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SHOWBIZ Sean Hayes, drag wedding show, Jennifer Lopez, Colton Underwood
GLAAD plans to honor Emmy-winning actor/producer/author/comedian Sean Hayes with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on March 28, a press release noted. The organization also announced stage ...
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TELEVISION Who is John Presloid? Gay Jeopardy! champ makes waves
Telegenic research assistant John Presloid opened eyes last month when he appeared on the game show Jeopardy!—and won $94,200 in five appearances. However, he also garnered the attention of the LGBT community when he subtly indicated ...
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WORLD Alan Turing, Mexico murder, 'Boy Erased'
The late Brit Alan Turing—known as the father of the modern computer—was recently named the greatest person of the 20th century during BBC's Two Icons broadcast, according to an Instinct Magazine item that cited Gay Star ...
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Billy Masters
"I don't know why. I just ... I always feel like I know him. I mean, maybe I have a little crush on him."—Carrie Ann Inaba on David Muir. OK, which of us is gonna tell ...
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Film on Chicago trans woman running Feb. 19
The ACLU of Illinois, Pride Action Tank and the Transformative Justice Law Project are hosting a special screening of Chicago Love, from the ACLU's documentary series Trans in America, on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Dr. ...
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Chicago floral designer discusses Grammys role
One decade ago, Chicago-based horticulturalist/landscaper Tu Bloom heeded the advice of a mentor: Never be afraid to ask for something, since the worst that can happen is you'll be told no. Bloom that year had been ...
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Chicago Feminist Film Festival Feb. 27-March 1
Columbia College Chicago will host the fourth annual Chicago Feminist Film Festival on Feb. 27-March 1. This year's opening night features the Chicago premiere of documentary Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache, directed by ...
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SHOWBIZ Lilly Wachowski, Greg Berlanti, Audra McDonald, Pink
Transgender Matrix franchise/Sense8 co-creator Lilly Wachowski has come on board to produce, co-write and co-direct a series to be based on Abby McEnany and Tim Mason's pilot, Work in Progress, which premiered in the Indie Episodic ...
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SAG Awards, the usual winners plus one surprise
The productions and performers who have been winning most of the awards this season pretty much stayed true to form at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild ( SAG ) Awards, which honors excellence in film ...
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SHOWBIZ Show renewals, Lee Daniels, Lady Gaga, 'Avengers'
Just a week into the show's second season, NBC has renewed top-rated alternative series Ellen's Game of Games, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, for a third season, Deadline.com noted. Ellen's Game of Games returned to the NBC ...
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Billy Masters
"You can't just proclaim yourself a female and be able to compete against women. There must be some standards, and having a penis and competing as a woman would not fit that standard."—Martina Navratilova expresses her ...
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10 questions with Vic: Jan Luis Castellanos
Jan Luis Castellanos seems to have it all-former model turned actor who won the jackpot, playing "Topher" in Marvel's Runaways. But winning the lotto has not made him jaded or caused him to take anything for ...
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SHOWBIZ Deborah Cox, awards events, gay singer killed, 'Family Guy'
The Sin City Classic Sports Festival presented by Toyota—the world's largest annual LGBTQ sporting event—announced that Grammy-nominated, multi award-winning singer and LGBTQ advocate Deborah Cox will perform during the Festival's Toyota Sin City Classic Closing Party, ...
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GALECA names Dorian winners
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics—composed of more than 200 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally entertainment journalists in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom—has announced its 10th Dorian Award winners ...
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Gaga, 'Versace' among Critics' Choice winners
Lady Gaga and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story were among those who prevailed at the 24th Critics' Choice Awards that honor achievements in film and television. The event—which the Broadcast Film Critics Association ...
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SHOWBIZ Gay wrestler, Black filmmakers, music festivals, Britney Spears
Wrestler Anthony Bowens started the new year by coming out on Instagram as gay after previously identifying himself as bisexual. In part, he posted, "As people move on in their lives, the way they view the ...
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GALECA names Dorian nominees
GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has named its nominees for its milestone 10th Dorian Awards for the best in film and television of 2018. Leading in the movie categories with eight nominations is The ...
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MOVIES Queer actors play gay couple in 'Rendezvous'
Call Me by Your Name left an impression with Michael Glover Smith—but maybe not the one a viewer might think. The Chicago filmmaker "didn't buy the chemistry" between the leads. "I went home and Googled, 'Is ...
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10 Questions with Vic: Emma Bell
Emma Bell has been on so many hit TV shows since the onset of her illustrious acting career on the New York stage that she is already television royalty. Walking Dead and Dallas are just a ...
