Photos of the Year 

From Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham to comedian Wanda Sykes, if they lent their voices to the fight for gay rights, made a splash or simply made headlines in gay media in 2009, The Advocate was there to capture the moment on film. Take a look back at some of our favorite photos from last year.

2008 Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham photographed at his training facility in Sydney (February 2009).

Sigourney Weaver, starring in Prayers for Bobby, shot New York City (February 2009).

Perez Hilton pokes fun at himself as well as the Miss USA firestorm of Spring 2009 (August 2009).

Bravo head of programming Andy Cohen along with several of the Real Housewives (October 09).

Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban president Raul Castro and an LGBT rights activists, shot in Havana. (Oct 2009)

Artist Kehinde Wiley photographed in Los Angeles (June/July 2009).

Mark Duplass and Josh Leonard, stars of the film Humpday, shot in Pasadena, Calif. (August 2009).

Stonewall veteran Yvonne Ritter photographed at home to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of The Stonewall Riots. (June/July 2009)

Wanda Sykes telling us how she really feels about Prop. 8 (February 2009).