AOL Music courts LGBT audience
Says "G-Sides" features music that has a strong lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender fan base.
AOL Music has launched a site called "G-Sides, Music for the GLBT Community," which it says features "the gay and lesbian artists we love." But M. Tye Comer, senior programming manager for AOL Music, says G-Sides isn't necessarily a "gay music" site. "This site will talk about all different facets: gay artists, music that has a strong LGB fan base, and even videos that you might not think have relevance to the gay and lesbian community--but do."
At its Jan. 23 launch, G-Sides featured an interview and DJ session with Cyndi Lauper, videos of The Strokes and a duet between Antony & the Johnsons and Boy George. A chart, "This Week's Essential Tunes," links to videos from artists--and presumed gay icons--such as Gwen Stefani, the cast of the Broadway hit "Rent," and, of course, Madonna.