LGBT

"RuPaul's Drag Race" star Ross Mathews shut down any talk about the cast feeling robbed by "The Traitors" winning at the Emmys -- but, some others on the show aren't on the same page.

The TV host told TMZ that win or not, just being invited was an honor -- and his upbeat mood speaking to us Sunday evening after the ceremony definitely backed that up.

Ross also reminisced on how he’s gone from covering the Emmys BTS to arriving on the red carpet ... check out the clip to hear him rave about his journey!

"RuPaul's Drag Race" star Sasha Colby is issuing a stern warning to voters ahead of the November election ... saying a Trump victory is a threat to basic human rights.

We caught up with the famed drag queen, who was the first transgender woman to present at MTV's VMAs in the show's 30 year history, at LAX, who voiced concerns about Donald Trump after Tuesday night's debate.

As Sasha put it ... the former prez's rhetoric is dangerous -- "weaponizing ignorant minds" -- and she takes issue with his unsubstantiated claims about the LGBTQ+ community.

In his controversial new documentary, "Lover of Men" filmmaker Shaun Peterson makes a compelling case for the theory that President Abraham Lincoln was gay.

We caught up with the director on "TMZ Live" Friday, where Peterson touched on some of the evidence presented in the doc ... including 2 instances where the 16th President of the United States shared a bed with close male friends for extended periods of time.

Peterson notes it was a common practice for men to share a bed in those days, as a way to save money ... but Lincoln did not face financial restraints at the time, earning several incomes from being a legislator and lawyer -- yet he still chose to split a mattress with businessman Joshua Fry Speed for 4 years.

4:26 PM PT -- OnlyJayus is firing back at her ex ... saying her request for a restraining order is filled with falsehoods and things being taken out of context.

The TikTok star tells TMZ ... "Unlike Brittany, I have been respecting her request for no contact for a couple of weeks now, including blocking her on all platforms, and I have not engaged in any behavior that would justify these allegations."

She adds ... "I take accusations of this nature very seriously and will be addressing this situation through the appropriate legal channels. I have no history of harassment or abusive behavior and am committed to maintaining my privacy and focusing on my well-being during this time."

TikTok star OnlyJayus is not taking a recent breakup well, at least according to her ex-girlfriend ... who claims she keeps showing up unannounced in the middle of the night.

Brittany Lee Dejardo is seeking court-ordered protection against Isabella Avila, AKA OnlyJayus, AKA Bella Rose, claiming her ex keeps coming around her home, is verbally abusive, and uses her massive social media accounts to berate her.

In new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Brittany claims she told Isabella to leave her the hell alone ... but she says Isabella is not respecting her boundaries ... and it's getting toxic.

Daniel Craig is ducking a question about James Bond's private life ... subtly laughing off a query over whether the superspy might be gay.

The actor attended the Venice International Film Festival Tuesday to promote his new film, "Queer," alongside director Luca Guadagnino ... in which Craig has several notable same-sex sex scenes with costar Omar Apollo.

While speaking with press at the festival, Daniel and Luca were immediately grilled about the James Bond actor's casting in the LGBTQ+ drama -- given that Craig is best known for playing one of the most heteronormative male icons in film history.

Nicki Minaj's husband's in hot water online ... with many blasting him -- and Nicki, by extension -- after he used a gay slur in a TikTok live.

Kenneth Petty appeared alongside Nicki in a music studio when they went live Friday night ... and, while Nicki told her fans not to let people steal their joy, KP added his own controversial two cents.

Kenneth says, "That’s right, especially little f****** or f*** boys," using a derogatory term for gay people used prevalently in the rap world.

Stacy Snyder is sharing her truth ... coming out as queer, and possibly showing off her new girlfriend.

The "Love Is Blind" alum publicly came out in a social media post Wednesday ... a video which ends with her kissing a woman.

Stacy, who got engaged to Izzy Zapata on "Love Is Blind" season 5, captioned her post ... "Surprise!" and included a rainbow flag.

"Big Brother" star Zach Rance has issued a "cry for help" after receiving thousands of death threats and harassing messages in the 10 years since he appeared on the competition series.

