HALLMARK HOLIDAY AD FEATURES GAY COUPLE

An early Christmas ad from greeting card giant Hallmark features a gay couple.

Hallmark posted the 15-second ad, titled Keepsake Ornaments, on Facebook.

“Just can't let go of … anything?” Hallmark wrote in unveiling the ad. “Unwrap, unpack and commemorate the moments that matter.”

In the ad, two men are busy moving into a new home.

One man finds the couple's first Christmas tree in a box.

“This was our first tree,” the man says.

“You know what it needs? An accessory,” his partner says before hanging a “New Home 2016” ornament.

“Mi casa es su casa,” the partner says as the couple admires the tree.

Hallmark has previously included same-sex couples in their advertising. In 2008, Christian conservative group American Family Association (AFA) protested Hallmark for selling wedding cards aimed at gay and lesbian couples.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

SADE ADUs CHILD MICKAILIA ADU COMES OUT TRANSGENDER ON INSTAGRAM

Singer Sade Adu's only child Mickailia “Ila” Adu came out as a transgender man last week on Instagram.

Speculation that Adu, 20, was transitioning first surfaced in the spring.

“Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” Adu captioned a black and white selfie along with a sun and needle emoji, the date 4/10/16 and the hashtags #shotday #firstshot #finally #ftm #selfmademan #transman #proud #yaaassss.

Prior to his transition, Adu openly identified as a lesbian.

Nigerian born British singer-songwriter Sade in the late 90s moved to the Caribbean to live with Jamaican music producer Bob Morgan. Prior to separating, Sade gave birth to her only child.

The singer reportedly took an 8-year break from music to raise her child.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAGAZINE

ERIC McCORMACK, DEBRA MESSING, MEGAN MULLALLY, SEAN HAYES REUNITE FOR 'WILL & GRACE' SKIT

The cast of the NBC comedy Will & Grace reunited for a political skit released on the same day as the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, her GOP rival.

Released on YouTube ten years after the series ended, the nearly 10-minute skit features all four of the show's lead cast members: Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes, who is openly gay.

Will & Grace, which premiered in 1998, was the first prime time network sitcom to feature a gay lead in McCormack's uptight lawyer, Will.

Over the weekend, all four actors posted images from the show's set. Then on Monday, Messing tweeted a video with a hidden message: Will & Grace is back.

In the scene, best friends Will (played by McCormack) and Grace (Messing) and socialite Karen (Mullally) learn that Jack (Hayes) is registered to vote in swing state Pennsylvania. Each tries to persuade Jack to vote for the candidate of their choice.

“Honey, if you don't vote for Trumpie, there will be wars and monsoons and locusts and hordes of brown people pouring over our borders from every direction,” Karen tells Jack.

Grace argues that a vote for Clinton would send a positive message to “millions of little girls, and little boys who are going to be little girls, and little girls who are going to be little boys.”

In the scene's final frames, Rosario (Shelley Morrison), Karen's maid, appears in the doorway wearing her signature sunglasses and Members Only jacket. “Talk about a basket of deplorables,” she says as she waves at the foursome.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

LADY CHABLIS FROM 'MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL' DEAD @ 59

Legendary drag artist The Lady Chablis died Thursday in Savannah, Georgia. She was 59.

Chablis is best known for her performance in the 1997 movie adaptation of the John Berendt novelMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which starred Kevin Spacey and John Cusack and was directed by Clint Eastwood.

Chablis was also a fixture at Club One, the Savannah nightclub famous for its drag shows.

“Chablis always wanted to give the audience, be it 15 or 1500, the best that she had,” Club One said in a Facebook post. “With her declining health, she regretted that her body wouldn't allow her to give more.”

According to WTOC, Chablis died at St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital surrounded by family and friends.

Berendt, who immortalized Chablis in his novel, said that she was the character most often asked about.

“She'll be remembered for her outrageous profanity-laced spontaneity and for being one of the first up-front transsexual personalities to be accepted by a wide audience,” Berendt said in a statement. “Eastwood wisely cast Chablis as Chablis.”

