'I've been hearing from folks: 'Well, the marriage bill will get to the governor's desk, but we know he's going to veto it. He has already told us that.' No. He doesn't get a pass. [ W ] e must let him know he doesn't get off easy. If he's going to veto this bill a second time, he's going to feel some pain.' — Openly gay California Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, as quoted by San Diego's Gay & Lesbian Times, May 3. The California Legislature is the only U.S. legislature ever to have passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, in 2005, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.
'The nation's commitment to human rights requires that lawmakers revisit 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' the current policy that prevents lesbians, gays and bisexuals from serving openly in our armed forces. ... 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is the only law in America today that regulates a group of citizens then prohibits them from identifying themselves and speaking up on their own behalf. Gay soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are unable to tell their Member of Congress or their commander that the policy is an abject failure and they are living proof because they will face discharge. Those who defend our liberties and freedoms deserve better.' — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in a May 15 public statement.
'Older people get laid a lot more than younger people think—we're a lot more randy than younger people think we should be. If younger people think about us at all, they'll at best begrudgingly admit that we can have lovers—long-term lovers, mind you, not five-times-a-week trade—but only on condition that they should be other old people. Well, have I got news for them.' — Gay author Edmund White to Britain's Gay Times magazine, May issue.
'We could sit here with any number of policemen and doctors and they would all tell you if everybody who had a dependence on alcohol changed their mind and had a dependence on weed, the world would be a much easier place to live in. Nobody ever came home stoned and beat up their wife.' — Gay singer George Michael in an appearance on Michael Parkinson's talk show on the British network ITV, May 19.
'Tempests of pique blew up from chi-chi gay circles in California for my daring [ 10 years ago ] to question the way Anne Heche had gotten her claws into Ellen DeGeneres. But I was right as rain, wasn't I? Ellen seems much better matched these days with Portia de Rossi, who commendably hasn't tried to upstage her.' — Author and academic Camille Paglia writing at Salon.com, May 9.
'I appreciate the concern expressed by many about why my arm is in a sling. In order to avoid having to repeat the same conversation, I am sending out this Dear Colleague. I ruptured a tendon in my left arm using a curling machine in a gym, and I had it surgically repaired yesterday at Bethesda Naval Hospital. I'll be using the sling for a week or two, but I feel fine. Thanks for not asking.' — Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., in a May 15 letter to fellow members of Congress.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
