Best of 2008 - You Pick the Winners!

We asked you who's "in vogue" this year, and you gave us the ladies with an attitude and the fellas that put you in the mood. So let's start our celebration of 2008 by Vogue-ing to the year's biggest names. (Apologies to Madonna.)

Just move to the music and go with the flow.

Kathy Griffin, Hillary
Sarah Palin (wannabe)
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
Wanda Sykes is now a gay

Carrie Bradshaw, back on screen
Meryl Streep does "Dancing Queen"
Phelps and Mitcham in the pool
Olbermann sends Bill to school

Tina Fey gives good Gov
Portia, Ellen show their love
Nastia, Justin, WALL-E too
Barack Obama, we love you!

Fellas in the blogosphere
Watching Britney grow her hair
Make your choice without a fuss
You chose these names, so don't blame us ...

VOTE!

We let you decide the top five nominees in each of our Best of 2008 categories, and now it's time to choose the winners. It's up to you who'll be crowned the best of the best in the realms of Sports, Entertainment, Politics and Community, so make sure to vote in each of the following 10 questions and click on the Cast Your Vote box at the bottom of each question so your vote is counted.

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Results will be posted early January so check back to see the names and events you've chosen to celebrate and commemorate the greats of 2008.

Comments

[Rodney Wl Rabel]

This was a bad year for U.S. people getting layed off from work losing there homes. And not great for gay right we still have a long way to go, not just for gay's but for all people to make us all one. Hopefully 2009 will be a better year for all.

[Harley_Daddy]

Kathy Griffin is NOT, I repeat NOT, even remotely interestng. Pull your head out of your ass and find someone who is even remotely worth mentioning.

She has HAD her "fifteen minutes of fame" a very long time ago She is tired, old, stale, and pitifully UNTALENTED.

[Elliott]

Why is Andy Roddick listed? He played poorly in the Grand Slams and only won 3 tournaments. David Beckham is so washed up, not good like he used to be. Why not Federer, Nadal, or the Williams sisters for a tennis player. Why not Cristano Ronaldo for soccer? He's hot and played a lot better than Beckham. And just because Matthew Mitcham is openly gay & won one gold medal that doesn't make him worthy to be sportsman of the year either. STOP CHOOSING PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE WHITE MEN WHO A LOT OF GAY WHITE MEN FIND ATTRACTIVE.

[Tyler]

I am goign to have to agree with Elliott. It's great that Matthew Mitcham is open about being gay and everything but he pales in comparison to Michael Phelps. That man broke a record that probably won't ever be broken again. He did it against all odds. He set world records on most of the races he performed in. I'm sorry but Michael Phelps is the Athlete of the Year if not of this damn century and it's only 2008!!!

[ShadlovesAnita]

Ditto on Kathy Griffin! She's Joan Rivers if Rivers were alive.
NONE of those TV shows are worth a mention. They cater to and insult the audience. And Obama? Please, he will be worse than Jimmy Carter could ever imagine. WORSE!@
This celebrity worship is getting sickening. When more attention is paid to Mary Hart than the real news, the end is near...I hope.

[Kathleen]

Why is it that even in the gay community the women of the WNBA can't seem to get any respect? I am constantly after my local television sports folks to include coverage, but gosh, I would hope that there might be some inclusion in a sports poll here. Sure, they are not all lesbians, but then the list up for sports figure of the year aren't all gay either. Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, Becky Hammon, Betty Lennox....and the list goes on.

[Tyler]

How is Obama goign to be worse than Jimmy Carter?

He's goign to better that the last 8 years of the retarded monkey we've had in office.

You can't tell me you would have rather had McCain the angry elf in office?? He would have finished all the bad that Bush has started. Obama will clean it up and mend it all and get this country back on track.

[bla666]

Hey! Calling Bush a retarded monkey is an insult to mentally handicapped people. And monkeys...

[John]

This Best for this area Was the Election Joe Biden from DE For being Nomonie VP And The Philadelphia Phillies Winning the World Series

[ItalianMixed82]

I agree with Elliot and Tyler. I don't think it should be about his sexual orientation, it should be about performance. And Michael Phelps did that hands down. As Tyler said, he won 8 gold medals, and it was a total of 7 records, both world and olympic records, were broken. He even bet Spits of holding the most olympic medals. Case in point, Michael Phelps is the winner in my book.

