The half-hour documentary West Side Story: The True Story of How Four Gay Men Created America’s Greatest Musical recently had its premiere, The Advocate noted. The debut took place along with a panel discussion, and is now available free to colleges around the country as the first entry in the LGBTQ Literature Project, which aims to look at members of the community who created important works and how their identity informed their efforts. West Side Story’s four primary creators were gay men: composer Leonard Bernstein (considered more bisexual recently), lyricist Stephen Sondheim, director-choreographer Jerome Robbins and book writer Arthur Laurents. The idea for the original production was reportedly inspired by actor Montgomery Clift, then Robbins’ lover, in 1948.
Queer Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls returned to PBS’ Austin City Limits (ACL) stage for a two-hour celebration that also included Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., Lyle Lovett, Billy Strings, Rufus Wainwright, Brandy Clark, and Cam and The Mavericks. The special, which debuted April 4, features backstage artist interviews and rare gems pulled from the ACL archive. Also, Indigo Girls will make their first appearances ever with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra with three shows at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Thursday-Saturday, May 29-31; and will tour as a seven-piece band for their extended fall “Yes We Are” co-headline tour that will reunite them with Melissa Etheridge.
Currently in select theaters is the 4K restoration of Oscar winner Tilda Swinton’s U.S. debut, Female Perversions, a press release noted. In the film, Swinton stars as a bisexual lawyer on the edge of professional breakthrough, personal breakdown, and sexual awakening. Considered shocking when it first premiered in 1996, it has been called a “feminist classic.” The film—which co-stars Clancy Brown (John Wick 4), Amy Madigan (Field of Dreams), Frances Fisher (Titanic), Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) and supermodel Paulina Porizkova—is a Sundance Grand Jury nominee from director Susan Streitfeld.
LGBTQ+ WNBA legend Sue Bird (who’s engaged to soccer icon Megan Rapinoe) was one of several people named as inductees into this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN noted. Some of the other names are fellow former WNBA players Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles; Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan; and Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard—both of whom are being inducted twice (also as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that included LeBron James, among others). Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Republican and former The View panelist Meghan McCain ripped into Carrie Coon’s character on the series White Lotus as their ongoing online spat over their political differences gets more intense, per Page Six. Coon—who plays Democrat Laurie, one in a group of women in which a friend (played by Leslie Bibb) said she’d voted for Donald Trump—told The Hollywood Reporter that “people like Meghan McCain and her community are really gratified to see a conservative person on television.” McCain responded on X, writing, “Yes Carrie, I am ‘gratified’ that the conservative character represented on White Lotus is the responsible, family oriented one not making a fool of herself. Unlike the progressive liberal you’re representing who is sleeping with hotel staff and showing her tits to everyone.” The two women have been feuding for the past few weeks, starting with Coon posting on X in March, “Who’s gonna to tell her?” after McCain praised Trump’s State of the Union address.
After The White Lotus star Carrie Coon said in a recent interview that a non-binary character’s storyline was cut from the third season of the show, creator/showrunner Mike White stated that the choice was due to a political “vibe shift,” according to Them. Talking with The Hollywood Reporter, Coon said that an earlier version of the season included the detail that the child of her character, Laurie, was non-binary, and that Laurie was struggling with her child using “they/them” pronouns, adding, “Mike felt that it was actually too political, or too far, or too distracting.” White responded, saying that that conversation “felt right in March of last year,” but that “now, there’s a vibe shift. I don’t think that it was radical, but that’s not the kind of attention I want.”
Lisa Cholodenko’s 1998 feature debut, High Art—a seductive tale about Frame magazine assistant editor Syd (Radha Mitchell) developing a professional and personal relationship with a once-famous photographer, Lucy (Ally Sheedy)—is being re-released in a 4K print, per Gay City News. Talking with the outlet, Cholodenko said, among other things, “I was amused by Frame as the title for a magazine—the double entendre of the obvious connection to photography and she is ‘framing’ Lucy and is being ‘framed’ by the art world.” She also stated, “It is interesting to watch [the movie]. I can see where the culture changed. There is so much cigarette smoking, which is unbelievable to me! We screened a few years ago at Sundance, and during the Q&A, younger women said, ‘It doesn’t feel dated to us, but it feels relevant to our lives now.’ I like that.”
