2011 Gifts | Gay & Lesbian

Brewhoho Since the worst part of waking up is the stranger in bed next to you, why not make the best part a cup o� queer joe? Massachusetts-based indie roaster Melissa Krueger debuted her fair-traded and organically roasted Gay Coffee ($13 for ten ounces) at San Francisco�s Castro Street Fair in October. Cheeky blends include Weekend Pass, Stone Butch Blend, Red Hanky Roast and Good Morning Mary. A portion of all purchases benefits the Lesbian and Gay Task Force. Available at gaycoffee.com.

Chatty Kathy We thought former D-Lister Griffin�s comic edge started to wane after the Emmys began rolling in, but the rapid-fire barbs showcased in her recent special, Girl Down, show she�s still got it. Stuff your mate�s stocking with two tickets to Kathy Griffin ($49.50-$69.50) at the Chicago Theatre January 20 and 21, and keep laughing well into the new year. Available at ticketmaster.com.

A Holiday for the holidays Those dashing cityscapes you�ve envied in the apartments of your coolest friends no doubt are the work of local out artist Ben Holiday. His Horizon 2.0 ($395) paints a pretty picture of our skyline, or you can build-your-own-Ben-Holiday online at benholiday.com. Available at White Attic, 5225 N Clark St (773-907-9800).

Soldier on We can�t imagine a more patriotic gift than Our Time: Breaking the Silence of Don�t Ask Don�t Tell (Penguin, $24.95), a heartbreaking and triumphant collection of tales that recalls the failed military policy. Josh Seefried�s book reminds us the fight continues and justice ultimately prevails. Available at Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 N Broadway (773-883-9119).

All the jingle ladies Trans-identified artist and activist Amos Mac put the FTM community front and center with his fabulous gender-blending zine Original Plumbing. Mac does it again with Translady Fanzine ($23), a fine-art photographic periodical full of beautiful ladies who will set your heart aflutter. Available at Quimby�s Bookstore, 1854 W North Ave (773-342-0910).