[Adam]

I would have preferred seeing Rafael Nadal on the list instead of Andy Roddick. He won Wimbledon!

[Michael O'Connor]

I'm sorry, but to me the Gay Icon of the year was Dan Savage, who in the aftermath of Prob 8 was the chief voice of sanity on all the news talk shows. I think he at least deserved a place among the other top five celebs.

[wolf4t3]

Michael phelps hands down best athlete ever gay or straight is not an issue here

[justme]

I don't know. I think the sexuality of Mitcham is an important point. I completely agree that Michael Phelps' record puts him in the forefront for best athlete of our generation, and his accomplishments should not be understated. In terms of advancing the cause of equality and rights though, Mitcham does stand out as a reasonable choice for this survey. There is still such a stigma about homosexuality in public life. Having openly gay athletes, musicians, and movie stars helps to break down some of these walls and helps to gain acceptance so that homosexuality can cease being a complete anomaly and just fade into being "no big deal". I suppose in the end its a matter of how you're defining "sports figure of the year". This is after all a gay website.

K

[MGG]

I agree with K. The sexuality makes a huge difference. As an athlete, this man's talent is now challenged by homophobia and stereotype; this is a challenge that Michael Phelps did not, nor ever will have. I agree that Phelps would win this category hands down if one only looked at the scores or times, but when you take into consideration all that affects an athlete's life, being gay is a huge influence...let alone coming out publicly.

[Ben]

Who the fuck comes up with these lists?!? I mean, seriously ... it screams "stereotypical faggot here!!" How are we ever going to break the stereotypes when a site that is named after the "community" lives it so detailed!? This makes me so sick to be a gay man! Stop living a carbon copy life and be an individual!

[jc]

so many morons reply to these things.....MORONS

[Bruce]

I agree 100% with justme, but would also add that in diving that Matthew Mitcham got the perfect score, this has never been done before in the Oympics and doubt it will ever be done again. In other words yes one gold medal but the perfect one.
Way to go Matthew Mitcham. You got my vote.

[Drew]

its great to see an AUSSIE winning this poll.

Cheers Drew xxoo

( from beautiful sunny SYDNEY)

P.S hows your winter going Americans..lol

[Joel]

Well, Ben: If you read the article that accompanies the lists, you would know that the people who read this site regularly and REPLY to the posts are the ones who contribute to the lists. If you don't like what's making it on the lists, perhaps you should participate.

...and on top of that, the thing I find most sickening in the gay community is those who feel the need to try to tear us apart from the inside. Wake up cupcake. There are plenty outside of our community who want to break us down, and the last thing we need is someone whoh identifies as gay working from the inside insulting others in the community for being "stereotypical faggots." We're not going to get anywhere by being something we're not, so if a majority of us like musical theatre, Babs, and Madonna that's just who we are. That's not ALL we are, but who are you to judge and tell us that we're not the kind of gays you want us to be?

Quite honestly, WE, the community are the biggest obstacle we have to overcome. We need to stop bitching at eachother and come together as one if we want to get anywhere!

[Rndmacts]

I am getting sick of seeing Ellen Degnerest mentioned as a Gay Person of the Year. Yeah she introduced some political statements this year, no wonder she had to do something, her ratings were sinking faster than the Titanic. She fawns over rappers and hip-hop artist whose songs are anti-woman and anti-gay. She could of used her show to campaign against Prop 8, except for one plea in the beginning, nada, her questioning of politicians on the subject was perfunctionary and rather limp. Quit building a pedestal for a second rate comic.

And as for Michael Phelps did he win 8 medals or did a swimsuit which will make anyone swim faster win those 8 medals. They should go back to the original attire for swimmers which were nudity or speedos, but an artificial skin is just science competing. Like steroids and doping these high tech advantages should be banned and let the unadulterated athlete compete.

And personally I really don't think Barak Obahma is going to do for the gay community which you all think he will. When he signs ENDA or the Mathew Sheppard Act, repeals DADT or repeals DOMA which is unconstitutional will he have lived up to his promises. But from the makeup of his cabinet, we now know his government is non-inclusive of gays at the decision making level. He is not the hope everyone thinks he is.

[Ryan]

I think it's funny that a lot of the "winners" of this vote are homophobes or heterosexists, like Barrack Obama and Katy Perry. Kind of disappointing that the community doesn't recognize their own enemies.

[Gary]

i don't always pick someone because they are gay unless they make a contribution.

i also find it funny how some snide americans think that Canada shouldn't be interested in US events or people.

