Celebrity News
Homophobic threat after HRC dinner in D.C. rattled Out actor
Bailey related a story from just this past October, when he was in Washington D.C. attending the annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner

LONDON, UK – The London Evening Standard’s Culture EditorĀ and weekly columnist Nancy DurrantĀ recently sat down with award winning British actor Jonathan Bailey known for his comedic, dramatic, and musicalĀ rolesĀ on stage and screen.
The 35-year-old actor, who stars as Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix streaming service series Bridgerton and as the character of Tim Laughlin, a fictional aide to Wisconsin Republican Senator Joseph McCarthyĀ in the Showtime series Fellow Travelers, isĀ openly gay.
Based on theĀ book seriesĀ byĀ Julia Quinn, Bridgerton’s period drama storyline revolves around a fictional family and is set in the world of Regency era London during the social season where marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society.
During the interview with theĀ Evening StandardĀ about his role in Fellow Travelers, Bailey gave the publication rare insight into his own relationship status, and confirmed that he does have a partner, who he described as a ālovely man.ā
As they discussed the actor’s new series Fellow Travelers, based on a 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon, in which he co-stars opposite Matt Bomer as Hawkins Fuller a World War II veteran and official at the State Department who vigilantly hides his homosexuality.
The story line of the two closeted gay political staffers who fall in love at the height of the 1950s Lavender Scare in the series chronicles their hidden romance over several decades, navigating through various historical events such as the Vietnam War protests and the AIDS crisis.
As the interview progressed theĀ Evening Standard delved into a discussion comparing the storyline of the ‘Travelers’ and the current political and cultural landscape for the LGBTQ+ community with “rights for women and LGBTQ+ people are being rolled back across the world. Hate crimes based on sexuality have risen by 112 per cent in the last five years in England and Wales alone. How does he feel?”
Bailey related a story from just this past October, when he was in Washington D.C. attending the annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, and had an opportunity to meet President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Reflecting on the dinner he told theĀ Evening Standard, āIt was an incredible experience,ā he said. āI met President Biden. I was there with Shonda Rhimes, she was being given an award, Matt Bomer was given another one; I was introducing him. My first political gala. I had the most amazing night; had a drink; couldn’t sleep; buzzing.”
However, it was his experience the next morning at a coffee shop that was rather jarring. He continued his narrative:
āI woke up the next morning, it was like a montage. Sunshine, I was like, this is brilliant. I went into a coffee shop, and I was wearing a Human Rights Campaign cap from the night before. And the young lady who I was ordering from recognised me from Bridgerton, we were just chatting.
āAnd a man arrived behind me and he said, āAre you famous?ā And I said something like, ‘I’m really famous for ordering coffee,’ which is actually quite an annoying thing to say,ā he laughs. āAnd then he got my cap, and he pulled it off my head and he threw it across the room and he said, āget out of this fucking coffee shop, you queer.ā
The room went still,Ā BaileyĀ told theĀ Evening Standard. But he related that he walked over, picked up his hat, and put it back on his head. āIf you don’t take that cap off, I’m gonna fucking shoot you,ā it came again. āWhere I’m from, people like me kill people like you.ā
It was, of course, terrifying. But āin the moment, everything slows down,ā he says. āNo one knew what to do, apart from one girl, she was amazing. Angela, she came up, and she got her phone out and she said, āI’m recording this message, I think you are welcome in this country. And what you’re saying, I think, is appalling.ā That happened sort of five minutes in, and he left.ā
TheĀ Evening Standard noted that the man was from Pennsylvania according to Bailey who apparently asked him, and whatĀ BaileyĀ took from the experience, he said, is that āpotentially, there is a kid who ā that’s his father. That’s his uncle. That’s his teacher.āĀ
He pauses. āMy life was threatened. My body believed it; my brain didn’t and it took me a while to really catch up with it. But I’ve got friends and security. There are so many people that don’t. They are surrounded by that every day, and the torment of what that must be like, the amount of fear that was generated… If that’s what children are surrounded by, they’re not going to be able to grow in any way.
āAnd of course, that’s not just an American story,ā he continues. āIt’s international. And it’s terrifying, that [here in the UK] we’re not looking after queer people, in terms of allowing them into the country. Because that is the reality; peopleās lives are literally at risk.ā
Before shifting into other topics, Bailey told theĀ Evening Standard reflecting on both Fellow Travelers and the incident in the Washington coffee spot:
āPeople are still living in the closet. Or theyāve had a moment where they’re watching and they realise, that was their father’s story, or their mother’s story; or itās people who have been affected by this, but for the first time are understanding the trauma.
