Actress Portia de Rossi, the wife of talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, has filed papers to change her name to Portia DeGeneres, according to Parade Magazine. de Rossi filed the peition Aug. 6, and the name change will probably become official after a Sept. 23 hearing. DeGeneres and de Rossi married in 2008, when same-sex marriage licenses were available.
American Idol winner and gay fave Fantasia Barrino, 26, was hospitalized Aug. 9 in a Charlotte, N.C., hospital to be treated for a "medication overdose," according to a People.com item. On that same day, Barrino answered a woman's claims that the singer's affair with a man, Antwaun Cook, was the reason his marriage ended.
Jane Wiedlin, who plays guitar for the legendary band the Go-Go's and is an ordained minister, would like to marry same-sex couples, Advocate.com reported. Wiedlin, who goes by the name Rev. Sister Go-Go, was pleased with the Aug. 4 Prop 8 ruling, writing on her website, "In celebration of this historic and joyful event, we have lowered the price of my officiant services. No matter what your orientation, if you and your beloved are going to tie the knot, I would be honored to be part of your happy day!"
Basketball legend Isiah Thomas and his son, Joshua Zeke Thomas, have posed for Adam Bouska's NOH8 campaign to show their support of same-sex marriage, according to Advocate.com . On Bouska's website, they said, "We posed for the NOH8 Campaign because we believe that all hate and discrimination is wrong. It is time for full equality and equal rights for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender."
Out British singer George Michael has been charged with possessing marijuana and driving under the influence of drink or drugs following a July auto accident in London, according to ABC News. Michael was released on bail, and is slated to appear in court Aug. 24. In 2007, Michael—who has sold approximately 100 million albums as a solo artist, with hits like "Faith" and "Amazing"—was barred from driving for two years after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of drugs.
Openly gay actor George Takei hosted a Sirius XM Radio show, "George Takei's America," Aug. 9 during which he talked about his family's time in a World War II Japanese internment camp, according to Advocate.com . The show's website stated that the show reveals "how George Takei's family survived this unspeakable injustice, ultimately taking this American tragedy and turning into the American dream that makes George Takei's America."
Ellen DeGeneres stunned viewers of TV's So You Think You Can Dance when she took part in a hip hop-based skit ( with some comedy thrown in, of course ) in the show's Aug. 12 season finale. The two-hour program—during which it was announced that Lauren Froderman was named the country's favorite dancer—also featured reprises of select dance pairings and celebrities in the audience, including actor Neil Patrick Harris.
The father of controversial actor/director Mel Gibson has labeled Pope Benedict XVI gay, according to Pink News. Hutton Gibson, 91—who, like his son, is a devout Catholic—called into the Liberty News Radio Network, where he was asked about the Church and issues such as homosexuality. At one point, the elder Gibson said, "Half of the people there in the Vatican are queer." When asked if he thought the pope is also gay, Hutton said, "I certainly do. Why else would he put up with this? He's a slippery character."
Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert will join the Immigration Equality Action Fund in lobbying Congress Sept. 30 on behalf of gay and lesbian binational families, according to an Immigration Equality press release. Gilbert will request that lawmakers pass the Uniting American Families Act, which would prohibit discrimination against LGBT binational couples who may be separated under current U.S. immigration statutes. Committed, Gilbert's follow-up to Eat Pray Love, details her own experience as the U.S. half of a binational couple.
In an interview in OUT magazine, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe talked with trans singer/songwriter Our Lady J about their friendship, among other subjects, according to an OUT press release. The British press ran headlines about the friendship but Radcliffe, 21, told OUT, "I was on the [ Harry Potter ] film set when all that tabloid stuff happened with us hanging out last year and none of my friends gave me shit about it. Nobody took the piss." The interview also covers everything from Radcliffe's favorite music to the fluidity of gender and sexuality.
An article on 24HourHipHop.com speculates if Queen Latifah ( real name: Dana Owens ) will lose endorsements now that she has come out of the closet, whether it was unintentional or on purpose. Supposedly, Latifah gave a romantic hug to alleged girlfriend Jeanette Jenkins after finding out of Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling regarding Proposition 8—which the embrace being supported by photographic proof. The reputed couple was attending the wedding of Alicia Keys to Swizz Beatz.
Out actor Neil Patrick Harris ( who plays womanizer Barney on the TV show How I Met Your Mother ) and his partner, David Burtka, are expecting twins, MTV.com reported. On Aug. 14, Harris went on Twitter with the news: "So, get this: David and I are expecting twins this fall. We're super excited/nervous/thrilled. Hoping the press can respect our privacy..." According to E! Online, a surrogate will deliver the twins this October. Harris recently directed a production of Rent in Los Angeles that included former Dancing with the Stars contestant Nicole Scherzinger.
Bisexual reality-TV star Tila Tequila was injured at a concert called Gathering of Juggalos, held in Hardin County, Ill., according to E! Online. Tequila allegedly received facial cuts and bruises after concert attendees reportedly threw bottles and rocks at her while she was on stage—and the people tossed the missiles harder after Tequila bared her breasts. Her manager said, "Tila has gotten medical care for the horrific attack that happened to her this weekend...." Tequila tweeted that her attorney is after the concert organizers.
It has been revealed: Trevor Donovan's character, Teddy, will come out of the closet on the next season of 90210, according to Advocate.com . Donovan told JustJared, "It was cool when they came to me with it, I was honored, flattered that they thought I could take on something like this and handle it in the way it's being written, and what we shot so far is done very, very smart, very intelligent." Broadway actor Kyle Riabko will play Donovan's love interest.
As punishment for making her controversial video for the song "Window Seat," singer Erykah Badu must pay $500 and serve six months probation, according to CNN.com . While filming in Dallas, Texas, Badu strolled naked and then, after a gunshot rang out, purposely fell near where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Badu said that the video was "shot guerrilla style" without a crew March 17.
