On the Oct. 4 episode of TV's Dancing with the Stars, comedian Margaret Cho and partner Louis van Amstel danced to "Copacabana" in a performance meant to convey a message of pride and hope for gay teens. After the performance, Cho told co-host Brooke Burke, "We wanted to celebrate pride. We wanted to show ourselves off. It's a tough time for the gay community. A lot of gay teenagers have committed suicide, so we want this to end now!" Cho was eliminated the following night.
Actor and gay-rights activist Zachary Quinto—best known for his roles on TV's Heroes and the most recent Star Trek movie—has responded to rapper 50 Cent's attempts to clarify a potentially anti-gay statement, according to Advocate.com . The musician recently tweeted a message that seemingly indicated that any man who does not have sex with women should kill himself. He later tried to clarify his message, but Quinto tweeted, "You know what would truly make the world a better place? if people with as much influence and privilege as you spread hope, not hate."
Actor James Franco—who has played gay roles in films such as Milk and Howl—is dressed in drag on the cover of Candy, described as "the first transversal style magazine," according to Jezebel.com . Franco is pictured wearing a black jacket and gloves, gold necklace, red lipstick, blue eye shadow and heart-shaped earrings while holding a cigarette. Famed photographer Terry Richardson shot Franco for the cover.
Wanda Sykes, Sir Elton John, Ricky Martin and Idina Menzel are among the celebrities in the newest PSA by Cyndi Lauper's Give a Damn campaign, according to Examiner.com . The PSA, which premiered Oct. 4, urges teens to be emotionally strong when being bullied in school. It also encourages people in the teens' networks ( such as family, friends and loved ones ) to speak up if they witness bullying or if a teen seems distressed.
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe has expressed his grief over the rash of gay teen suicides that have taken place across the United States, Pink News reported. In a statement to MTV News, Radcliffe said, "These young people were bullied and tormented by people that should have been their friends. We have a responsibility to be better to each other, and accept each others' differences regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ability, or religion and stand up for someone when they're bullied."
Chaz Bono and Tim Gunn are among those who have filmed videos for Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" campaign. In Bono's video ( at www.youtube.com/watch ) , he says, "You can feel like you're the only person like you in the world. ... [ But ] when you grow up, you realize you're not alone." In his video ( www.youtube.com/watch ) , Gunn says, "As a 17-year-old youth who was in quite a bit of despair, I attempted to kill myself," Gunn says in the video message. "And I'm very happy today that that attempt was unsuccessful, but at the time it's all that I could contemplate." Others who have filmed for the YouTube channel include actress Anne Hathaway, singer Ke$ha and actor Ian Somerhalder.
Singer Robbie Williams has said that he would like a gay baby, according to Pink News. Williams, a gay fave who recently married Ayda Field, told an Australian radio station, "I really want a gay [ baby ] . We've talked about it and that's what we want, whatever it is." The singer collaborated with ex-bandmate Gary Barlow on "Shame," which includes a video that's a send-up of the gay cowboy film Brokeback Mountain.
In the new issue of Italy's Vanity Fair, Italian pop singer Tiziano Ferro comes out of the closet, according to Advocate.com . Responding to tabloid reports of him having a relationship with another man, Ferro said the articles were hurtful but he was not concerned about being outed. Ferro went on to say, "For a long time I haven't felt good about myself...and after many tough years...I've come to the conclusion that I want to live better."
At the request of 11-year-old nephew Jace Jewell, country-music superstar Tim McGraw made an appearance at Tennessee's Grassland Middle School to talk about bullying, according to the Tennessean. At the school assembly, McGraw mentioned 13-year-old Asher Brown, who committed suicide after being the subject of anti-gay bullying. After the event, McGraw said, "I think it's important for the students to hear. Anything I can do to stop bullying is what I'll do."
The teaser trailer for the Vince Vaughn movie The Dilemma has been cut, according to MTV.com . In the trailer, Vince Vaughn's character says, "Electric cars are gay." After many people, including Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres, objected to the sentence, Universal Pictures issued a statement saying, "The teaser trailer for 'The Dilemma' was not intended to cause anyone discomfort. In light of growing claims that the introduction to the trailer is insensitive, it is being replaced."
The Parents Television Council, a conservative group, has condemned the recent Britney Spears-themed episode of Glee because of its "explicit sexual content," according to the Daily Mail. The organization criticized everything from the selection of the singer herself—who the council doesn't think is a proper role model—to the supposed "endorsement of narcotics abuse, public masturbation and school-sanctioned burlesque." Former Beyonce back-up dancer Heather Morris, who portrays a character named Brittany on the show, did most of the dance moves the council criticized.
British singer George Michael has been released from jail after serving 28 days for getting into a car accident while under the influence of cannabis, according to the Daily Mail. Michael, 47, was met by partner Kenny Goss, who had told reporters that he and Michael were going out to dinner—but plans apparently changed when Goss left and Michael decided to stay inside his London home. Michael is now barred from driving for five years and has to pay a fine.
Despite his sometimes anti-gay past, rapper Eminem insists he is not homophobic. The musician, 37, told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes that "I don't have any problem with nobody, you know what I mean," according to the Daily Mail. Eminem added that he thought that he has constantly been criticized because he's a white rapper: " [ T ] here are certain rappers that do and say the same thing that I'm saying and you don't hear anyone saying anything about that. I didn't just invent saying offensive things."
Film/TV actress Joan Collins is criticizing the supposed lack of glamour in Hollywood, according to the Daily Mail. The Dynasty star, 77, said that the age of classic beauty is over, only citing Angelina Jolie as a star of today who compares favorably with those of yesteryear. Regarding Jennifer Aniston, Collins said that the Friends actress "is cute, but I wouldn't call her beautiful. She's no Ava [ Gardner ] or Lana [ Turner ] ."
Out singer Adam Lambert agreed to comply with restrictions on gay-related material in his upcoming concert in Malaysia, according to Advocate.com . The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party objected to Lambert's Oct. 14 show at the Putra Indoor Stadium in Bukit Jalil, saying that he promotes a culture that is "not good for people in our country." Lambert said that his "main goal is to keep people entertained—not to make them uncomfortable."