āPeople are so shocked that this is such recent history, but the majority of people in the world are living under that sort of belief system. And people on Instagram message from areas in the world where just getting through the day without being outed is survival.ā
Celebrity News
Brazilian police arrest two men who allegedly targeted Lady Gaga concert
Authorities say suspects wanted to target LGBTQ+ Brazilians

Brazilian police have arrested two people who allegedly sought to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert that took place on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on Saturday.
The Associated Press reported Felipe Curi, a spokesperson for the city’s Civil Police, told reporters the men who authorities arrested hours before the concert took place wanted to target LGBTQ+ Brazilians. Civil Police Chief Luiz Lima said the men posted hate speech and violent content online “aimed at gaining notoriety in order to attract more viewers, more participants ā most of them teenagers, many of them children.ā
āThey were clearly saying that they were planning an attack at Lady Gagaās concert motivated by sexual orientation,ā said Cury, according to the AP.
An estimated 2.5 million people attended the concert.
A Lady Gaga spokesperson told the AP the singer learned about the threats on Sunday from media reports.
“Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks,” said the spokesperson. “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.ā
Lady Gaga in an Instagram post thanked her Brazilian fans.
“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last nightās show ā the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”
“An estimated 2.5 million people came to see me sing, the biggest crowd for any woman in history. I wish I could share this feeling with the whole world ā I know I canāt, but I can say this ā if you lose your way, you can find your way back if you believe in yourself and work hard,” added Lady Gaga. “You can give yourself dignity by rehearsing your passion and your craft, pushing yourself to new heights ā you can lift yourself up even if it takes some time. Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back. Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment. Paws up little monsters. Obrigada. Love, Mother Monster.”
An estimated 1.6 million people attended Madonna’s free concert on Copacabana Beach last May.
Arts & Entertainment
Here’s a Real Housewives gossip rundown in case you missed some tea
All your Bravo TV gossip brought to you by Norma Lee

Nothing distracts from the upside-down world we live, in like a good reality TV binge. The only problem is that there’s too much to watch and too much to discuss.
Luckily for you, we’ve made time for Bravo since Vicki Gunvalson was yelling into a flip phone about a family van. This past week, we were treated to some majorĀ HousewivesĀ news.
Let’s dive in.
On Beverly Hills home franchise, things are random. Erika Jayne redecorated her casita, and it looks amazing. But, it also looks like I can afford it and that’s not what I want when I watchĀ Housewives, especiallyĀ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. This brings us to this week’s drama. Our gal Sutton forgot all her fine Southern manners and said the unspeakable: she was in a different class than Dorit Kemsley.
She said: “pick on someone the same wallet size as you.” Which in drag translates to: “don’t come for me until you can afford the life I live,Ā you broke cow.”
This spat occurred at Jennifer Tilly’s caviar and kaftan partyĀ āĀ now this is the kind of themed party I love, especially for a kooky housewife like Bravo’s first Oscar nominee is proving herself to be. Jennifer Tilly is basically an extra Kathy Hilton, a super wealthy woman with a funny voice who is slightly detached from any reality I know. Also on HBH, we got Boz trying to have a baby at nearly 50 years old, Garcelle producing stuff no one watches and Kyle crying again about being an empty nester.
We are so over this storyline.
She should have come out (allegedly) and made her story about her new muff collection.
On Potomac, we are deep into the three-part reunion. It appears Dr. Wendy Osefo and her sexy hubby Eddie, are about to drop a major plot twist in reunion part three claiming that newbie Stacey Rusch paid that corny man TJ to be her boyfriend all year.
I’d believe it.
On their best day, those two didn’t have half the sexual chemistry Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade had in that tattoo scene from last season. The biggestĀ Real Housewives of PotomacĀ news is that Karen Huger, the Grand Dame of Potomac, is now the third housewife to go to jail.
Following her fourth DUI, a judge sentenced Karen to one year in prison. She follows Teresa Guidice and Jen Shah as Housewives who served time. Now, Karen could barely get her wig together under the best of circumstances, so I’m going to need paparazzi photos ASAP, to see what she’s sporting around the cell block.
