Arts & Entertainment
Marvel will reveal an existing character is gay in an upcoming film
The Russo brothers were tight lipped on giving away a name
“Avengers” directors Joe and Anthony Russo revealed that an existing Marvel character will be unveiled as gay in an upcoming film.
In an interview with “EW Morning Live, the Russo brothers discussed the “first openly gay character” in a Marvel film. The character, played by Joe Russo, was an unnamed man who attended a support group for people who lost their loved ones to Thanos’ destruction. The man describes going on a first date with another man and they both became emotional over their loved ones during the date.
“It was an integral scene to show how the world was reacting to what happened in at the end of Infinity War,” Joe says.
Co-host Dalton Ross clarified if this was the first gay character in a Marvel film.
“Yes, openly gay,” Joe replies “There’ve been insinuations about other characters’ sexuality, but this is the first openly gay character.”
When asked by co-host Jessica Shaw who else is gay, Joe replied “We’re gonna find out.”
“That’s a story for another day,” Anthony added.
“There is a gay character coming up in one of their films,” Joe says. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is expected to make an official announcement about the character.
Feige has hinted at more gay representation in the films. He has said characters, “both ones you’ve seen and ones you haven’t seen,” will be gay in later films.
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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