Christina Aguilera Releases New Line of Pride-Themed Merchandise

Christina Aguilera is showing her support for the LGBTQ community…

With Pride Month just a few weeks away, the 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer is helping her fans gear up for the season with some brand-new merchandise.

Christina Aguilera

Xtina recently shared a line of merch to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month, with portions of the proceeds being donated to LGBTQ organizations.

The new line includes four new items, including a sweatshirt, a mesh tank top, a pair of briefs and a face mask, all emblazoned with different, rainbow-themed variations of the singer’s nickname “Xtina,” her face with dripping, rainbow-colored makeup, and a pair of lips.

Christina Aguilera Merch

Along with providing new attire for her fans, Aguilera is also making sure to give back to the transgender community with her new merch. Thirty percent of all proceeds from the line will go toward two organizations: TransLash, a nonprofit organization using personal storytelling to “shift the cultural understanding of what it means to be transgender in order to foster social inclusion and reduce anti-trans hostility,” and TransTech, an organization founded by actress and activist Angelica Ross to “economically empower” transgender people through employment opportunities, workshop programs and more.

“Fighters gonna be looking fly this pride,” Aguilera captioned an Instagram post showing off her new merch. “I’m so excited to announce my new PRIDE collection! I am also proud to support @transtechsocial & @translashmedia, two organizations doing such important work for the community.”

Shop the collection by clicking here.

 

Mariah Carey Launches New Collection of LGBTQ Pride-Themed Merchandise

Mariah Carey is showing her pride

With Pride Month right around the corner, the half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning singer is helping her fans celebrate in style.

Mariah Carey

Carey has debuted a brand-new line of merchandise on her website themed around LGBTQ Pride.

The new merchandise includes apparel — like shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, socks and hats with her name written in rainbow lettering — a rainbow fan bearing the word “shade,” and even a face mask.

The new line also includes items referencing her 1999 album Rainbow, her 2001 film Glitter, her 2001 single “Loverboy” and more.

“Dahlings!!! The latest additions to my Pride collection are available to order now!” Mariah captioned an Instagram post, showing off some of the new items in her Pride Month line. “I particularly enjoy the SHADE fan! Celebrate your fabulousity and be proud!! Love, Mimi.”

Shop for Carey’s new Pride Month merch here.

Guillermo Díaz to Take Part in Virtual Benefit Reading of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart”

It’s a new normal for Guillermo Díaz.

The 46-year-old Cuban-American actor is among the all-star cast for a virtual benefit reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, which will be directed by Paris Barclay.

Guillermo Diaz

The May 8 reading, which aims to raise funds for ONE Archives Foundation and Invisible Histories Project, will include a special introduction by Martin Sheen.

Sterling K. Brown, Laverne Cox, Jeremy Pope and Jake Borelli are among the cast; Ryan O’Connell; Daniel Newman; Jay Hayden and Danielle Savr.

The reading, according to producers, will mark the first performance of Kramer’s Tony Award-winning play to be performed by a predominately BIPOC and LGBTQ cast.

“When I was approached by ONE Archives Foundation to direct a virtual reading of The Normal Heart, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Barclay. “I lived in New York through the 1980s, saw the original production with Brad Davis, and have never forgotten the experience. And through today’s lens, the story of a marginalized people pushed to activism by the onslaught of an epidemic clearly was worth telling again.”

Funds raised from this event will support ONE Archives Foundation’s LGBTQ education initiatives, including K-12 lesson plans on HIV/AIDS, teacher trainings, youth engagement, and ONE Archives Foundation’s exhibitions.

The benefit also supports Invisible Histories Project’s efforts to preserve the legacy of HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ activists through archiving, inclusion training, exhibitions, and programs about Southern LGBTQ history.

The Normal Heart chronicles the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City, based on Kramer’s cofounding the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1982.

The play premiered Off Broadway at New York’s Public Theater in 1985, and was staged on Broadway by director Joel Grey and starring Joe Mantello in 2011, winning a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Ryan Murphy directed a 2014 film adaptation for HBO.

Tickets go on sale on April 8 here. The reading is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at 5:00 pm ET.

