In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins a list of notable past honorees, including last year's recipient, Grammy winner Big Freedia. The event will take place Feb. 24 at Ed Gould Plaza, in Hollywood. The festivities will include a (mini-ball curated by LA ball scene icons House of Marc Jacobs that will be open to all.
Two-time WNBA MVP (and LGBTQ+ player) Elena Delle Donne has reportedly decided to take some time away from basketball and does not intend to sign the one-year offer the Washington Mystics have presented her, ESPN noted. It's not known how long the onetime Chicago Sky star's hiatus will be. Before the free-agency process, Delle Donne—who led the Mystics to their only title in 2019 but who has also come back from multiple back surgeries—told the organization that she was unsure about her future, hoping she would not interfere with the Mystics' offseason plans.
Women's pro hockey will visit Detroit on March 16 as Ottawa will take on Boston at Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings, per a press release. "Bringing these games to three outstanding venues during Women's History Month will create an unforgettable highlight of this inaugural PWHL season," said Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford.
GLAAD announced that multiple Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated actor, producer, singer, dancer, songwriter, author and television personality Wayne Brady will host the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday, March 14, per a press release Brady will be seen in the upcoming Hulu docuseries Wayne Brady: The Family Remix as well as on Broadway in the all-new production of The Wiz, leading the cast as the titular character.
Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon announced her debut performance at Carnegie Hall for a one-night-only concert on Feb. 14, 2025, Out noted. "I truly don't know what to say," Monsoon wrote in a statement. "My whole life, I've listened to my idols' voices as they sung on the stage of Carnegie Hall… and now I get to join them in the pantheon? All I know is, I'm thrilled and humbled and READY!" A press release stated that the official title for Monsoon's concert at Carnegie Hall is yet to be announced, but she will be "joined by a first-rate band (and special guests)" to perform original songs and covers ranging "from cabaret, blues, show tunes, and torch songs to high-energy rock and pop."
Out gay British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful is stepping down after helming the publication in 2017, USA Today noted. Enninful marked the end of his tenure with a March cover of 40 women who've created some of fashion's biggest moments, including Victoria Beckham, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Laverne Cox, Naomi Campbell, Dua Lipa, Serena Williams, Iman, Salma Hayek, Linda Evangelista and mother-daughter duo Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber. Enninful became the outlet's first man and first Black editor to hold his position as editor-in-chief. He became part of the cultural shift of the magazine, landing Cox as the first trans women on the cover of British Vogue in September 2019, and doing a size-inclusive issue in April with plus-size models such as Paloma Elsesser and Precious Lee—all of whom appear on the 40-person cover.
Queer DJ The Blessed Madonna released the new single "Happier," ft. Clementine Douglas via Major Recordings/Warner Records, per a press release. A record that was road-tested in her sets on dance floors all over the world, "Happier" sees The Blessed Madonna join forces with rising star Douglas—BBC Radio 1's Dance Vocalist of the Year in 2022 and the voice behind Sonny Fodera's 2023 breakthrough hit "Asking"—for the first time. The release of "Happier" follows The Blessed Madonna's Carry Me Higher EP that dropped in November.
Speaking of DJs, Diplo shared an Instagram carousel from his DJ gig at a gay circuit party called Pegasus, described as an "LA-based, queer-centric underground," per Out. Last year, Diplo revealed a new update on his sexuality, noting on a podcast that he's "not not gay" and has received oral sex from a man. Diplo wrote in the post, "Went from dinner with [Bon Jovi] to breakfast with 1,000 hot shirtless dudes downtown [at Pegasus, @thishorseflies]. Grammys [hashtag Pride flag]."
After Shane Gillis was quickly fired from Saturday Night Live in 2019 after using racial and homophobic slurs on a podcast, he was announced as the next host of the show, alongside musical guest 21 Savage, The Hollywood Reporter noted. On a 2018 episode of Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast, Gillis and co-host Matt McCusker could be heard ranking how funny comedians were by race and using homophobic slurs.
Also regarding SNL, queer actress Ayo Edibiri (TV's The Bear), who recently hosted the variety show, seemingly apologized for comments she made years ago on a podcast about Jennifer Lopez, who performed on the same episode, per Billboard. Edibiri appeared in the sketch "Why'd You Say It," in which game-show contestants are asked to explain why they left barbed comments on other people's Instagram posts. At one point, Edebiri's Annie breaks down and seemingly addresses comments she made in real life about Lopez during a 2020 appearance on the podcast Scam Goddess, in which she told host Laci Mosley that Lopez's music career was "one long scam."
The production My Son's A Queer (But What Can You Do?)—which centers on creator Rob Madge at age 12 as they attempt to create a full-scale Disney parade in their house for their grandmother—has postponed its Broadway debut, Playbill noted. Originally scheduled to begin previews Feb. 27 at the Lyceum Theatre, the production was announced to play a 16-week run. The production plans to instead open on Broadway next season, at a yet-to-be-announced venue.
