Young gay athletes set tone for NBA coming out

CHICAGO | You've probably never heard of Holly Peterson or Jonathan Jean-Pierre. One came out as a lesbian at age 15, when she was playing high school basketball. The other, a college rower, told his teammates last year that he's gay.

Actor Nick Stockwell and Actress Kyrie Anderson in the World Stage Premiere of "Under the Rainbow Flag"

Actor Nick Stockwell and actress Kyrie Anderson play a conflicted married couple in the world stage premiere of the new musical "Under the Rainbow Flag" at Main Stage in Chicago through April 21, 2013.

OFFBEAT: World premiere 'Rainbow Flag' a moving musical with added humor

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

"Teddy Ferrara" at Goodman Theatre

(L to R) Josh Salt (Tim), Paloma Nozicka (Jenny) and Liam Benzvi (Gabe) in Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Shinn’s "Teddy Ferrara," directed by Evan Cabnet at Goodman Theatre (February 2 – March 3).

OFFBEAT: 'Teddy Ferrara' a lesson in awareness and editing

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

God created gay people that way, it's not a choice

In response to Steve Kalman: Gay people are born that way; it is not a mythical choice. God made them that way.

Teen, mother foil attempted theft of designer eyeglasses

GARY | A 16-year-old boy and his mother foiled an attempted theft of Gucci and Jaguar glasses from a Gary store, police said.

Gee, extremist Christians are fighting for traditional values

"U.S.Religious Right Presses Anti-Gay Laws in Africa, read the July 25 headline. The story said, "These radical Christian groups are setting up fronts to fight for anti-gay and anti-abortion legislation to promote their fundamentalist convictions ... and are fanning the flames of the culture…

County Council member accused of making anti-gay remark

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council has been called on to pass a resolution admonishing member Jim Polarek, R-4th, for making a comment during Tuesday's meeting that some interpreted as an anti-gay slur.

GRIP event brings Gary, Duluth leaders together to discuss development

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Duluth Mayor Don Ness chat Friday at the Gary and Region Investment Project's third Urban Core Exchange in Gary. The two cities have dealt with similar challenges. Freeman-Wilson and Ness highlighted development initiatives in their communities and compare…

GRIP event brings Gary, Duluth leaders together to discuss development

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, from left, and Duluth Mayor Don Ness listen to U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, at the Gary and Region Investment Project's third Urban Core Exchange in Gary.

OFFBEAT: Steppenwolf's young adult play 'Carson McCullers' tackles acceptance

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Times POY 2011 - Windy City Rodeo

Allen Thomas wrestles a steer to the ground in the chute dogging competition Aug. 20 at the Windy City Rodeo in Crete. The 16th rodeo presented by the Illinois Gay Rodeo Association had approximately 50 cowboys and cowgirls participating in classes such as, team roping, bareback bronc riding…

Griffith tax reformers not stymied by ally losing clout

INDIANAPOLIS | Supporters of legislation exempting Griffith residents from Calumet Township property taxes will seek additional Statehouse allies after a key House Republican lost his committee chairmanship in the wake of a gay sex scandal.