Nearly two days shy of its two-month anniversary, the encampment at Zuccotti Park dubbed Occupy Wall Street (OWS) was cleared out by members of the New York Police Department in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Nov. 15. At a press conference later in the day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg noted that health and safety concerns had spurred the sweep. By the afternoon, however, supporters of the movement had returned to the barricaded area, where dozens of NYPD officers stood in the cordoned-off park. more

Last Friday, a group of 20 men and women, many wearing the company’s iconic Hawaiian shirt, gathered outside the Union Square Trader Joe’s to offer free samples. “What is it, what is it?” a bicycle-wielding pedestrian asked. He picked up a cup and looked inside: a penny. “Would you like to sample justice, sir?” more

Following the historic passage of marriage equality legislation in Albany, New York City is preparing to welcome gay couplesand their checkbooksinto conjugal bliss. more

Reverend Alison Caiola, an interfaith minister, has performed hundreds of same-sex weddings and commitment ceremonies. As a secondgeneration minister, she grew up witnessing both of her parents perform ceremonies for same-sex couples and is thrilled that now she can carry on the traditionlegallyin New York State. more

When The Institute for Human Identity was founded in 1973, it was the only counseling center and non-profit organization that worked with the LGBTQ community in terms of its psychological issues. Back then, homosexuality was still considered a mental disease that needed to be cured. IHI, however, was breaking boundaries by spreading its mission statement: to provide a relaxed, non-biased ambiance of professional mental health services for the LGBTQ community and anyone who felt stigmatized by lifestyles that conflicted with the social norms. Rather than labeling them “sick” or trying to cure their “illness” with prescription medication, IHI treated people as individuals and not mere numbers. This still stands today. more

Hundreds of bare asses were visible walking down West 28th Street this past Sunday. Mesh shirts, studded harnesses, riding boots and backs covered in elaborate tattoos were de rigueur. Despite the heat and humidity, one man wore a gas mask. Another walked around on stilts. more

One documentary filmmaker Lisa Jackson gets an idea in her head, she doesn't back down until it's translated to the screen. Her latest film, Sex Crimes Unit, has been over 15 years in the making. The documentary premieres on HBO June 20, and is the product of countless hours Jackson spent, with and without her camera crew, hanging around the unit of the District Attorney's office responsible for prosecuting Manhattan's sex crimes. more

George Nashak has been trying to keep the peace with his sympathetic smile. Since the meeting began at 6:30 p.m., Nashak, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Adult Services for New York City's Department of Homeless Services, along with Christopher King, an attorney for the city, have been the most visible of the five city officials facing irate neighbors to discuss the proposal concerning a 12-story, 328-bed homeless facility scheduled to open this month at 127 W. 25th St. in Chelse more

So where are these poorly scoring restaurants and what are they? The Health Department lets you search restaurants by borough, neighborhood, score and type of cuisine. There are 85 types of cuisine, which generally refer to a food's nationality or ethnicity (Afghan, Mexican, Cajun), the specific dish served (Bagels/Pretzels, Seafood) or both (Tapas). more

Bikes were locked to just about every available pole or rail alongside West 22nd Street this past Saturday morning as people lined up to enter the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show. Thanks to all of those who attended, supported us and made this such an amazing event, including our main event sponsors: Raleigh, Chrome, Bicycling Magazine,. more