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 Sir Ian McKellan
The gay knight
• Being in New York can be like being in a bewildering Woody Allen movie, but I love it for Joe's Pub, where the liveliest acts (Lea Delaria et al.) give out to a discerning crowd — and you can smoke there.
Kate Clinton
Comedian
• The New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Garden Party — and not just for the name. It kicks off Gay Pride Week, and it's filled with power dykes, overpectoralized Cornish gay men, and gay politicos. This year, I'm emceeing and wearing donated Marc Jacobs.
Alan Cumming
Actor-writer-director
• My friend Carmine. I met him when I was doing Cabaret and he was working security at Studio 54. He's from the Bronx and he's Italian, and I'd take him somewhere gay and I'd think, You know, Carmine, he might not like this — and he'd know all the drag queens there. I love how he so lacks prejudice of any kind about sexuality. He represents to me a really great spirit of New York, about accepting differences. He's straight as a die. Believe me, I've tried.
 Emil Wilbekin
Editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine
• Going to "Earth" at Exit II at 10 a.m. on Sunday to dance to Junior Vasquez's remixes of Angie Stone and Jill Scott.
• Homothugs: Only in New York can you see a Cadillac Escalade rolling down 125th Street filled with thugged-out young black and Latino gay men blasting Jay-Z or Mary J. Blige! Holla!
• Safety in numbers: There are so many powerful, talented, successful, and creative gay people in New York City. It's inspiring and empowering!
Murray Hill
King of drag kings
• The way no matter what chichi gay hangout I stumble into, people never fail to greet me with a "Hiya doin', Murray. Let me get you a Rheingold."
Jill Sobule
Singer-songwriter
• People-watching on my block in Williamsburg: gay, artist, or rock musician?
• Toys in Babeland — a great place to see or buy a Hello Kitty vibrator.
 Lea Delaria
Broadway sensation
• The way gay people in New York eschew the constant need to be gay. Difficult carrying that rainbow flag when you're just trying to make rent. Gaystraightbiblackwhitebrownwhatever. We all party together. Bonus points for me, as I adore cheap sex with straight chicks.
Margarita Lopez
Councilwoman
• Ray's Newsstand on Avenue A between East 7th Street and St. Marks, for their chocolate malteds. Every time I come home from work late, I have to pick one up for my partner.
Scott Heim
Author of Mysterious Skin and the upcoming We Disappear
• Other Music. The best CD-record shop in NYC, and the score of mopey nerd boys are always an added attraction.
• Saints. A hideaway bar at 109th and Amsterdam -- a nice long distance from Chelsea.
 Anthony Romero
ACLU executive director
• Out of Our Closet, a consignment shop in Chelsea. Where else can the director of a nonprofit get a Versace suit for $200?
Jackie Collins
whose latest book, Deadly Embrace, is out in June
• Going to a bar with gay friends to watch Queer as Folk, and everyone fighting over Brian!
• Michael Musto. Nobody bitches as well as Michael!
Frank DeCaro
"Out at the Movies" critic for The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
• The Old Chelsea Post Office: Because my postman has Divine tattooed on his leg. Because you never know who you might meet while you're waiting to Express Mail. Because if nobody cruises you, Taylor's is right across the street so you can get a big cookie instead.
Ann Northrop
Co-host of Gay USA on Channel 35
• Cruising gorgeous elegant women on the Upper East Side. (Now, if only I could figure out how to actually meet them.)
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