The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned Jussie Smollett’s 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. 

“We 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,” Justice Elizabeth Rochford wrote in the court’s 5-0 opinion, referring to the initial deal Smollett had reached. “Nevertheless, 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.”

In 2019, the “Empire” 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 “MAGA country” 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. 

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 Smollett’s 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.

“I know what happened and soon you all will too,” 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, “If someone reported a crime and it wasn’t the truth, that would actually make it more difficult [to report future crimes], but I didn’t. Any belief that they have about the person that I’ve 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 I’m bloody in my fist.” 

Emmy-nominated actress Nava Mau, was this year’s honoree at GuadaLAjara Film Festival, receiving the Árbol De LA Vida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award during the opening night at Downtown Los Angeles’ Million Dollar Theatre.

“I think right now, I’m sitting in what it means to be a trans Latina and have the support of my community–beginning, middle and end,” said Mau in an interview with Los Angeles Blade on the carpet at Guadalajara Film Festival. “There is nothing else like that.” 

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. 

“Yeah, 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,” 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. 

“I am just incredibly honored and grateful that I get to be here in this festival to present Nava Mau with the El Árbol de LA Vida Trailblazer Award, which I have been a recipient of in previous years,” 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. 

“I’ve seen her grow and I’m seeing her talent blossoming in the industry,” said Salcedo. “And that is just so beautiful and I am just so grateful and honored that I get to do that.” 

Both trailblazing, trans, Latinas have used their struggles and lived experiences as an opportunity to unite their communities and ignite change. 

“I want to say to all the beautiful people who are listening–particularly young transgender, gender nonconforming, intersex and queer people–to shine their light and walk their path as they are supposed to,” said Salcedo. “And 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.” 

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, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin.

The opening night of the film festival also featured a screening of Sujo, Mexico’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars. 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – 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 shouldn’t have used Parton to press her argument. “I regret using Dolly as the example for the point I was making in the article,” she said.

“As 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.”

In a piece for the far-right extremist magazine The Federalist, Andersen had written:

“In a world where division is the default, she collects fans of every political stripe, refusing to denigrate anyone, and regularly proclaims, “I love everybody,” 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.”

Andersen then notes:

“When asked about her diverse community of fans, Parton always mentions Christianity, saying she does her best “not to judge” and only “to love” for that reason. 

But Parton’s version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (“be who you are,” she’s said), is unaligned with God’s vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal. Love doesn’t mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.”

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 Parton’s character by the Federalist writer.

Richmond said: “There is nothing that exemplifies how desperate for attention and unhinged the far right has become than by this attack on America’s sweetheart. Dolly has always shown kindness and empathy for others, which is what all supposed Christians should be striving for.”

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

Watch:

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In an article published Thursday in the far-right anti-LGBTQ+ online magazine The Federalist, Indianapolis-based freelance writer Ericka Andersen, who self identifies as a Christian mom and Bible study leader, attacks Country Music icon and megastar singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.

Parton, a long time ally of America’s LGBTQ+ community, was taken to task by Andersen who wrote:

“In a world where division is the default, she collects fans of every political stripe, refusing to denigrate anyone, and regularly proclaims, “I love everybody,” 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.”

Andersen then notes:

“When asked about her diverse community of fans, Parton always mentions Christianity, saying she does her best “not to judge” and only “to love” for that reason. 

But Parton’s version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (“be who you are,” she’s said), is unaligned with God’s vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal. Love doesn’t mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.”

When the magazine promoted Andersen’s piece on X (formerly Twitter) it amplified her homo/trans phobias.

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 Parton’s character by the Federalist writer.

Richmond said: “There is nothing that exemplifies how desperate for attention and unhinged the far right has become than by this attack on America’s sweetheart. Dolly has always shown kindness and empathy for others, which is what all supposed Christians should be striving for.”

A sampling of reaction on social media platforms from other Parton supporters generally echoed Richmond’s reaction:

No. You do not come after Dolly Parton. You absolutely do not. https://t.co/GdUJfDZcgc

— Travis Akers (@travisakers) June 7, 2024

Imagine coming for Dolly Parton who won’t criticize anyone. She says she’s not a good enough Christian to throw stones. Her mantra is love everyone. And that’s exactly what the self righteous zealots at The Federalist are calling her out for. You decide who’s more “Christian”. pic.twitter.com/zcAGBnLTPh

— Geoff 🗽🇺🇸⚖️🏳️‍🌈🗽 (@GeoffBrown82) June 7, 2024

NEW YORK – Taking to her Instagram account on Thursday, June 6, Pop Diva and superstar musical artist Madonna expressed her gratitude to her legions of LGBTQ+ fans. The singer also urged her fans to embrace Pride and their queer identity.

