Some news items you might have missed: • Queerty: In her new comedy tour, Ellen DeGeneres opens up about being “kicked out” of show business: “This is not the way I wanted to end my career, but this is the way it’s ending.” “I just thought, ‘Well this is not the way I wanted to end my career, but this is the way it’s ending.’” ????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????:https://t.co/5ziJ48i7Od — Queerty (@Queerty) April 26, 2024 • Metro Source: LA Pride takes over Universal Studios Hollywood on June 15 to present Pride is Universal, an exclusive theme park experience for guests of all ages to enjoy with ..read more

International superstar Ricky Martin will be the headliner for the 2024 L.A. Pride in the Park Festival on June 8. THIS JUST IN: Ricky Martin to headline 2024 LA Pride in the Park festival https://t.co/JIdu0GhxFU — ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) April 26, 2024 From ABC7: As the first openly gay Latin artist to take center stage at one of the nation’s largest Pride festivals, this marks Martin’s first-ever headliner Pride performance. “I am thrilled to be headlining LA Pride in the Park because it’s an incredible opportunity to celebrate love, diversity, and equality,” said the “Livin’ La Vida ..read more

Gov. Kristi Noem (R) of South Dakota, considered a leading contender to be Donald Trump’s running mate, shares in a new book that she shot and killed a 14-month-old hunting dog after deciding the pup was “untrainable.” Knowing Donald Trump fears and hates dogs, Kristi Noem revs up her VP campaign by writing about killing her own dog Cricket, a 14 months old wirehair pointer.https://t.co/8EG3Zwlfm6 — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 26, 2024 Via The Guardian: “Cricket was a wirehair pointer, about 14 months old,” the South Dakota governor writes in a new book, adding that the dog, a female ..read more

‘The Legs Are The Last To Go’ is the title of the 2008 memoir of legendary stage and screen actress Diahann Carroll. It became apparent to singer, actress, and cultural icon Vanessa Williams that this would be the inspiration for her long-awaited reclamation of her status as dance music royalty. With the assistance of producer Chantry Johnson, songwriter Kjersti Long, and longtime collaborator Kipper Jones, Vanessa has done just that, re-emerging with her new single and music video “Legs (Keep Dancing)!” Not only does Vanessa look and sound fantastic, throwing down dance moves throughout the ..read more

Some news items you might have missed: • Glamour: One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush comes out as queer and confirms she’s in a relationship with retired U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player Ashlyn Harris: “I finally feel like I can breathe. I don’t think I can explain how profound that is.” • Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out the what’s what in LGBTQ publications this week, including the latest from South Florida’s HOTspots Magazine. • AP News: United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment that could allow for the American church to authorize the ordina ..read more

Netflix has confirmed that out actor Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) will make a special appearance in the highly anticipated third season of the acclaimed coming-of-age series Heartstopper. Bailey will portray Jack Maddox, an Instagram-famous classicist and celebrity crush of Charlie. Netflix recently released a short ‘first look’ of Bailey in character, complete with the trademark Heartstopper cartoon leaves. Click the Instagram below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) Additionally, Hayley Atwell (Captain America: The First Avenger) will j ..read more

After nearly 3 hours of oral arguments, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears inclined to limit the scope of the criminal case against former President Donald J. Trump. The Supreme Court seemed poised on Thursday to narrow the federal Jan. 6 case against Donald Trump. A ruling on whether he is immune from prosecution would probably send the case back to a lower court and could delay a trial until after the 2024 election. https://t.co/E3Y6lSKQWR — The New York Times (@nytimes) April 25, 2024 Free gift link to the New York Times: The oral argument lasted nearly three hours, a ..read more

Multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer Lauv, who’s shared his coming out evolution over the past year, dropped his new music video, “Potential,” where he appears to take a firm step forward. Simple guitar strumming is complimented with a laid-back drum beat, allowing Lauv’s vocals to be front and center. Heartfelt lyrics capture the start-stop uncertainty of a budding romance. The accompanying music video, directed by Luke Orlando, is a gorgeous visual featuring Lauv in his first-ever fully choreographed video. I am living for the choreography by Monika Felice Smith. “‘Potential’ is about ..read more

Lawmakers in the Alabama House of Representatives have approved a bill to expand the state’s current “Don’t Say Gay” law prohibiting instruction or classroom discussion about LGBTQ topics in public schools. Alabama House passes bill expanding ban on school discussion of LGBTQ topics https://t.co/b2DxzsgPXq — James F. McGrath (@ReligionProf) April 24, 2024 From AL.com: HB130 by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would expand the ban that now applies from kindergarten through fifth grade to apply through 8th grade. The ban was first passed in 2022 and was similar to a law passed in Florida tha ..read more

Some news items you might have missed: • Queerty: Out actor/singer Luke Evans (above) tells Mens Health España he’s happy with his “middle-aged” physique, plus he chimes in on those James Bond rumors. • The Daily Beast: Amid a rising tide of drag bans and anti-LGBTQ legislation, the queens of the HBO docuseries “We’re Here” (now in its 4th season) risked their safety and traveled to Tennessee and Oklahoma to provide a lifeline to local queer communities. For @beastobsessed, I had the pleasure of talking to the new We're Here hosts about what to expect this season https://t.co/xSH8vV2BAZ — Em ..read more