THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

In related news, Beyonce was named the best act at the festival, garnering 43.6 percent of Digital Spy's vote, with Coldplay a distant second at 16.7 percent. Incidentally, Beyonce asked Annie Lennox to perform with her; however, the "Walking on Broken Glass" singer could not because of a bad back.

True Blood's gay secret has been exposed: Sookie's best friend, Tara (played by Rutina Wesley) has become a cage-fighter and is sleeping with a sexy girlfriend named Naomi (played by Vedette Lim), according to Advocate.com . "When I first got the script, I thought it was great," said Wesley in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "They've always given me stuff that challenged me as an actor and that was fun. I think Tara—if she is going to have a love interest this season—she's finally ready for it." However, Wesley is reluctant to label Tara as bisexual or lesbian: "I think it just happened."

Green Lantern, which stars Ryan Reynolds, has already been named one of the biggest financial busts of the year, according to HollywoodReporter.com . Costing at least $200 million to produce, Green Lantern needed to gross approximately $500 million worldwide to be financially solid; however, the pic will likely top out at roughly $250 million or $260 million. Other movies in the top 10 list include Mars Needs Moms, the Jodie Foster-helmed The Beaver, the remake of Arthur (with Russell Brand and Helen Mirren), Hoodwinked Too! and Sucker Punch.

There will be a sequel to the summer blockbuster Thor, according to Deadline.com . Disney has set a July 26, 2013 release date for Thor 2, which stars Australian Chris Hemsworth as the titular superhero/god. Kenneth Branagh won't be returning as director but will likely be involved as a producer.

True Blood star Anna Paquin has said that there should be a discussion about discrimination of bisexuals, Pink News reported. Paquin, 28—who is married to co-star Stephen Moyer—came out as bisexual last year. Speaking with W Magazine, she said, "There is a lot of prejudice against us but the more people talk about it, the less of a deal it will be. Who people choose to sleep with or spend their lives with shouldn't matter, not that anyone particularly cares who I'm attracted to."

Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) has taken on President Obama over the issue of marriage equality, according to Advocate.com . "I prefer President Obama to the alternative. That is true," said the openly gay Black during the San Francisco Pride festival. "But I cannot and we should not hide our disappointment with his response to our historic victory in New York. In his response he wrongly claimed that marriage equality should be left up to individual states to decide."

Javier Colon edged performer Dia Frampton as well as openly lesbian singers Vicci Martinez and Beverly McClellan to win the first season of the NBC reality-competition show The Voice, according to Radar Online. The top eight singers from the show—which include out singer Nakia and gay fave Frenchie Davis—will embark on a nationwide tour that will feature stops everywhere from Los Angeles to Rosemont, Ill., according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Voice featured singers Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton as "coaches" for the contestants.

Tracy Morgan is in trouble again. Shortly after apologizing for an anti-gay rant he made during a comedy show in Nashville, Tenn., the Washington Post reported that the 30 Rock star made insults about the disabled. During a routine in Manhattan, Morgan said, that people should not "mess with women who have retarded kids. Them young retarded males is strong They're strong like chimps." He then talking about dating a woman he described as "a cripple." Peter Berns, CEO of the Arc— nonprofit that serves the intellectually and developmentally disabled—told E! that "[t]his quote is far too offensive to be excused as comedy."

Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson have confirmed that they're returning for the next season of American Idol, Digital Spy reported. However, Jennifer Lopez has not yet confirmed that she will be back for the show's 11th season, saying that she is "on the fence," although she "loved" appearing on the series.

Actress Charlize Theron is sticking by her promise to not marry until every U.S. citizen can wed, regardless of sexual orientation, according to Advocate.com . Theron—who won an Oscar playing a lesbian serial killer in Monster—told Piers Morgan, "It's a divine right, and when government starts to tell us who can love and what is good love—whether it's government or government built on a certain religion—I do have a problem with that."

Singer Adele said that she plans to record, write and produce her third studio album entirely by herself, according to Digital Spy. The "Chasing Pavements" singer said that she has already penned seven tracks for the upcoming CD. However, Adele said that she won't feel pressured into delivering another top-selling album: "I don't really care about [other people's] expectations. There was enough of it with this record. If you deliver the songs, I think you get away with it. I'm not bothered."

Lindsay Lohan has completed her 35-day house-arrest stint, according to the L.A. Times. L.A. County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said a technician went to the actress' Venice home June 29, removing the alcohol-monitoring bracelet. "She is now under the supervision of probation," Whitmore said. Lohan was placed under house arrest after being convicted of stealing a necklace from a local jewelry store.

