(in no particular order, cause we love em' all!)

A former managing editor of GO Magazine, Kat Long has had a successful career as a freelance journalist, writing for such publications as the Village Voice, the Advocate and Playgirl. Her new book, The Forbidden Apple: A Century of Sex and Sin in New York City (Ig Publishing), chronicles more than 100 years of the city’s sexual history. While doing research for an earlier book project on former New York City Mayor Giuliani’s quality-of-life campaign, Long saw some interesting patterns. “I began researching Giuliani’s policies regarding adult-use establishments—the legal term for sex shops—and I discovered that municipal attempts to cleanse Times Square and the rest of the city of immorality and indecency amounted to more than a century-long local tradition. Even before Times Square existed, mayoral administrations had focused on cleaning up vice in the city’s red light districts.” In addition to being an author, Long is currently the editor of the New York Blade and is pursuing her M.A. in History. -CB

Remember, these are in no particular order because we love them all!