Earlier this year, Lady Chablis called her appearance in Midnight a mixed blessing.

“It made me famous,” she told the Savannah Morning News. “[But] it took away my security and privacy and trust. … That sort of brought me out of the closet. I had to come to terms with that.”

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

TIM COOK, ELLEN DEGENERES, RACHEL MADDOW, ANDERSON COOPER TOP OUT'S MOST POWERFUL GAYS LIST

Apple CEO Tim Cook tops gay glossy Out's Power 50 list for a second year in a row.

The 55-year-old Cook returned to the top spot last year, knocking out former champ Ellen DeGeneres.

Cook, who claimed the top spot three years ago, came out gay in 2014, becoming the only openly gay CEO in the Fortune 500.

DeGeneres maintained her second place position on the list from last year.

Rounding out the top five are MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, CNN host Anderson Cooper and series creator Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story).

Newcomers to the annual list include Olympian/television personality Caitlyn Jenner (No. 8), filmmakers Lana & Lilly Wachowski (No. 22), Baltimore mayoral candidate DeRay Mckesson (No. 23), writer/director Jill Soloway (No. 25), actor/singer Jussie Smollett (No. 28), comedian Kate McKinnon (No. 31) and Internet celebrity Tyler Oakley (No. 48).

Out's tenth annual Power List.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

STEVE GRAND COVERS 'ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU'; RELEASES SEXY VIDEO

Out singer-songwriter Steve Grand on Monday released a sexy video for a cover of Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.

The 25-year-old Grand burst on the scene in 2013 with his self-produced All-American Boy, which tells the story of a man's unrequited love for another man. The video immediately went viral on YouTube.

Grand told Billboard that his new project came together in less than four days.

“I feel really good about it,” he said, “and hopefully it will spread a lot of warm, holiday cheer.”

“On Thursday, I was in my basement jamming and I started playing [All I Want For Christmas Is You] and I was like, 'You know what, I should do a Christmas song.' And then … I called up Alana [Mulford, Grand's manager] and my video editor and director [John Lavin], and I was just like, 'We gotta do this.'”

Grand said that his recording was inspired by Michael Buble's 2011 cover.

“It was a big challenge,” Grand said of recording the song and creating the video in a couple of days. “But it was also really, really fun.”

Grand stars opposite actor Trevor LaPaglia in the video. Grand's cover of All I Want For Christmas Is You can be purchased at Bandcamp.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

RUPAUL RELEASES VIDEO FOR 'NOTING FOR CHRISTMAS'

RuPaul on Thursday released the video for his single Nothing for Christmas from his holiday album Slay Belles.

The video uses footage from the Nelson Sullivan Archives, part of New York University's Fales Library & Special Collections.

In one interview, RuPaul doles out Hollywood advice: “There's three things to never forget in Hollywood. One: Never audition for a part that's twenty years younger than you are. Never choose a co-star who's prettier than you are. And never, never let them see you sweat.”

Slay Belles, which includes duets with Todrick Hall, Big Freedia, Ellis Miah, Michelle Visage, Siedah Garrett and Markaholic, is available now on iTunes.

RuPaul's Drag Race will celebrate the season with its first-ever holiday special. RuPaul's Drag Race: A Green Screen Christmas airs Sunday, December 13 on Logo.

“This holiday TV special and new Christmas album Slay Belles are my gifts to all the truly twistedRuPaul's Drag Race fans around the world, who continue to inspire me with their love for everything sickening and fabulous,” RuPaul said.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

SIR IAN McKELLEN URGES NORTHERN IRELAND LAWMAKERS TO APPROVE GAY MARRIAGE BILL

Out actor Sir Ian McKellen has backed a proposed bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Northern Ireland.

It is the fifth attempt at marriage equality in Northern Ireland, the sole part of the UK where gay couples are excluded from civil marriage.

“As a gay Englishman, whose ancestors hail from County Antrim, I am concerned that the Northern Ireland Assembly should establish full legal equality for LGBT residents in Northern Ireland,”McKellen wrote.

“Northern Irish people should not be the victims at home of specious arguments in favour of inequality. They should not have to travel to Britain nor to the Republic, to be treated equally.”

