Last week, the Gay & Lesbian Times’ 1,000th issue hit the stands, celebrating nearly 20 years of publishing what is today California’s largest weekly gay and lesbian newsmagazine, and the nation’s fourth largest. As you hold the current issue in your hands, you’ll notice a fresh new look that extends beyond the new glossy cover.

Making the change from newsprint to glossy was a tough call. Yes, it looks fabulous. Oh, and you’ll notice less ink on your fingers as you flip through the pages (although those of us in the newsroom sort of love getting our hands dirty. Isn’t that the newspaper biz?).

Yet, while the GLT is looking more and more like a magazine, allow us to reconfirm our commitment to reporting the news: You’ll find our San Diego, national and world news sections virtually untouched. Well, we freshened up the layout a bit, but we all can use a nip and tuck now and again, right?

New to the GLT is the Health & Wellness section. We have big plans for this section. Currently, fitness columnist Ryan Halvorson writes about nutrition, tips for staying in shape, weight training and much more. In future issues, look for a wellness column, covering mental, spiritual and holistic health.

Our community has been defined by the HIV/AIDS crisis for longer than this publication has been in print. With new treatment options, specifically the introduction of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), gay men are living longer, more productive lives, and the crisis of the ’80s and ’90s has changed and evolved thanks to the decades of work you’ve done. No, we will never take our eye off of HIV until it’s eradicated, and our push for greater prevention and education will not cease, but we do recognize the need to address overall health and wellness in the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and this column will serve that need.

Speaking of serving the needs of our community, lesbian columnist Abby Schwartz, a contributor for many years, has decided to focus her energy on her music career, so she won’t be writing her “Queer Abby” column anymore. (We’re sad to see you go, Abby.) Anyone interested in adding a new female voice to the GLT, e-mail the editor at editor@uptownpub.com.

Not long ago, we received a phone call from a community leader about the GLT’s lack of Latino representation. We’re happy to announce that we’ve finally found a new Latino columnist, actually two: Agustín and Carolina. Look for their new monthly column, “La voz Latina,” next week.

Also on deck is a brand new “Military Madness” column, penned by Steve Peña. Steve will cover news affecting the active-duty military and veteran community, in addition to social events happening ’round town.

The wheels keep turning and more changes are on the way, so if you have any suggestions about how we can better serve San Diego’s GLBT community, e-mail us at editor@uptownpub.com or send letters to P.O. Box 34624, San Diego, CA 92163. For letters to the editor in response to our coverage, please include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes. Only your name will be published. Letters must be 500 words or less.

The Gay & Lesbian Times publishes all letters to the editor unedited. Letters received that do not contain subject matter in reference to the publication will be published at the discretion of the Gay & Lesbian Times. In the event that we receive more letters than space allows, all overflow will be posted on our Web site, www.gaylesbiantimes.com.