“When Truth or Dare was released in 1991 I had no idea it was going to cause such a stir 🌈🌈🌈 But that could be said of most of the things I do!!
I simply wanted to capture the world. I was living in—and share it with the world.
I am forever grateful to the gay community that has always supported me from day one!!!
When I arrived in New York for the first time in 1979 — They made an awkward girl from Michigan feel like she fit in, like she wasn’t a freak and. That it was OK to be different. I am forever indebted.
In this increasingly chaotic world, we are living in. I will never stop fighting for diversity, inclusiveness and equal rights for all!!!

DON’T HIDE YOUR PRIDE! 🏳️‍🌈!
Let’s celebrate this month and every month ! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈.”

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The American singer and actress has long been recognized as a LGBTQ+ icon.

According to her biographical entry in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Madonna was introduced to the gay community while still a teenager growing up in first Pontiac and then later Rochester Hills, north of Detroit, Michigan.

It was her ballet teacher, Christopher Flynn, a gay man, who first told her that she had something to offer the world. He also introduced her to the local gay community of Detroit, Michigan, often taking her to local gay bars and discotheques.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna began as one of the first “notable” names in the entertainment industry to publicly advocate in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

More recently the singer was honored at the annual GLAAD Media Awards in 1991 for ‘Raising Gay Awareness’ and again in 2019 as an ‘Advocate for Change’. 

Read her entire biographical entry here: (Link)

MONTECITO, Calif. – Entertainment mogul and longtime LGBTQ+ ally Oprah Winfrey posted an affirming Pride Month message Tuesday to her Instagram, honoring her brother Jeffrey Lee, who died 35 years ago from complications of AIDS.

The 2024 GLAAD Vanguard award winner noted:

“It was 35 years ago that my younger brother, Jeffrey Lee, died from AIDS,” she said in an Instagram video. “He was 29 years old. The year was 1989, and the world was an extremely cruel place, not just for people suffering from AIDS, but also for LGBTQ people in general.”

“I often think if he’d lived, he’d be so amazed at how much the world has changed, that there actually is gay marriage and a Pride Month,” she noted. “How different his life might have been had he lived in these times. In a world that saw and appreciated him for who he was rather than attempting to shame him for his sexuality.”

Winfrey additionally added that everyone should have the right to “love who they want to love and be the person they most want to be.”

“I wish for you the continued freedom to rise to the truest, highest expression of yourself as a human being,” she said.

Related:

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – British pop megastar and longtime LGBTQ+ ally Adele, reacted to a member of the audience who repeatedly yelled ‘Pride Sucks’ in between songs during her show Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Adele, who is continuing her iconic residency, Weekends with Adele, at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, has been a strong LGBTQ+ supporter. Last year, she celebrated Pride Month during her Las Vegas residency wearing a black dress with a rainbow flag train and Pride-themed confetti. 

Sitting down on the piano bench next to her pianist bantering with the audience which is routine, the singer eviscerated the unseen audience member:

“Did you come to my fucking show to say pride sucks? Are you fucking stupid?” Adele angrily said reacting. “Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. If you have nothing nice to say, shut up, alright?”

The incident, which was caught on mobile phone footage and posted to X (formerly Twitter), has since gone viral:

Adele goes off on audience member who yelled “Pride sucks” at her concert tonight:

“Did you come to my f*cking show and just say that Pride sucks? Are you f*cking stupid? Don’t be so f*cking ridiculous. If you have nothing nice to say, shut up, alright?” pic.twitter.com/M3yl2mdzLV

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 2, 2024

Adele did not hold back when an audience member yelled “Pride sucks!” during her Las Vegas residency on Saturday night.

“Did you come to my f—ing show and just say that Pride sucks?" the singer said. "Are you f—ing stupid?" https://t.co/tDbvFCJRcT

— Variety (@Variety) June 2, 2024

“Happy Pride… not to you though” (points to the man who yelled Pride sucks). 😭#WeekendsWithAdele
pic.twitter.com/Jl0dqymy40

— Adele Daily (@adeledailynet) June 2, 2024

BEVERLY, Mass. – Patrons at The Cabot theater in the suburban Boston township of Beverly were all set to celebrate the 49th anniversary viewing of the classic 1975 Steven Spielberg horror film ‘Jaws,’ along with a question and answer with one of the film’s stars actor Richard Dreyfuss, when from the minute Dreyfuss appeared on stage, the event derailed.

