2005
|
|
 |
LandfallThe most destructive storm in history hit New Orleans at the end of August. Totaling hundreds of homes and businesses, stranding thousands of people on rooftops, and decimating entire neighborhoods, Hurricane Katrina and the resulting flood was the costliest natural disaster ever. Few can forget the fatally ineffective reaction from the Bush Administration and FEMA’s bungling of rescue efforts. Though 15 million people were affected by the storm and the gulf coast is still rebuilding, thousands of volunteers have dedicated their time and money to help clean up what the disaster wrought. (2005) |
 |
Strike a BlowAs if the MTA isn’t slow enough during the holiday season! In December, unionized MTA personnel and the state couldn’t compromise on a renewal of their contract, and workers went on strike for only the third time in NYC history. Buyers stayed home during the busiest Christmas shopping week of the year, while people carpooled, walked or biked to work in the freezing cold. After the two-and-a-half day strike ended, trains and buses were back up and running and the commuters almost forgave the MTA for the inconvenience-until the fare went up 25 cents. (2005) |
 |
GO growsAfter nearly three years as a pocket-sized magazine, we went big with our February issue. By expanding to an industry-standard eight-and-a-half by 11 inches, we were able to stuff our pages with bigger photos, more articles, additional listings and, of course, more eye candy on the cover. (2005) |
 |
Connubial CanadiansIn July, Canada becomes the fourth country globally and the first in North America to legalize same-sex marriages nationwide, though same sex marriage has been legally recognized in many of the provinces and territories since 2003. The Civil Marriage Act provided a gender-neutral marriage definition and made changes that ensured equal access for same-sex couples to the civil effects of marriage and divorce. Couples from neighboring New York State rushed across the border to wed, while hotels and resorts near Niagara Falls enjoyed booming business. (2005) |
 |
Snowy SplendourNeither rain, no snow, nor…how does that motto go again? We found out on the January night we planned for Splendour, a no-holds-barred bash at the swanky Supper Club. Hundreds of girls arrived-despite a driving blizzard outside-to see The L Word stars Leisha Hailey, Erin Daniels and Sarah Shahi make a special appearance. Comics Karen Williams and Marga Gomez, hip-hop act God-des and She and a bevy of amazing sponsors helped pull the night off without (much of a) hitch. (2005) |
|
|
2006
|
|
 |
Going for BrokebackAfter winning critical acclaim in the leadup to the Academy Awards, “Brokeback Mountain”-the heartbreaking tale of two cowboys in love-seemed like s shoe-in for the Best picture statuette in February. Ang Lee took home the Best Director Oscar, and the film also garnered wins for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Score and more. The ultimate prize, however, went to the contrived human drama Crash. It was such a surprise, presenter Jack Nicholson mouthed “wow!” before announcing the winner. Was it unspoken prejudice, or did Academy voters just prefer Matt Dillon? (2006) |
 |
Faulty TowerA sea change for the music industry occurred in December when the last Tower Records closed, signaling the end of traditional brick-and-mortar music stores. Perhaps the writing was on the wall: some stores had closed in 2006 after the company filed for liquidation and bankruptcy a second time. Tower’s inventory of CDs, DVDs, comics, magazines and audio gadgets just couldn’t keep up when pitted against the ease and flexibility of buying music online using iTunes. (2006) |
 |
It’s Madame SpeakerWith Democrats winning a landslide in the 2006 midterm elections, America gained its first female Speaker of the House. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California was elected as the 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, making her the highest-ranking female politician to date (and third in line for the presidency). Pelosi lost her seat to Rep. John Boehner of Missouri in the 2009 election, but was re-elected to serve as a member of Congress. (2006) |
 |
So Long CB’sThe Bowery’s legendary music club CBGB, the proving ground for New York punk icons like the Ramones, Television and Talking Heads, shut its doors after a rent hike in October. Taking the famously filthy urinals and whatever else he could, owner Hilly Kristal made plans to move the venue to Las Vegas, but the scheme never came to fruition. The final performance at CBGB featured a performance by Patti Smith and had a live broadcast on satellite radio. (2006) |
 |
GO on the GoWe made a fictitious trip cross-country in January, when Ilene Chaiken and co. added a GO cameo to episode 304 of The L Word. “GO journalist Tom” (Nicolas Treeshin, right) meets Max/Moira (Daniela Sea) and Jenny (Mia Kirschner) at a ragin’ gender-blurred party. (2006) |
 |
A Win for QuinnNew York City Council member Christine Quinn is elected Speaker in January, making her the second-most powerful person in city politics. As the first female and first openly gay Speaker, Quinn becomes of the most influential lesbian politicians in the country. It’s nice to have Family in high places! (2006) |
|
|
2007
|
|
 |
Keep It SimpleAh, the first iPhone, the only one that doesn’t look like its successors. Steve Jobs, Apple’s late CEO, introduced Apple’s first iPhone (each cost $600) at a theatrical unveiling in January, whetting consumers’ appetites for its release in June. Geeks lined up overnight for the chance to buy the first-ever iPhone, which featured a camera, video capability, touch screen control and more. (2007) |
 |
Wide of the MarkIdaho Senator Larry Craig, a Republican, was arrested for lewd conduct while in a men’s restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in June. Craig allegedly made sexual gestures to man in the neighboring stall, who, unbeknownst to him, was an undercover police officer. Craig entered a guilty plea for the lesser charge of disorderly conduct, but later recanted and said he just had a “wide stance” and was certainly not gay. He refused to resign from the Senate despite failing to withdraw his guilty plea. (2007) |
 |
Words Matter More than 12,000 writers joined the National Writers Union strike in November, in which union members sought pay raises in keeping with movie and TV studio profits. The walkout last 100 days, during which time studios were forced to play reruns of popular scripted TV shows, talk shows went on hiatus and reality shows filled the airwaves. Writers and many others went without pay, and analysts estimated that the work stoppage cost the economy $380 million to $2.1 billion. Big name conglomerates who were targeted included Warner Brothers, CBS, NBC Universal, Sony and Lionsgate. (2007) |
 |
Going For ItEnsuring women’s health and wellbeing is a cause dear to our hearts. We’ve profiled health-related nonprofits in our pages, such as Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the Mautner Project, the LGBT Center’s Lesbian Cancer Initiative and more. In October we took a further step and launched the GO For The Cure Tour to promote cancer awareness and raise money for women’s cancer treatment centers. The Cliks, Margaret Cho and Exes & Ohs star Michelle Paradise helped kick off the project at Club Sol with live performances. (2007) |
 |
POWER to Our People!In November, Amy had the honor of being named among 10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz by POWER UP (Professional Organization of Women in Entertainment Rising Up). She flew out to L.A. (with partner Mardi, right, in tow) to be feted at a glamorous gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel along with fellow honorees Lisa Cholodenko, Michelle Paradise, Danielle Knight, Tanya Grubich, Lori Kaye, Lynn Whitney, Cherien Dabis, Jenni Olson, and Jennifer Morris. Amy has also been honored by Stonewall Democrats for her support of women in politics, and by Team New York for her commitment to LGBT athletics. Woo-hoo! (2007) |
 |
Times Hat Tip“It’s a lesbian rite of passage,” said GO’s news editor, Julie Bolcer, during an interview with a New York Times reporter. “This year I find that the amount of attention that is being paid, the sponsorships that are behind it, it’s almost palpable. If one were going to go to the Dinah, this is the year to do it.” The story chronicling the rise of the Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs-“Daughters of the Dinah, Unbound”-appeared in the April 1 edition of The Times. (2007) |
|
|
|
|
What Do You Think?