“Glee” Cast to Reunite for Special Tribute to Naya Rivera’s Character Santana Lopez at GLAAD Media Awards

Naya Rivera will be the focus of a special tribute at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards

Glee cast members Jacob ArtistChris ColferDarren Criss, Vanessa LengiesJane LynchKevin McHale, Heather MorrisMatthew Morrison, Alex NewellAmber Riley, Harry Shum Jr., Becca Tobin, and Jenna Ushkowitz will reunite at the virtual edition of the awards show on April 8 for a special tribute to the legacy of the Santana Lopez, the character portrayed by the late half-Puerto Rican actress/singer and Glee star, who drowned last July while on an outing with her son on California’s Lake Piru.

Glee's Naya Rivera

The tribute will honor the 10-year anniversary of Santana’s coming out as lesbian in the musical comedy. Glee is a GLAAD Media Award winning series and the reunion will spotlight Santana’s impact on LGBTQ teens and Latinx LGBTQ representation on television. Demi Lovato, who played Santana’s girlfriend on Glee, will introduce the special tribute.

The GLAAD Media Awards will be hosted by Niecy Nash and stream on YouTube on April 8 at 8:00 pm ET. The event will also stream on Hulu on April 8 starting at 10:00 pm ET, and will be available to stream on-demand on the streamer until the end of June.

HBO Latino Acquires LGBTQ Drama “Lupe,” Starring Rafael Albarrán

Rafael Albarrán’s latest project is headed to cable…

HBO Latino has acquired Lupe, the LGBTQ drama starring the Puerto Rican actor and writer.

Rafael Albarrán

Lupe, written and co-directed by André Phillips and Charles Vuolo in consultation from trans artist Celia Harrison who also appears in the movie, shines a light on the complex story of a Cuban immigrant (Albarrán) struggling with their transgender identity while searching for their missing sister (Lucerys Medina) in New York City’s underground sex industry.

Rafael Albarrán in Lupe

Lupe will premiere on February 26 on HBO Latino and be available to stream on HBO Max.

Lupe

Ritchie Torres Elected as First Openly Gay Afro-Latino Member of Congress

Ritchie Torres is heading to Washington D.C. after a historic win…

The 32-year-old New York-born half-Puerto Rican politician, a New York City Council member, overwhelmingly defeated Republican Patrick Delices, to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 15th Congressional District.

Ritchie Torres

In the process, Torres has become the first openly gay LGBTQ Afro-Latino member of the U.S. Congress.

“Tonight, we made history,” he tweeted. “It is the honor of a lifetime to represent the essential borough, the Bronx.”

“I hope I can represent the possibility that a poor kid, a kid of color, a LGBTQ kid from a place like the Bronx, can overcome the odds and become a member of the United States Congress,” he said.

Torres will assume office on January 3, 2021

Torres will succeed Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano, who is retiring after 30 years in Congress. Torres told CNN that his “highest priority” is “the affordability crisis” in housing, and would work to expand the child tax credit to alleviate child poverty.

He said if Democrats take the White House and Congress, they would have a “once in a century opportunity to govern as boldly in the 21st century as FDR did in the 20th century.” Torres wants to “rebalance” the Supreme Court with additional justices and said if Puerto Rico votes in a referendum this November for statehood, then Congress “will have an obligation to act upon what the people voted for.”

Gloria Trevi Teams Up with GLAAD to Get Out the Latinx LGBTQ Vote

Gloria Trevi is sending a highly targeted message about the importance of voting…

With the U.S. presidential election right around the corner, the 52-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter is calling on a specific segment of her fanbase to make their voices heard.

Gloria-Trevi

On Thursday, Trevi teamed up with GLAAD to share a message aimed at young Latinx LGBTQ people, where she urged her fans to get out and vote this November.

“To my dear friends in the LGBTQ community, we all know that our community leaders have the power to change many things that impact our lives,” the translation of her Spanish message said. “However, we also have the power to make change and to decide who those leaders are.”

Trevi emphasized in her message that voting is more than just a right for Americans, but something we should also recognize as an honor.

“It’s very important that everyone – LGBTQ, Latino and all communities – come together, and understand that this is not only our responsibility but a privilege,” she said. “Register to vote and exercise your right to vote.”

Along with her get out and vote message to the community, Trevi is also announcing a new partnership with GLAAD to help fund the organization’s Spanish-language work.

Every donation of $10 or more made to GLAAD here will enter fans into a sweepstakes, where they could win one of four spots on a special video call with Trevi, where the star will answer their questions in Spanish.