In otherĀ HousewivesĀ news, rumors are that Dolores Catania and Melissa Gorga will return to lead a newĀ Real Housewives of New Jersey, with Teresa getting her own spin-off so the sisters-in-law don’t ever have to film together again. Dolores is killing it this season on Peacock’s Emmy-winning hitĀ The Traitors. Season 3 ofĀ The TraitorsĀ is so messy because all the traitors just try to banish and undermine each other.
First, Bob and Rob and now Danielle and Carolyn. Carolyn was my favorite character this season hands down. I’d never seen her before since I don’t watchĀ SurvivorĀ (I’m a drag queen, I need glamour) and I became obsessed.Ā The way she talks, her style, those random faces she makes, she’s made for TV. I so badly wanted her to win the whole thing but Danielle ruined that so now I’m rooting for Dolores or Gabby fromĀ The Bachelor.
Side note, how is zaddy Ivar still there? Don’t the royals have enough?
Until next week, when we have more reality TV to talk about, this is your queen, signing off.
- -XOXO, Norma Lee
Celebrity News
Colman Domingo is riding high ahead of the Oscars
Actor is star, executive producer of ‘Sing Sing’

Colman Domingo is riding on a career high, with back-to-back Best Actor Academy Award nominationsālast year, playing Bayard Rustin, the gay advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and this season, starring and executive producing Greg Kwedarās mesmerizing film, āSing Sing.ā
One thing is clear watching any of Domingoās films and television seriesāamong them being āSelma,ā āThe Color Purple,ā āMa Raineyās Black Bottom,ā and āHBOās āEuphoriaāāhe completely gives his heart and soul into every role he takes on.
Itās no wonder then, why the charismatic performer recently received the Montecito Award from Executive Director Roger Durling at the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.Ā
āAs a devoted admirer of Colman Domingo for so long, what is enthralling to see is how his early work in theaterāthe specificity, the dexterity, the research, the conviction and the intelligence that this performer displayed on the boards is now being finally utilized,ā said Durling. “His potential that always was there is now realized.āĀ
In a lengthy chat about his career with Durling, Domingo addressed his perseverance throughout his illustrious television and film career, telling attendees, āI just kept going and believed that the love I was seeking would also be seeking me. I just always believed that.ā
The evening highlighted Domingoās powerhouse performance as John āDivine Gā Whitfield in āSing Sing.ā In the film, which is based on a true story, an imprisoned manāwrongfully put in jail for a crime he didnāt commitāfinds a renewed sense of purpose by acting in a theatre group, āRehabilitation Through the Arts,ā also known as RTA, alongside other incarcerated men.
The riveting script had immense appeal to the veteran actor.
āI started my career in educational theater,ā said Domingo. āI would go to local San Francisco Bay Area high schools to perform while also teaching kids about important issues such as HIV, AIDS, or conflict resolution. We were the arts program, coming in, performing, and maybe doing a few classes. And influence the children with art, in much the same manner that RTA did in the New York prison system.ā
He continued: āSo I already understood itāthe idea of an arts program coming into a maximum security prison is revolutionary. It goes completely against the system that got them there in the first place.ā
Domingo saw āSing Singā not as a prison story, but as a human story.
āIt is a triumphant story, of course and determination, of fighting against a system thatās broken,ā he noted. āRodessa Jones said, āBut art just might be the parachute that saves us all.ā That is certainly true of the men of RTA. We all have choices we makeāevery dayāto try to be better, to go to our better angels. Thatās what this film is about, ultimately.ā
Domingoās interest and passion for the film transcended signing onto the role; he and his husband RaĆŗl Domingoās production company, Edith Productions, joined to executive produce. They were instrumental in helping assemble the cast and faithfully guide the storytelling.
He referred to the film as a āquiet act of revolutionā because of its poignant depiction of tenderness and compassion between Black men.
āItās about putting myself on the line in every single way as an artist. If Iām going to have an impact, if Iām going to do this work that I think is meaningful and can really change lives … I think a film like ‘Sing Sing’ is really changing lives. Itās actually doing work. So, I have to give everything.ā
Being able to connect deeply with his characters has always been an important part of Domingoās acting process. During the q and a, describing his performance in āRustin.ā he noted how connected he felt portraying the role.
