After a month of non-stop voting (we received over 11,000 votes in all!), the results are in for the 2011 TLA Gaybie Awards! Thanks to everyone for voted for helping to make the second annual Gaybies another massive hit! The nominees below have all made contributions to the world of gay-themed entertainment and we are happy to have been able to include them in our annual survey. Scroll down to take a look at the winners in each category and don’t forget to support them by buying their DVDs! Check back with us again in 2012 for a whole new set of nominees!
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Best Gay Musical or Comedy
Is it Just Me?Is it Just Me? is one of the most popular gay films of the past year for a reason: This movie leaves audiences laughing and swooning in equal measure. Updating Cyrano de Bergerac for modern gay boys, the film follows an insecure newspaper columnist who strikes up a chat room flirtation with a shy, adorable southerner. A case of mistaken identity ensues when Blaine, the writer, accidentally sends Xander, the Southerner, a picture of his muscular roommate – as opposed to a picture of himself. The film is worth seeing for veteran character actor Bruce Gray alone - who steals every scene he’s in as Ernie, a frisky, older gay gentleman who imparts misguided wisdom on the younger characters. -
Best Gay Drama
Dream BoyA heart wrenching adaptation of author Jim Grisley's tragic 1997 novel, Dream Boy features powerful performances and arresting visuals to tell the story of a lonely, emotional, young gay teen named Nathan (Stephan Bender) and his secret affair with a stunningly sexy blonde-haired neighbor named Roy (Maximillian Roeg). Though the film was made in 2008, it hadn't been released on DVD in time for last year's Gaybie Awards and we felt obligated to include it here. We're glad that audiences and voters were as mesmerized as we were. -
Best Gay Foreign Language Film
Eyes Wide OpenEyes Wide Open has been impressing audiences around the globe since it first premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Israeli director Haim Tabakman, making his feature film debut, crafts this gorgeous, heart-wrenching, romantic drama set within a frighteningly strict Orthodox community in Jerusalem. The story concerns 38-year-old Aaron, a married butcher with four children, who falls for Ezri, his 19-year-old protégé. As if May-December romances aren't problematic enough, the radical “Modesty Guards” of their community are soon imposing threats to keep the pair apart and ensure a tragic ending. It might make you cry, it might make you angry, but it’s certainly a film worth seeing. It’s already well on it’s way to becoming a gay cinema classic. -
Best Gay Documentary
8: The Mormon PropositionIn 8: The Mormon Proposition, directors Reed Cowan & Steven Greenstreet funnel the disappointment and anger that we felt over the outcome of California's 2008 election into an intelligent, must-see documentary which exposes the deep-seated homophobia that exists within the Mormon Church and its staunch ideology. Dustin Lance Black, the writer behind last year's Best Gay Drama winner, Milk, and the 2000 feature The Journey of Jared Price narrates this cinematic emotional outcry. -
Best Lesbian Film
The Kids are All RightJulianne Moore and Annette Benning are excellent in writer/director Lisa Cholodenko's funny and touching depiction of the modern American gay family. Not only did The Kids are All Right cross over from "indie sensation" to "mainstream hit," it was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture - cementing its status within the LGBT-themed movie canon. -
Best TV Series Featuring Gay Characters
Glee"Glee" has mesmerized us with their astounding pop song covers, gripping storylines, and engaging characters - so much so that it has won this category now for the second year in a row! Who can pass up watching Chris Colfer week after week as one of the most endearing gay characters on TV. Or the scantily clad football jocks in the frequent locker room scenes? And let us not forget the malicious Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and her unforgettable delivery. -
Best Lead Actor in a Gay Role
Jerome Elston Scott in Anderson's CrossJerome Elston Scott might not be a household name yet, but give him time. A jack of all trades, Scott wrote, directed and starred in his first feature film Anderson's Cross and he already has two new films in the works! Completely endearing in the lead role as Nick, a teen who crushes on his best buddy (fellow nominee Nicholas Downs of Is it Just Me? while experiencing new levels of sexuality and adulthood in unexpected places, Scott makes it clear that he is a young actor with immense talent and big aspirations. Keep an eye out for him! -
Best Supporting Actor in a Gay Role
Ewan McGregor in I Love You Phillip MorrisEwan McGregor has, easily, been one of our favorite actors since he first burst onto the scene in Danny Boyle's Shallow Grave back in 1994 - we particularly love the fact that the Scottish cutie is NEVER shy about shedding his clothes (see Trainspotting, The Pillow Book, Velvet Goldmine, Rogue Trader, The Ghost Writer, and Young Adam for evidence of his pride). As the eponymous Phillip Morris, however, McGregor is so adorable and charming that it isn't hard to see why Jim Carrey's character would break out of jail on several occasions and risk life and limb to be with him. -
Best Gay Character in a Mainstream Movie
Ezra Miller as Jonah in Every DayAnyone who knows Ezra Miller should probably be familiar with the sensational 2008 drama Afterschool. In that critically acclaimed indie hit, Ezra took the lead role as a strikingly mature, though highly desensitized, high-schooler who videotapes a brutal drug overdose. He's also been in the film City Island, as well as a regular on the hit shows "Californication" and "Royal Pains." Showing his versatility, Ezra's took on the role of a proudly non-conformist gay teen in Every Day, dealing with a well-meaning, but somewhat homophobic father (Liev Schreiber). We're thrilled to see an up-and-coming young actor who isn't afraid to take on a gay role and we're really glad that our voters feel the same way. -
Best Director