Despite most Broadway productions seeing declining grosses recently, Just In Time—starring out gay actor Jonathan Groff as the late singer Bobby Darin—sold out Circle in the Square and scored $901,973 for its first seven previews, according to Deadline. Good Night, and Good Luck—the George Clooney historical drama that opened at the Winter Garden to mixed-to-favorable reviews—proved its imperviousness to critics by doing standing-room business. In addition, Pirates! The Penzance Musical—the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Rupert Holmes’ new adaptation of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic starring Ramin Karimloo, Jinkx Monsoon, David Hyde Pierce and Nicholas Barasch—sold out its first four previews at the Haimes, grossing $222,957; opening night is April 24.
In New Jersey, the Newark LGBTQ Film Festival—which will start May 1—will have live performances, film screenings, and a new fellowship opportunity named in honor of Sakia Gunn, a Black lesbian teen whose murder in downtown Newark in May 2003 outraged the local community, Gay City News noted. The 2025 festival will showcase three feature films and more than two dozen short films. The opening night’s film is the thriller Ponyboi, which takes place on Valentine’s Day and follows a young intersex sex worker who works at a New Jersey laundromat alongside his pregnant best friend, Angel; the festival will end with an afternoon collection of shorts called “Identities in Motion,” which explores the “the fluidity of identity, love, and resilience through diverse queer narratives,” according to the festival’s site.
Madonna and Elton John’s long feud has finally ended after the musician asked the “Like a Virgin” singer to forgive him, Page Six noted. The reunion happened backstage at SNL, where John was the musical guest for the show. Alongside an Instagram photo of the two music icons hugging, Madonna shared that she has been a lifelong fan of John, having sneaked out to see him perform when she was in high school. Madonna admitted that it “hurt” hearing John’s nasty comments over the years—including allegedly calling her “a miserable cow”—and decided to see him at SNL over the weekend. The rift began more than 20 years ago, when John criticized Madonna’s “Die Another Day,” calling it the “worst Bond tune ever.” Also, John’s husband, David Furnish, stoked the flames when he trashed Madonna in 2012 after she won a Golden Globe for best original song over John.
There will be a cast signing and performance of Once Upon a Mattress on April 22 at the Museum of Broadway, per a press release. Sutton Foster, Michael Urie, Daniel Breaker, Will Chase, Ana Gasteyer and Nikki Renée Daniels will appear to perform a few selections from the album and to sign CDs. The first 50 people to RSVP here will be assured seats; others will be added to the waitlist. The album is available on CD now at CenterStageRecords.com and on Amazon.com, and digitally on all platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon.
Rosie O’Donnell’s documentary special Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children With Autism will begin streaming Tuesday, April 22 on Hulu, Variety noted. The streaming event spotlights the Guide Dogs of America’s (GDA) service dog program for children on the autism spectrum and takes viewers on a personal journey. “My child is completely different because of the dog. They saved my child’s life. The healing started,” O’Donnell told the outlet when production on the documentary started last fall. April is Autism Awareness Month.
Bette Midler got rid of her Tesla to protest the car company’s founder, Elon Musk, USA Today noted. “What a joyful day!” Midler posted on Instagram with a photo. “I sold my (gulp) Tesla! No longer do I have to drive a symbol of racism, greed and ignorance! Life is suddenly so much better!!” Musk, the world’s richest man, has led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); he has been the subject of frequent criticism and backlash over his efforts to slash federal jobs and cut costs rapidly. Midler and President Trump have shared a long feud, going back before Trump took office for the first time. Recently, music legend Sheryl Crow also ditched her Tesla.