āIt felt like we were in alignment. That Rustinās journey and my journey were meeting at the exact moment, and I was the actor to help pull this black, queer, civil rights revolutionary out of the shadows of history, while I was being pulled into new history. I needed every year, every step, every misstep in my career, to enable me to play Bayard Rustin.ā
The Santa Barbara recognition follows his win at New Yorkās Gotham Awards, where Domingo took home the honor for Outstanding Lead Performance.
He also received the Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi acknowledged Domingoās āraw and captivatingā performance. āWe are so thrilled to honor the remarkable talent of Colman Domingo at the Palm Springs International Film Awards for the second year in a row.ā
Domingo ongoingly keeps a busy scheduleāhe can currently be seen in Netflixās series “The Madness” created by Clement Virgo. He also recently wrapped production on āMichaelā playing Joe Jackson, directed by Antoine Fuqua. Lionsgate will release the film Oct. 3, 2025.
And thatās not allāhe will voice Norman Osborn in the upcoming Disney+ animated series āYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,ā and is currently in production on NETFLIXās āThe Four Seasons,ā alongside Tina Fey and Steve Carrell. He will play Michael Jacksonās dad in āMichael.ā
Celebrity News
LATEST: Is Karla SofĆa Gascón’s apology too little, too late?
Netflix has removed Gascón from their Oscars campaign

The latest in the scandal involving Emilia PerĆ©zās trans star and Best Actress nominee Karla SofĆa Gascón is Netflix deciding to part ways with her even after her public apology and statement regarding not withdrawing from the nomination.
āI have been labeled a racist and I need to be clear that I am not. I feel like Iāve been judged, sentenced, crucified and stoned without a fair trial and without an option to defend myself,ā said Gascón in an interview with CNN en espaƱol.Ā
According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has cut Gascón out of the campaign for the Oscars. This move comes even after Gascón issued an apology through a statement on her social media and in an interview with CNN en espaƱol. On Thursday she was set to be seated with co-star Selena Gomez, Zoe SaldaƱa and the filmās writer-director, Jacques Audiard for the AFI Awards luncheon ā a gathering at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. On Friday, she was set to attend the Critics Choice Awards. On Saturday, she was set to serve as presenter at the Producers Guild Awards ā which happen to be going on at the same time as The Directors Guild Awards. According to THR, she will not be attending the events.Ā
The Spaniard actress found herself at the center of controversy surrounding the Netflix original being nominated for 13 Oscars after freelance culture writer Sarah Hagi uncovered the actress’s stream of consciousness on display on X, formerly Twitter. Hagi found tweets from as far back as 2020, revealing Gascón’s views on Muslims, George Floyd, China and vaccines.
In her hour-long interview with CNN en espaƱol, she defended her position on the issue stating that she feels that she was unfairly targeted, while not being given the opportunity to defend the position she stood behind while writing those tweets.
She goes on to say that she āsupports the Black Lives Matter movement obviouslyā and that the tweets about George Floyd āwere taken out of context.ā In the interview, she goes on to say she was highlighting the hypocrisy of humanity in that moment in history. According to Gascón, what she noticed during that time was that only after Floydās death did people care about him, but prior to his death, they did not help him or care about his struggles.
āI do not identify with any political party and I have my own opinions about issues that might have been one thing in the past, but have now shifted because I have learned many things about respect, love and with the spiritual practice of Buddhism,ā said Gascón.
In the interview, she also pulls the āI have a friend whoās Black, so Iām not racist,ā card by saying she has a very close family friend who is Muslim, in response to the line of questioning about her being Islamophobic and only through very heavy discussions with her, has Gascón truly come to understand the implications of her words against the culture and religion, as well as the differences between the cultures.
Emilia PerƩz was already facing an upward battle to gain popularity, as it was a French production about MƩxico. Audiences criticized the film for various reasons and yet, it was still nominated for Best Picture, Critics Choice Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Directing, and many others.
Gascón deleted her X account shortly after the tweets were discovered and is now facing the cold shoulder from Netflix. Variety and THR, reported that the streaming giant is no longer directly communicating with Gascón ā only through representatives.
Whether or not this is a witch hunt for a trans actress at the height of her career, Gascón now has first-hand experience in dealing with what it means to misuse a platform by sharing her views on issues she said herself, she did not understand.
Arts & Entertainment
Hereās everything queer that happened at the 67th Grammy Awards

The 67th Grammy Awards featured debut performances by LGBTQ+ megastars Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Doechii ā all of whom also won awards at Sundayās awards ceremony, making the gay sons and thot daughters of the queer and trans world rejoice.
