The L Word star Jennifer Beals. GLAAD photo
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'My appearance is also a concern, especially in West Hollywood. I have silicon routinely put into my cheeks and temples to give me a more rounded look and mask the [ HIV-drug-induced ] wasting. Originally, I thought it was trivial, but it's important not only to have my [ lab ] numbers look good, but also for me to look good, especially when I'm doing public appearances.' — West Hollywood, Calif., Mayor John Duran to POZ magazine, July issue.
'I feel great about it [ being a gay icon ] because I feel that it's a platform for my purpose, which is to bring the love and music of Christ to all of my fans. And because they trust me, I think, they know my music is honest and they believe me to be honest, and perhaps, because of that, they will follow where I'm leading. I want to lead them to Christ and what he has for them, not what I have for them. I have no hell for anyone to go to. I want to lead them to him, I want to lead them to truth. ... I want to lead them to Christ, simply, and whatever he has for them.' — Singer Gloria ( I Will Survive ) Gaynor to BBC Radio 4, July 13. The final sentence was a response to the question, 'That doesn't necessarily mean to you that you see homosexuality as something sinful?' Gaynor paused before answering the question.
'I don't give a shit. I've never cared about the gay rumor. It's so stupid. It's funny because people are always infatuated with that. A lot of the guys that say that are the typical guys that are insecure with themselves. I've heard so many rumors about so many people being gay that it's ridiculous. I've sure you've heard a million.' — Singer Enrique Iglesias to the New York gay magazine HX, July 7.
'It's [ lesbians ] such an insular community—at least, it is in L.A. It's so very small—really, that six degrees of separation thing where so many women have slept with so many others and all know each other.' — The L Word star Jennifer Beals to the British lesbian glossy Diva, August issue.
'The gay community has been my constant supporter. I used to sing in wet bars at four a.m.—I am not even sure such bars exist anymore. Not only did they have respect for me but they also paid me well. I have had many, many setbacks, heartaches, losses and even though I have been very, very low I have never seen rock bottom and that is because when the rest of the world didn't want anything to do with me, the gay community supported me, they literally kept me from a life on the streets. But for them I would not exist. They have been very faithful to me. God is faithful too. So it's God and the gay community that have kept me here.' — Dreamgirls original Jennifer Holliday to Ohio's Gay People's Chronicle, June 22.
'I have been a supporter [ of the Human Rights Campaign ] for six years now. Basically the gay community has been my sole source of survival, especially when I was really down and out. So this is my way of giving back. If lending my name can help them then that's great. I wish I have money of my own to give but I'm not wealthy.' — Dreamgirls original Jennifer Holliday to Ohio's Gay People's Chronicle, June 22.
'I had gastric bypass surgery and lost two hundred pounds. I had always assumed that all my problems were connected to my weight. And then when I lost the weight I realized I still had the problems. I didn't have a career, I didn't have a boyfriend, I can't get along with people. And even recently I have had many losses, many heartaches. I lost my mother to cancer, a couple of relationships that failed. But I am trying to move on. I am beginning to find out how to make it all work, hoping I will survive, that I will make it.' — Dreamgirls original Jennifer Holliday to Ohio's Gay People's Chronicle, June 22.
'I find it particularly disturbing when American politicians and Hollywood people embrace Fidel Castro. I don't know if they understand they are embracing a murderer, a dictator, a man who has been horrible to gays and lesbians, particularly focused on homosexuals. He had a whole campaign to basically, I would call it torture, gays and lesbians. I don't get it when the Hollywood people kind of embrace him.' — Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani speaking with reporters June 21 in Hialeah, Fla., according to The New York Times' blog.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
