Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.
1) The 17th British Independent Film Awards took place this past weekend and honored some of the UK's outstanding indie movies released this year. Pride, which follows a group of gay and lesbian activists who decided to support the UK miner's strike in the 1980s, was the big winner of the night with three awards including Best British Independent Film. Documentary Next Goal Wins took home Best Documentary. The film follows the American Samoa soccer team including player Jaiyah Saelua, a fa'afafine (or third gender) woman who became the first transgender athlete to ever compete in a World Cup qualifying game.
2) Larry Kramer spoke with Variety this week and confirmed he is working on a sequel to The Normal Heart which is set to air on HBO and again be headed by Ryan Murphy. The sequel would pick up soon after the first film's ending in 1984 and runs through 2001, the hope is to have all the major actors reprise their role.
3) On December 27, OWN will premiere a 90-minute documentary on Michael Sam, the first out gay football player to be drafted into the NFL. This takes the place of the previously announced docu-series and will cover the NFL draft, Sam's work after being signed to the St. Louis Rams and the media interest around him. Immediately after the special, Sam will speak with Oprah in his first interview since being cut from the NFL on a special Oprah Prime.
4) NBC's Marry Me has cast Ana Ortiz (Devious Maids, Ugly Betty) as Hailey, the new love interest for Kay (Tymberlee Hill). Ortiz will recur on the series and Hailey is described as being sexy and witty and able to "hold her own with the gang."
5) Lance Bass and fiancé Michael Turchin will tie the knot on December 20 and E! will be there filming it all for a 90-minute wedding special to premiere February 5, Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding. Bass hopes broadcasting their wedding will be a beacon of hope for kids struggling today, "As a little kid from Mississippi, I would have loved to have seen something like this on my television."
6) FOX has released a lyric video for the original song "No Apologies" from the upcoming drama Empire, the track is produced by Timbaland and features Jussie Smollett who plays gay character Jamal Lyon on the series. Empire premieres on FOX January 7 and follows Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), the CEO of a successful record label who is diagnosed with ALS and starts looking for a successor in one of his three sons. Check out "No Apologies" below, available on iTunes December 15.
7) Out artist Sam Smith has released the video for his new single "Like I Can," the latest from his debut album In the Lonely Hour. Last week Smith picked up six GRAMMY nominations in Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Solo Performance, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
8) Bisexual musician Catey Shaw put out a new holiday themed lyric video for the poppy winter love song "Cuddle Up." Last month, Shaw dropped the video for her single "Night Go Slow" which told the story of two girls on a romantic adventure in the 1950s. The "Cuddle Up" single is available on iTunes now.
9) Disney Publishing announced this week that the companion novel The Fosters: Keep Your Frenemies Close will be released next month. The novel is based on characters from the hit ABC Family show and will see Callie forced to team up with her rival Talya during a weekend school trip. This could be the first in a potential series if fans respond favorably, The Fosters: Keep Your Frenemies Close is available for pre-order now at Barnes & Noble and Amazon ahead of its January 27 release.
10) The film Something Like Summer, an adaptation of Jay Bell's young adult novel of the same name, is looking for funding help to complete their movie. The film tells the story of Ben and Tim over a dozen years as they get together in high school, break up, and then eventually try to get back together. Find out more at the Something Like Summer Indiegogo page.