Arts & Entertainment
DC Universe gets first gay villain in ‘Birds of Prey’
Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask will make history

DC Universe will see its first gay villain in Black Mask, portrayed by Ewan McGregor, in “Birds of Prey.”
“Birds of Prey” follows Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) after she splits from the Joker and joins Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to fight off crime lord and primary villain, Black Mask.
According to We Got This Covered, “Black Mask, the movie’s main antagonist, will reportedly be portrayed as homosexual. Though his sexuality is never explicitly stated, multiple sources have told We Got This Covered that the sexual tension between him and fellow villain Victor Zsasz will be palpable and the way he acts in general makes it pretty clear that he’s gay.”
Some DC fans were happy with the LGBTQ representation while others took issue with the character’s stereotypical description of “flamboyantly gay.”
how the fuck is black mask going to be “flamboyantly gay” what goes on ?!
— hilda (@Iavagirl) July 9, 2019
I don’t care if he’s gay tbh…all I want is a great villain and that he has a black mask attached to his face https://t.co/6A0fcneIQX
— Nilu | #SaveSwampThing (@NileshRajendran) July 10, 2019
#BlackMask being gay is a great step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in comicbook films. I'm so excited for Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. This will be a fabulous ? big hit for Margot Robbie.
— Ben Cruz (@BenCruz18073020) July 11, 2019
100% support a gay black mask
— BatFamily Talk! (@BatFamilyTalk) July 9, 2019
100% do not support him being offensive flamboyant stereotype https://t.co/759bPB0voY
“Birds of Prey” hits theaters on Feb. 7, 2020.
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
