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Biggest local news stories of 2009

Sam Adams

Here at qPDX we really do like to have fun. That often means that our coverage is entertainment and event heavy. But 2009 saw plenty of news headlines as well. I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone what scandal fills the top spot, but let’s run down 4 more items as well before we repeat the obvious.

5 – Media drama, deaths and rebirths

In the beginning of 2009 the implosion of Oregon’s first and only LGBT print publication, Just Out seemed imminent. They had just made an unpopular recommendation to oust the sex scandal embattled Mayor Adams followed by the departure of several important art and editorial staffers over pay disputes. But the publication survived, albeit with a much tinier staff. Despite a so-called dying journalism industry several new local queer publications started up around this time. Indeed, though qPDX has was created in 2005, we, too, had to reinvent ourselves following my layoff from OregonLive.com. And I think independence suits us.

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Best movies of 2009

'Precious'

So, 2009 wasn’t a huge year for film but we do have a couple Oscar hopefuls. It may not be the shoe-in that we all thought Brokeback Mountain would be, but perhaps a little less drama is ok.

5 – Big Gay Musical

It’s big, and gay, and a musical. That alone gets it 5th place. Slow year…

4 – Hannah Free and Patrik Age 1.5

A Swedish gay couple who expect to adopt a toddler and instead get a teen and a May/December affair starring Sharon Gless make a sweet little heartwarming duo at the number 4 spot. Gayness and family struggles are a worldwide phenomenon.

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Best TV of 2009

'Glee's openly gay character Kurt in football uniform

'Glee's openly gay character Kurt in football uniform

It would be tough to beat last year’s lineup of LGBT on TV but 2009 has some decent contenders. Alas, none of them have the same newsy sex appeal as last year’s winner Rachel Maddow but how often does a butch hottie grace our anchor seats?

5 – The sci-fi outbreak of Heroes, Stargate Universe, and Virtuality

Sci-fi can often push the envelope more easily by creating gay metaphors in addition to all the present day issues they address with fictions of possibility. In the past couple years, however, we are getting some actual queer characters. Claire the cheerleader had some sapphic love on Heroes, Stargate Universe features two ongoing gay characters and Virtuality, though unlikely to be picked up featured a gay couple in addition to the hotness of Clea DuVall.

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Best albums of 2009

Lady Gaga

Many of us have been traumatized by the year 2009, and we are happy to leave the aughts behind in favor of a brand new decade. And this is probably why it has taken me so long to will myself to look back at the good times. So now, in the slow news months of late winter I am finally getting around to profiling some of last year’s best music, movies, and television.

First up, the Top 5 Gay Albums of 2009. Stay tuned for some of the last decade’s bests towards the end of the month.

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