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

RuPaul's Drag Race alumni Bianca Del Rio and Adore Delano star in Starbucks' first LGBT advertisement, Gay Star News noted. They filmed the commercial, titled "Coffee Frenemies," for Canadian LGBTI channel OUTtv in June while performing at WorldPride in Toronto. Starbucks has officially backed marriage equality since 2012.

GLAAD has criticized Wendy Williams for remarks she made on her talk show about Bruce Jenner's pink nail polish and gender identity, according to The Wrap. "To suggest that a person's nail polish color or hairstyle would inflict harm on their children is just ludicrous," GLAAD President/CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. During her Hot Topics segment, Williams said, "Thank God he waited for his kids to grow up before making this transition or whatever it is he's going through. Can you imagine how awful it would be for those kids if he showed up with a blowout, a shaved Adam's apple, pink nail polish and smoking a cigarette at a PTA meeting?"

Lance Bass, Wilson Cruz, Steve Grand and Gerald McCullouch ( from CSI ) were among the guests the ninth annual "Fred & Jason's Halloweenie" in Los Angeles, according to a press release. Among other things, Bass performed his single "Walking on Air" with Dave Aude, and Erasure's Andy Bell performed a remix of "Chains of Love" and "Aftermath" by DJ Dave Aude. This year, the event benefitted the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles' Alive Music Project, It Gets Better and Outside Voices.

Janet Jackson made a rare public appearance on Halloween, stepping out for the first time in more than a year, Page Six noted. The singer tends to keep a low profile when she's not promoting her music, but she attended the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience Gala dinner with her billionaire husband, Wissam Al Mana.

Rihanna and Miley Cyrus turned heads at the star-studded amfAR Inspiration Gala in L.A., which raised more than $3 million for the fight against AIDS. However, as Page Six reported, Gwyneth Paltrow stole the limelight Wednesday night by introducing her soon-to-be ex-husband Chris Martin as "Father of the Year" before he performed. Designer Tom Ford was honored, and he recalled a time during the early fight with AIDS when he and his husband would have dinner each night and then visit friends in the hospital suffering from the disease.

Sia, John Legend, Nicki Minaj, Nico & Vinz, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Emeli Sandé are among the guest vocalists featured on DJ/music producer David Guetta's sixth studio album, Listen, that will be out Nov. 24, according to a press release. He released the video for the first single, "Dangerous," on Oct. 31 at youtube.com/davidguettavevo. Guetta has more than 57 million fans on Facebook and 8.4 million subscribers on YouTube.

Jane Lynch is now officially divorced, and ex-wife Lara Embry is now officially much richer, GossipCop.com noted. According to the settlement, the Glee star's ex gets $1.2 million right off the bat, as well as $1 million from various banks accounts, trusts and a 401( k ), among other items.

Irish singer Sinead O'Connor said she hopes to have better luck with women than she's had with men, On Top Magazine noted. On her blog, she wrote, "Having no joy anyway in the dating department, I changed my 'I am seeking a' to 'woman' [on a dating site]. Just to see if I have any better luck." O'Connor came out lesbian in 2000, calling herself a "dyke." She married her fourth husband, therapist Barry Herridge, after a brief courtship in 2011—and announced 17 days later that the marriage was done.

Pacific Arts Movement celebrates its 15th San Diego Asian Festival ( SDAFF ), the region's largest film festival, Nov. 6-15 with expanded programming and a record number of venues ( nine ), according to a press release. This year, SDAFF will premiere 10 films about life and love from LGBT perspectives. It will also feature "Remembering Queer Korea," a landmark retrospective on the history of queer images in Korean cinema—the first of its kind outside of South Korea. Among the films is Kumu Hina, a documentary about the title person, a "mahu" ( "middle" or third-gender person ) teacher who passes on Hawaiian culture through hula to students.

The Mr. Gay USofA contest will take place Nov. 4-7 in San Antonio, Texas, according to the event's website. Mr. Gay USofA was started in 2008, and has more than 30 local, state and regional contests leading up to the event. Regarding scoring in the contest, talent is worth 50 percent, the interview 25 percent and club wear is worth the other 25 percent. Christopher Iman is Mr. Gay USofA 2013.

