It’s that time – the 2004-05 television season is winding down. Season finales are at the ready, and reruns will be on us faster than you know it. But it seems that, in reviewing this past year’s shows, we’re in a red state of emergency. Network television had fewer GLBT characters representing alternative lifestyles since tracking began back in 1996. I can’t help but wonder – where did we go, and where do we go from here?

So, what’s happening at The Big Three and FOX that’s causing us to vanish from the television landscape? Sure, we still have “Will & Grace,” but that perennial favorite will be entering its eighth season this fall, and how many more seasons can we get out of them? And, of the nine shows that have introduced gay characters to the masses, only seven may be returning for another season. “NYPD Blue” took its final bow this year, and said sayonara to their gay supporting player, John, played by Bill Brochtrup. UPN’s “Kevin Hill” has a gay character (unfortunately it’s not Taye Diggs), and the rumor is the axe is looming for a second season. Also on the UPN, there’s a true rarity on “Half & Half,” a gay male that’s not lily white. ABC’s new show “Eyes” is also representing the multi-cultural factor. Didion, played by Rick Worthy, is African American and (another trend for the networks) a gay secondary character. And, of course there’s the welcomed edition to Wisteria Lane on “Desperate Housewives” – its gay subplot with Bree’s son and yet another hot gardener (Ryan Carnes, who also played it pink in the recent film Eating Out).

It seems our Sapphic sisters are fairing a little bit better. “ER” has Laura Innes, who has been a primetime lesbian four seasons in a row. Two 18-34 demographic hits, “The O.C.” and “One Tree Hill,” both featured same-sex storylines of the female persuasion.

Reality TV does not shy away from us, it embraces the drama that’s inherent even without being forced to compete. “The Amazing Race 7” has Lynn and Alex, two good ol’ boys from WeHo. “Survivor: Palau” had Coby (voted off on the April 14 episode), an openly-gay tribe member of Koror.

But there has been plenty of non-gay eye candy, too. On “Showdog Moms & Dads,” the Bickersons, I mean, Brandon and Ryan, when not squelching at each other, tend to their dogs, Liberace and Daisy (gay it up, sisters!) and hope to be best in show.

Then there’s always cable and its own brand of diversity, allowing a broad spectrum of main characters to flourish outside of non-restrictive standards and practices. “The L Word” is enjoying its second season on Showtime, and does not seem to be suffering any form of sophomore slump. Another Showtime staple, “Queer as Folk,” has its fifth season premiere on Sunday, May 22, and this year boasts such guest stars as Cyndi Lauper (playing herself – she’s so unusual) and Rosie O’Donnell. This season will undoubtedly feature all the trademarks of seasons past (sex, skin, scandal), but with one major exception – it is the last season. After five years of pushing the envelope, and more man-on-man action this side of gay porn, “QAF” will be no longer, disconnecting our cable on what can only be described as groundbreaking television.

When “Six Feet Under” returns from another year in-between seasons (it’s about a family running a funeral home, right?), this summer, according to the HBO website, it, too, will be ushering in its last season – bringing the curtain down on one of television’s most intriguing couples, David and Keith.

So, aside from the expected representation on MTV’s “The Real World,” where else can we seek out our own kind on the hundreds of channels that make up the world of cable? Well, switch the channel back over to HBO, and you can find two gay characters on “The Wire.” One is a lesbian cop (played by Sonja Sohn), and the other is a gay thief who steals from drug dealers (played by Michael K. Williams). It sounds like a premise for a wacky sitcom if ever I heard one, but this show is definitely gritty, and to be filed under D for drama. Perhaps these two could visit the precinct at Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!” where Lt. Jim Dangle (Thomas Lennon) can teach them the joys of busting a perp in Daisy Duke-style shorts. On the N network (does N stand for never heard of it?), there’s “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” which follows the exploits of Marco and his boyfriend Dylan; and another character, Ashley, has a gay father. The Style Network has drag queen Brini Maxwell, and her brand of Martha Stewart tips for the home. So far the only transgender depiction is coming from “South Park,” and Mr. Garrison becoming Mrs. Garrison, with hilarious results ensuing.

Two unofficial gay networks, Trio and Bravo, feature forays into our world and/or shows that we can use as a salve to cover the open wounds. Trio highlights the best in movies, dance, theater and film – sounds pretty gay to me. Unfortunately, it’s only carried on Time-Warner cable. Ty-pi-cal.

Bravo, now what show do they have on that’s remotely, oh, I don’t know, queer? From the diminishing ratings of “Queer Eye for The Straight Guy”, and the one with “The Straight Girl” – you’d think we’d all developed amnesia. Love them or hate them, the Fab 5 gives us visibility, if not necessarily a voice. But if one more straight person asks me about throw-pillow placement, or which tie would look great as a belt…. “The Queer Eyes” not so ironically reflect mainstream America’s need to box us in on the small screen. If we are not accessorizing, moisturizing or stylizing, then we are a threat to the very fabric of morality that makes this country so great, according to staunch conservatives. Who do you think sews the fabric, honey? It’s not Bubba.

But, I digress, and my point is this: We’ve had to sit through umpteen sitcoms like “Yes, Dear” and the like all of our lives, and the time has come to stop using us as the go-to punchline, relegating us to second-class citizenry.

So, where will that change come from, you might ask? The horizon holds three gay cable networks in its grasp, harkening pink-hued days ahead. MTV’s Logo is set to hit the airwaves on June 30, and will feature original programming and a film library amassed from over 200 titles to whet your appetite. Q Television (I have a feeling that Q doesn’t stand for “quaint”) offers up an abundance of shows and throws in some gay flicks for good measure. Here! TV is a blend of original films and theatrical releases, plus shows aimed straight (so to speak) at the heart of Gay America. To find out how you can get hooked up, in a metaphoric sense, of course, visit this article online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for links to their websites.

While “researching” this column one lazy Saturday morning, I channel-surfed myself onto the shores of “The Ultimate Fighter” on the isle of Spike TV, ahem, television for, umm, men. While, this isn’t what I would exactly call “Gay TV,” an exchange between two boxers, Stephan Bonnar and Diego Garcia, led me to the conclusion that gay is in the eye of the beholder. Spouting lines that could have been ripped from a porn entitled Below The Belt, and eyeing each other with savory glances, these two would have felt very at home in a Falcon production. Their banter weight tête à tête of “you gonna makes me’s” and “I’m gonna have to’s” culminated in Garcia saying, “I’ll take him down on the ground and pound his ass, make him tear like a little girl.” Ladies, keep it clean. And until next time, that’s all the news that’s fit to print.