I want my Gay TV.

• Author: Clinton, Kate
• Position: Unplugged

Good news for anyone chanting, "I want my Gay TV!" We'll soon have not one, but three new gay channels!

Despite the public bonhomie among the three ("there's room for everybody, everyone will find a niche"), they are all rushing to get on the air first. Initially, I worried that the programmers would take any old proven television formula, add a gay, a couple rainbows, and be good to go--Gay Friends, The Gay Shandling Show, Really Judging Gay Amy, Gay Ellen. Those shows were pitched and nixed. A few got through, but the new channels are also developing TV that reflects our lives and tells our stories. And these days, Gay Survivor seems so redundant.

Here! TV, established in 2002, is a pay-service cable network. Viewers can subscribe or purchase individual on-demand programs. In addition to its gay and lesbian film library, Here! is developing original programming. Its ambitious goal is six new series and twelve new films per year. Already in the can are shows on gay parenting, a supernatural soap opera, a gothic horror series, a naval action drama, another about a rogue asteroid, and a hard-boiled detective series. Here! also plans to film live drama and comedy. *

Q TV, launched in late 2004, proudly self-identifies as "a gay lifestyle" channel for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals, and the curious. It is available on the satellite service RCN in Boston, San Francisco, and New York, and is soon to expand to Denver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. It covers gay travel, gay sporting events, including bowling, and gay pride festivals. In addition, it plans to host live broadcasts, though its morning show's title Goad Morning Gay America was spiked by ABC for copyright infringement. It is now known simply as Gay Day.

Unlike the other gay-per-view channels, LOGO, from the cable giant Viacom, is an advertiser-supported, basic cable channel. It will broadcast its movie library as well as an ongoing documentary series, specials, narrative shows, newscasts, and reality shows. Its February launch date was postponed to late June for programming reasons and because LOGO experienced difficulties...