Ella Lemhagen for Patrik, Age 1.5Ella Lemhagen has been making films in her native Sweden since her school days in 1986, but with the charming Patrik, Age 1.5, she finally broke through to major international success. Patrik follows a gay Swedish couple who attempt to adopt a 1.5-year-old baby, but end up with a 15-year-old juvenile delinquent and have to find a way to make their new, unusual family unit work. Funny and ultimately touching, this film has been met with great acclaim from both critics and audiences. We're happy to see Ella get some overdue recognition. -
Batshit Craziest Gay Movie (or Collection)
Ticked-Off Trannies with KnivesIt caused quite a controversy before it was released. People weren't sure if a low-budget horror flick called Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives would show the transgender community proper respect - especially when the plot finds the aforementioned "trannies" in peril at the hands of a sinister gang of violence-hungry rednecks. We're glad to announce that this film pushes the envelope way past "proper respect" and well into "bloody revenge fantasy" territory. A relentlessly fun, joyously crazy homage to the drive-in classics of the '70s. Those rednecks are gonna get what's comin' to 'em. -
Sexiest Gay Movie
StrappedStrapped, a dark and dream-like film about a young, highly adaptable hustler who encounters client after client in a maze-like apartment complex with no apparent exit, is much more than just a "sexy" film. But It's certainly not shy about sexuality either! Most of the credit for the film's sex appeal comes from adorable young star Ben Bonenfant, a Best Lead Actor nominee who gives a strong, compelling performance with or without his clothes on. If you haven't seen Strapped yet, we highly recommend you watch it as soon as possible! -
Best Screen Couple
Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor in I Love You Phillip MorrisI Love You Phillip Morris had a long road to home video. Though it was originally expected to hit theaters in April of 2010, the release date was delayed three times and the film switched distributors on more than one occasion. Considered a risky cinematic venture - pairing two well-known straight actors in campy gay roles - the powers that be neglected gay audiences that were eager to see Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as an on-screen couple. Finally, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate Films came together to deliver what we had been so excited to see. And, it payed off! Carrey and McGregor throw themselves into their roles with delightful abandon and it's a treat to watch. -
Best LGBT Blog
AfterElton.comWhat website can you visit to get constant updates on EVERYTHING related to gay and bisexual men in the entertainment world (aside from the Twitter profiles of your most pop-culture obsessed friends, of course)? AfterElton.com [http://www.afterelton.com] is your best bet. Their posts are well-written and endlessly entertaining. You can get lost on their site for hours if you're not careful. -
Best LGBT Film Festival
Outfest: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film FestivalOutfest's stated ambition of "protecting our past, showcasing our present and nurturing our future by fostering artistic expression of gender, sexuality and LGBTQ culture and its transformative social impact on the world" perfectly sums up everything that a gay and lesbian film organization should be about. Founded in 1982, Outfest has been presenting the gay arts to the Los Angeles community and seeing to the preservation of LGBT films for nearly three decades - and they're are still as strong as they ever were. -
Best Fiction
Armistead Maupin's Mary Ann in AutumnThe enduring popularity of Armistead Maupin's series is a sign that we just love our friends - we enjoy hanging out with people that we love. Mary Ann, Michael, Mrs. Madrigal and now Shawna are our family and we owe Mr. Maupin and his fabulous imagination and gift of words an enormous "Thank You." -
Best Erotic Fiction
College Boys: Gay Erotic Stories: Shane Allison, editorShane Allison is a man of many literary incantations - here is the commercial Mr. Allison who edits hotness into the words, paper and e-words of Cleis Press' incredible collection of stories to turn men on. And here is the poetic Mr. Allison - check it out, we love it - http://eastvillagepoetry.com/OldPages/ShaneAllison.htm -
Best Photo/Art Book
Illustrations: The Art of Patrick FillionHaving championed the comics of Patrick Fillion since 2004, we're glad you guys chose his incredibly lushly illustrated and disgustingly perverted new book as the winner here. I really wonder what his therapist hears about if these drawings are the parts of his fantasies that we see.... -
Best Gay Mystery
The Moonlit Earth by Christopher RiceIt's no surprise that Chris Rice's latest thriller rocketed to the top of our website bestseller list and to the top of our Gaybie Awards this year. Mr. Rice's writing just makes you flip the pages compulsively - or is it the particularly dashing author photo on the inside rear dust jacket that you're racing backward for? -
Best Gay Non-fiction Book
Me: Ricky MartinWell he finally comes out of the closet, adopts a child and here's his memoir - what's not to love? The gorgeous pop star tells all of his secret life and now his reasons to live his life as a proud gay man. -
Best Gay Romantic Fiction
J.R. Loveless' Touch Me GentlyDeeply romantic, that's for sure, this is the story of a damaged guy who falls into love - and I use that word "into" deliberately. J.R. Loveless' (you gotta wonder about that pseudonym) has a great rating on Goodreads.com and has sold a ton in 2010. Romance is really where the action is now in the gay book world.
Details of the TLA Gaybies
- Nominees were selected by our staff of semi well-educated, but very pop-culture-attuned staff.
- All nominees will be notified via email.
- Award winners will be announced April 15th.
- Voting is open to everyone. There is no limit on the number of votes you may cast. In other words, to quote Huey Long, "Vote early and often."
- Losers can petition for a recount by contacting TLAgay.com via any communication method they choose. Results may vary depending on a variety of stimuli presented forthwith.
- Categories are subject to change based on no pre-defined set of criteria or rationale that will make sense to anyone other than us.