Though Roan was the only queer artist to take home one of the āBig Fourā awards ā Best New Artist ā Doechii, Carpenter, Charlie XCX, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga were also all nominated for one or more of the āBig Four.ā
Carpenter, Roan and Doechii also shocked audiences with their debut performances, showing us what it really means to be out and loud.
Doechii
The self-proclaimed swamp princess from Florida took home a well-deserved win for Best Rap Album (āAlligator Bites Never Healā).
She stunned audiences with her performance and her speech, dedicating her win to Black women everywhere. Only two other women have won the award ā Lauryn Hill and Cardi B since the category was introduced in 1989.
āI know there are so many Black women out there that are watching me right now and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible,ā said Doechii during her acceptance speech.
Chappell Roan
Roan won the Best New Artist award, prompting her to whip out her notebook and deliver a speech about her struggles as an up-and-coming artist with no healthcare.Ā
She served looks on the red carpet while delivering Jean Paul Gaultier vintage realness and thanking the trans girlies who made her who she is today.Ā
āTrans people have always existed and they will forever exist. They will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away and [they] have to be protected more than anything because I would not be here without trans girls,ā said Roan on the red carpet.
She also served during her debut Grammys performance, turning Crypto.com Arena into the Pink Pony Club while dedicating the performance to Los Angeles ā the city that embraced her when she wanted to break into the industry. She used her acceptance speech as her opportunity to shine a light on her journey toward becoming the icon she is today ā and to no oneās surprise, it didnāt come easy to her.
Roan opened up about her struggles with healthcare and being dropped as an artist in L.A., leaving her without health coverage and scrambling for solutions. Seems like the healthcare system has radicalized yet another one.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent revealed that she has a wife and daughter during her acceptance speeches, thanking them after winning three Grammys for Best Alternative Music Album (āAll Born Screamingā), Best Alternative Music Performance (āFleaā) and Best Rock Song (āBroken Manā).
During her red carpet interview, reporters asked Clark about the shocking news about her mentioning her wife and daughter, she responded āMost people were [unaware]. Itās young, so weāve kept it under wraps.ā The reporter then continued his line of questioning, meanwhile intrusive thoughts quickly got ahold of Clark, prompting her to interrupt the reporter to clarify that she meant the child is young, not the person in the relationship sheās in.
Girl, youāre good.
Sabrina Carpenter
Though Carpenter didnāt win any of the āBig Fourā categories, she did win Best Pop Vocal Album for (āShort nā Sweetā) and Best Pop Solo Performance for (āEspressoā).
According to E!, Carpenterās acceptance speech was apparently censored, cutting her off after she said: āThank you, holy sh*t, bye!ā
The pop star was nominated for Record of the Year (āEspressoā), Song of the Year (āPlease, Please, Pleaseā), Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (āShort nā Sweetā), Album of the Year (āShort nā Sweetā), Best Remixed Recording (āEspresso – Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remixā), Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (āShort nā Sweetā) ā all within her first year as a record-releasing musician.
Charli XCX
Charlie XCX truly brought the brat energy to the Grammys with her performance of (āVan Dutchā), also taking home the wins for Best Dance/Pop Recording for (āVan Dutchā) and Best Dance/Electronic Album for (āBratā).
Lady Gaga
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for (“Die With A Smile”). Gaga used her acceptance speech to advocate for trans people stating that we all need love and to be uplifted.
āTrans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you,ā said Gaga.
No, thank you mother.
Last, but not least
It is also worth noting that our tried and true ally, Alicia Keys used her moment on the Grammys stage to advocate for the restoration of DEI initiatives.
“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,”said Keys. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift ā and the more voices, the more powerful the sound.ā
Celebrity News
Ricky Martin to headline World AIDS Day concert in Miami
AIDS Healthcare Foundation event to take place on Dec. 2

Ricky Martin on Dec. 2 will headline the AIDS Healthcare Foundationās annual World AIDS Day Concert.
The event will take place at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.
Every year, the AHF, the worldās largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, hosts its World AIDS Day Concert to honor those lost to HIV/AIDS, and bring attention to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The organization will host the concert one day after World AIDS Day, which takes place on Dec. 1.
Ricky Martin ā known globally as the āKing of Latin Popā ā has long used his stardom to shed light on issues, having used his platform to advocate for and bring awareness to HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, and LGBTQ rights. The Puerto Rico native came out as gay in 2010.
