We're Here, we're ... They may not have the backing of Viacom, but other cable channels are targeting queer audiences.

Paul Colichman, president and CEO of Here TV, says his network differs from Logo in one distinct way: "We're the only ones on the air," he says, dissing Viacom's fledgling network and others trying to capitalize on the gay and lesbian market share.

DirecTV has offered Here to its customers since August 2003, and the network joined the Dish network in April. But come October 1, Here will operate "along the lines of HBO or Showtime, offering specialty programming that includes theatrical fare--gay favorites like Sordid Lives and Km. 0--as well as original series and movies. However, a major difference is that users will have the option of purchasing single movies on demand, four-hour blocks of Here content, or a monthly subscription. The service estimates it is in 40 million homes. Colichman says he's finished production on Dante's Cove, a gay Buffy the Vampire Slayer--esque series--"and it's really gay Buffy," he promises, "with the most beautiful cast on Earth"--and a Christmas movie starring George Hamilton.

But Here won't be the only alternative for viewers who want their gay TV. Steven Grunberg, Q Television Network's executive vice president of programming, says the Palm Springs-based channel should be launching by the time you read this. QTN will bring its mostly family-friendly gay and lesbian programming to RCN cable subscribers in San Francisco, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Grunberg promises QTN will be a PBS-like alternative to Here, running gay themed indies, concerts, musicals, and the occasional documentary, among other fare. The road show Q on the Move will seek out interesting people, places, and things in the heartland for queer audiences. "We're going everywhere," Grunberg says. "We're going to be into edgier stuff--it's still not going to be porn."

That's where Trojan Networks comes in--starting in October, this channel will offer more than 400 gay and lesbian adult films. In addition to a subscription, customers buy a TiVo-like device to connect to their Internet broadband hookup and TV. But that's another story.

In the meantime, several channels will be duking it out alongside Logo for the once-invisible but now firmly coveted queer cable demographic. "Viacom has to put out a fairly sanitary product," says Grunberg. "We're going to bring up the rear, and--tongue firmly in cheek--that's a good place to be."

Jones is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles.