LGBT

Rep. Andy Ogles is taking back his anti-gay tweet that caused a stir Tuesday ... but claims he's not the one who posted it in the first place!

Check it out -- the Tennessee GOP rep told followers the "stupid, hurtful" message was posted by someone on his communications team when he was working on his farm and called it a "complete distraction" from his "America First focus."

He also claimed the employee was reprimanded. No word on who the employee was behind the tweet.

UFC fighter Sean Strickland is clearly not over Dylan Mulvaney's Bud Light sponsorship three years later ... 'cause he just posted a fake ad featuring himself beating up a trans woman to celebrate Pride Month being "far less gay" now.

The incredibly controversial middleweight champ shared the edited video on social media Tuesday ... showing him punching and kicking an opponent in a pink dress until a referee steps in and calls the match.

The clip then cuts to the end of a Bud Light ad ... which states it's the "official beer sponsor of UFC."

Bowen Yang says he once attended conversion therapy just so he could end up at the "gayest school in the country" ... and the story from his youth actually has a pretty funny plot twist.

The 'SNL' alum sat down with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett on their "Smartless" podcast and recalled his experience ... explaining he was "discovered to be gay" at 17 years old, when he forgot to close a chat window on the family computer.

Bowen said his parents were "sobbing at the dinner table every day" and eventually offered up an ultimatum ... he could live with them and go to a state school in Colorado or go to school with his sister at NYU, if he agreed to go to conversion therapy.

TikToker Karla Houston's unconventional marriage dynamic has the internet buzzing ... and now she's explaining exactly how her "mono-poly" relationship actually works.

Karla stopped by "TMZ Live" on Wednesday and opened up about her marriage arrangement ... revealing she's polyamorous while her husband remains fully monogamous -- a setup the couple developed after she came out as bisexual back in 2021.

Roll the clip ... Karla tells Charles that her husband was immediately supportive when she came out ... even suggesting she could date women outside their marriage if she felt she needed to -- and she says she started after a few months of discussions in 2022.

Caleb Shomo is opening up about his personal life in a huge way ... revealing he's gay after more than 14 years of marriage to his wife, Fleur Shomo.

The Beartooth frontman shared the emotional announcement Saturday on Instagram, saying he felt it was time to set the record straight after growing speculation about his personal life.

"I am a proudly gay man," Caleb wrote, admitting he's been struggling privately with his sexuality for years while also battling alcohol issues. He said getting sober helped push him toward finally confronting feelings he'd buried for a long time.

Thora Birch is opening up about her sexuality publicly for the first time ... revealing she's bisexual more than seven years after marrying her husband.

The former child star -- best known for playing Dani, the redheaded little sister in "Hocus Pocus" -- shared the news Wednesday while attending the 35th anniversary celebration for The Abbey.

Birch says the LGBTQ+ community helped shape both her identity and her life ... stating, "As a hometown girl, I’m always here to show my support for the community, which shaped so much of who I am and my identity as well, being a bi person."

Another star has weighed in on Spencer Pratt running for L.A. mayor ... and it's none other than Gabrielle Union.

TMZ caught up with the actress Wednesday as she left The Abbey's 35th anniversary party ... and of course, we had to get her thoughts on the topic that has been dominating SoCal headlines.

As you can see ... Gabrielle gets a hearty chuckle when asked what she thinks of Pratt's political ambitions ... before shouting out "Laguna Beach's" Stephen Colletti -- then declaring she's team "LC," AKA Lauren Conrad.

Hollywood's elite showed up and showed out to celebrate the 35th anniversary of WeHo's iconic gay bar, The Abbey.

Yes, we're talking about the spot that inspired Chappell Roan's hit "Pink Pony Club" ... and Wednesday's star-studded scene definitely lived up to the lyrics.

RuPaul was on the DJ deck and A-list attendees -- like a Mariah Carey impersonator, Gabrielle Union, and more -- posed on the pink carpet.

Charles Barkley believes there are "a bunch" of gay athletes throughout all pro sports ... but the reason they aren't open about their sexuality is that even in 2026, society remains largely homophobic.

The Chuckster shared his thoughts as the "Inside the NBA" crew remembered Jason Collins on Wednesday ... and while the 47-year-old coming out as the first active gay player in 2013 was a historic moment for the league, it's clear he feels there's more work to do.

As Kenny "The Jet" Smith said an announcement like that might not be as big of a deal in present day because of Collins' bravery -- Barkley disagreed.

Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," he added. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

Sam Asghari is turning up the temperature and using his platform for something bigger than thirst traps ... and the internet is already sweating!

The actor and fitness stud just teamed up with MISTR, the nation's largest provider of free online PrEP and long-term HIV care, for a campaign that's equal parts steamy and seriously meaningful.

And the pics? Let's just say ... Sam understood the assignment. We're talking flexed arms, chiseled abs, and minimalist styling (yep, that towel is putting in overtime 👀) ... all giving fantasy shoot energy with a playful edge.

Hayden Panetteire's estranged mom says it was no real secret the actress was bisexual ... and she's questioning the timing of her daughter talking about her sexual preferences.

Hayden publicly came out as bisexual this week in an interview promoting her new memoir.

Her mother, Lesley Vogel, -- again, estranged -- ripped Hayden in an interview with The Daily Mail, saying ... "I do not believe it was being hidden, but there is no historic proof that this is the case."

Hayden Panettiere's finally letting the cat outta' the closet -- proudly revealing for the very first time ... she's bisexual!

The actress made the emotional confession while promoting her new memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," dropping May 19 ... declaring in empowerment, "I'm comfortable to confidently say that, yes, I am bisexual. I said it!"

Hayden told Us Weekly the book dives into how she started dating women at a young age -- admitting she felt more drawn to them than men ... but back then, she says the pressure to stay perfect in Hollywood kept her quiet.

TMZ DC is making waves on Capitol Hill ... after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told one of our producers it's entirely possible America's already had a gay president, Republicans seem to be offering up their best guess ... Barack Obama!!!

The Republican National Committee's official X account just reposted our clip with AOC and added a photo of Obama on top ... seemingly suggesting the GOP believes Obama was our first gay Prez.

Historians might disagree ... there are multiple books and documentaries suggesting Abraham Lincoln had a possible predilection for other men.