David "Puck" Rainey, from 1994's The Real World: San Francisco, has been arrested on domestic violence charges, according to Digital Spy. Police arrested Rainey—who was in the same Real World household that included the late HIV/AIDS activist Pedro Zamora—and booked him for felony corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. His bail was set at $30,000.

Rapper Lil B has released his CD, I'm Gay, according to MTV.com . However, despite the title, the musician doesn't rap about homosexuality and there are no revelations about his own sexuality; instead he references everything from self-hate to healthcare reform. When Lil B revealed the CD's title in April, he received criticism from fellow rappers, death threats from fans and concerns from GLAAD.

Former teen singer Aaron Carter is claiming that Michael Jackson gave him drugs when he was 15, according to Hollywood Gossip. Carter—the brother of the Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter—said in an interview, "He gave me wine. I mean, I could have refused, but I was 15. As for drugs? He gave me cocaine. I felt weird about that and other stuff... We spoke afterwards, hours and hours, on the phone. I admired Michael, but his behavior bothered me a lot." Carter has since denied making the allegations about cocaine.

Hugh Jackman said that his new movie The Wolverine will start shooting in October, meaning that Fox will probably aim to have it in theaters next year, CinemaBlend.com reported. Jackman had previously been in the X-Men movies (including a cameo in this year's X-Men: First Class) as well as X-Men Origins: Wolverine. On a much different note, Entertainment Weekly reported that Jackman is in talks to star in Tom Hooper's cinematic adaptation of the musical Les Misérables. (Hooper won an Oscar this year for directing The King's Speech.)

Lesbian actress/comic Judy Gold will return to the New York stage for a new show, The Judy Show: My Life as a Sitcom, according to Playbill.com . The Emmy-winning out lesbian's show will officially open July 6 at the DR2 Theatre. Gold was last seen off-Broadway in 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, which received a 2006 Drama Desk nod and a GLAAD award.

Actor Jonathon Rhys Meyers (who played the lead role of Henry VIII in the TV show The Tudors) was rushed to a London hospital June 28, according to The Scoop. TMZ initially said the actor had attempted suicide by overdosing on pills, but later backed off that claim after someone close to Rhys Meyers said, "It was not a suicide attempt. He did relapse and was hospitalized briefly for that, but was released." Rhys Meyers, 33, has been in rehab several times.

Lady Gaga has called a lawsuit filed against her "misguided," according to MTV.com . A Michigan-based law firm claims that the "Judas" singer's charity overcharged fans for the shipping costs of her Japan-boosting bracelets and profited off the earthquake-relief effort for Japan. By the end of March (the month the earthquake and tsunami hit), Gaga announced that she had donated more than $1.5 million from the sale of the bracelets to video game maker Zynga's relief fund.

The band Katrina and the Waves has let fans know that it doesn't approve GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann using its hit song "Walking On Sunshine" at a campaign rally, according to RollingStone.com . In a statement, former lead singer Katrina Leskanich said, "If I disagree with the policies, opinions or platforms for its use, I've no choice but to try and defend the song and prevent its misuse. Music can be both powerful and moving, and sometimes even a little dangerous." Earlier this year, Tom Petty sent the campaign a cease-and-desist letter after Bachmann used his song "American Girl."

Singer Rihanna has been sued by another photographer for her "S&M" video, RollingStone.com reported. In February, celebrity photographer and filmmaker David LaChappelle filed a suit against the singer, Def Jam Recordings and Black Dog Films, claiming that some video scenes were directly lifted from his work. Now, fashion photographer Philip Paulus is claiming that one shot in the video is from his Paperworld series.

Rapper Missy Elliott has revealed that she was sexually abused as a child, Digital Spy reported. She said that when she was 8, her 16-year-old male cousin started abusing her. The "Work It" musician recently announced that she's been suffering from Graves' disease, a thyroid condition, for three years.

Longtime gay-rights advocate Lil Kim skipped the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles to attend the annual Gay Pride Parade in New York City, MTV.com reported. Lil Kim made a big splash as the ringmaster for one of the lavish floats; her float maintained an Asian theme as she wore a black wig, short black miniskirt and hot-pink heels. The hip-hop artist and Dancing with the Stars alum has performed at several gay-pride events.

Writer, columnist and "It Gets Better" creator Dan Savage recently recounted his first visit to a Chicago gay bar for Slate magazine, according to the Huffington Post. Savage said he went to a bar on Halsted Street called The Bushes when he was 17, with his first "real" boyfriend. Savage said the nightspot was dark and dirty, but added it was "the first place I'd ever been where everyone was gay, where being gay wasn't something that set you apart." Eleven gay, lesbian and bisexual writers discuss their first visits to gay bars as part of Slate's series.