Besides we are the neighbor to the north that has the oil you want muahahahaha

and despite some snide protests I will be watching the Inauguration

:)

[HT]

This celebrity worship is getting sickening. When more attention is paid to Mary Hart than the real news, the end is near...I hope.

Posted by: ShadlovesAnita | December 20, 2008 at 01:39 PM
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Right on!

(Of course, per the part of your message I didn't include as reference, the verdict is out on Obama, how can it be otherwise, but it'll take a lot, in action, to show he won't a beneficial change for America and its economy.)

[Ben Raines]

Obviously, several people in the sports catagory were chosen because of their appearance (Beckham, Rodddick) and why is the guy who came out on this list (besides the obvious)?

As for Ellen, gawd I am sick of seeing her and her attention-seeking antics.

I hope Obama does well as president, but I'm skeptical. Not that I'm a single-issue voter or anything, but McCain had a more pro-gay stance than Obama.

[Fenrisulfr]

ok, I'll admit it, I voted for Mitcham just because I think he's a hottie and he was the only openly gay athlete on there, this being GAY.COM, I figured there'd be choices relevant to the GAY COMMUNITY.

I'll commend GDC on the fact that at least MOST of the choices for MOST of the categories for a change were relevant for one reason or another to the gay community.

I am QUITE disappointed however with the selections for "song of the year" as every song selected is US Pop. SHAME ON YOU GDC!

Also, after reading Eliot's comment, I realized why I felt many of these choices were relevant...I am a young gay white male. :-P

BOOOO on you GDC for severely limiting your content as usual. Where is the diversity in your reporting and polls that you once had? Where is the moral and social relevance? Where is the intrigue? I remember a time when GDC was my foremost source of LGBT-related news. Now it's just a bunch of crap, crap crap! BOOOO!

[Tom]

I can not believe you guys are choosing Matthew Mitcham over Michael Phelps as Sports Figure of the Year just because he is gay. This is the "Sports Figure of the Year," not the "Sport Figure of the Year that came out as a gay athlete."

How F'ing lame you guys are. Being gay is just an aspect of a person. It doesn't mean they deserve the Sports Figure of the Year award when you get one gold medal and another gets 8.

[Jon]

I agree with all the other posters in regards to Sports Figure of the Year. While Mitcham's performance against the two Chinese divers was incredible it pales in comparison to Michael Phelps. What he did over those few days was superhuman and most deserving of Sports Figure of the Year, hands down!

[Frankly]

No other group would sacrifice itself for another person or group just to be fair. That is admirable in many ways but self destructive in others. We have an obligation to say that we thing the gay person is the best of everything.

There is an old saying where I am from, if you don't toot your own horn, they don't expect to hear your own tune.

To pretend that this is not a fight is an of denial. We have been challenged. The Pastor Rick issue is not just about a person on a podium talking giving a speech that no one will remember. It is about how we are perceived.

The President Elect has determined we are expendable. That we have no place to go. That he is the only game in town and we will play at leisure. This is funny because he came to us for support in his primaries:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=58317

This is at the same time that he is refusing to talk to the gay media outlets:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/05/scathing-editorial-obama_n_95210.html?page=3

And while he is buying ads directed at gays:

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid52408.asp

Which is after he stood by an "ex-gay" minister:

http://www.washblade.com/2007/10-26/news/national/11445.cfm

The fact is he is playing a three protection game:

First, President Elect Obama wants to have a choice in his upcoming endeavors. So, he is seeking out White Evangelicals to replace us.

Second: He believes no matter what he does we have to support him because we can't afford to go anywhere else. I see some of the family here agrees.

Thirdly: He is acquiescing to a program that has evolved to create unity by turning everyone towards an agreed upon belief system. The religious right has turned toward groups like the Latinos and African Americans unite on social issues such as defeating us.

You hear it in their speech. How many times have you heard on radio or tv that people are insulted that we dare to call our movement a civil rights movement? That it is insulting to the Black community? DL Hughley on his CNN show said we had a few more hundred years before that would be true. We are considered a social experiment, infringing on religious ideals and pushing a social issues that is invading their private space. They say that they can agree on these ideals even if they disagree on affirmative action, the courts, etc. etc. etc.

