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

A new book reveals that Robert De Niro's father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a gay painter, reports Page Six. Author John Baxter claims in his new book that De Niro Sr. led a gay life except for the few months that he spent with the actor's mother. The book, De Niro: A Biography, says De Niro Sr.'s first gay experience may have been with playwright Tennessee Williams.

Showtime Networks may add another gay program to their lineup, reports the Kansas City Star. Currently running Queer as Folk and The L Word, Showtime is apparently staying closed-lipped about the rumors that they've ordered a pilot called Movies for Guys Who Like Guys. The program is expected to be hosted by E! Entertainment's Steve Kmetko and three other men who comment before, during and after a gay-themed camp show like Mommie Dearest.

Gay singer and DJ Boy George paid $18,740 Feb. 25 to settle a libel suit filed by a London nightclub employee he had accused of assault. He also apologized to Sweet Suite membership secretary Andrew Thompson for the accusation which appeared in a newspaper column and magazine interview. George punched out Thompson on June 20, 2002, and later said Thompson had provoked him and deserved to be smacked.

Madonna sold out three shows last weekend, so a fourth show has been added, July 15, United Center. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at NOON.

Mujeres Latinas en Acción (Latin Women in Action) recognized 2004 Corporate Philanthropy Award winner Chicago Tribune Charities and María 'Maruca' Martínez Community Service Award winners Evette Cardona, of the Polk Bros. Foundation, and Barbara Castellán of Gads Hill Center. Mujeres is one of the longest standing Latina incorporated organizations in the United States primarily administered by, and working on behalf of, Latina women.

Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette and David Duchovny star in Connie and Carla as two struggling Chicago dinner theater performers who witness a mafia hit … and who run for their lives. Assuming the killers will never look for them in a place devoid of culture, the pair head to Los Angeles, where they assume new identities and find their middling talent at song and dance perfectly suited to new careers—as drag queens. Much to their surprise, they become the toast of the gay cabaret circuit.