The Gay Agenda

Monday, September 29: Tune in to Bravo tonight to catch the star-studded 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, which recognize and honor the media for their fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. Graham Norton hosts the show, which will feature Barbara Walters, Tim Gunn, Kathy Griffin, Kevin Bacon, Sharon Stone, and Janet Jackson.

The awards aired once earlier this year, but this time theres also a chance you could win a trip to London (including two round-trip, business-class tickets on American Airlines) if you watch the show on Bravo, tonight at 6:00 PM EST, and then answer some questions online.

Tuesday, September 30: Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star and former American Idol powerhouse Jennifer Hudson finally delivers her much-anticipated debut album. On the self-titled effort, Hudson teams up with Timbaland, Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, and the Underdogs for a genre-spanning collection of soulful pop tracks. Hear the album, out today on Arista Records.

Wednesday, October 1: Elton John continues his love affair with musicals with his fourth outing, Billy Elliot: The Musical, based on the 2000 film about the working-class boy from County Durham, England, who just has to dance. A smash in London, this adaptation gives Billys gay cross-dressing friend, Michael, his very own number about the joys of Expressing Yourself. Head here for showtimes and tickets for the show.

Previews start tonight at Manhattans Imperial Theater.

Thursday, October 2: The showdown that everyone has been waiting for -- the Vice Presidential Debate -- is finally here. Hosted by Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., and moderated by PBSs Gwen Ifill, V.P. candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin will duke it out over the critical issues facing the nation. (Or at least we hope it will get all the way to air time; after last week's on/off tease, you never know. Check local listings, as they say.)

Hopefully well get more information on how the proximity of Alaska to Russia equates to foreign policy experience. For a light take on that, check out Tina Fey and Amy Poehlers recreation of Governor Palins gaffe-packed interview with Katie Couric.

Meanwhile, the East Coast-West Coast Celebrity Soccer Match will take place on Manhattans Lower East Side with the Hollywood United Football Club -- which includes Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace), Brandon Routh (Superman), Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heroes), Gilles Martini (Sex and the City), and Frank LeBoeuf (former French national team) -- facing off against Grassroot Soccer UNITED, which boasts Ethan Zohn (Survivor: Africa), Gold Medalist Heather OReilly, and former U.S. Mens National Team players Tony Meola and Alexi Lalas, among others.

The event benefits Grassroot Soccer UNITED, a worldwide youth movement to end HIV/AIDS in Africa. Kick-off is at 12:00 PM EST at Lions Gate Field in Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

Friday, October 3: Pick up a copy of world-renowned rock 'n' roll photographer Bob Gruen's new photo book, featuring behind-the-scenes shots of the New York Dolls, the early '70s band that prefigured punk, new wave, and glam metal rock with their gender-bending style and shambling, sloppy, highly energetic musicianship. (They paved the way for bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols). New York Dolls: Photographs by Bob Gruen showcases Gruens stunningly rich documented memories of the band. Gruen, who also for a time served as John Lennons personal photographer, will sign copies of the volume tonight at 6:00 PM EST at the International Center of Photography.

Saturday, October 4: Comedic sensation Margaret Cho returns to her unabashedly risqu stand-up comedy roots in her newest tour, Beautiful, which hits the Big Apple's Radio City Music Hall. Deemed her raunchiest to date, it is sure to induce fits of hysteria while exploring the perception of beauty in modern society. (Plus, of course, we can expect a few shout-outs to her slightly overbearing, totally endearing mother).

Become a Chosen one and grab tickets through the comediennes official website (a few tickets may still be available). The show starts at 7:30 PM EST.

Sunday, October 5: The West Coast girls and boys should head to the final day of the 11th annual Gay Days at DisneyWorld in Anaheim, Calif. Though the yearly event will be shut down early so that Miley Cyrus can have her birthday celebration at Disney this evening, too, perhaps she'll spin by early to crank out a little ditty for her gay fans. The Gay Days Anaheim website has all the information.