'I've always said that we oughta review law to make sure that people are treated fairly. On Mary Cheney, it's a personal matter for the vice president and his family. I strongly support their privacy on the issue, although there's nothing private when you happen to be the president or the vice president, I recognize that. I know Mary. And I like her, and I know she's gonna be a fine, loving mother.' — George W. Bush at a Dec. 20 press conference when reporter Ann Compton asked: 'Mary's having a baby, and you have said that you think Mary Cheney will be a loving soul to a child. Are there any changes in the law that you would support that would give same-sex couples greater access to things such as legal rights, hospital visits, insurance—that would make a difference, even though you've said it's your preference—you believe that it's preferable to have one man/one woman?'
'Well, I think that it's just very lucky for me that I enjoy being a grandmother and I get to do it for the sixth time. Dick and I are both very much looking forward to this new baby.' — Lynne Cheney, wife of U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, on the pregnancy of their lesbian daughter Mary, to Fox News Sunday, Dec. 24.
'Christianists [ are ] condemning [ Mary ] Cheney for creating a 'fatherless' child, a child that will have no masculine role models. Have you gotten a good look at Heather Poe, Mary Cheney's partner of 15 years? My son has two fathers, but Heather Poe's left labial lip is butcher than both of us put together. Even if Mary and Heather planned on raising their child on a deserted island somewhere, their kid wouldn't want for masculine role models. And if things get too girly at Mary and Heather's place, Grandpa Dick can always take the kid hunting.' — Syndicated sex-advice columnist Dan Savage, Dec. 12.
'I think they [ gays ] ought to be treated equally. Period. I don't see why they shouldn't [ get the same Social Security, tax and other federal benefits as married couples ] . I think that's a proper goal. ... I have a longstanding record in favor of legislation to do away with discrimination.' — Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26, in a 2001 interview with Detroit News columnist Deb Price.
'I applaud that President Bush has appointed three people who are gay. ... That is a big step in the right direction. The atmosphere was totally different 25 years ago, and the issue never arose. ... I have always believed in an inclusive policy, in welcoming gays and others into the party. I think the party has to have an umbrella philosophy if it expects to win elections.' — Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26, in a 2001 interview with Detroit News columnist Deb Price.
'Single hardest social issue for me personally. ... I have a lot of personal struggle with this one ... because the issue is, from my perspective, I think it is right and fair and just in America that men and women who want to live with their partner should be treated with dignity and respect and should have civil rights, as you refer to them. And the question becomes, can you accomplish that through civil unions or partnership recognition and support of partnership benefits? Does that provide the level of dignity and respect that gay Americans are entitled to? Or do you have to cross the bridge into the issue of gay marriage? I personally feel great conflict about that. I don't know the answer. Wish I did. I think from my perspective, it's very easy for me to say: civil unions, yes; partnership benefits, yes; obviously all the other antidiscrimination stuff, yes. It's a jump for me to get to gay marriage and I haven't yet gotten across that bridge, but it is something that I struggle with, and that's just the truth—internally, I struggle with it. ... It's a very hard thing for me. I wish I knew the right answer, because I think some of it has to do with the time and history that we're in. My daughter, who's 24 ... her generation and all her friends believe this issue will completely disappear with their generation, and they could be right about that.' — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards speaking Dec. 29 in New Hampshire.
'As much as the social conservatives might not like to hear it, there will be a time when your grandchildren say: 'What was the argument with gay marriage? Who cares?'' — Gay U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., to the Tucson Citizen, Dec. 30. Kolbe retires Jan. 3 after 22 years in Congress.
'Best thing that could have happened.' — U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., on being outed in 1996, to the Tucson Citizen, Dec. 30. Kolbe retires Jan. 3 after 22 years in Congress.
'The 2006 midterms left Karl Rove's supposedly foolproof playbook in tatters. It was hard for the Republicans to deal the gay card one more time after the Mark Foley and Ted Haggard scandals revealed that today's conservative hierarchy is much like Roy Cohn's milieu in 'Angels in America,' minus the wit and pathos.' — Columnist Frank Rich, The New York Times, Dec. 17.
'There's no evidence that [ Mitt ] Romney's rightward move on gay civil rights and abortion ( about which he acknowledges his flip-flop ) has helped him politically. Or that [ John ] McCain has benefited from a similar sea change that has taken him from accurately labeling Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson 'agents of intolerance' in 2000 to appearing at Mr. Falwell's Liberty University this year. A Washington Post-ABC News poll last week found that among Republican voters, Rudy Giuliani, an unabashed liberal on gay civil rights and abortion, leads Mr. McCain 34 percent to 26 percent. Mr. Romney brought up the rear, at 5 percent.' — Columnist Frank Rich, The New York Times, Dec. 17.
'I find it upsetting that some folks equate being a Christian with being intolerant of gay people. ... It is not true for me. I have talked often of my love and support of the gay community. I have said again and again that it was the gay community that supported me long before and long after 'American Idol' and kept me working and motivated. It is the gay community that celebrated my voice and my size and my personality long before 'Dreamgirls.' ... I love my sister, my two best friends and my director dearly. They happen to be gay. So what?' — Dreamgirls ( the movie ) star Jennifer Hudson in a letter to the Dallas Voice, Dec. 8, after she had told the Voice in an interview that, 'According to the way we're taught, and what it says in the Bible—it [ being gay ] is [ a sin ] .'
'All my friends are [ gay ] , actually—all guys. We just hang out and shop like we ain't got no sense. ... I think the world of the gay community, and I feel like it's an honor [ to be a gay icon ] . The gay community is the hardest community to please, so if they love me, I must be fierce, honey.' — Dreamgirls ( the movie ) star Jennifer Hudson to the Boston gay newspaper In Newsweekly, Dec. 20.
'I collect stamps, Russian dolls and I like to out celebrities. And I don't feel there has to be a legitimate basis of exposing hypocrisy. That's always fun, like a Mark Foley or a Jim McGreevey, who were both against gay rights and gay marriage and [ were ] caught. But I don't think that outing should only be used as a weapon against hypocrites. It should be okay to say Clay Aiken is gay. What's the problem?' — Longtime Village Voice columnist Michael Musto to the Dallas Voice, Dec. 22.
'Homosexuals and lesbians are being paraded as something to be glorified. This is one reason why we will see the downfall of this country, and the other reason will be because of terrible disasters and a lawless nation. The worst part is: What kind of message are these people sending to our children, the ones who might be our leaders in the future? These kinds of behaviors brought down kingdoms and nations that are no longer here. Is this what we want for our nation?' — Ora Mae Hale of Florence, Miss., in a Dec. 30 letter to the editor of The Clarion-Ledger, the daily newspaper in Jackson, Miss.
Assistance: Bill Kelley
