Think Pink Radio

The year 2007 brought many ups and downs for the Queer community. This list highlights ten individuals (in no particular order) who made some positive, queer-friendly noise in the media this year.

1) Jerry Sanders: This Republican Mayor of San Diego made some heads turn as he stood up for gay marriage. Mayor Sanders, who admits he has gay friends and a gay daughter, split from his party and heroically stated his support of full marriage rights in a press conference earlier this year.

2) Robert Hanson: The Iowa Judge ruled this year that the Polk County Clerk’s office had to accept applications for marriage from same-sex couples. Though the ruling proved temporary, leaving Iowa marriage laws in limbo, Judge Hanson showed that we have a few friends in the heartland.

3) Dennis Kucinich: One of two presidential candidates that support Gay Marriage, and nothing less. Rep. Kucinich stays continues to stay true to his convictions, even while campaigning. Check out his performance at this year’s LOGO Presidential Forum.

4) Elizabeth Edwards: The wife of presidential candidate, John Edwards, came out this year in support of full marriage rights for gay and lesbian individuals. While admitting her husband is wrong on the issue, she continued to stand up for gay rights, even in the face of the everyone’s favorite, Ann Coulter.

5) Susan Stanton: The former city manager of Largo was fired from her position (then as Steve Stanton) because of her pursuit of sex reassignment surgery and her coming out as a transgender individual.

6) J.K. Rowling: Though the outing of Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, shook up the literary world and angered a lot of conservative media personalities, Rowling remained steadfast in her affirmation that the beloved character is gay.

7) and 8 ) David Shepherd and Travis Price: Two Canadian 12^th graders stood up for a 9^th grader who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The two boys bought over 50 pink t-shirts and started a campaign to prove that anyone can wear pink , and that bullying is so 10 years ago.

9) Nikolai Alexeyev: After 2 consecutive years of violence at Russian Gay Pride events, this queer continues to push for equality in his country. Nikolai came to Chicago earlier this year with his message and provided a great interview with our friends at Feast of Fools.

10) Darren Manzella: This Army medic brought a bit of controversy by challenging the current DADT policy of the military. Darren courageously came out to his commanding officer and shared his story with CBS NEWS.

–Teddy