āRicky has shown a deep commitment to breaking stigma, educating youth, and empowering communities to take action,ā the AHF said on a post on Instagram.
The event will also feature a performance by DJ Spinderella, a DJ and rapper, and the AHF Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Dr. Julio Frenk, the University of Miamiās outgoing president and chancellor-designate for UCLA.
In the past, performers from Janet Jackson to Diana Ross to Mariah Carey have taken the stage at World AIDS Day events. Last year, the AHF presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to actor and activist Blair Underwood.
The concert is taking place in Miami, which has been at the center of the HIV epidemic.
A 2019 study found Miami had the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. Southern states in general continue to be disproportionately impacted by an increase in new diagnoses.
āThis concert isnāt just a celebration of lives saved and advances in treatment, itās a call to action,ā AHF said in a statement. āTogether, we can raise awareness and support those affected by HIV/AIDS in Miami and beyond.ā
Celebrity News
Illinois Supreme Court overturns Jussie Smollettās conviction in hate crime hoax
Ruling cites due process violation, did not address actorās guilt

The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned Jussie Smollettās conviction on charges that he staged and lied to the police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist hate crime in 2019.
The court ruled the actor should not have been prosecuted again after he had already reached a deal with prosecutors to resolve the case.
However, the ruling did not address whether Smollett was innocent of staging the hate crime, as he has continued to claim, overturning the conviction on the grounds that the second prosecution was a due process violation.
āWe are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust,ā Justice Elizabeth Rochford wrote in the courtās 5-0 opinion, referring to the initial deal Smollett had reached. āNevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the state was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.ā
In 2019, the āEmpireā star claimed he had been physically attacked by two men in a homophobic and racist hate crime. He told Chicago police that they had put a noose around his neck, yelled slurs, and told him that he was in āMAGA countryā during the attack.
He initially received an outpouring of support, particularly from the LGBTQ+ and Black communities. But police soon charged him with filing a false report, alleging he had staged the attack as part of a hoax.Ā
Prosecutors controversially dismissed the initial charges in exchange for community service and the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond. After public outcry, a special prosecutor recharged Smollett with the same offenses in 2020.
The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday found this second prosecution violated the deal initially reached by the state, as well as Smollettās due process rights.
In 2021, a Cook County jury found Smollett guilty on the charges the special prosecutor had brought against him, and he was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation, along with a $120,000 restitution payment to the city of Chicago for the overtime costs incurred by police investigating his initial hate crime claim.
He only served six days in jail before he was released upon appealing his case. An Illinois Appellate Court upheld his guilty verdict last year, after which he appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
In a Washington Blade interview in September, Smollett addressed his conviction, denying that he had staged the attack.
āI know what happened and soon you all will too,ā he told the Blade.
Asked to address the concern among some in the LGBTQ+ community that his case would discredit victims of hate crimes and make it more difficult to report future such crimes, he responded, āIf someone reported a crime and it wasnāt the truth, that would actually make it more difficult [to report future crimes], but I didnāt. Any belief that they have about the person that Iāve been played out to be, sure, but that person is not me, never has been. So I stand with my community. I love my community and I protect and defend my community until Iām bloody in my fist.āĀ
Arts & Entertainment
GuadaLAjara Film Festival honors Nava Mau at opening night
Emmy-nominated trans, Latina, actress receives Ćrbol de LA Vida Trailblazer Award

Emmy-nominated actress Nava Mau, was this yearās honoree at GuadaLAjara Film Festival, receiving the Ćrbol De LA Vida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening night at Downtown Los Angeles’ Million Dollar Theatre.
āI think right now, Iām sitting in what it means to be a trans Latina and have the support of my communityābeginning, middle and end,ā said Mau in an interview with Los Angeles Blade on the carpet at Guadalajara Film Festival. āThere is nothing else like that.ā
Mau is an Emmy-nominated actress known for her groundbreaking performance on the 2024 UK Netflix hit-series, Baby Reindeer.
Bamby Salcedo, the CEO and co-founder of the TransLatin@ Coalition, presented the award to Mau at the Opening Night Awards Ceremony. Salcedo has been a previous Trailblazer Award recipient and is now passing on the torch to Mau, another trailblazing, trans, Latina.Ā
āYeah, I think that it’s surreal, because I met her when I was 21 and I was so young and really feeling the weight of the road on my shoulders, and she is somebody who I saw as a beacon of light. I saw her as someone who is self-actualized and as someone who unites people every single day,ā said Mau.