“Just as coming out as a gay person, changes one’s life entirely for the better, coming out as a country, in favour of equality, will bring credit to the entire citizenry, regardless of their sexuality or gender.”

“I hope the vote will give us all a chance to celebrate the unity of civil rights already enjoyed by LGBT people in adjacent countries,” he added.

While the proposal is expected to narrowly clear the region's parliament, the Democratic Unionists (DUP), the largest party in the Stormont assembly, has threatened to torpedo the legislation with a “petition of concern,” which blocks bills not widely supported by leading parties.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

MATT BOMER CALLS ADS TO REPEAL HOUSTON'S LGBT PROTECTIONS 'HORRIFYING'

Out actor Matt Bomer has criticized the campaign to repeal Houston's LGBT protections.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on more than a dozen characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Opponents of the law forced it onto Tuesday's ballot. Early voting ended Friday.

Christian conservative groups opposed to HERO have mounted a vigorous campaign. In one ad, the group Texas Values claims the law would allow “men access to women's bathrooms, shower rooms and locker rooms.”

In a plea to approve HERO, Bomer, who appears on American Horror Story: Hotel, called the claims bogus, saying the messages of opponents “go beyond misleading – they're horrifying.”

“These malicious ads, funded with a lot of money from anti-equality opponents, slander innocent people with slogans like 'no men in women's restrooms' and implying [that] transgender Houstonians want non-discrimination protections as a means to abuse children.”

“You and I know this is NOT true,” Bomer added. “[Without HERO] the fourth largest city in the country is going to be a much scarier place.”

Bomer also recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) calling on Houston voters to approve Proposition 1.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

MICHAEL SAM CUTS HRC AD TO SUPPORT HOUSTON LGBT PROTECTIONS

Michael Sam has filmed a video for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in support of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HRC).

HERO prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on several characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Opponents of the law forced it onto Tuesday's ballot.

“As a Texas native, I was thrilled when the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance passed last year, and equally disappointed when opponents petitioned for its repeal this year,” Sam says in the 30-second spot. “Now [that] it's on the ballot, it's up to all of us to protect Houstonians from discrimination.”

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, first offered his support earlier this month in a fundraising email for the HRC.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, JESSICA BIEL HONORED FOR THEIR LGBT ADVOCACY

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were honored Friday at the 11th annual GLSEN Respect Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, works to create a safe space in schools for children who are or may be perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Timberlake and Biel were presented with the group's Inspiration Award.

“Even with all the trouble in our world today, this movement clearly is winning,” Timberlake told the crowd, “and it's going to keep on winning.”

“Always forgive your enemies,” Biel quoted Oscar Wilde in ending her remarks. “Nothing annoys them so much.”

Also honored was out actor Zachary Quinto, who received GLSEN's Champion Award.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

MICHAEL SAM, JASON COLLINS SUPPORT HOUSTON LGBT PROTECTIONS

Openly gay athletes Michael Sam and Jason Collins this week announced their support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO).

HERO prohibits discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on several characteristics including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Opponents sued Houston officials after they rejected a petition to put the ordinance up to a public vote. The city said that opponents had failed to gather sufficient valid signatures. But the Texas Supreme Court disagreed, ruling earlier this year that the city must repeal the ordinance or place it on the November ballot.

Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, offered his support in a tweet: “No one should be discriminated against because of race, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. #HERO #YESonProp1 #Houston.” Collins retired last year.

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, offered his support in a fundraising email for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate.

“I know first-hand what it feels like to be unwelcome – to live an open and authentic life in a place where you can be ostracized or even discriminated against for simply being yourself,” wrote Sam, who left professional football earlier this year. “That's why as a Texas native I was thrilled when Houston passed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) last year... and equally disappointed when opponents petitioned for its repeal this year. Now it's on the ballot and it’s up to all of us to protect Houstonians from discrimination.”

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

JAKE GYLLENHAAL MISSES HEATH LEDGER 'AS A HUMAN BEING'; SAYS 'BROKEBACK' CHANGED HIM

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal recently discussed the legacy of Brokeback Mountain and how Heath Ledger's death has affected him.

