LGBT

There has been an onslaught of outrage since it was announced Cynthia Erivo would star in a short run of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in L.A. ... but one former messiah actor says haters need to chill and maybe ask -- WWJD?

Here's the deal ... Cynthia will play Jesus in the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in a three-night stint at the Hollywood Bowl in August ... and some people have gone berserk online over a Black queer woman being cast in the title role.

Ted Neeley, who played Jesus on Broadway and several world tours, as well as in the Golden Globe-nominated film, tells TMZ ... he's sadly not shocked the CE casting choice is getting backlash -- after all, he says the show has been polarizing since it opened decades ago!

Kevin Spacey is vehemently denying Guy Pearce's allegation he was "targeted" by Spacey on a movie set back in the day ... and Kevin's taking shots at Guy too.

The "House of Cards" star just posted a video response to some recent comments Guy made about him ... telling Guy straight up he's not a victim.

Kevin says Guy's claim that Spacey targeted him when they were filming the 1997 movie "L.A. Confidential" is bogus ... and he's ripping Pearce for coming after him in the media.

Elon Musk's daughter's poking fun at her strained relationship with her dad ... releasing a clip about claims that she has a new half sibling -- and, sharing how she found out the news.

Vivian Jenna Wilson -- Elon's 21-year-old daughter with his first ex-wife, Justine Wilson -- posted to TikTok this weekend about the alleged child Ashley St. Clair swears is the tech mogul's.

Watch the clip ... Vivian mouths along to audio from the TV show "Phineas and Ferb" -- basically saying that it's strange she's now learned about two new siblings from Reddit instead of her own family.

Chester Bennington's child has come out as transgender.

22-year-old Draven, the son of the late Linkin Park singer, revealed their decision to transition in an Instagram post on Valentine's Day. They said they privately came out last year and are currently in the process of transitioning.

In their post they shared ... "For a long time, I tried to be someone, someone I truly wasn’t on the inside. Ignoring it worked for a while, but continuously coming to the crossroads of being happy or being complacent was one I couldn’t keep choosing."

Village People lead singer Victor Willis says he got an apology from comedian Jim Jefferies for saying "Y.M.C.A." is code for gay sex, but he cops to the fact the song definitely can be taken 2 ways.

Victor jumped on TMZ's "2 Angry Men" podcast with Harvey and Mark Geragos, and admitted when he wrote the iconic song the lyrics were a double entendre -- straight people could interpret 'hangin' out with all the boys' as maybe playing hoops, while gay people could view it as gettin' down in various places at the facility.

By the way ... we contacted Jim Jefferies, who said Victor's wife Karen called him and said he could call "Y.M.C.A." a gay anthem but not say it's about "sex in the showers." Jim agreed not to keep talking about it -- but says he did not apologize.

Jim Jefferies could be dragged into court by a cop -- correction, The Cop from the Village People -- all because Jim referred to "Y.M.C.A." as a gay anthem ... TMZ has learned.

The comedian received a cease and desist letter from Victor Willis' wife Karen Willis -- who also manages the VP lead singer -- and, the letter rips Jim for his "obscene, derogatory and false description" of the hit song ... in their eyes, at least.

Last month, while doing his 'At This Moment' podcast, Jim bluntly delivered his interpretation of "Y.M.C.A." -- "It's f***ing in showers in a hostel. Right? When you're a young man who's been kicked out of your home, there's a place you can go," paraphrasing that last part from a verse in the song.

Donald Trump just took a huge step toward barring biological men from competing in women's sports ... signing an executive order Wednesday that he said will end the era of watching "men beat and batter female athletes."

POTUS put his pen to the "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" mandate at a ceremony at the White House ... promising it will stop transgender athletes from competing against females going forward.

"It's going to end, and it's ending right now," Trump said emphatically to a room full of his supporters as he signed the document. "And nobody's going to be able to do a damn thing about it, because when I speak -- we speak with authority."

Lady Gaga's using her platform at the Grammys to back the LGBTQ+ community... saying trans people aren't invisible -- and, the queer community needs to be lifted up.

The singer-songwriter and Bruno Mars won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their song "Die With a Smile" ... and, after thanking her fiancé Michael Polansky, Gaga used her time to defend the trans community.