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Chicago Filmmakers, Dyke Delicious Series continue with 2019 screenings
Since 1973, Chicago Filmmakers, a not-for-profit media arts organization, has fostered the creation, appreciation, and understanding of film and video as media for artistic and personal expression, as well as media of important social and community ...
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'Mary Poppins Returns' an old-school delight
Some will argue Mary Poppins Returns is boring. And maybe, to an extent, it's true—the movie has its slow moments, plus at least two songs and one cameo that could have been cut. The soundtrack recalls ...
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Billy Masters
"Get ready for some pounding. Some of us could see eight inches or more. That's too much—even for me."—Virginia Beach weatherman Blaine Stewart prepared residents for a blizzard in early 2018 with this Tweet. It shocked ...
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SHOWBIZ Queer As Folk, Kerry Washington, Mariah Carey, Hugh Jackman
Bravo is developing a new version of Queer As Folk, Variety reported. Russell T. Davies, the creator of the original British series, is onboard the new project as an executive producer; and Stephen Dunn is attached ...
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'My Fair Lady.' 'Brokeback' added to film registry
On Dec. 12, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the annual selection of "25 of the country's most influential motion pictures to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress because of ...
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VIEWPOINT Words matter
Words matter, They have the power to heal or to hurt. We should all use them responsibly. As a kindergarten teacher, I found myself frequently reminding my students, who I also call "my babies," of simple ...
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Best and worst movies of 2018
This year, the LGBT community made strides in strong cinematic features featuring LGBT subject matter and characters, but still has a way to go. There were two movies this year about conversion therapy with The Miseducation ...
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With 'La Ruta,' Isaac Gomez gives voice to Juarez's murdered women
By Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel
When Isaac Gomez first workshopped his play The Women of Juarez as an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, the faculty strongly advised him against it. They believed a myth that continues to ...
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Mary Poppins Returns an old-school Technicolor delight
Some will argue Mary Poppins Returns is boring. And maybe, to an extent, it's true—the movie has its slow moments, plus at least two songs and one cameo that could have been cut. The soundtrack recalls ...
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Films of LGBTQ interest at Gene Siskel Film Center in January
The LGBTQ community will find a number of documentaries and narrative features of interest presented as premieres and second runs at the Gene Siskel Film Center, a movie theater that celebrates diversity and inclusion. The provided ...
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10 Questions with Vic: Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore first came to our consciousness with his popular MTV show "Totally Pauly," which led to numerous TV and film roles such as "Jury Duty," "In the Army Now," "Bio-Dome," "Encino Man," "Son In Law," ...
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SHOWBIZ Batwoman, Janet Jackson, Carol Burnett, 'Deadpool'
Batwoman and Supergirl met for the first time on the CW's "Elseworlds" crossover event recently—and there was some very clear sexual tension between the two powerful heroines, Out.com noted. This was the first time Ruby Rose ...
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TV/film figure Penny Marshall dies
Penny Marshall—known as half of the TV team of Laverne & Shirley as well as a film director—died of complications from diabetes at 75 on Dec. 17. After starring on Laverne & Shirley, Marshall directed several ...
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Christine Hallquist talks about 'Denial' documentary
By Danielle Solzman
A few weeks ago, Windy City Times had talked with former Vermont gubernatorial candidate Christine D. Hallquist about a new documentary, Denial. The film covers Hallquist's energy work while also confronting her gender transition, all the ...
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Cavalcade of Queens take over Holiday Land in Visual Album, The Holiday Dragtacular
December 17th, 2018 ( New York )- XS Studio brings you a stocking stuffed-holiday special from some of your favorite queens: Peppermint, Pandora Boxx, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Jaymes Mansfield, Alexis Michelle, Sherry Vine & Shuga Cane ...
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SAG nominees include 'A Star Is Born,' 'Maisel'
Awkwafina and Laverne Cox announced the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild ( SAG ) Awards nominees Dec. 12—and A Star Is Born and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel led the way in the film and television categories, ...
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Black LGBTQ/SGL Group Urges Courageous Conversations During Holidays
WASHINGTON — This past weekend, Twitter and traditional media blew up after comedian D.L. Hughley called Trans actress Indya Moore a 'pussy' and Kevin Hart resigned from hosting the Oscars after refusing to apologize for extremely ...
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Windy City Times previews winter movies
Escape the cold weather by hitting the warm movie theater, where sunny comedies, strong superheroes and unbelievably true stories can all be seen on the big screen. Many of the award-winning movies are out already as ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Rent,' Ariana Grande, Lena Waithe, Elton John
Fox has announced the full cast for the upcoming live musical event Rent, which will air Sunday, Jan. 27, a press release noted. Actress Kiersey Clemons, Emmy nominee and Tony winner Brandon Victor Dixon, singer/songwriter Jordan ...
