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

Scott Hoying—one of two queer members of the group Pentatonix and who recently married husband Mark Manio—is releasing the EP Parallel via BMG, per a press release. The EP features seven songs (such as the title track, "Trust Fall" and "King Kong") containing deeply personal lyrics about self-discovery, adversity and profound love. Hoying married Manio in a star-studded beachside ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California.

Actor Conrad Ricamora (Hulu's Fire Island and ABC's How to Get Away with Murder) took to Instagram to share that he had his partner, Peter Wesley, tied the knot at City Hall in New York City recently, taking each other's last names in the process, Out reported. "Happily hyphenated," the two wrote in their joint post. "Introducing the Ricamora-Jensens. Lots of great things happened these past few weeks, but this is the highlight of my life."

Connecticut Sun teammates Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner got engaged, per Outsports. Thomas proposed to Bonner on one knee, presenting an engagement ring. According to the AP, the moment happened in Las Vegas shortly after the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game, in which both women participated. WNBA players Brianna Turner, Kelsey Plum and Courtney Williams were among those congratulating the couple.

Ricky Martin has spoken out about his divorce from Jwan Yosef, saying the decision to end their marriage was "not a recent" one, per Page Six. "When the public found out, we had already gone through a grieving process," Martin told Telemundo, according to a translation by Hola!. He added, "We have two children that we are going to raise together, and this is not a recent decision. We have been planning this situation for a long time, it's pre-pandemic."

Courtney Stodden (she/her and they/them) and fiance Chris Sheng called off their engagement in February—but the news is just now being publicized, Page Six noted. Sheng, an entrepreneur, popped the question to Stodden in May 2021 after four years of dating. Stodden was previously married to The Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison, tying the knot with the then-51-year-old in 2011, when she was just 16.

Beyonce celebrated the one-year anniversary of her latest album, Renaissance, during a concert at MetLife Stadium, per The Hollywood Reporter. And I just thank God for this night and this experience and my Uncle Johnny, and I thank God for all of you guys," she said. Beyonce released her critically acclaimed album—a love letter to house music as well as the Black and gay pioneers of the genre—on July 29, 2022. Renaissance won four Grammys and helped the star become the most decorated artist in the history of the awards show.

Beyonce also paid tribute to O'Shae Sibley—the dancer who was fatally stabbed in Brooklyn after a group of men told him to stop voguing to one of her songs, The Independent noted. The musical icon took to her website on Aug. 1 to write, "REST IN POWER, O'SHEA SIBLEY." Sibley was at a gas station near Coney Island, listening to Beyonce with his friends, when a group of men approached and told them to stop dancing, The New York Times reported. Sibley was confronted by the group of men, who used gay slurs against him and his friends. The argument reportedly escalated, and Sibley was stabbed by one of the men.

In a rare move, G20 star Viola Davis has become one of the first to very visibly back away from a project for the duration of the actors and writers strikes, even after the film got the SAG-AFTRA interim agreement necessary to start production, Deadline reported. "I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike," said the EGOT winner in a statement the media outlet obtained exclusively. "I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA."

RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon spoke out in solidarity with striking members of SAG-AFTRA, urging drag artists and other queer creators not to cross the picket line if they are approached by studios, according to the website them. While Monsoon acknowledged that turning down gigs as a queer performer can be "scary," the longtime veteran of the entertainment industry encouraged artists to stand their ground. "If a company approaches you right now to promote new work, to act in new work, to write for new work, and you take that job, you will be considered a scab," she said on Instagram.

However, former Arrow star Stephen Amell has criticized the actors' strike, according to Entertainment Weekly. "I support my union, I do, and I stand with them," he stated recently at North Carolina's GalaxyCon. "I do not support striking. I don't," the Heels star said, adding, "I think that it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating." He later posted a lengthy Instagram item clarifying his previous comments, sentence by sentence, The Hollywood Reporter noted.

The LGBTQ+ website them published a list of movies and TV shows paused during the writers' and actors' strikes. Some of the projects include the ABC comedy Abbott Elementary, the movie Challengers (directed by Call Me by Your Name helmer Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya), the lesbian road-trip movie Drive-Away Dolls, the HBO series Euphoria, AMC Networks' Interview with the Vampire, the Starz drama P-Valley and the Neil Patrick Harris series Uncoupled (ordered by Showtime after Netflix axed it).

Queer musician Brandi Carlile and pop-rock legend Pink paid tribute to Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor after news broke of O'Connor's death, The Advocate noted. Pink brought Carlile out during her set at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, and the two sang O'Connor's classic "Nothing Compares 2 U."

Nonbinary Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee was part of a two-day, invitation-only reading of the in-development musical adaptation of John Berendt's 1994 non-fiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Deadline reported. On Aug. 3-4, Ghee portrayed The Lady Chablis—the real-life transgender pioneer depicted in Berendt's book. Joining Ghee were Steven Pasquale as Jim Williams (the role played by Kevin Spacey in the 1997 film adaptation), Austin Colby, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Amber Gray, Harriet Harris, Paul Nolan and Lance Roberts.

Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis stood up for her transgender daughter in a recent episode of MSNBC's Morning Joe, The Advocate noted. "This life is about love," Curtis told host Joe Scarborough in the interview, which was taped before the actors' strike. "Being a parent is about love, and I love Ruby. Love her. And people have said, 'You're so great to accept her love.' What are you talking about? This is my daughter. … I will fight and defend her right to exist to anyone who claims that she doesn't." Curtis acknowledged that she's still learning about what it means to be trans: "I'm trying to learn the most important thing is that I don't know everything."

Black queer singer/songwriter/musician Joy Oladokun—the daughter of Nigerian immigrants—will continue her extensive "Living Proof" headline tour through November with newly confirmed shows in Dallas, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, Portland and San Francisco, a press release noted. Olakokun's new album, Proof of Life, was released earlier this spring to acclaim via Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records. She recently performed at the White House as part of the Respect for Marriage Act signing ceremony, and has also been on shows such as Austin City Limits, Today and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—and was at this year's Lollapalloza, in Chicago.

GLAAD issued a statement about former Bachelorette Gabby Windey disclosing on The View that she's now dating a woman. In an already viral Instagram post, Windey hard launched her new love interest, comedian/writer Robby Hoffman. GLAAD Vice President of Communications & Talent Anthony Allen Ramos said, in part, "Gabby Windey's decision to continue to share her private life with the public as a queer woman is a key reminder to people, including the many millions who watch the franchise, that there are no rules for coming out and that everyone's journey is different."

Singer-songwriter Tyler Childers has a new music video, "In Your Love," that tells the story of of two male coal miners, played by Colton Haynes and You star James Scully, who fall in love in 1950s Appalachia, Out revealed. The video/story includes clandestine moments, a homophobic attack, living together and death. On Instagram, Haynes called the video "easily one of my favorite projects I've ever been a part of," and urged viewers to "grab a tissue." The video is at www.youtube.com/watch; Little Pieces can be pre-ordered at https://pocp.co/little-pieces.

Lady Gaga paid tribute to her friend and collaborator Tony Bennett following his death on July 21 at age 96, Variety noted. "I will miss my friend forever," Gaga wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. "I will miss singing with him, recording with him, talking with him, being on stage together. With Tony, I got to live my life in a time warp. Tony & I had this magical power."

Trans celebrities called out comedian Jess Hilarious after she posted a transphobic rant on social media, them noted. The comic posted a response to a video of a trans TikToker, Blessing Rose, who was herself responding to a transphobic TikTok comment—but Hilarious added, "Who the fuck is gonna stand up for us?," clarifying that by "us" she meant "real women." Reality star, actress and activist Ts Madison seemingly subtweeted about the incident, writing, "There are sooooo many 'Real' women that get mistaken for being 'transgender' women and that's where a lot of the anger comes from…. I do hope they take a Good look at how Transphobia affects ALL women." Actress Angelica Ross tweeted, "The trans girls are going to show Jess a new way to bleed. We call it reading for BLOOD. And I PROMISE you girls don't want no part of this."

Trans musician Cidny Bullens released his new single, "Not With You," from his upcoming debut album for Kill Rock Stars, called Little Pieces, out Oct. 27, per a press release. The single, a duet with Beth Neilson Chapman, premiered at Goldmine magazine. Bullens' new memoir, TransElectric: My Life as a Cosmic Rock Star, features a foreword by longtime friend Elton John. The video for "Not With You" (with Chapman) is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfK0cPEfB24.

U.S. director Spike Lee and out gay Spanish counterpart Pedro Almodovar are the first honorees announced for this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Tribute Awards, Variety noted. Almodovar, who won the Oscar for original screenplay for Talk to Her (2002), will receive the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant. Lee, an Academy Award winner for BlacKkKlansman in adapted screenplay and an honorary Oscar recipient in 2016, will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award.

Last year in a TikTok Video, JoJo Siwa called Fuller House actress Candace Cameron Bure the "rudest celebrity" she's ever met—and Siwa now stands by what she did, per Out. Speaking on The Viall Files podcast, Siwa said she initially regretted calling Cameron Bure out but changed her mind after learning about the actress' apparent stance on LGBTQ+ matters. The feud reignited when Cameron Bure made comments about "traditional marriage," leading many to think LGBTQ+ stories would be excluded from her Great American Family television network.

Paolo Ballesteros is returning as the main host and judge of Drag Race Philippines, alongside judges Jiggly Caliente and KaladKaren, Out noted. Guest judges will include Filipino-American beauty influencer Bretman Rock as well as Pangina Heals, Anne Curtis, Gloria Diaz, Tessa Prieto, Maricel Soriano and Kim Molina, among others. The second season of Drag Race Philippines premiered Aug. 2 on WOW Presents Plus.