Dreyfuss walked onto the stage wearing a blue floral pattern house dress, pausing to turn away from the audience and shake his hips suggestively, actions that were caught on multiple mobile phone video footage posted online. Then two stage hands appeared and tore the dress off the actor who then took his seat opposite the event’s moderator.

According to Variety and the Boston Globe’s reporting, Dreyfuss ranted about subjects reported to include trans people, Barbra Streisand, the MeToo movement and women in general. As attendee Diane Wolfe described it to the Boston Globe, “[Dreyfuss] said that the parents of trans youth, allowing them to transition, was bad parenting and that someday those kids might change their minds.”

A number of members of the audience took offense and left the venue. On The Cabot Theater’s Facebook page one attendee wrote: “This was disgusting. How could the Cabot not have vetted his act better. Apparently (I found out too late), he has a reputation for spewing this kind of racist, homophobic, misogynistic bullcrap.”

The Cabot has since limited commenting on its page.

The Cabot’s executive director J. Casey Soward on Sunday apologized in a statement that read:

“We regret that an event that was meant to be a conversation to celebrate an iconic movie instead became a platform for political views. We take full responsibility for the oversight in not anticipating the direction of the conversation and for the discomfort it caused to many patrons,” Soward said. “We are in active dialogue with our patrons about their experience and are committed to learning from this event how to better enact our mission of entertaining, educating and inspiring our community.”

WBSM News Talk Sports Radio 1420AM in New Bedford–Fall River reported that The Cabot also sent an email, that the station had been forwarded, to those who purchased tickets apologizing.

“Dear Cabot Patrons,

I am writing to address an important matter concerning last night’s event with Richard Dreyfuss at The Cabot.

We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’s comments during the event were not in line with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that, we sincerely apologize.

At The Cabot, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss do not reflect our beliefs, and we do not endorse them in any way.

We take full responsibility for the oversight in not anticipating the direction of the conversation and for any discomfort it caused.

We are taking immediate steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. This includes more rigorous vetting of our event participants and more proactive communication strategies to keep our audience informed.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of The Cabot.

We value your feedback and are dedicated to learning from this experience to better serve our community.”

The actor has a lengthy record of anti-trans remarks and bigotry. He has directed transphobic rants about trans youth affirming their gender and has taken aim at the Academy of Motion Pictures & Sciences calling out the Academy’s diversity efforts in a 2023 PBS’ Firing Line broadcast saying that the Academy’s focus on diversity “makes me vomit.”

“We’re so fragile that we can’t have our feelings hurt,” he also said. “We don’t know how to stand up and bop the bully in the face.”

Deadline reported that Dreyfuss apparently made similar comments at a Friday night Jaws screening at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “I live in Mass, but the Cabot showing was all booked so I saw him in NH on May 24,” a Facebook commenter wrote. “He made anti-gay remarks that night too.”

The actor has not responded to requests by multiple media outlets for comment.

RIO DE JANEIRO — An estimated 1.6 million people on Saturday attended Madonna’s free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach.

The concert, which was the last one as part of Madonna’s Celebration Tour, included a tribute to people lost to AIDS.

Bob the Drag Queen introduced Madonna before the concert began. Pabllo Vittar, a Brazilian drag queen and singer, and Anitta, a bisexual pop star who was born in Rio’s Honório Gurgel neighborhood, also joined Madonna on stage.

Congresswoman Erika Hilton, a Black travesti and former sex worker, and Rio Municipal Councilwoman Mônica Benício, the widow of Marielle Franco, a bisexual Rio Municipal Councilwoman who was assassinated in 2018, are among those who attended the concert.

“Madonna showed that we fight important fights for the human rights of Black (people), young (people), women and LGBTQIA+ people, and against all injustice, discrimination, and violence,” said Associaçao Nacional de Travestis e Transexuais (National Association of Travestis and Transsexuals), a Brazilian trans rights group known by the acronym ANTRA, on its X account. “What they call identitarianism’ is our subversion to the retrograde and conservative tackiness that plagues the country.”

The Associated Press reported the concert was Madonna’s biggest ever.