We are being sacrificed for inclusiveness of everybody else. The conservatives in the Republican party and the Religious ethnic groups in the Democratic party jointly share an opinion about us. And that creates a unity that allows Obama to make inroads into the White Evangelicals. He is trying to replace us. And he is willing to throw us under the bus after all his pleading and promises. If we as a group don’t wake up we are going towards a very dangerous future. We have to get the President Elects attention.

Oh, and our leaders need to be honest and call our allies out, even if it isn’t PC. If you are not on our side we aren’t on yours. What happened was nothing less than an attack on our people. And sometimes, being peaceful is a complicit behavior in your annihilation.

[jmorales]

Democrats would only be so happy if LGBT declared themselves anti-democrat

It would get the biggest, loudest, most obnoxious monkey off their back.

LGBT actually do depend on Democrats far more than Democrats depend on them for any sort of support.

There is NOT one big city where Democrats MUST have the gay vote to win, NOT even San Francisco, because the Straight vote is overwhelmingly Democratic already.

Gay politics exists because the Democratically controlled cities are tolerant places, but there is NO flip side. No city where LGBT people are big in # will turn Republithug if Gays don't vote.

And a case in point, San Francisco is notoreous for it's apathetic gay male population, and Dems. still win.

Ironically Gays tend to vote for the Green party more than most, which only makes the notion that Democrats Need the Gay vote that much more ludicrous.

Sure we have a few big donors, but hey the other side has many many many big donors. Forced to choose, any big party is going to go against us. It should be a mark in the Democratic party's favor that it just doesn't write us off completely, because there is NOWHERE where our votes are essential for their power.

For the Democratic party all too many of us would be Republicans if it weren't for the unfortunate fact that we're gay, and Republithugs don't like gays. (so says and I agree with Barney Frank.)

As a community we are astoundingly selfish and blinded by our own sense of righteousness as we fight for a right that few even take advantage.

The "marriage fight" gave Bush four more years by mobilizing the christian right in 2004.

And Yes Obama knows that, and the last thing he is going to do is let the LGBY marriage battle usurp the many pressing needs that define the entire Democratic party for the sake of a few idiotlogues among us.

To accuse Obama of backstabbing us when RIGHT after the first African American was elected president Gay men are FILMED USING the "N" word to attack FELLOW GAY BLACK MEN who joined to protest against the passage of prop.8.

Screaming "you're all the same" as they blamed Black voters for prop 8 winning, when the very white Mormon church spent 10million, and GLBT spent ZERO on outreach to the same communities.

Either gay.com users simply do not follow the news or think racist attacks on Black people WHO SUPPORT THEM and are also gay are A OK and just don't get why Obama might be a bit "distant" from the LGBT movement.!"

GEE the gall it takes to expect Obama to then put Gay people first, when Gay people IN PUBLIC are quick to turn racist and bigoted and blame Blacks for something the very White Mormon church was responsible for and that's the passage of prop. 8.

[thom]

How come does every one figure that if your gay you love Barack Obama.. I think he was the wrong choice. Isn't it funny we as gays look beyond are American soldiers to people who has served nobody but them selves. Isn't it funny the gays who want freedom cann't even support a man that has fought and gave his life to protect our right to be openily gay in this country. We squabble over the right to marry. By god the gay men cann't even stay together in a loving and devote relationship longer then 3 weeks. I think we should stop and really look at the people we back and not the damn political party.. Think about it Obama is in his forties and he has looked out for his best interest not ours as a country.
Thom Davis
Riey, Oregon..

[splerk]

Black or white, Gay or straight.
Obama is the President.
He just might get us Back in Black like most Democrats instead of Republican Red.
Even Jesus was a Liberal.
A Republicans are only in it for themselves.
So what else is new.

It is what it is.
Just like the options for this poll we are free to vote & bitch about, for those who choose.
Good luck trying to get me to change my vote.

We all as Americans Gay or str8 should celebrate the fact that a Black president has been elected as a 1st step for equality for all.
That tells the World A Lot.

And look at his appointed staff.
Almost all colors of the Rainbow.
How cool is that.

Either way, let's give the man an equal right to see what he can do & it is beyond our control anyways if we all don't get what we want.

Majority rules & unfortunatly We Gays are the Ultimate Minority.
So what else is new.
Live with it & move on any way that you want with it.

And anyone who is waiting for the world to end in 2012, good luck with that.
Wasn't it supposed to end how many times now?
Let's learn from the past & be thankful that the world of Bush Terrorism is finally almost to an end.

