'When someone is in a position of power and they are using that power to hurt gay people ... it's perfectly appropriate that they be outed. We don't do it, but we have no problem with it.' — Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, to the Associated Press, Nov. 16.
'I don't think there was a concerted effort to sweep this under the rug for political gain, because there was really no concerted effort to deal with this at all. It was really a case of people neglecting the issue. Or I shouldn't say neglecting, but ignoring it.' — Kirk Fordham, ex-chief of staff of former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., on the GOP not confronting the congressman about improprieties involving male teenage pages, to the Washington Blade.
'In the area of partner recognition, look at how much progress we've made in just six Patrick Sammon years. In 2000, Vermont became the first state to establish civil unions. In 2001, California expanded domestic partner rights. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to extend the freedom to marry. And also in 2004, Connecticut enacted civil unions. In 2005, California created civil unions in everything but name. And, with the court ruling three weeks ago, New Jersey will—in a matter of weeks or months—have civil unions or marriage.' — National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman addressing the annual Creating Change conference, Nov. 10.
'I'd never kissed a guy, and I was thinking that would be really weird for me. In Cabaret, I was physical with the other dancers onstage, but [ this movie ] was a couple of full kisses. But it didn't affect me. It wasn't even an issue.' — Actor John Stamos about his role as a gay wedding planner in the recently-aired TV movie Wedding Wars, in the Dec. 5 issue of The Advocate.
'It doesn't matter if you're gay or straight; if you're in love, you should be allowed to show that love. I learned a lot about gay rights and the laws and the taxes. ... I have a lot of gay friends—and a lot of them have been together in long-term relationships. Why shouldn't they be able to celebrate that like anyone else? — Stamos in the Dec. 5 issue of The Advocate.
'The first one who comes to mind is Maggie Gyllenhaal. Or Catherine Keener. She's great.' — Actress Rachel Weisz on who she would like to play gay with, in the Dec. 5 issue of The Advocate.
'I think Mary is going to be a loving soul to her child. And I'm happy for her.' — President George W. Bush to People magazine, when asked about the pregnancy of lesbian Mary Cheney, daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, as reported in the Dec. 16 issue of The Washington Times. However, White House spokesman Tony Snow said that Bush stood by his belief about a mother and father being the ideal couple to raise a child.
'We look forward to continuing a great relationship with Patrick. As we enter a new session of Congress, it will be vital to seek out bipartisan support for our community's top legislative agenda items and Patrick's leadership will be essential to those efforts.' — Part of Human Rights Campaign Joe Solmonese's response to the news that Patrick Sammon would be named the new head of Log Cabin Republicans, issued on Dec. 18.
Assistance: Bill Kelley; Also contributing: Andrew Davis