Mau says that she is always in awe of Salcedo and feels that it is humbling to even be considered worthy of receiving the award from her.
āI am just incredibly honored and grateful that I get to be here in this festival to present Nava Mau with the El Ćrbol de LA Vida Trailblazer Award, which I have been a recipient of in previous years,ā said Salcedo.
Salcedo was the recipient of the award in 2022 and is now passing the torch to Mau. Salcedo has known Mau since she was very young and takes pride in having seen her grow and blossom into the person she is today. She sees this moment as a full-circle moment in her life and in her career as a trailblazing activist.
āIāve seen her grow and Iām seeing her talent blossoming in the industry,ā said Salcedo. āAnd that is just so beautiful and I am just so grateful and honored that I get to do that.ā
Both trailblazing, trans, Latinas have used their struggles and lived experiences as an opportunity to unite their communities and ignite change.
āI want to say to all the beautiful people who are listeningāparticularly young transgender, gender nonconforming, intersex and queer peopleāto shine their light and walk their path as they are supposed to,ā said Salcedo. āAnd I want them to know that they are not alone. There are organizations like the Trans Latin@ Coalition and other organizations that are doing critical work so you can have a better life and for you to understand that you do have a place in our society.ā
Salcedo urges queer and trans youth to take up the space they are entitled to and to know that there are people like her and Mau, that will not back down from paving the paths that still have yet to be paved.
GuadaLAjara Film Festival took place this year on Nov 1 through Nov 3, at multiple venues across the city. The opening night for the festival took place at the historic Million Dollar Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles.
Diane Guerrero was also honored at the opening night. She is known for her roles in Disney’s Encanto, Netflixās Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin.
The opening night of the film festival also featured a screening of Sujo, Mexicoās official entry for the 2025 Oscars.
Celebrity News
Christian writer apologizes for attacking LGBTQ+ ally Dolly Parton
Andersen, who self identifies as a Christian mom & Bible study leader, apologized for her attacking the Country Icon

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. ā Freelance writer Ericka Andersen, who self identifies as a Christian mom and Bible study leader, in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment apologized for her attacking Country Icon, singer-songwriter Dolly Parton over her allyship and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Indianapolis-based Andersen told Yahoo Entertainment on Saturday that the widespread backlash made her realize she shouldnāt have used Parton to press her argument. āI regret using Dolly as the example for the point I was making in the article,ā she said.
āAs I wrote in the piece, I love her and think she does some incredible things for the world. We all make poor choices in how to frame things sometimes. This was one of those moments for me! Dolly is one of the few people who is beloved by all and who loves all. The world is lucky to have her.ā
In a piece for the far-right extremist magazine The Federalist, Andersen had written:
āIn a world where division is the default, she collects fans of every political stripe, refusing to denigrate anyone, and regularly proclaims, āI love everybody,ā when asked how she does it.
This response is usually seen as a nod toward the LGBT alliance during interviews with media folks forever fixated on this particular group.ā
āWhen asked about her diverse community of fans, Parton always mentions Christianity, saying she does her best ānot to judgeā and only āto loveā for that reason.
But Partonās version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (ābe who you are,ā sheās said), is unaligned with Godās vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal. Love doesnāt mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someoneās feelings.ā
The Federalist was widely denounced on multiple social media platforms for its attack of the beloved Country Icon.
Paul Richmond, a Monterey, California-based queer artist and art instructor, who is an acquaintance of the singer and has created a couple of artwork pieces for Parton, was asked by the Blade for his reaction to the homophobic parsing of Partonās character by the Federalist writer.
Richmond said: āThere is nothing that exemplifies how desperate for attention and unhinged the far right has become than by this attack on Americaās sweetheart. Dolly has always shown kindness and empathy for others, which is what all supposed Christians should be striving for.ā
Celebrity News
Flipping the Script: Chris Colfer on his new book & LGBTQ+ Pride
Actor Chris Colfer, speaks to NBC Newsā Joe Fryer about his latest book, & the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in books and media

(NBC News) NEW YORK – Actor Chris Colfer, known for his starring role as Kurt Hummel on āGleeā, speaks to NBC Newsā Joe Fryer about his latest book, āRoswell Johnson Saves The World!ā and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in books and media.
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