I will drink to that this New Year's Eve.
At a Gay bar of my choice as I go there NOT for you fellow gays to judge but for little old me.

lol

Peace On Earch Good Will to ALL Fellow man.

except for Scott
lol

[splerk]

Just kidding my friend, Scott.
You know I still love you.
I am sure your little fairy like flying monkeys will relay this additional message to you.

[Rats Yllek]

Best shows of the year? I don't watch any of the ones listed,I never even heard of pushing daisies.... where is Heroes, my name is earl, 30 rock come on people

[Gary]

BOTH

Brad was concerned enough he's promised New Orleans the effort seems to be larger than what the US government seems to want to do.

Anderson risks his life to show the world what things are really like be it hurricanes or the devastation in Louisiana

It makes them attractive on both sides inside and out.

[Michael]

I am pleased to see so many happy, cheery faces on here. My lord, is this the most negative scene or what?

[David McCormick]

anerson cooper ....by far! no one mentions his privacy and i think he is simply "the best."

[Marc]

The election of Mr Obama shouldn't be hailed just because he is biracial; it should be admired because the individual with the most knowledge, skills and abilities won -- and hopefully the same can be said of his executive staff. However, even though I supported him originally....he is most definitely proving to be homophobic. Remember, it was not just CA that defeated equal gay rights -- it was also Arizona; Arkansas; and Florida. Arkansas being almost more repugnant in that gay citizens of AR can not adopt/foster children; is the revisiting of Prop 6 in CA (not allowing gay teachers) really that impossible to envision -- and other civil rights? Symbols are important and the selection of Ric Warren is a very clear message from Obama. It is true...the Democrats don't need us -- but they should be consistent in their message...their philosophy....and Jefferson stated centurities ago that the minority should not be at the mercy of the majority. Where would African-American rights be if their rights were up for a vote?

[nolaguy]

I think its interesting that so many posts on here attempt to draw a correlation between this issue and civil rights as relates to minorities. The simple truth is that the gay community on cares about equality when it benefits them. I really don't understand how gay groups can demand equality and ignore the ongoing rampant racism in the gay community. It seems very hypocritical to me.

[Frankly]

Nolaguy:

"I really don't understand how gay groups can demand equality and ignore the ongoing rampant racism in the gay community. It seems very hypocritical to me."

Well, by your logic, Black Civil Rights Movement, and others are just as hypocritical because the ongoing rampant homophobia/homo bigotry in the black community. the latino community, etc. etc. etc.

Marc:

I disagree, they do need us. See below.

Jmorales:

Uh. You are wrong.

Problem with polls, and there is no way to fix this, is that people have to self identify themselves as glbt, they didn’t ask.

With that, the overall difference in the openly self identifying themselves as gay vote was 4% in 2008.

http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2008/11/log-cabins-fuzz.html

Obama won with 53%. We have more than an influence. He needs to keep us. We can also be election demographics.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26843704

Several states could flip with the alleged 4%:

Florida 51 % to 48%, Gay 4% could change things.
North Carolina 50% to 50%, gay 4% could change things
Ohio 51% to 47%, gay 4% could change things
Virginia 53% to 46, within 4% swing, and that gay 4% could change things
Indiana 50% to 49%, gay 4% could change things

Now, estimates for the gay population and thus accurate counting of the gay votes tend to be skewed by the fact that gay people are not counted until they turn 18 and admit they are queer. Other minorities are counted for their entire lives from young child to old person.

http://www.echelonmagazine.com/index.php?id=197

Our numbers are not correct because of age, fear, false identification and the fact that not every state polls to see if glbt are voting and for who.

The Mormons are not on the side of Progressives. Never have been. We have not as a consistent force voted with the Mormons. But the African American community? We have. To try and make this racial is dirty. This was homophobic, religious persecution and conservative juxtaposition. But race? Are we to ignore that vast number of certain ethnic groups voted en masse for a candidate? And in doing something that has never been done to that degree influenced a vote against us? Are we to ignore that a group that is supposedly in the progressive wing for so many issues which we as a group have traditionally supported, has gone against us when given a unequivocal chance?

Trying to call people racist is a form of fascism. We are under attack and we are to pretend that we were not betrayed. That is a fatal position to take.

Don’t get me wrong; we need to take on the Religious institutions that came after us. But they were never our friends. But the other groups were were purported to be. Et tu Brute?