The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered crowd has something to look forward to on New Year’s Day other than a hangover. That’s when a new TV station aimed at GLBT viewers will first hit the airwaves.

Located in Key West, WGAY-TV will be the first free, over-the-air gay TV station in the country (it will also be available on line at wgay.tv ).

Although WGAY-TV’s free programming will launch exclusively on Key West cable stations, it be expanding to cable systems across the U.S. later in 2007.

"Our goal is to offer a variety of free programming both online and through local cable affiliates, that will appeal to the diverse gay and lesbian population,” Jason Sherwood, general manager and co-founder of WGAY-TV, said in a release.

“It's exciting for us to create the concept that gay and lesbian vacationers in Key West will have a local network dedicated to them," he added. "A station they can watch from the comfort of a hotel room on their Key West vacation or back at home when they go on line.”

WGAY-TV will be developing and creating original material that is fun, positive and entertaining to everyone visiting Key West and abroad. The station will interchange original programming produced in Key West with content from Pride Nation’s extensive library of programming.

“We feel offering this added content will help brand the network’s birth here in Key West,” Sherwood said.

Until next time!