Every week, the GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend!
1) Focus Features’ Boy Erased opens in limited theaters this week. Based on the memoir by Garrard Conley, the film follows Jared, a pastor’s son who is sent to a conversion therapy program by his parents after being outed. The film follows Jared’s journey of self-discovery and clashing against the inhumane practice of so-called "conversion therapy." The film features original music by out artist Troye Sivan, who also has a supporting role in the film. Boy Erased opens today in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and will roll out to additional cities in the coming weeks. Tickets are available here.
2) Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody opens today in theaters. Telling the story of the iconic queer Queen front man, the film explores the story of his rise to fame, the band’s influence, and Freddie’s personal journey as he became one of the most influential musicians of all time. Click here for tickets!
3) The trailer has been released for documentary TransMilitary, set to premiere later this month on Logo. The film, which received funding from the GLAAD Media Institute, follows four transgender military service members who fight to fiercely protect U.S. freedom while also working to change military policy. Watch the trailer below, and catch the premiere of TransMilitary Thursday November 15, at 8/7c on Logo.
4) Casting has been announced for the upcoming indie film The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, a film that follows the titular Tunde Johnson, a queer high school student who finds himself in an "endless cycle of police brutality." Steven Silver has been cast in the lead, and Spencer Neville has been cast as Johnson’s closeted athlete boyfriend. The film will start production this week.
5) The cast has been announced for Fox’s Rent Live, a live version of Jonathan Larson’s beloved musical about young people in the East Village during the HIV and AIDS crisis. The cast includes Vanessa Hudgens as bisexual character Maureen, queer actor Kiersey Clemons as her girlfriend Joanne, drag queen Valentina as Angel, and Hamilton’s Brandon Victor Dixon as Collins. Tinashe, Jordan Fisher, Mario, and Brennin Hunt will also star in the live musical airing January 27.
Today for you, we have an announcement — meet the cast of #RENT! pic.twitter.com/i4u44CHYwi
— RENT on FOX (@RENTonFOX) October 29, 2018
6) College, an upcoming YA pilot from Amazon and producers Channing Tatum and out Transparent creator Jill Soloway, announced its cast on Tuesday. From creator Marja Lewis-Ryan, the show follows six college roommates as they hook up, mess up, and grow up on their own terms. One of the announced roles is Teddy, a transgender man, who is a quiet gamer freshman from the Bay Area. He’s described as self-conscious and sweet and wants to have a clean start in college.
7) A new featurette was released for Netflix’s upcoming music reality series Westside, which follows nine young musicians who are given an opportunity to have a showcase at an LA nightclub. One of the creators is out gay singer Sean Patrick Murray who will play a big role in the show. Watch the featurette to meet the cast below and catch Westside on Netflix on November 9.
8) Development for a new musical comedy from NBC was just announced, from out writer and producer Jake Wilson. The untitled show will follow Sally, who returns to New York hoping to relive her college glory days with her friends, only to find the realities of adulthood have eclipsed the carefree days of their 20s. In other TV news, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman, which includes asexual character Todd, was just renewed for a sixth season. Another Netflix series, Friends from College, which features gay characters Nick (Fred Savage) and Felix (Billy Eichner), announced that it will premiere its second season January 11.
9) GLAAD Media Award-recipient and out bi singer Halsey released a music video on Monday for her most recent single “Without Me.” the song is available to stream and download now, and the music video is below.
10) In his series of weekly new dance tracks, out country singer Ty Herndon released a remix of his hit song “Living in a Moment” with an accompanying music video. “It’s always thrilling as an artist to take an old song and try to make it fresh again and I think that’s what we were able to do here” Herndon said in a statement about the song. Watch the music video below!
11) Out singer Heloïse Letissier - aka: Chris - of Christine and the Queens released a new vertical video for their song “Five Dollars” off of her recent album Chris. The album is available for purchase and download now and the music video is below! Queer pop star Sia also released a new song this week, “Sing for my Life,” a new track off the deluxe version of her Christmas album Everyday Is Christmas. Stream and download the album and new song here.
12) Roadqueen: Eternal Roadtrip to Love is a lesbian romantic comedy graphic novel that is currently seeking funding to be printed. The story follows motorcycle racer Leo, and the mysterious new girl Vega, who is also the thief of her precious bike. The book will be a printed copy of two web comics that follow the characters, and tell their story. To find out how you can help, click here!