Lin Manuel Miranda Challenges TV Industry to Create All-Inclusive Environment in New #SeeAll PSA

Lin Manuel Miranda is stressing the importance of diversity on the small screen…

During Sunday night’s Primetime Emmy Awards, a powerful PSA that challenges the television industry to do more to create an all-inclusive environment will air, featuring the 40-year-old Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, actor, singer, rapper, producer, and playwright.

See All,

Miranda, who created the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton, appears alongside Billy Porter, Isis King, Daniel Dae Kim, Jamie Chung and others, in the 60-second PSA, titled “See All.”

The PSA, created by the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM), a division of the New York-based Association of National Advertisers, features the actors alternating lines of the script, which opens with the appeal, “We appreciate the dialogue. We see the effort from Hollywood. But we need more.”

In the spot’s midsection, the voices raise important questions. “Do you see me in this industry? You act as if bias doesn’t exist. Would you rather breathe life into stereotypes or stand up against them? Because what I know of my culture isn’t who you portray me to be.”

The comments become more pointed as the spot progresses. “We are more than a splash of color on your white canvas. We’re not your quota. We are quotable. So show me — me. Not your me. Me.”

A social movement to #SEEALL will follow.

The actors epitomize the success in recent years of more diverse performers. Miranda, who has Puerto Rican roots, is just an Oscar away from becoming an EGOT. Porter, the star of Poseand Kinky Boots, is among today’s most high-profile LGBTQ performers. King, the first trans woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model, is one of the most visible transgender people on television. Kim, who was born in South Korea, has appeared in Lost, Hawaii Five-O and Angel. Chung, a second-generation Korean-American, has appeared in the films The Hangover Part IISucker Punch and Big Hero 6.

AIMM describes itself as “a coalition of entities from the entire marketing ecosystem, representing the Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and LGBTQ+ markets. AIMM members are focused on re-prioritizing multicultural and inclusive marketing to help companies maximize their growth potential. AIMM has been the catalyst for unprecedented industry research examining multicultural marketing opportunities and the obstacles that stand in the way of optimal growth.”

Jaime Zevallos to Star in the Dramatic Thriller “When Sweet Dreams Die”

Jaime Zevallos is having sweet dreams

The Peruvian actor and writer has been cast alongside Zachary Laoutides and Alexander James Rodriguez in Where Sweet Dreams Die, the Ave Fenix Pictures Studios dramatic thriller being directed by Mirza Esho.

Jaime Zevallos

The filn follows an Italian American man on the verge of losing his restaurant and wife to cancer. He becomes obsessed with a Middle Eastern immigrant looking to take over the restaurant on the path to achieve the American Dream.

Marius Iliescu and Emmanuel Isaac co-star in the movie, the latest from the Monica Esmeralda Leon-founded Ave Fenix.

Production is now set to get underway in November in Chicago and New York with COVID-19 protocols in place.

Zevallos was recently cast in the home invasion thriller An Intrusion, and he was booked for the LGBTQ-drama A Boy Like That.

Demi Lovato to Make Special Appearance During This Week’s Virtual GLAAD Media Awards

Demi Lovato’s GLAAD to accept the invitation…

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress will be taking part in this year’s GLAAD Media Awards.

Demi Lovato

Lovato, who recently announced her engagement to fiancé Max Ehrich, will make a special appearance during the virtual ceremony.

The organization announced that along with a special musical performance from Chloe x Halle, the show will also now feature two new performers; actor and singer Ben Platt, and singer-songwriter Shea Diamond.

In addition to Lovato, stars like Jennifer GarnerLilly SinghCharli XCX, Kandi BurrussTheo GermaineAugust GettyGigi Gorgeous GettyNats GettyHarvey Guillén and Darryl Stephens will also appear throughout the event.

“Among this year’s nominees are a wide range of stories and narratives about LGBTQ people of different races, ethnicities, genders, religions, and other identities that demonstrate the power of inclusion and diversity in fostering positive cultural change,” GLAAD president & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “As this year’s Media Awards go virtual, we hope to send a powerful message to LGBTQ people that in the midst of this culturally and politically divisive time, our visibility and voices have never been more important.” 

Ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, GLAAD is already beginning to announce select winners, including Transparent: Musicale Finale for Outstanding TV Movie

The organization will continue to announce winners on their Twitter account leading right up to the start of the ceremony.

The show will be livestreamed on Thursday, July 30 at 8:00 pm ET via GLAAD’s YouTube and Facebook pages.