Check out the clip ... Gaga's says now it the time to have the backs of queer and transgender individuals -- adding that music is all about love.

"Emilia Pérez" star Karla Sofía Gascón’s award-season glory has quickly fizzled after hugely offensive past X posts have come to light -- and with the backlash intensifying, she’s now deleted her account.

Gascón’s X account @karsiagascon was deactivated Friday after people dug up a bunch of posts from 2016 when the embattled first trans Oscar nominee ranted about Muslims, George Floyd, and, ironically, diversity at the Oscars -- despite being part of a minority community herself.

In a deeper breakdown of her comments ... she came for a Muslim family dining at a restaurant, mocking the way women dress in Islamic culture and even suggesting the religion should be banned.

Miguel A Núñez Jr. says if 'juwanna' dress in drag for a role as an actor, that's fine by him ... but, he says Black actors who do it are held to an entirely different standard than their white counterparts.

We caught up with the star, who played the title character in the hit 2002 film "Juwanna Mann" -- a man pretending to be a woman to keep playing pro basketball -- and asked him about Martin Lawrence saying he's not above wearing a dress for a role.

Lawrence said he's comfortable with his manhood, so wearing a dress doesn't bug him ... and, Núñez agrees -- pointing out tons of white actors wear dresses for their roles and they only ever seem to receive praise.

Lady Gaga is not backing down from her crusade for the LGBTQ+ community, as many members foresee a grim outlook with the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Mother Monster -- as fans call her -- promises to be there for the community as she acknowledges the 2024 presidential election was "devastating" for so many. She promises in a new Elle interview ... "We're not going down without a fight. We will stick together. It's going to be hard but I'm up for it. We're up for it."

Gaga says she plans to support the LGBTQ+ community in small but impactful ways, which means reaching out to her loved ones feeling threatened by the current administration and being generally available for them. She explained ... "Yes, I'm devastated, but what does it mean for me versus someone else?"

Maren Morris is prioritizing girl time in the aftermath of her divorce and coming out as bisexual ... she's hit up Mexico for some rest and relaxation with her gal pals.

Check it out ... the country singer dons a little black bikini with a white rose detail for a beach trip in Tulum, Mexico on Wednesday.

Maren appears to make the most of the nice weather, lounging beneath a palapa with a couple of friends. She even lights up a cigarette while chatting it up with her fellow vacationers.

Donald Trump's pissed at the bishop who delivered a controversial sermon the day after he was inaugurated ... calling her a radical "Trump hater" -- and, demanding an apology from her church.

The President of the United States took to Truth Social early Wednesday morning to slam Mariann Budde -- the Bishop of Washington who gave a speech at the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday morning, begging the president to show mercy to immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.

Trump writes Budde is a "Radical Left hard line Trump hater" who dragged her church into politics ... and, he directly calls her nasty, not compelling, and not smart.

Garcelle Beauvais is doubling down on the "lesbian" comment made to Kyle Richards on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" ... telling us the remark was in no way malicious.

We caught up with the 'RHOBH' star after she seemingly encouraged her costar to come out as a lesbian during last week's episode ... and subsequently prompted a strong reaction from Kyle in the press.

Garcelle doesn't feel badly about her comment, though ... as she tells us she was just trying to inspire Kyle to live her life however ever she wanted amid her separation from husband Mauricio Umansky.

Newly inaugurated President Donald Trump is formally declaring the United States government will only recognize two genders ... and he's set to target federal protections for transgender people.

In Trump's inaugural address delivered from the Capitol Rotunda Monday, he announced ... "As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders -- male and female."

Trump is expected to issue an executive order aimed at limiting medical care and participation in sports competitions for transgender individuals. An incoming official said only two sexes will be recognized on passports and visas, according to The Associated Press.

Donald Trump is Commander in Chief again … and is already coming out swinging in his Inauguration Day speech.

Trump, who previously served as the 45th President of the United States, was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol Building Monday for his second term, where he was greeted with a standing ovation, "U.S.A." chants, and an air kiss from his wife, Melania Trump.

After the traditional ceremonial moments -- including guest speakers, prayers, oaths, and musical performances -- Trump took the podium and spoke to the nation about his plans for his 2nd administration … which he promised would bring about a "thrilling new era of national success."