Transformers actor Shia LeBeouf was swarmed by Gay Pride partygoers in New York City, according to the New York Daily News. While staying at the SoHo Grant, the hotel's staff directed him to the Pride Party at the Yard, an outdoor space the Grand recently opened. However, LaBeouf was unaware that a crowd of gay men was there; when he was being swarmed, he decided to make out with his girlfriend to discourage any attendees.

Kate Moss recently married musician Jamie Hince—but it was her gown that caused quite the stir. According to MSNBC.com, controversial fashion designer John Galliano created the dress. Galliano has been in the media for months since he was accused of making anti-Semitic comments at a couple in a Paris bar. However, the supermodel and Galliano have been friends for quite some time, and close friends have said it was no surprise that, having already selected Galliano, Moss would keep her word.

Speaking of supermodels, Linda Evangelista has filed a petition seeking child support from French businessman François-Henri Pinault—who is Salma Hayek's husband, according to People.com . According to court papers, Evangelista's son, 4-year-old Augustin James, is Pinault's son. Hayek and Pinault married in 2009, but had been dating since 2006. The Pinault empire is reportedly worth at least $16 billion.

Referring back to John Galliano, Dior has permanently banned the designer, according to DigitalJournal.com . Bernard Arnault, head of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH)—the company that manages Dior—announced June 25 that Galliano will never again be welcome at any of the international group's brands, including his own John Galliano fashion house. Galliano recently appeared in a Paris courtroom, defending himself against hate-crime charges by claiming addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs caused him to say his remarks—none of which he can remember.

Beyoncé has confirmed that she will star in Clint Eastwood's remake of A Star Is Born, according to Digital Spy. On Good Morning America, the "Run the World" singer said, "Clint Eastwood? Can you believe that? I can't believe it still. When I met with him I was just in awe. I'm so, so honored that he believes in me. And I can't wait to do this film." Janet Gaynor, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand have all played Vicki Lester, the singer's character in the movie.

Thomas Jane—star of the HBO show Hung—and Patricia Arquette have officially divorced, according to Digital Spy. The couple married five years ago, but Arquette filed in 2009. The couple later called off the divorce petition, but split again last year. Arquette starred in the NBC show Medium.

Chord Overstreet could be leaving the Fox show Glee after execs decided not to make his character, Sam Evans, into a series regular, according to Digital Spy. Instead, Overstreet has reportedly been offered an occasional guest role in the hit series' third season. Overstreet—who has undergone a dramatic look, as he now has brown hair—tweeted, "It's been a good year. Too bad it's over. Time for summer and starting fresh." Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson) and Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike Chang), have been officially upgraded to full-time series regulars.

Kristin Chenoweth has said that she understands why Glee is cutting back on guest stars next season. Ryan Murphy, the show's out creator, recently said that he will focus on the core cast in the series' third season. Chenoweth—who added she'd be disappointed if she couldn't reprise her character, April Rhodes—said, "I think he's trying to really concentrate on his characters. I actually understand that. I get it. People want to see those characters." Chenoweth will star in ABC's new midseason drama, Good Christian Belles.

Continuing with Glee, co-stars Heather Morris (Brittany) and Naya Rivera (Santana) surprised a Dublin, Ireland, audience on the Glee Live! tour by kissing on stage, according to Digital Spy. In addition, Darren Criss (Blaine) surprised on-screen love Chris Colfer (Kurt) with a kiss as well. It was the final show of the successful tour.

In celebration of Trevor Hero honoree Daniel Radcliffe—the Harry Potter actor whom The Trevor Project recently honored as a vocal ally of young LGBT people—the suicide prevention organization has launched "Trevor Hero Week" online, according to a press release. Beginning July 4, supporters of The Trevor Project will be encouraged to share two-to-three-minute video stories of their heroes online. The videos will be aggregated through TrevorHeroWeek.org and shared through the organization's social networks to inspire youth in crisis.

An opera set to be performed by primary-school students has been pulled because of a gay reference, according to the BBC. The opera, Beached, written by Billy Elliot creator Lee Hall, was to open in Yorkshire, England; however, Bay Primary School has pulled 300 students from the project. Mike Furbank, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's head of improvement and learning, said, "It was made very clear to the writer there were certain elements the school found offensive ... including references to drug taking, sexual conduct and the use of homophobic name-calling." One of the main scenes the school found offensive includes the line: "Of course I'm queer/ That's why I left here / So if you infer / That I prefer / A lad to a lass / And I'm working-class / I'd have to concur."

A letter sent by the world-famous Joffrey Ballet company to its dancers states that the performers will be locked out and the first part of the company's season has been canceled because their union has failed to agree on a new contract, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The company has scheduled performances in late August at the Blossom Festival in Cleveland and the Chicago Dance Festival at Millennium Park. Its regular subscription season begins Oct. 12, with performances of "Don Quixote."