1 Lesbian couple denied shared bed at lodge In May, we broke the story of a Northland couple who were denied a shared bed at Whangarei’s Pilgrim Planet Lodge by its bible thumping owners. As we reported: Jane expressed her confusion, and says the woman then stated: “we cannot have two women, or men, sleeping in the same bed. This is my home and it is offensive to me.” She then realised what the problem was and asked “so we offend your religious beliefs, correct?” to which she says the woman replied “Yes it does, best you find accommodation elsewhere”. The case eventually went to the Human Rights Commission mediation, and the owners issued a weak apology, but still say gay couples are not welcome to share beds under their roof. 2 X Factor commentary riddled with homophobia In another story picked up around the world, we trawled through social media and found just how prevalent homophobic insults are, with teenage X Factor Wild Card Fletcher Mills the biggest victim. People took to his Facebook page to call him a ‘faggot’ and a ‘homo’ because they didn’t like his performances. One lovely person even said “Ha gay kill yourself”. The show’s male judges Stan Walker and Daniel Bedingfield, who also both have girlfriends, were also the subject of homophobic rants all over Twitter and Facebook. 3 Wrath and wit greet lodge’s sodomy ban The story of the year unsurprisingly pops up again in this list. This time it’s a round-up of the fire-storm it created, and the fun the glbti community had in the face of the weird homophobia of Pilgrim Planet. We particularly loved the fake twitter account with gems such as “please note we will be closed for maintenance next Tuesday due to high levels of sodomy in the area”. 4 Mau and Edmonds slam ‘creepy’ women’s mag The couple’s engagement was the most clicked on story in 2012, and this year Ali Mau and Karleen Edmonds’ anger at Woman’s Day for publishing pictures of them kissing and hugging at a concert was also popular. “No friends would talk to WD! They all know how we feel about that one and it's ‘facts’,” Mau said. Edmonds tweeted: "I don't work for TVNZ so I can say what I like. @womansdaynz you are a bunch of fxxxwits." Mau was outed in the Herald on Sunday as being in a relationship with a woman in 2010, and soon asked gossip magazine to leave her alone. 5 Newstalk ZB apologises for Ali Mau "dyke" slur Ali Mau features again on this list, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Newstalk ZB host Bruce Russell laid into Seven Sharp’s line-up, asking listeners "Is it ok for this programme to be populated by a dyke and a clown?" He apologised on air within the hour, and also to Mau and TVNZ, adding "It's the nature of live radio that hosts sometimes say things they later regret." 6 Falsehood-riddled pamphlet dismissed as garbage There were plenty of lies spread during the marriage equality campaign, but one of the many pieces of rubbish which got under GayNZ.com readers’ skins the most was a flyer warning marriage equality would lead to further youth crime and increased spending on “syphilis, mental health and AIDS”: As the Greens’ Kevin Hague put it at the time: “It nicely illustrates the fear and ignorance that almost always underpin prejudice and discrimination.” 7 Where to watch the third reading Was it the biggest, gayest, most fabulous night of the year? For many of us, yes, the successful third reading of the marriage equality Bill was. There were gatherings and parties up and down the country, as people wanted to be together with members of the community to share the moment in history. Unsurprisingly our guide on where to watch the historic moment was popular. 8 Nearly two same-sex couples a day marry Get me down the aisle! Nearly two same-sex couples a day tied the knot in the month after marriage between same-sex partners became legal. Mara Milano and Whitney Keller (pictured) were among those to say their vows. Registrar General Jeff Montgomery was expecting the rate of same-sex marriages to continue with perhaps an increase as the spring 'wedding season' neared. 9 Rankin made CEO of anti-gay Conservatives In May we revealed former Work and Income CEO and Dancing With The Stars contestant Christine Rankin was the new CEO of the Conservative Party. "My admiration for the party and its leader has continued to grow over the past year or so," the Families Commissioner said in a statement on the party's website. "The energy here is contagious, and I sense that this is the beginning of something very significant for New Zealand." Rankin went on to claim the party is "mainstream" and represents "what every day [sic] New Zealanders are thinking." With Rankin taking on Paula Bennett in 2014, things could get even more interesting … 10 Tui mocks ‘dad’s new husband’ in billboard This was a divisive one: Funny? Mean? A clever reflection of equality? We heard all the opinions under the sun on Tui’s “Dad’s new husband seems nice … yeah right” billboard. “Dad's new husband isn't nice because he is FFFABULOUSS,” responded Cindy Drofhsa, while Laura Dalley said “It's all good we all know what the Tui billboards are like! They're not hurting anyone.” Shane Beveridge added “I think it's in bad taste.......ironic really, I can't stand the taste of Tui myself!” What else was popular? 11 Opposition to Tui billboard sparks death threats 12 Coffey and partner planning marriage 'upgrade' 13 'Rude' couple turned violent when ejected – bar 14 Lodge owner: "we don't make provision for sodomy" 15 Too soon for talk of HIV cure, NZAF says 16 Marriage equality Bill passes second reading 17 Couple pulls out of ZM comp after 'violence' 18 Gay NZ diplomat played "heroic" hostage role 19 Anti-gay lobby group losing charity status 20 Sadness reigns as loved performer passes on GayNZ.com staff - 31st December 2013