Gyllenhaal, who is currently promoting his latest film Southpaw, played gay opposite Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.

In an interview with NPR, Gyllenhaal said that while he and Ledger felt “uncomfortable” at times, they both believed in the film's message.

“It was fascinating, particularly because I don't think we knew what a success the movie would be, what it would become and it was an intimate and really scary thing for me and Heath, in particular, to dive into,” Gyllenhall said. “It was uncomfortable for both of us in some of the scenes, and yet we both deeply believed in what the movie was saying. … At the time it was pretty unreal. ... The emotional response you get from that movie from people who see that movie, I think it was one of the first movies where people would go, 'Oh, I can see it as love.' Believe me, we got a lot of other responses, too.”

He went on to discuss Ledger's 2008 accidental death from a prescription drug overdose.

“I miss him as a human being and I miss working with him and what an unfortunate thing it is that we won't be able to see the beauty of his expression,” Gyllenhaal said.

“I'm trying to be present where I am. I'm trying to have relationships that are as real as they possibly can be on a movie set, be close to people because I know that it's precious. And I know, not only can this career end in a very short period of time and this or that can happen, but also that life is precious. I think losing Heath and being a part of a family that was something like the movie, that movie we all made together, makes you see that, makes you appreciate that and hopefully moves you away from the things that really don't matter to the things that do,” he added.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

MICHAEL SAM HEADED TO CFLs MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Michael Sam has signed with the Montreal Alouettes, a Canadian Football League (CFL) team.

According to USA TODAY, Sam signed a one-year deal and will participate in the team's upcoming training camp.

The Alouettes said that Sam will be introduced at a press conference on Tuesday in Montreal.

“I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes and want to thank team Owner Robert Wetenhall, General Manager Jim Popp and Head Coach Tom Higgins for this opportunity,” Sam said in a statement through the team. “I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal.”

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, was cut by the St. Louis Rams before the start of last season. He then joined the Cowboys' 10-man practice squad, where he stayed for seven weeks before being let go.

Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said that by adding Sam his team has “become a better organization.”

“Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team,” he said in a statement.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

RICKY MARTIN RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FEATURING MARRIED GAY COUPLE

On the same day that Puerto Rico announced it would no longer defend its ban on gay marriage, Ricky Martin, one of the island's most famous exports, released a music video featuring a married gay couple.

On Friday, Martin applauded the government's decision.

“Today is a great day for my island, my heart beats fast in my chest. How proud I am to live in a country of equality. I love you Puerto Rico,” he wrote in Spanish.

Disparo al Corazon (Shot to the Heart) from Martin's recently released Spanish language album A Quien Quiera Escuchar (To Those Who Want to Listen) is a ballad about about finding love at an unlikely moment. In its music video, Martin, dressed in black, stands before a mirror and confesses that before finding his love he was not a saint. Reflected back in the mirror are various couples, including two recently married men.

“It is a very emotional video where I present different realities manifested as love,” Martin is quoted as saying.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAGAZINE

KERRY WASHINGTON @ GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS: WE NEED MORE DIVERSE LGBT REPRESENTATION

Actress Kerry Washington was presented with an award for her gay rights advocacy by Ellen DeGeneres on Saturday at the 26^th annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Washington is best known for playing Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert to the president of the United Stated, on the ABC drama Scandal.

GLAAD honored Washington with its Vanguard Award, which is “presented to artists and media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”

The 38-year-old Washington told the crowd “there is enormous power in inclusive storytelling.”

“We need more LGBT representation in the media. We need more LGBT characters and more LGBT storytelling. We need more diverse LGBT representation. And by that, I mean lots of different kinds of LGBT people, living all different kinds of lives,” she said.

Washington also criticized African-Americans who oppose marriage equality, saying that interracial unions once faced similar restrictions.

“So, when black people today tell me they don't believe in gay marriage,” Washington said with a glare that got the crowd on its feet.