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NUNN ON ONE Actor John Barrowman part of team that spins a Celtic tale
Legendary Comics and Webtoon are running a new comic series called Acursian rooted in Celtic lore. Fresh from the minds of storytellers John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman and Erika Lewis, this new endeavor is stimulating readers who ...
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Hart steps down as Oscars host after anti-gay comments draw response
Only two days after being announced as the host of the 2019 Oscars, actor/comedian Kevin Hart has stepped down over a situation involving anti-gay tweets. Again using Twitter, Hart announced he was stepping down as host. ...
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Dance Film Better Off Dead Premieres at Links Hall
Motion/Pictures Dance Project is a Chicago-based film production collective created by Talia Koylass. On Oct. 8, 2018, Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery and second degree murder. ...
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'Versace,' 'Rhapsody,' 'Pose' receive Golden Globe nods
The nominations for the 76th annual Golden Globes were announced Dec. 6 at the Beverly Hilton, with 25 categories spanning films and TV shows involving drama, comedy and animation. In the TV categories, The Assassination of ...
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SHOWBIZ 'Handmaid,' Kristen Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Viola Davis
Margaret Atwood is currently writing a sequel to her best-selling dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale, TheWrap.com noted. Due out in September 2019 from publishers Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, The Testaments is set 15 years after Offred's final ...
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WINDY CITY TIMES 2018 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Rebel yell As many know, the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots is next year, and this cool "Rebel" T-shirt—which out Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black designed—marks the occasion in a colorful way. ( $27; https://www.omaze.com/made/dustin-lance-black-rebel-tee ...
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SHOWBIZ Rippon retires, 'Moulin Rouge,' Katy Perry, trans actresses
Olympian and U.S. national figure skating champion Adam Rippon told CBS News he will no longer skate competitively—meaning the 29-year-old will effectively retire from professional skating. Rippon competed for the United States in the Winter Olympics ...
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VIEWPOINT A short film for World AIDS Day has arrived. Watch it now.
Stop what you're doing. An exhilarating new short film produced especially for people living with HIV ( PLHIV ) is about to grab your heart and make you stand up and cheer. To commemorate World AIDS ...
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'Haunted Christmas' house Dec. 7-8 in suburb
The creators of the 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago, 1940 George St., Melrose Park, will host "Krampus: A Haunted Christmas" Dec. 7-8, 7-11 p.m. Chicago's world-famous 13th Floor Haunted House has been transformed to tell the ...
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Pride Film Festival Dec. 4 at Pride Arts
Nine short LGBT films from around the world will be shown Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, as part of its monthly Pride Film Festival. The event will start ...
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Five Worth Finding: Haunting film, Skydeck and more
—What Haunts Us: This Emmy-nominated documentary—which examines why many boys who graduated from the Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, committed suicide after becoming adults—will haunt you. Filmmaker Paige Goldberg Tolmach, who also attended the school, ...
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Billy Masters
"Me in the clouds searching for @ZacEfron's nudes."—Gus Kenworthy's caption for an Instagram shot looking at the sky. Silly boy, you won't find nudes of Zac Efron up there. You'll find them on BillyMasters.com. Gossip doesn't ...
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10 Questions with Vic: Branden Wellington
As an Emmy Award-winning writer, the New York Mets' in-game host, or "Jarod Young" on Netflix's hit show Orange is the New Black, Branden Wellington's talents and accomplishments are vast and diverse, and he is just ...
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Billy Masters
"Broadway's Disastrous 'King Kong' is a $35 million crime against puppets."—Rex Reed's headline for his review of King Kong: The Musical. I haven't read any further, so don't ruin it for me. But do you think ...
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Sisters in Cinema planning media hub
The Chicago-based non-profit Sisters in Cinema has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the rehab and building of the Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center. Founded by award-winning filmmaker Yvonne Welbon, the center will be located on ...
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SHOWBIZ Mariah Carey, Rami Malek, Jussie Smollett, Rachel Maddow
Mariah Carey got an unexpected gift last week when her 2001 Glitter soundtrack album suddenly shot to number one on the iTunes chart, thanks to a social-media push from fans, Page Six noted. "Back on the ...
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Monthly Pride Film Fest Dec. 4, nine short films from around the world
Chicago, IL - Pride Films and Plays' final monthly festival of LGBTQ independent short films in 2018 will be on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. The nine films from six countries will explore the highs and lows ...
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Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Esposito and more at storytelling event
A diverse line-up of women-identified speakers took to the stage at the Hello Sunshine X Together Live storytelling tour Nov. 12 at the Auditorium Theater. This is Together Live's third year on tour and the first ...
