-Right off the bat I have to give a standing ovation to the amazing blogging done this year by Andy Towle, Joe Jervis and Pam Spaulding. I am the new kid on the block compared to their powerful blogs. This year particularly these three set the tone of LGBT politics at so many levels. I am honored to be among them.

-Without a doubt the Best Movie of 2009 is "The Hurt Locker". In fact, the movie might have moved into my all time top ten list of film. Rarely have I been transported so realistically to a time and place. "Up in the Air" and "Avator" deserve props but for me it is this amazing Iraq war movie, directed by the fearless Kathryn Bigelow.

-Best Actor has to go to Jeremy Renner from "Hurt Locker" whose performance left me breathless. Close behind him is Colin Firth for his sensitive turn as a grieving gay man in Tom Ford's "A Single Man."

-A year when women had some amazing roles, I have to give it to Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side". Both it and "The Proposal" totally entertained me in the classic Hollywood sense. She is overdue prizes for her great talents. And the ever-brilliant Meryl Streep was a total delight channeling Julia Child in "Julie And Julia."

-One of the best moments of this year for me personally and so many others was the National Equality March on Washington. Seeing the hundred of thousands young people filled me with new hope.

-For books there are so many that I love but then I love books. For fiction the best of this year has to be "Half Broken Horses" by Jennette Walls. Of course, Senator Ted Kennedy's book, "True Compass", was the best in non-fiction. Like the late senator himself, the book had the amazing ability to tell stories in a way that transported you to the moment with that special grace.

-The best new arrival on the pop scene has to be Lady Gaga who is the best thing to hit music since the early days of Madonna. In addition, she is an activist and came to support all the efforts in Washington in October.

-My favorite CD release of last year was Alan Cumming's "I Brought A Blue Car". The music and arrangements were simply perfect. Kudos to Lance Horne for his contribution to the success of this CD.

-Hottest man on Broadway with talent in 2009? That is an easy one - Cheyenne Jackson. Wow. He also appears in a recurring role on NBC's "30 Rock".

-The 'love him, hate him' award of 2009 goes to Adam Lambert. Just when you are angry about his remarks about being gay then he redeems himself with his performance at the American Music Awards. I loved how he has handled that situation.

-The best bright spot for television this year is Julianna Margulies in "The Good Wife". Also John Lithgow's Trinity Killer in Showtime's "Dexter" gave new meaning to the word "creepy."

-After 2009, the person we will be hearing the most about in the future is Taylor Lautner of "Twilight" fame. Move over Tom Cruise and all the other hot young stars.

-Best Coming Out this year has to be the latest headline news about a major sports rugby player coming out while still playing! Three cheers for England's star rugby player Gareth Thomas. It has been long overdue in men's sports.

-Best LGBT news stories this year have to be Iowa, New Hampshire, DC, the Hate Crimes Bill and the election of Houston's Annise Parker as Mayor.

-Best weather news of 2009 is that there were no major hurricanes hitting the United States.

-Best news out of Reality Television is Jon and Kate proving that 8 is way more than enough. Good riddance.

-Furthest fall from glory: Tiger Woods. A literal car wreck from which you couldn't divert your eyes.

-Most overrated naughty news of 2009 was Levi Johnston posing for "Playgirl". Could you find it?

-Most inspiring news was singer Susan Boyle and her out of the park album release. It wasn't easy for her but she did it!

-Most attractive butt of 2009 has to be Ryan Reynolds in "The Proposal".

-Best live TV moment was when Kanye West got on stage and took the mike from winner Taylor Swift. Not only did it prove that West is an ass, it provided one of those rare spontaneous television moments that have people chatting at the water cooler the next day.

-Without a doubt the best overall news of 2009 was that George W. Bush left office.