Gay icons making a comeback, lesbians banned at The Peel and a city-based relationship registry were just some of the gay moments recorded in bnews throughout 2007.

• The year started with a bang and the 25TH anniversary of Red Raw, the ALSO Foundation’s iconic fundraiser – it was also the last Raw dance party to ever be held.
• The controversial JOY forum on the relocation fund provided plenty of fodder for the bnews letters page with accusations of mismanagement leading to denials, an auditors’ report and member expulsions.
• Glasshouse manager Julie Moody called it quits, leaving Melbourne without a full-time lesbian venue.
• Grey’s Anatomy star TR Knight called a “faggot” by fellow cast member Isaiah Washington.

• Ellen DeGeneres served up a good dose of ‘gay’ to Hollywood by being the first lesbian to host the Academy Awards.
• Bisexual fire fighter Ken Campagnolo from Mansfield was outed by his boss at a Christmas party who then vowed to never give him work because “you’re a poof”.
• American Pie got a queer makeover with the launch of Not Another Gay Movie.
• Crystal meth emerged as a danger drug to the gay community.

• bnews was whipped off the streets with our lesbian escort cover story by Andrea Gilbey, who went ‘undercover’ to get a first-hand taste of love for sale.
• The Michael Neal AIDS case sparked tabloid tales of ‘bug chasers’ and ‘gift giving’ and led to the sacking of Robert Hall, chief health officer. At the same time, AIDSline closed down.
• Vic Presence wowed the crowd at Mardis Gras with their Burn Baby Burn theme.
• UK gay comedian Stephen K Amos tripped out for the Comedy Festival.

• Melbourne City Council opened its Relationship Register, the first in the state and the model on which other councils followed suit.
• Anthony Callea finally admitted what everyone in Prahran already knew – he’s gay – but only after a Sydney radio jock let the cat out of the box.
• Queer comedy hip-hop duo Sista She hit the big time, scoring a gig at the Arts Centre for their House of the Holy Bootay show.
• David Graham proved not all gay men can dance on Dancing with the Stars.

• VCAT’s decision to grant The Peel and proprietor Tom McFeely (pictured) permission to legally refuse entry to heterosexuals and lesbians in order to make its gay male patrons ‘more comfortable’ is met with howling opposition. McFeely is later names by Same Same as one of Australia’s most influential gay people.
• ChillOut announces its return for 2008 with the theme ‘Queer as Country folk’.
• We chat up several high profile celebs, including singer Missy Higgins and Infamous actor Toby Jones.
• The ALP promises to end discrimination at its conference, but remains silent on gay marriage (surprise, surprise).

• The Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Report, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Adoption recommends giving lesbians access to IVF, legal rights to non-birth parents and changing adoption laws.
• Performers and lovers Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston prove you can mix business with pleasure.
• A Getup online poll shows 71 per cent of Australians support rights for same-sex couples.
• Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report from the Human Rights Equal Opportunity Commission reveals 58 pieces of discriminatory legislation for GLBTI people

• Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Musical announces a Melbourne season at the Regent Theatre.
• Gay venues spend thousands on upgrades as smoking is banned, and we investigate Melbourne’s lesbian nights.
• Club 80 and The Peel are sold to new owners who say the venues won’t change
• JOY youth broadcasters graduate from the latest batch of Federation of Young Australia-sponsored radio training.
• Our annual sex issue offers pornomentary docos, sex tips and French rugby boys.

• Zach Douglas makes the final two in Channel Ten’s weary Big Brother series.
• Cover boy Rufus Wainwright reveals his history with beat sex and crystal meth.
• Doug Pollard analyses the new Brumby government and decides it’s pretty gay-friendly.
• Darren Hayes makes a tour to Australia
• Equal Love rally at Fed Square
• National lobby group, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Health Alliance launched.

• Midsumma announces it will drop opening night at Federation Square and open the festival with Carnival on January 19.
• JOY 94.9 appoints Stephen Hahn as its new station manager/CEO and looks at moving to the CBD.
• Registrations for Outgames open up as we focus on the footy finals and the top ten scandals of the year.
• Three people charged, but no-one convicted of the murder of gay man Brian Young.

• Gay animal activist and PETA vice president Dan Mathews tours Melbourne to promote the vegan lifestyle and his book, Committed.
• Acclaimed gay author Armisted Maupin also visits to promote Michael Tolliver Lives.
• A University of NSW report reveals gay men are contracting syphilis, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia at an alarming rate.
• Priscilla receives a bomb threat.
• A program to help same-sex couples involved in domestic violence launched by ALSO.

• Gay icon Kylie releases her long-awaited album, X complete with a sexy drag queen-inspired new image.
• Australia gets a new Prime Minister, our first female deputy PM and a lesbian senator with a high profile portfolio – Senator Penny Wong becomes the Minister for Climate Change.
• Doug Pollard, our news editor, receives a media award from the Victorian AIDS Council for his coverage of HIV issues.
• AIDS vaccine trial cancelled after its revealed it could assist infection.

• Greyhound Hotel withdraws its bid to build a sex on site premise upstairs after huge community backlash.
• Vic state government allows IVF access for lesbians and a range of other rainbow-family friendly laws, but not adoption.
• The ACT Attorney General agrees to talks with the Rudd Government over its civil unions legislations, hinting the ceremonial aspect could be removed.
• Midsumma launches its 2008 Festival Guide.
• bnews goes weekly!