Sinead O'Connor does not take kindly to being labeled a liar, and now says she has emails and audiotape proving Dick Clark Productions ( DCP ) executives were hoping she would perform at the American Music Awards following an introduction from Pope Francis, The Wrap reported. The singer, who just released a new single, told TMZ the production company is blatantly lying in a response to her scathing blog post ripping DCP over the "shit idea." O'Connor famously ripped a picture of Pope John Paul II during a performance on Saturday Night Live" in 1992, setting her promising career as a chart-topper into a tailspin.

Jennifer Hudson has joined the music line-up of "The Concert for Valor," according to an HBO press release. To be hosted by HBO, Starbucks Coffee Company and Chase, the concert will be presented live from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on HBO on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. Hudson joins a previously confirmed live music line-up that includes The Black Keys, Eminem, Dave Grohl, Jessie J, Metallica, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson says he was sexually abused as a child, according to Page Six. The 48-year-old athlete told Opie Radio on SirusXM that a man "snatched" him off the street at age 7 and abused him. Tyson described the perpetrator as an "old man" and said it only happened "one time" while living in a rough neighborhood.

LogoTV is set to debut The Straight Out Report, a new satirical comedy show hosted by one gay man and one straight man who will offer opinions on topical pop-culture issues, The Wrap reported. Stephen Guarino, who's gay, and Mike E. Winfield, who is straight, are both featured in a new teaser video for the series. It premieres Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. CT on LogoTV.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins is at work on a new concert for PBS, according to Playbill. Collins, who scored a hit with Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," will spotlight the work of that Tony-winning composer-lyricist in the upcoming concert. ( No other details have been announced. ) Folk singer Collins is recording a new CD that will feature Jeff Bridges, Jimmy Buffett, Don McLean and Kris Kristofferson.

Hailee Steinfeld will star in the YA ( young-adult ) romance The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, which Dustin Lance Black will write, direct and executive produce for The Exchange, according to The Wrap. Set over 24 hours, the story follows Haldey ( Steinfeld ), who's stuck at JFK Airport and late to her father's second wedding in London. She soon meets a British boy named Oliver in the airport's cramped waiting area, and learns that they're sitting next to each other on the plane. The film is based on the popular YA novel of the same name by Jennifer E. Smith.

PBS and Shine International announced that the second season of ITV's acclaimed British sitcom Vicious will be coming to PBS in summer 2015, kicking-off a line-up of British programming on the U.S. network, according to a press release. Following a re-commission by UK broadcaster ITV, the show will return with Freddie ( Sir Ian McKellen ) and Stuart ( Sir Derek Jacobi ) delivering more biting remarks, snide comments and cruel asides. Friends Violet ( Frances de la Tour ), Ash ( Iwan Rheon ), Penelope ( Marcia Warren ) and Mason ( Philip Voss ) will join them.

Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka are slated to guest-star on the show American Horror Story: Freak Show, according to Just Jared. Harris will reportedly play a salesman in the final two episodes of the season, while Burtka will have a sexy storyline in the final episode with Jessica Lange's character.

American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis injured himself while performing during the Broadway show Rock of Ages, according to Page Six. Maroulis reportedly tore a calf muscle and was treated at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Bankrupt, jail-bound reality TV star Teresa Giudice shelled out $10,000 to help teen daughter Gia produce a music video for a girl group, according to a New York Daily News item. Gia Giudice, 13, is in a singing trio called 3KT with pals Alex Maetta, 16, and Cristianna Cardinale, 14; the song is a cover of Britney Spears' "Circus." Theresa Giudice is set to begin her sentence at the Danbury Federal Prison in Connecticut on Jan. 5.

