Menken were surprised to see Lansbury appear. She warmly greeted Menken and posed with guests—and then she realized she was supposed to be next door at the Players Club to honor Audra McDonald. After sharing a laugh, she was escorted to the right venue.
Singer Kelly Clarkson said she plans to vote for President Obama in November, according to the Huffington Post. Calling herself a "Republican at heart," the Texas native told the Daily Star, "I've been reading online about the debates and I'm probably going to vote for Obama again. ... I can't support Romney's policies, as I have a lot of gay friends and I don't think it's fair they can't get married." Clarkson had previously voiced her support for GOP candidate Ron Paul.
Cher is reportedly "upset" after her comeback single, "Woman's World" leaked online, Gay Star News reported. At first, there was a 17-second preview leaked; then a one-minute version hit the Internet. Cher posted, "I'm upset about the leak. It's not the End of The World , but don't understand how Club in Michigan played [a minute] of it? It's not final mix!" Initial reactions to the clip—from her 26th studio album—have been mostly positive.