The reality star took to YouTube Monday, where he explained at length the bullying he's faced ... mostly over fans' disappointment he never ended up in a relationship with fellow housemate, Frankie Grande -- and there've been many dark threats as well.

As Zach explained it ... "Big Brother" fans were really invested in his flirtationship with Frankie -- commonly referred to as "Zankie" -- repeatedly voicing their frustrations over the failed fling.

Scott Thorson -- who dished on his romance with Liberace in his 1988 memoir "Behind the Candelabra" just a year after the famed pianist’s death -- has died.

Thorson died on August 16 -- he'd been a patient at an L.A. healthcare facility, where he had been dealing with cancer and a heart condition.

Thorson was hired as Liberace's personal friend and companion when he was 18 and the icon was 57 -- which kicked off their 5-year romance.

Aaron Rodgers is opening up on his decision more than a decade ago to set the record straight on his sexuality ... saying he was frustrated the rumor was "meant to shame the idea of being gay."

The New York Jets quarterback famously proclaimed he "really, really" liked women amid speculation surrounding his dating life when he was a member of the Green Bay Packers back in 2013 ... and in Ian O'Connor's new biography, "Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers," he explained why he addressed the claims.

"I think I was upset at the framing [of the rumor] because it was meant to shame the idea of being gay, and I have so many friends that are gay in the community," the four-time MVP said.

A well-known Britney Spears impersonator doesn't want to see a famous actress play the pop star on the big screen ... she says the biopic would be better served going in a different direction.

Allegra DuVal, who impersonates Britney at weddings, casinos and on TV shows like FOX's "I Can See Your Voice," joined us on "The TMZ Podcast" ... and we asked her who she wants to see play Britney in the upcoming movie.

Britney's got final say on casting -- and Allegra wants to see her go with an unknown actress here.

Michael Rubin's not standing for anyone spewing lies about his main man Meek Mill, including the rampant memes claiming the Philly rapper is gay.

The Fanatics boss took up for Meek -- no different than he did for Drake -- Wednesday on "The Breakfast Club." The salacious lawsuit filed by ex-Bad Boy producer Lil Rod claimed Diddy and Meek were lovers, and it's been a thing on social media ever since.

Rubin says Meek doesn't have "one gay bone in his body" -- but even if he did, it's 2024 and who the hell cares?!?!

George Santos is defending J.D. Vance as he faces allegations of dressing up like a woman when he was in law school ... George says one thing is clear, it's definitely NOT drag.

The ousted GOP congressman tells TMZ ... the images allegedly showing Donald Trump's running mate wearing a blonde wig and a skirt come across as more cross-dresser than drag queen.

George, of course, has dealt with a similar scandal himself ... when a former friend in Brazil posted an old photo from his days as a drag performer.

Red Sox All-Star Jarren Duran has been suspended two games ... after he was caught on a hot mic hurling a homophobic slur at a fan during a game on Sunday.

Boston just announced the unpaid ban ... saying it consulted with the MLB before doling out the punishment.

The team added the salary that was owed to Duran for the two contests will now be donated to the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

MLB star Jarren Duran was caught on a hot mic calling a heckler an anti-gay slur on Sunday ... and after receiving backlash for hours, the outfielder issued a mea culpa, apologizing for his "truly horrific" language.

The 27-year-old Red Sox player let the f-word fly when he stepped into the batter's box during the sixth inning of Boston's blowout loss to Houston.

You can hear in audio from the game's broadcast ... as a man in the Fenway Park stands chirped him about needing "a tennis racket" while at the dish -- he fired back by calling the guy a "f***ing f****t."

Tim Walz's former students are crediting him with not only protecting them from vicious bullying ... but also teaching the bullies a life lesson.

Jacob Reitan, a student at Mankato West High School where the Minnesota Gov. and his wife Gwen taught in the '90s, raved about Walz being a role model ... saying he fought tooth and nail for inclusivity, showing both him and his bullies a better path.

Walz helped launch the school's first gay-straight alliance, and Jacob told MSNBC how his teacher stepped in to protect him and others who were targeted.