Tyne Daly was unexpectedly hospitalized and has withdrawn from starring in the Broadway revival of Doubt—and Amy Ryan will replace her, Deadline revealed. "Ms. Daly was unexpectedly hospitalized … and, unfortunately, needs to withdraw from the production while she receives medical care; she is thankfully expected to make a full recovery," an announcement stated. Liev Schreiber co-stars as Father Flynn, Quincy Tyler Bernstine is Mrs. Muller, and Zoe Kazan is Sister James.
The show Wynonna Earp is making a comeback, per Out. Vanity Fair announced there will be a new 90-minute special, Wynonna Earp: Vengeance, set to air on Tubi later this year. The original show aired 2016-21 and followed the titular character (Melanie Scrofano) after she inherited the responsibility and power of her iconic ancestor, Wyatt Earp, to return reincarnated outlaws back to hell. She received help from her sister, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), Wyatt's immortal partner Doc (Rozon), special agent Dolls (Shamier Anderson), and eventual sheriff and Waverly's love interest Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell).
Despite an initial two-season order, Ratched—Ryan Murphy's asylum drama series starring Sarah Paulson in the title role—has been axed after one season at Netflix, Deadline noted. Paulson confirmed the news in a video posted to a fan account on X (fka Twitter). The sole season of Ratched also starred Sharon Stone, Cynthia Nixon, Finn Wittrock, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davis, Harriet Harris, Hunter Parrish, Amanda Plummer, Corey Stoll, Sophie Okonedo and Vincent D'Onofrio. Ratched received a two-season straight-to-series order in 2017 and launched its eight-episode first season in September 2020; the series received four Emmy nods.
Noomi Rapace and trans actor Hunter Schafer (TV's Euphoria) will co-star in the psychological horror film Palette, per Variety. Palette follows Dolly (Schafer), "a woman suffering from extreme synesthesia, a rare condition where she is able to hear colors," according to a synopsis. She is soon "recruited into a secretive, cult-like industry of color design." Rapace will play Latrice, the company's executive.
Actress Catherine O'Hara (TV's Schitt's Creek and the movie Home Alone) is joining the second season of the hugely popular HBO series The Last of Us in an undisclosed role, Out noted. The show stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as two people who form a bond while traveling across a zombie-infested United States. Others joining the season-two cast include Kaitlyn Dever, who is playing Abby, a young woman out for revenge; Young Mazino, who is playing Jesse; and Isabela Merced, who is playing the bisexual character Dina.
During the 2024 Grammys, iconic Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox appeared on stage with fellow '80s icons Wendy & Lisa to give a moving performance of "Nothing Compares 2 U" during a tribute to late Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, Billboard noted. As the song came to a close, Lennox—who had a single glitter-encrusted tear painted on her face—raised her fist and shouted, "Artists for ceasefire! Peace in the world!" Over the last few months, Lennox has dedicated much of her social media output to advocating for a ceasefire.
Nadya Tolokonnikova, creator of the anti-Putin resistance art collective Pussy Riot, announced new Texas live appearances, per a press release. On March 14, she will perform in Houston's White Oak Music Hall with the New Orleans-based Boyfriend as the opening act. Tolokonnikova is also slated to perform at SXSW in Austin, Texas (which is taking place March 11-15), and will perform at San Francisco's Kilowatt on April 19-20.
Taylor Swift unveiled the tracklist for her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The new 16 songs feature artists such as Post Malone and Florence + the Machine, along with a 17th bonus track titled "The Manuscript." Songs include "But Daddy I Love Him," "Down Bad," "The Alchemy" and the title track. The album will be out April 19. Also, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that Swift's box-office hit Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie will be debuting on Disney+ on March 15—with five new songs, per Deadline.
Musician Lizzo lost a bid to dismiss charges of sexual harassment, discrimination and other claims from Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez—three of her former tour dancers, per Deadline. Lizzo as well as fellow defendants Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and dance team leader Shirlene Quigley tried to get the charges tossed on the grounds of free speech. LA Superior Court Judge Mark Epstein noted, "The fact that the alleged incidents take place in the entertainment or speech world is no shield of invulnerability or license to ignore law enacted for the protection of California's citizens."
Three-time Tony-winning dancer, actor and choreographer Hinton Battle passed away at age 67 after a brief illness, Playbill noted. Battle received the Tonys for originating roles in Sophisticated Ladies, The Tap Dance Kid and Miss Saigon. At age 18, Battle made his Broadway debut as the original Scarecrow in The Wiz. As a choreographer, Battle staged the musical episode of the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, "Once More With Feeling." He also worked on the sitcoms Fired Up, Sister Sister, The Trouble with Normal and The Boys.
