Stay informed or get left behind. Find out where we go to be in the know.
Favorite LGBT publication – MICHIGAN
Winner: Between The Lines
Runners-up: Pride Source Directory; (tie) Q-News at MSU & Metra
We hate to toot our own horn, but this humble little newsweekly received the highest percentage of votes than any other this year: an astounding 96 percent! We're honored, and we thank you for your vote of confidence!
Favorite LGBT publication – NATIONAL
Winner: Advocate
Runners-up: OUT & Girlfriends
Okay, so Advocate has too many puff pieces these days about straight actors who either play gay or support gay causes, but it still is the best loved source for national news and views. And besides, where else can you find the witticisms of Bruce Vilanch (besides "Hollywood Squares")?
Favorite NON-LGBT MICHIGAN publication – N
EWS
Winner: Detroit Free Press
Runners-up: Metro Times, Detroit News
The Freep – or the Morning Friendly, as it was once called – far-outpaced 15 other publications to win the number one spot! Could that be because it has the best comics section in town? We appreciate the editorial page consistent support for LGBT rights, including the right to marry – thanks FREEP!
Favorite NON-LGBT MICHIGAN publication – ENTERTAINMENT
Winner: Metro Times
Runners-up: HOUR Magazine, Detroit Free Press
Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Do what 60 percent of our voters do and check out that OTHER alternative newsweekly for the most comprehensive listings around. Of course, WE cover theater better…
Favorite NON-LGBT NATIONAL publication – NEW
S
Winner: New York Times
Runners-up: Newsweek & Time
Although the world's most prestigious newspaper has had its share of problems lately, it's still the publication of choice for queers! And they came out strong against the nasty anti-marriage U.S. Constitutional amendment support by George W., after all it's know as the thinking person's paper (Maybe that's why it's so reviled by the right wing).
Favorite NON-LGBT NATIONAL publication – ENTERTAINMENT
Winner: People Magazine
Runners-up: Entertainment Weekly & New York Times
Be honest, now: Who amongst us HASN'T thumbed through People Magazine while standing at the checkout counter! It's one of life's guilty pleasures! If we don't keep track of what Britney Spears is doing, who will?
Least trustworthy publication – MICHIGAN
Winner: Detroit News
Runners-up: Out Post & Detroit Free Press
We could make a snotty comment or two about that LGBT rag that got the second-most votes as least trustworthy publication in the state, but that type of journalism is far beneath us! It has nice production values, though…
Least trustworthy publication – NATIONAL
Winner: National Enquirer
Runners-up: (tie) Globe, USA Today & Washington Times
What? You mean those space alien babies AREN'T about to be born in Peoria? Damn…and we just had our rabies shots!
Favorite MICHIGAN radio station
Winner: WDET
Runners-up: CIMX; (tie) WUOM, WMGC & WDRQ
Once again, Detroit Public Radio is the LGBT community's favorite radio station. See what happens when Trixie DeLuxxe loses a gig?
Favorite MICHIGAN television station
Winner: (tie) WDIV & WXYZ
Runner-up: WTVS
Thirteen local stations from across the state were nominated, but Detroit's channels 4 and 7 walked away with top honors.
Favorite MICHIGAN television personality
Winner: Carmen Harlan, WDIV
Runners-up: (tie) Caroline Clifford, WXYZ & Chuck Gaidica, WDIV
Sorry, Charles: Carmen is the LGBT community's top TV diva for the second year in a row! In fact, based upon all of the OTHER "Best Of's" this past year, the delightful anchor seems to be EVERYONE's favorite in Metro Detroit!
Favorite MICHIGAN radio personality
Winner: Jim Harper, WMGC
Runners-up: (tie) Dick Purtan, WOMC & Lisa Lisa, WDRQ
Just about everyone who hosts a local radio show in Michigan got at least one vote, but it was three of Detroit's long-time favorites who took top honors…with only one vote separating them!
TV/cable news program that provides the most comprehensive news coverage and/or analysis
Winner: CNN
Runners-up: FOX 2 News, (tie) ABC News & MSNBC
Apparently, our community believes that Fox 2 News provides some of the most comprehensive coverage around, but the station almost always gets it all wrong (after all, it is a right wing darling)! Interesting, eh? (See the next item.)
TV/cable news program that always gets it wrong
Winner: FOX News
Runners-up: (tie) Fox 2 News & The O'Reilly Factor
Although Fox, in all of its various incarnations, walked away with 70 percent of the votes, it was the nominations for The Weather Channel that were probably most accurate…especially THIS year! Loved those blizzards, didn't you?
Favorite TV or cable program that features gay characters or themes
Winner: Will & Grace, NBC
Runners-up: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Bravo & Six Feet Under, HBO
Yes, The Golden Girls count – Blanche's gay brother made a few appearances, after all – but Will & Grace trounced the Fab Five with more than twice as many votes. Did we miss something, or did Will & Grace regain its funny bone?
TV or movie star that you just KNOW is queer – but doesn't admit it
Winner: Tom Cruise
Runners-up: Sean Hayes, Jodie Foster, Leonardo DiCaprio & Ricky Martin
Hopefully he won't sue us for this, but the former Mr. Nicole Kidman is STILL on our collective gaydar screens! And probably always will be! Wishful thinking may be skewing our perspective!
TV or movie star that you WISH was queer
Winner: Brad Pitt
Runners-up: Keenau Reeves & Colin Farrel
He might not be queer, but at least we have those photos of Brad to keep us warm and fuzzy at night!
Best MICHIGAN LGBT columnist or writer
Winner: D'Anne Witkowski
Runners-up: Charles Alexander; (tie) Brent Carpenter & John Corvino
Although she has only been with BTL since May 2003, rookie staffer D'Anne Witkowski has quickly skyrocketed to the top of the journalistic heap. (Quite an image, eh?) But the granddaddy of us all isn't far behind!