The 16-episode new season of the Showtime drama series The Chi will premiere Friday, Aug. 4 on the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before debuting Sunday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. CT on Showtime, per a press release. Created and executive-produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive-produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story about a group of residents on Chicago's South Side.

Prime Video acquired helmer Marco Kreuzpaintner and openly gay film director Roland Emmerich's gladiator series Those About to Die in multiple European territories, Variety noted. The 10-episode first season will debut exclusively on Prime Video in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Turkey, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg and Belgium. As previously reported, streaming platform Peacock has secured the U.S. rights.

Calvin Harris has released his new single, "Desire," with nonbinary star Sam Smith, per a press release. This marks their third collaboration following the success of "Promises," which spent six weeks at #1; and "I'm Not Here To Make Friends," which Harris produced off Smith's album Gloria earlier this year. "Desire" follows on the heels of Harris' platinum-selling single "Miracle," with Ellie Goulding, which spent eight weeks at the top of the charts.

The 1975 announced the release of a number of new limited-edition formats of their debut album, The 1975, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the record, a press release noted. The new formats will be available to purchase on Sept. 1 along with new and classic-era merch. That first album debuted at number one on the UK charts in 2013, and is certified platinum in the United States and double platinum in the United Kingdom. See storeus.the1975.com .

Euphoria star Angus Cloud has died at age 25. According to TMZ, the Oakland police and fire departments responded to a 911 call made around 11:30 a.m. on July 31 by Cloud's mother. She reported a "possible overdose," and said the actor did not have a pulse; he was eventually pronounced dead on the scene. In a statement, the family said, "Last week he buried his father and intensely struggled with this loss. The only comfort we have is knowing Angus is now reunited with his dad, who was his best friend. Angus was open about his battle with mental health and we hope that his passing can be a reminder to others that they are not alone and should not fight this on their own in silence." Cloud completed filming for his role on the upcoming horror thriller My Lucky Day before his untimely death, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. He was remembered on social media by people such as Euphoria co-star Zendaya and Kerry Washington.

A fan filed a police report after Cardi B furiously threw her microphone at the concertgoer, who initially threw her drink at the rapper, USA Today noted. Cardi B is seen retaliating quickly after the fan tossed the contents of a large white cup, splashing her face and soaking her orange swimsuit cover-up as she performed her No. 1 hit "Bodak Yellow." No arrests or citations were issued, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Bethenny Frankel has enlisted two of the most high-profile attorneys in Hollywood—Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos—to help in her self-proclaimed fight to help protect reality stars from what she saids is exploitation by networks and studios, Variety noted. Freedman told Variety that he has heard from about 50 reality-show cast members from various docuseries and competition shows who believe that they were "used and unfairly" treated by television networks and streamers.

Speaking of reality stars, Todd Chrisley said he believes he's being treated differently from the rest of his fellow inmates in federal prison (in a bad way)—and he thinks his fame has everything to do with it, per TMZ. Among other things, Chrisley claimed he hasn't been receiving any mail and thinks it's getting destroyed; however, he has no clue what the motive would be for someone doing that. In addition, wife Julie is reportedly struggling with bad conditions over at FMC Lexington, Kentucky, where she's doing her time.

Peacock soap Days of Our Lives is on an unplanned hiatus in the wake of Deadline's report about the misconduct investigation against longtime co-executive producer/director Albert Alarr and its aftermath. About 30-40 people, mostly women, were interviewed in the investigation, which dealt with accusations of inappropriate comments and physical contact—including groping and forceful kissing—and revealed a toxic environment on the show that Alarr allegedly fostered for years.

Seann William Scott got his big break starring as Steve Stifler in the 1999 teen sex comedy American Pie—but he recently revealed on the Rick Eisen Show that he only earned $8,000 for the entire movie, which made $235 million at the box office, according to The New York Post. Scott said that he spent most of the money on a used Thunderbird but added, "I don't know what happened to the other $2,000 because I ended up having to work at the LA Zoo as a churro guy, so maybe it was even less than $8,000." He and co-star Jason Biggs were allegedly paid $5 million each for their performances in the "Pie" sequel American Reunion, however.

Kelly Clarkson let fans know how she's really feeling after her divorce from Brandon Blackstock with a scathing cover of Gayle's "abcdefu," per Yahoo! Entertainment. The former American Idol winner even changed the popular song's lyrics to reflect her situation and throw major shade at her ex. The song was part of the launch of Clarkson's Vegas residency, called "Chemistry" in conjunction with her new album, at the Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood.

Rapper Travis Scott seemingly shades ex-girlfriend Kylie Jenner's beau, actor Timothee Chalamet, on Scott's new album, Utopia, per Page Six. In the song "Meltdown," Scott raps about "chocolate" and "the Willy Wonka factory" before telling an unnamed former lover to try finding "another flame hot as me, bitch." Chalamet notably plays the fictional chocolatier in the upcoming movie Wonka, so fans quickly came up with theories about Scott taking jabs at the Oscar nominee.