Michael Egan, the man who accused X-Men director Bryan Singer and other Hollywood figures of sex abuse before dropping his case, received a scolding from a judge, Gay Star News noted. Egan appeared before a judge in Hawaii on Oct. 24 in a malicious-prosecution lawsuit brought by Garth Ancier, one of the other men he accused. When Egan claimed he sought legal help because he didn't know how to file pleadings, Judge J. Michael Seabright said, "You don't know how to get a stamp and put it on an envelope and write your return address on it and then mail it? You don't know how to do that?" Egan's suit fell apart when sworn statements he had made in 2003 emerged in which he said he had never been to Hawaii, where he alleged the abuse took place.

At his annual AIDS benefit, singer Elton John called Pope Francis his hero for his compassion and push to accept gays in the Catholic church, according to South Florida Gay News. John hosted the event "An Enduring Vision: A Benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation" in New York City. He said, in part, "Ten years ago one of the biggest obstacles in the fight against AIDS was the Catholic Church. Today we have a pope that speaks out about it." Catholic bishops recently scrapped their landmark welcome to gay people, showing deep divisions at the end of a two-week meeting sought by Francis to chart a more merciful approach to ministering to Catholic families.

Melissa Rivers has laid the groundwork for a possible wrongful-death lawsuit by hiring lawyers to investigate the circumstances of her mother Joan Rivers' death after a throat procedure, The Wrap noted. The comedienne, 81, died Sept. 4 from a lack of blood oxygen to the brain in what the New York City medical examiner's office called a "predictable complication" of the procedure performed at a clinic on Aug. 28.

Music figures Sean "Diddy" Combs, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys ( seven months pregnant ) and Kanye West were among those who the 11th annual benefit for the nonprofit Keep a Child Alive, which supports children and families affected by HIV/AIDS, according to Page Six. Givenchy's artistic director, Riccardo Tisci ( also a friend of West ), was honored with a humanitarian award for his work. Others who attended the event at the Hammerstein Ballroom included Aretha Franklin, Madonna, La La Anthony, Clive Davis, Gayle King and André Leon Talley.

After Page Six reported a "power struggle" over control of the newly revamped The View, ABC announced that the show would be moved from the network's entertainment division to the news division, overseen by James Goldston. Goldston and daytime head Lisa Hackner were at odds over control of The View; Hackner, who reportedly butted heads with co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and O'Donnell, has been moved off The View but is working on other ABC daytime shows, including Tyra Banks' upcoming talk show.

Speaking of Tyra Banks, ABC plans to launch her talk show—titled The F.A.B. ( Fun and Beautiful )—next fall, Deadline reported. Banks, who also serves as executive producer, is joined on the show by social media buff and foodie Chrissy Teigen, fashion guru Joe Zee, interior design professional Lauren Makk and DIY YouTuber Leah Ashley as co-hosts.

Singer Lily Allen earned the ire of some Kesha fans when she attended Kate Hudson's party dressed as Dr. Luke, according to USA Today. Dr. Luke is the music producer whom Kesha has accused of sexual abuse. Several people reacting to Allen's costume, posting statements such as "Lily Allen has reached optimum thirst status by dressing as Dr Luke for Halloween. Keep striving for that sidebar hun."

Is Beyoncé about to drop another secret album on the world, like she did last December? According to People.com, that might happen. Recently, a photo of what looked like the release confirmation for an album titled Beyoncé Volume 2 circulated online—and, if it's legit, the album will apparently be available for download Nov. 14, and physically in stores Nov. 25. According to the release, it will be part of a four-disc package that will include 28 music videos, a DVD of her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour and a DVD of the On the Run: Live from Paris show, which she performed with husband Jay-Z.

A new independent film exploring trans male identity, Three Generations, has started filming in New York, according to Advocate.com . A trans male son, his mother and his grandmother are depicted by actors Elle Fanning, Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon, respectively. Written by Nikole Beckwith and based on an original concept by director Gaby Dellal, the film will likely face a similar criticism to recent trans-focused scripted dramas such as Dallas Buyers Club and Transparent: Fanning, who plays trans teen Ray, is a cisgender ( non-trans ) woman depicting a trans character.

