'In this area, we don't deal well with—whatever you want to call 'em. Not that it doesn't go on. There is a couple that have been in this town since I've been here, and everybody just leaves them alone, but it just isn't very well accepted.' — Darell Ten Broek, who operates an RV park in Brokeback country in rural Wyoming, as quoted in a travel article in the Jan. 29 Chicago Tribune. The article was about travel to the areas of Wyoming where the novel and film take place.
'Embrace what you can. Everyone benefits. All tourists are good tourists,' — A tourism spokesman from Alberta, Canada, where the film was shot, to the areas of Wyoming and Canada that will benefit from Brokeback Mountain-inspired tourism.
'You're a rancher. A lot of us here in Kansas are ranchers. I was just wanting to get your opinion on Brokeback Mountain, if you've seen it yet ... . You would love it. You should check it out.' — A male Kansas State University student to the president.
'I haven't seen it. I'll be glad to talk about ranching, but I haven't seen the movie. I've heard about it. I hope you go—you know. ... I hope you go back to the ranch and the farm is what I'm about to say.' — President Bush, who appeared unprepped for a question about the country's hottest film, Brokeback Mountain, in front of thousands of students and professors at Kansas State University.
'The student indicated he was a rancher. The president was simply saying he hopes he goes back to the ranch. Ranchers and farmers are an important part of our society.' — White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan.
'One of the arguments against gay marriage ... is that if it becomes law, all other alternative marital visions will be allowed. We've already seen a Dutchman marry two ladies in the Netherlands. Looks like a happy guy. And now comes word that a British woman has married a dolphin in Israel. Forty-one-year-old Sharon Tendler has tied the knot with a 35-year-old mammal, so age is no problem there. But there might be other issues, which would be, of course, ridiculous to get into, and there is one more thing. The dolphin is a female, Cindy, so you got that going on. Again, I guess this is part of the honeymoon ritual, but far be it from me to know anything about that. Despite everything, we wish the couple the best and we hope to see them at SeaWorld or someplace.' — Bill O'Reilly on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, Jan. 4. ( In fact, the Dutch 'marriage' involved only setting up a private contract. There was no legal marriage. The dolphin event was not a legal marriage either. )
'Did we really need a gay TV network to give us reruns of watered-down Hollywood product or tame gaysploitation films that have been seen endlessly before, and are still seen regularly on other cable channels? Some of these films have only the tiniest or most ephemeral gay-related content. And you can hear language much bluer than that allowed on prudish Logo—and see more passionate gay lip-locks—nearly any day on HBO or one of the other major cable nets.' — Gay journalist and media critic Doug Ireland writing on his blog, Jan. 5.
'You look at the social impact of the countries that have engaged in homosexual marriage. You'll know 'em by their fruits.' — Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., in a Rolling Stone interview, saying he was quoting Matthew 7:16 in the Bible. Writer Jeff Sharlet notes that the biblical reference is often interpreted to mean that a person can judge a prophet's sincerity by his deeds. But Sharlet said in his article that it appeared to be less than a veiled suggestions that gay Swedes are 'fruits,' according to 365Gay.com .
'While you and I are far from agreement on issues of fairness for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, I had hoped we could communicate our differences with dignity. Senator, your use of the term 'fruits' to describe gays sank far below the level of dignified discourse Americans rightfully expect of their elected officials.' — HRC president Joe Solmonese in a letter to Sen. Sam Brownback.
