BEST VIDEO GAME: GEARS OF WAR 3
If there’s anything you can probably gather about the men of Cypher Ave from reading this website is that we like action, guns, explosions and attractive men. So it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that Gears of War 3 was our favorite video game of the year.Don’t get us wrong, there were many other games that we equally loved for other reasons, but when it comes to this website, we couldn’t think of a better choice. The only downside to the final chapter of this trilogy was the sometimes overly plentiful, overly long and overly annoying movie sequences.
Honorable Mention: Batman: Arkham City, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
BEST NON-FICTION BOOK: TRANSPARENT – DON LEMON
You have to love successful, articulate masculine men like Don Lemon because they help break down the one dimensional stereotypes of who we are (feminine, flamboyant, Beyonce stans). Meeting Don Lemon in person was just as inspirational since his personality is just as positive as you’d expect.In the span of just a year, 45-year-old Don Lemon admitted that he was a victim of pedophilia and then the following spring he publicly came out as a Gay man (although before that he wasn’t in the closet, just discreet – many people already knew). In his book, Lemon speaks candidly about his career and personal life, giving encouragement to the rest of us. He’s an inspiration to us all.
BEST FICTION BOOK: MOGUL – TERRANCE DEAN
Terrance Dean is slowly proving to be a influential gay writer in the community. Back in 2008 he released the controversial book “Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry” and caused a bit of a stir. Earlier this year, we posted a response to an article written in XXL magazine on the issue of homophobia in Hip Hop that he’d written.However it was his new novel “Mogul” released in June 2011 that earned him this spot on the list. “Mogul” follows the theme of his debut by weaving a tale based in the world of discreet masculine gay men in the music industry.
Honorable Mention: The Bad Seed – Lee Hayes
BEST GAY PERSONALITY: DERRICK L. BRIGGS
This was a tough one. We could have easily given this honor to Internet radio personality DJ Baker who has consistently been a source of gossip, news, music and Interviews over 1000 episodes of his series, Da Doo Dirty Show.However with the recent ending of the long-running web series, ADTV, and the 2011 release of an independent film in which he stars, we felt that rising Gay personality Derrick L .Briggs edged out to take the lead. Seeing him in Movies, Parties, Pride Events, Miami Sizzle, Web Series, Blogs and Social Media Sites…at only 31-years-old, this guy’s been all over the place. He also seems to be effectively walking the tightrope of appealing to both a younger and older Gay audience, which is key for any entertainer’s success.
While we respect the hustle, we have to admit that some of his work has room for improvement, a lot of room.
It was unfortunate to see his edutainment web series close its doors just as the production quality was improving. Also, the micro-budget indie film he starred in this year will definitely not be winning any major filmmaking awards …but of course we understand that as a new actor, you have to start somewhere.
We love the grind and look forward to seeing what’s in store for the future. ADTV may be done as a series but from what we understand it now lives on as a Tumblr Blog, so fans can still stay connected with Derrick and his continued movement.
Honorable Mention: DJ Baker
BEST PUBLIC ADVOCATE: RICKY MARTIN
When 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/entertainer Ricky Martin leaped out of the closet in 2010, much of the world responded by showing little surprise, especially the Gay community. However the impact he has made as a result is immeasurable. His Oprah interview (embedded below) and the release of his biography “Me” in 2010, helped to begin the healing process in the families of many latino homosexuals and given others the courage to come Out as well.Since then, Martin has not only been a public advocate for equal rights, but also a humanitarian, a devoted father and an admirable example of what the non-stereotypical gay man looks like. Earlier this year Martin was given a GLAAD Media’s Vito Russo Award for promoting equal rights.
While we still have a long way to go, he’s helped to break down prejudices and ignorant fears that have made people like him and other gays feel the need to unwillingly remain “discreet” or in the closet.
Honorable Mention: Don Lemon
MAN OF THE YEAR: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Love him or hate him, The United States President Barack Obama is the 2011 Cypher Avenue Man Of The Year.Look…a lot of consideration went into this and we were very hesitant to give this honor to the predictable, cliched choice such as the President, especially considering that its our first year doing this. He had some massive failures like the continued unemployment rate and that debt ceiling debacle, but let’s face it, Obama had a good year.
On September 20, 2011 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was officially repealed, his infamous birth certificate was produced for the media and the 10-year-anniversary of 9/11 was punctuated with the official end of the Iraq war and the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
As the president shifts into re-election mode, we anticipate that he will be even more visible in the coming year.