Ariana Grande reclaimed the top spot on the Billboard 200 with eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead, via Republic Records, according to a press release. In addition, the critically acclaimed deluxe album topped the Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales and Vinyl Albums charts. The release marks the one-year anniversary of Ariana Grande’s critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album eternal sunshine, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
Big World Pictures will present the U.S. theatrical release of the Argentine LGBTQ+ film Most People Die on Sundays—a work written by, directed by and starring Iair Said, a press release noted. This film had its world premiere at Acid at Cannes Film Festival, and will be released at the Quad Cinema in New York on May 2, and at Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles on May 9. Loosely based on Said’s real-life experiences when his own father died, the film is the story David (Said), a young middle-class Jewish man—corpulent, gay and afraid of flying—who returns to Buenos Aires after the death of his uncle. During the trip home, after a year spent studying in Italy, David learns that his mother plans to disconnect his father’s respirator, as there is no chance of the man emerging from a long coma.
Actor Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) celebrated his 50th birthday with transgender sister Lux, a T-shirt in support of trans people (“Protect the Dolls”)—and an appearance by queer performer Honey Dijon, according to PinkNews. Last November, Pascal was seen fixing Lux’s dress when the pair attended the Gladiator II premiere together, and the actor has continued to post and repost messages of support for the queer and trans community. And in other Pascal-related news, a media release noted that HBO already renewed The Last of Us for a third season before season two debuted.
Million Dollar Listing: New York and Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles alum Fredrik Eklund announced that he and husband Derek Kaplan signed a multi-million dollar deal with Mattel that resulted in dolls in their likenesses (and the family’s) that are in stores everywhere now. Also, Eklund recently sent a heartfelt birthday wish to Kaplan, Bravo noted. The tribute found Fredrik taking a trip down memory lane as he looked back on the early stages of his relationship and its evolution over the past 15 years. The couple exchanged marriage vows in February 2013 with a beach ceremony in the Florida Keys. The wedding took place nearly five months after the United States Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)—an anti-LGBTQ+ law that defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
After returning with the disco-pop anthem “Freedom of the Night” last year, British songstress Sophie Ellis-Bextor released her first new music of 2025 with “Relentless Love,” per a press release. Ellis-Bextor said, “‘Relentless Love’ came from my love of funfairs and the way that falling in love and going on a ride can be a similar thrill. Ferris wheels, roller coasters… all of them can make your perception of reality a little wonky and give you a rush. They are sometimes unpredictable but also an exciting way to shift your perspective for a little minute.” She has had hits such as “Murder on the Dancefloor” (which saw a resurgence after being part of the last scene of the movie Saltburn), “Take Me Home” and “Get Over You.” Ellis-Bextor will tour the UK and Ireland in May and June.
The HBO Original documentary My Mom Jayne, a film by Mariska Hargitay (who leads the show Law & Order: SVU), will debut this June on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, per a media release. The documentary marks Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress and filmmaker Hargitay’s feature film directorial debut and the first time she has delved into her mother Jayne Mansfield’s story and legacy, almost 60 years after the Hollywood legend’s tragic death. Hargitay was 3 when her mother, model/actress Mansfield, tragically died in a car accident at the age of 34; the film follows Hargitay as she seeks to know, understand and embrace her mother for the first time.
Gayle King used a gay slur while retelling a joke on live TV, Page Six noted. The broadcast journalist was interviewing out comedian Matteo Lane about his new cookbook, Your Pasta Sucks, when she quoted one of his jokes back to him. At one point, King said, “Can I just say one joke? I hope I don’t get in trouble. You do a riff about white women who have approached you, and they said something about cooking, and you said, ‘What in the f—-try are you talking about?’” Lane seemed to find the comment amusing in the moment, as he laughed and responded, “I love you, Gayle King!” Many were shocked by King’s comment, including her co-hosts, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson.
And speaking of Gayle King, she, Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos’ fiancee, Lauren Sánchez, attended the “Oscars of science”—the Breakthrough Prize Gala—in Los Angeles before the trio blasts off into space on April 14, Page Six noted. The trio (who will be part of the first all-women space flight since 1963) attended the event with Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, recent Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña, Lizzo, Christina Aguilera, Will.i.am, Alicia Keys, Jodie Foster and many more. The Breakthrough Prize—created by founding sponsors Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Julia and Yuri Milner and Anne Wojcicki—annually gives out six top prizes of $3 million each in categories such as Life Sciences, Fundamental Physics and Mathematics.