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Tom Volf talks Maria by Callas
Maria by Callas filmmaker Tom Volf recently chatted with the Windy City Times ahead of the film's Chicago release. Featuring footage from the Chicago Lyric Opera, the documentary focuses on legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Sony ...
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Black Alphabet Film Festival Nov. 16-17
Black Alphabet returns Nov. 16-17 with its signature event, the Black Alphabet Film Festival ( BAFF ). It will take place at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd., and the Reva and David Logan Center ...
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Alyson Stoner, actress/singer/dancer on Ms. Jackson, acting, coming out
Being in the glare of the spotlight—especially for those who have been in the public eye since childhood—can be harsh. However, Alyson Stoner, 25—who many may remember as the dancing girl in Missy Elliott's videos such ...
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Director Borden to appear after Born in Flames screening
Film director Lizzie Borden will appear during a question-and-answer session following a free screening of her 1983 feminist classic Born in Flames on Friday, Nov. 16 at the Northwestern University campus in Evanston. Shot by Borden ...
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Tig Notaro adopts a new role in 'Instant Family'
Out comic, actress and writer Tig Notaro has a new movie this November called Instant Family. The film also stars Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne and Octavia Spencer, telling the story—based on director Sean Anders' real-life experiences—of ...
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SHOWBIZ Rihanna, 'Riverdale,' Glenn Close, Ezra Miller
Rihanna reportedly sent President Donald Trump a cease-and-desist letter after learning that her music was being used to hype up the crowd at his political rallies, Time.com noted. According to Rolling Stone, the singer's legal team ...
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Dear Ex Debuts in the US
The Asian Pop-Up Cinema is currently running through Nov. 14 in Chicago with screenings at AMC River East 21. One film from Taiwan with gay content is called Dear Ex. It tells the story of the ...
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Billy Masters
"God's greatest gift to me."—Tim Cook tells Christiane Amanpour how he views being born gay. I couldn't have said it better myself. Some of our queer celebs had inventive costumes this year. The one that stuck ...
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SHOWBIZ Streisand, GLAAD book, Spice Girls, Boy Erased, Rhapsody
Barbra Streisand has released an LGBTQ anthem that doubles as a statement against President Trump, NewNowNext.com reported. The legendary singer's latest album, Walls, includes plenty of shots at the current administration, including the title track. The ...
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Flawed 'Rhapsody' features champion Malek performance
Freddie Mercury is figuratively thrown under the tour bus in the new biographical film about the legendary band Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody, but still comes out a champion. The cast and crew were plagued with problems ...
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Jenna Laurenzo talks 'Lez Bomb'
Lez Bomb writer-director-actress Jenna Laurenzo recently spoke with the Windy City Times ahead of the release of her new film. If you're looking for a dysfunctional family comedy set during Thanksgiving with an LGBTQ twist, Lez ...
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Conversion-therapy film 'Boy Erased' hits the big screen
The new film Boy Erased tells the story of Jared Eamons, the son of a Baptist pastor, who goes under conversion therapy after being outed at age 19. The head therapist is played by Joel Edgerton, ...
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New Nutcracker film not quite sure of its realm
If you've been longing to see a movie with Dame Helen Mirren cracking a bullwhip, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is your must-see movie of the fall. Otherwise, you might come away completely bewildered by ...
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Wachowskis to sell Chicago studio space
Lilly and Lana Wachowski—transgender sibling filmmakers behind the Matrix trilogy and the lesbian-themed thriller Bound—are attempting to sell their Ravenswood Avenue studio space, Crain's Chicago Business reported Oct. 22. The Chicago-based filmmakers' family-owned firm, Kinoworks, is ...
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Montgomery Clift
films at Siskel in Nov.
Showcasing noted filmmakers and actors, the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 164 N. State St., celebrates gay icon Montgomery Clift as part of its November Spotlight along with ...
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Video program explores Art, AIDS and activism in Chicago
Documents: Art, AIDS & Activism in Chicago—a traveling screening that Visual AIDS and QUEER, ILL + OKAY presented—was showcased Oct. 20 at Pride Arts Center. The video program showed the history of fighting AIDS and HIV ...
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Billy Masters
"I actually feel bad for him. What I saw was a minstrel show today. Him in front of all these white people—mostly white people—embarrassing himself and embarrassing Americans, but mostly African-Americans, because every one of them ...
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Rupert Everett, having a Wilde time with 'The Happy Prince'
At the height of Rupert Everett's stardom, he was co-starring alongside Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding ( 1997 ) and opposite one of his best friends, Madonna, in The Next Best Thing ( 2000 ...
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'The Last Session' musical tackles AIDS
More than 675,000 people in the United States have died of HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the '80s according to the Center for Disease Control. Another 1.2 million Americans currently live with ...
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