I tell them, “' You know, people used to say stuff like that about you and your love. And if we let the government start to legislate love in our lifetime, who do you think is next?' … We must be allies,” she added.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

DERRICK GORDON: COMING OUT GAY ALLOWED ME TO FOCUS ON GAME

Derrick Gordon, who last year became the first openly gay athlete to play in Division I men's basketball, says coming out helped him focus on his game.

In coming out, Gordon told ESPN that his “lie” had isolated him from his teammates.

“For my whole life, I've been living my life as a lie,” he said, adding that he came out so that “athletes never feel like they have to hide. You can be true to yourself and play the sport that you love.”

Fast forward to today and Gordon says coming out has changed his life for the better.

“All last season, that was something I was always thinking about,” Gordon told the AP. “It was always in the back of my mind. This year, everybody knows. So everywhere we went I didn't have to worry about it. It was like what you see is what you get. I am who I am.”

“It just made me forget about that and just concentrate on my game.”

“Anywhere we went, everything was positive,” Gordon added. “I didn't hear anything negative. No one came up to me.”

In April, Gordon will be an ambassador at the Miami Gay Pride Parade.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

TRANSGENDER TEEN JAZZ JENNINGS LANDS TLC REALITY SHOW, CLEAN & CLEAR CAMPAIGN

Jazz Jennings and her family will appear in an upcoming TLC reality series titled All That Jazz.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 11-episode series will feature Jazz, a 14-year-old transgender activist, as she juggles high school, dating and personal appearances. Also set to appear on the program are Jazz's parents Greg and Jeanette, siblings Ari, Griffen, Sander, and her maternal grandparents Jack and Jacky.

“Jazz's story is universal, yet unique, and we're proud to partner wit her family to share it with TLC's audience,” said Nancy Daniels, general manager at TLC. “Jazz may be known as an author and activist, but she's first and foremost a teenage girl with a big, brave heart, living a remarkable life.”

Also this week, Jazz was named the new spokesperson for Clean & Clear. She'll appear in the company's new #SeeTheRealMe campaign.

“The brand approached me and told me about the campaign,” Jazz explained to PopSugar.com. “The See the Real Me campaign is so great at helping girls find the courage to open up to their peers and be themselves, and I could really relate to that. I knew doing this campaign would help a lot of teens who are struggling like I did.”

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

ALAN CUMMING CALLS ON GAY ME TO REMAIN CELIBATE TO SAVE LIVES

Out actor Alan Cumming stars in a hilarious PSA mocking an FDA policy prohibiting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

A coalition of groups, including GLAAD and Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), are behind the #CelibacyChallenge campaign, which calls on the FDA to implement a blood donation system that screens all donors based on risk for HIV transmission, regardless of sexual orientation.

The FDA currently prohibits men who have sex with men from donating blood unless they have been celibate for one year.

Cumming presents himself as head of the Department of Sexual Abstinence in the nearly 2-minute video, where he challenges gay and bisexual men to remain celibate for a year to save lives. “Introducing the Celibacy Challenge,” Cumming's character boldly declares. “So, let's get to it. Let's start saving some lives.” Among the “authorized” activities that will make the year “fly by” are pottery making, carpentry and housecleaning – all of which are illustrated to great comedic effect with sexual references. “Or there's another option,” the official says. “Sign our petition, then share this video to pressure the FDA to change its questionnaire so donors are screened based on their exposure to risk and not their sexual orientation.” Click here to sign the petition.

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG

ELLEN PAGE ON COMING OUT GAY: BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE

Actress Ellen Page recently said that coming out gay was the best decision of her life.

The 27-year-old Page announced she's gay last year on Valentine's Day during a speech delivered at Time to THRIVE, an LGBT youth conference hosted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and held at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Page (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Juno), who is in Rio to celebrate Carnaval, was asked about coming out by a Brazilian reporter.

“[I decided to come out] because I was sad,” Page said. “I felt uninspired. I was uncomfortable. It hurt relationships. I felt guilty for not being out. And it was just time. It's the best decision I ever made. I immediately felt like a new person.”

“You just feel lighter in your life,” she added.

When asked if she was dating, Page answered, “No comment.”

SOURCE: ON TOP MAG