Bravo’s new series Next Gen NYC officially debuts Tuesday, June 3, per a media release. (Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.) The series will follow Ariana Biermann, Riley Burruss, Ava Dash, Emira D’Spain, Shai Fruchter, Gia Giudice, Brooks Marks, Georgia McCann, Hudson McLeroy and Charlie Zakkour as they deal with NYC living. (D’Spain and Marks are part of the queer community.) The series also features The Real Housewives personalities Kandi Burruss, Teresa Guidice, Meredith and Seth Marks and Kim Zolciak-Biermann, as their children embark on their next chapter in the Big Apple.
And speaking of Bravo, out gay network exec Andy Cohen invited gay adult-film star Rhyheim Shabazz to Watch What Happens Live (WWHL)—and the resulting chaos has reportedly left fellow execs nervous, according to Instinct Magazine. According to one senior Bravo executive, Shabazz’s honest talk about his film career pushed things well beyond the normal WWHL raunchiness.
Gay-porn star Damien Stone has died at age 32, PinkNews noted. STR8UPGAYPORN cited Stone’s family in announcing his passing. “Str8Up is sorry to report that gay porn star Damien Stone has died following complications from an enlarged heart,” the website stated. Stone was originally from Moldova but raised in Pennsylvania. He worked in the adult-film industry between 2017 and 2020, appearing in about 120 works.
In the UK, Mickey Rourke received a formal warning on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother after queer singer/reality-TV figure JoJo Siwa accused him of making homophobic comments about her, Variety noted. According to the BBC, 72-year-old Rourke asked if 21-year-old Siwa was romantically interested in boys or girls, and she replied, “Girls. My partner is nonbinary.” He then said, “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore”—to which Siwa said, “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.” Rourke then made a comment that he was “going to vote the lesbian out real quick,” which Siwa overheard. Rourke later apologized for his comments.
Grindr has branched out into programming and its travel series, Host or Travel, has debuted its second season, per Instinct. A press release stated that Host or Travel “[follows] real Grindr users as they explore global gayborhoods, uncovering hidden gems and queer culture in each city—from drag shows in Taipei to naked bars in Amsterdam.” According to Statista, Grindr has more than 14,300,000 monthly users as of December 2024.
Chicago’s Music Box Theatre is celebrating a legendary filmmaker with David Lynch: Moving Through Time—an immersive series curated by Daniel Knox that runs through April 20, a press release noted. David Lynch: Moving Through Time spans not only all of Lynch’s classic works, but also his lesser known shorts and experiments. Sponsored by Mubi, the series includes each of Lynch’s 10 theatrical films, with screenings of Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Inland Empire, Dune, The Straight Story, Lost Highway and Wild At Heart. Screenings are preceded by a pre-show of clips, interviews and shorts relevant to their respective features (except where otherwise noted).
Everything But the Girl played two intimate concerts in London, according to Syracuse.com, citing NME. It was the first time singer Tracey Thorn and husband Ben Watt had performed together as EBTG since 2000. The duo performed several hits—but did not play “Missing,” their biggest hit. The 1994 song reached the top 10 in the U.S. and UK thanks to a Todd Terry remix, which was named one of the best dance songs of all time by Billboard and Rolling Stone. “If the shows go well we intend to do more,” Thorn and Watt said when the concerts were announced.
Director James Toback—among the first to be singled out in the #MeToo movement in 2017—was ordered to pay $1.68 billion after a sexual-assault trial in New York involving 40 women, per Variety. Toback, 80, was accused of abusing his power in the film industry to sexually assault women across four decades. Toback—who did not attend the trial—had previously issued a blanket denial, with a claim that any sexual activity was consensual.
London’s Metropolitan Police have charged actor Russell Brand with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault, Deadline reported. The investigation was spurred by allegations reported by Channel 4 and The Sunday Times. The charges relate to four separate women in alleged incidents that took place during 1999-2005. Brand is down to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday May 2. He has been working and living in the U.S. full time as of late, but could be detained by U.S. police under an international arrest warrant; the Home Office would have to submit a formal extradition request to D.C. to seek his return to Britain to stand trial. Brand has denied all charges.