In a groundbreaking moment for the sports world, professional Strongman champion Rob Kearney came out of the closet, The Huffington Post noted. Not only is Kearney ranked as the second-strongest middleweight champion in the world, but his coming out makes him the first openly gay man to actively compete in a strongman competition at a professional, international level. He said, "I 100-percent decided to come out now because of my boyfriend. He and I have been together for two months, and I didn't want to hide it any more."

Spandau Ballet announced the release of its first single in the United States since the 1980s with "This Is the Love, according to a press release. The song, produced by Trevor Horn, is available now on the band's new greatest-hits album, The Story... Spandau Ballet also announced it will make its U.S. late-night television debut on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, Nov. 10, in Los Angeles. Some of the act's hits include "Through the Barricades," "Gold" and "True."

Girls' creator/star Lena Dunham fired back at critics accusing her being a child molester after reading an excerpt in her memoir, in which she describes curiously exploring her 1-year-old sister's genitals at the age of 7, The Wrap noted. "The right wing news story that I molested my little sister isn't just LOL- it's really f—king upsetting and disgusting," Dunham tweeted. The "rage spiral" came after National Review writer Kevin D. Williamson used the passage from Dunham's Not That Kind of Girl to label her and her parents "child abusers" in a piece called "Pathetic Privilege."

Tyler Ritter says he's okay with kissing men as the lead character on CBS' The McCarthys, On Top Magazine noted. Ritter—a son of the late actor John Ritter, whose character pretended to be gay on the show Three's Company—plays openly gay Ronny on the sitcom, which premiered Oct. 30. "Yeah, I'll have to kiss dudes, and I will," Tyler said. "Because I imagine this show is gong to go on long enough [that] Ronny is going to find love someday."

New York Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla told Lindsay Lohan to shelve—for now—her plan to develop a website that will identify the clothes and accessories worn by celebs and allow customers to buy versions of their own, according to the New York Daily News. LiLo and her brother, Michael, want to launch a site called Vigme. However, Scarpulla said they are not allowed to promote, publicize, market or seek investors for their site until she holds a full hearing Nov. 20 on a claim that the Lohans stole the idea and computer application plans from a business partner, Fima Potik.

Globe-trotting actress/activist Angelina Jolie hinted in a new interview that she's ready to enter politics, Page Six noted. "When you work as a humanitarian, you are conscious that politics have to be considered. Because if you really want to make an extreme change, then you have a responsibility," Jolie, 39, says in Vanity Fair's December issue. "I honestly don't know in what role I would be more useful—I am conscious of what I do for a living, and that [could] make it less possible."

FOX411 has claimed that Here Comes Honey Boo Boo's gay Uncle Poodle ( Lee Thompson ) attempted to sell the network a story about the former show's matriarch, Mama June ( June Shannon ), dating a sex offender, according to Project Q Atlanta. The network posted, "FOX411 can reveal that Lee Thompson tried to sell a story to us when we reached out to him for comment about Shannon allegedly dating [Mark] McDaniel." Thompson responded, in part, "FOX411 needs to gets facts straight and then they can kiss my big gay ass, hope everyone has a wonderful night."

Max, Mr. Rubber Netherlands, won Mr. International Rubber 18 at MIR weekend in Chicago Nov. 1, according to a press release. The first runner-up was Franz, Mr. Rub Club of Germany, and the second runner-up was Alejandro, an independent contestant from Mexico. Chicago entertainer Teri Yaki was the emcee once again this year.

NBC has announced the line-up for the upcoming Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, according to a Hitflix article. Entertainers include Idina Menzel, Meghan Trainor ( "All About That Bass" ), Nick Jonas, Sting, Lucy Hale, the cast and muppets of Sesame Street, and child actress Quvenzhane Wallis ( Annie ). Also, this year will feature the last group of new balloons ever. The six freshman balloons—there will 16 total giant character balloons—depict Paddington, Pikachu, the Pillsbury Doughboy, the Red Power Ranger, Skylanders Eruptor and Thomas the Tank Engine.