Country-music singer Toby Keith has died at age 62. According to NBC News, Keith announced that he was living with stomach cancer in June 2022; in September 2023, he spoke of the "roller coaster" experience of going through treatment. Keith continued to record and perform through his illness, appearing live over three nights in Las Vegas in December. Regarding LGBTQ+ issues, in 2011, he told CMT Insider he didn't understand why some people were bothered by same-sex marriage, although he worried about gays in the military ("In the military or any class in life, you have people who have problems with it, and I'm wondering how that's going to be compatible on the battlefield"), per The Advocate.
Season four of the 24th-century-set animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks is out on digital, and will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD April 16, per a press release. Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noel Wells and Eugene Cordero voice junior "lower decks" crew members of the Cerritos; Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O'Connell, Fred Tatasciore and Gillian Vigman provide voices for the ship's senior officers. This two-disc collection includes every episode and features guest stars Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Andy Richter (Late Night with Conan O'Brien), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) and more; there are also several audio commentaries.
Bravo's Erika Jayne: Bet It All on Blonde, a two-hour documentary special, will premiere on March 6, Variety noted. The spinoff of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will use "a compilation of formal interviews and observational footage" to capture cast member Jayne during her preparation for her Las Vegas residency, which viewers saw her announced on the show's current 13th season. The residency was a comeback for Jayne, as the backdrop for the special revolves around her legal and financial problems after the downfall of her estranged husband, disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story—the second installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's true-crime anthology series for Netflix—has completed its cast by adding Dallas Roberts, Jason Butler Harner and Enrique Murciano, along with 10 others, Deadline noted. They join previously announced cast Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez, Chloe Sevigny as Kitty Menendez, Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne, Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, and Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth. The series will debut later this year.
Longtime Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss revealed at the 2024 Grammys that she is exiting the Bravo reality show after 14 consecutive seasons, per Page Six. "I decided I'm not coming back this year," she told Variety on the red carpet. "It's been 14 seasons, and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long, but during that time I had started working on a lot of other things, and I got some nice big projects coming soon, so I'm super-excited about those things." The last season starred Burruss, Kenya Moore, Sheree Whitfield, Drew Sidora, Sanya Richards-Ross and Marlo Hampton.
Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique (Precious) recently reignited her longtime feud with Oprah Winfrey, whom she said "betrayed" her, according to Page Six. "See, when I speak about Oprah Winfrey—and let me be clear [that] I love that sister—I speak about that woman because she's spoken about me," Mo'Nique said on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast. The comedian said she noticed that movie roles that were offered to her ended up going to the former talk-show host. Aside from Winfrey allegedly taking roles from her, Mo'Nique also had an issue with the billionaire mogul for interviewing her brother Gerald Imes, who admitted to molesting her as a child; unbeknownst to Mo'Nique, Winfrey had also interviewed her parents, who she's also estranged from.
Embattled gay actor Kevin Spacey has scored yet another legal victory, AV Club noted, citing Variety. Originally ordered to pay $31 million to House Of Cards producer MRC, he's now agreed to a payment of just $1 million—and he can pay it "over multiple years in installments equal to 10% of his after-tax income." Spacey was initially held to the $31 million because MRC argued that his sexual misconduct caused the production company serious financial loss. However, according to Deadline, Spacey will now be a witness for MRC's legal team in the case against Fireman's Insurance and Lloyd's of London, and "will also provide detailed medical records and will sit for examinations from designated doctors."
The View co-host Sunny Hostin revealed during an appearance on Finding Your Roots on PBS that she changed her Spanish name (Asuncion Cummings) after Nancy Grace had trouble pronouncing it on TV, Deadline noted. "She struggled, every take," Hostin told host Henry Louis Gates Jr. "It was just so crazy. She couldn't get it." After she changed her name professionally, Hostin noticed that her "career took off" and "all of a sudden, people remembered who I was."
A documentary on Stormy Daniels—the porn star who made national headlines when it was revealed that Trump lawyer Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with the former president—is coming to Peacock, per Variety. The film Stormy will premiere March 18. Director Sarah Gibson is known for her work on documentary films and series including Netflix's Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste, which she co-directed, and Britney vs. Spears," which she produced.
Australian actor Jacob Elordi (Saltburn; TV's Euphoria) was the subject of a New South Wales police investigation after allegedly being involved in an altercation outside a hotel in Sydney regarding a prank, per News.com .au. He allegedly got into a dust-up with KIIS FM employee Joshua Fox at the Clovelly Hotel. Elordi was said to have been approached by Fox—known for crashing Married at First Sight weddings for his Instagram account, MAFS Funny—when the Priscilla actor became frustrated by his line of questioning, which included requesting Elordi filling a jar with his bathwater (a reference to the "bathtub scene" in Saltburn), per The Hollywood Reporter.
Actress Gina Carano sued Disney and Lucasfilm on Tuesday for firing her from The Mandalorian in 2021 after she posted on social media that being a Republican was like being Jewish during the Holocaust, Variety noted. X/Twitter CEO Elon Musk is funding the suit, following his promise to pay for legal actions taken by people claiming discrimination from posts to his platform. However, the posts in question originated on Carano's Instagram Stories.
