'Given freedom from the constraints of conventional family life, many queers throw themselves into the regimes offered by consumer culture ( Should I trade in my Diesel ensemble for D-Squared2? Should I love the new Shakira album or is she passé? ) or identity politics and their accoutrements ( Am I hairy enough to be a bear? Am I allowed to wear this armband on my right arm if I'm a bottom? ) . We often behave like there's someone waiting right there to cut us down for the wrong choice -- and that that judgment matters.' — Paul Gallant, managing editor of the Toronto gay newspaper Xtra!, in a May 11 editorial.
'Marriage reflects that form of love with which man and woman become one flesh, and realize an authentic communion of persons open to the transmission of life. Only the rock of total and irrevocable love between a man and a woman is capable of being the foundation for the building of a society which can become the home for all mankind. ... Today, it has become urgent to avoid confusion between [ marriage ] and other types of unions which are based on a love that is weak.' — Pope Benedict XVI, May 11.
'The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman. That's what it says.'—Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean speaking on the Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club, May 10. In fact the 2004 Democratic platform says: 'We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. In our country, marriage has been defined at the state level for 200 years, and we believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a 'Federal Marriage Amendment.' Our goal is to bring Americans together, not drive them apart.'
'I misstated the Democratic Party's platform, which does not say that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman, but says the Party is committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and leaves the issue to the states to decide. The Democratic Party remains committed to equal protection under the law for all Americans. How we achieve that goal continues to be the subject of a contentious debate, but our Party continues to oppose constitutional amendments that seek to short circuit the debate on how to achieve equality for all Americans.' — Howard Dean, a day later.
'It's no wonder that polls these days show public support for the Republican Senate is in the ditch. Instead of dealing with the real challenges facing the nation, the Republican Leadership insists on pandering to its far-right wing by this misguided proposal to deny some members of our society the right to marry and receive the same benefits and protections that married couples now have. This so-called Federal Marriage Amendment should really be called the Republican Right Wing Anti-Marriage Amendment. A vote for it is a vote against civil unions, domestic partnerships, and other efforts by states to treat gays and lesbians fairly under the law. It's a vote to impose discrimination on all 50 states, and deny them their right to interpret their own state constitutions and state laws. A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry—pure and simple.' — U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., in a May 18 op-ed column.
'Today's markup of the constitutional amendment [ banning same-sex ] marriage, in a small room off the Senate floor with only a handful of people other than Senators and their staffs present, was an affront to the Constitution. I objected to its consideration in such an inappropriate setting and refused to help make a quorum. ... Constitutional amendments deserve the most careful and deliberate consideration of any matter that comes before the Senate. [ S ] uch a measure should be considered by the Judiciary Committee in the light of day, open to the press and the public, with cameras present so that the whole country can see what is done.' — U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., in a May 18 press release.
'The Republicans are again taking a page from the Karl Rove playbook and using issues to scapegoat the LGBT community with the divisive Federal Marriage Amendment and hate-filled ballot initiatives aimed at dividing and distracting America from critical issues facing our country.' — Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean in a May 3 press release.
'Elton John Takes Stage in Tutu... Boy George Cruises the Net for Sex ... Gay Icon Britney Spears Is Pregnant ... Mrs. Thatcher to Dance with Cocaine Fuelled Gay Man in Drama ... Transgendered Man Deceived Wife for 17 years with Home Made Penis ... Massachusetts Schools Force-Feeding Homosexuality... 666! Senate Votes on Homosexual Nuptials on 6-6-06 ...' — Headlines skipped over during our online scans for tasty morsels.
'Lesbianism Combats PMS, Scientists Claim ... George Michael is going bald ... First Queer Personal Finance Blog Launched by Lesbian Money Experts ... What gets plucked, manicured, and redecorated in Vegas, stays in Vegas ... Is Elton John the saviour of county cricket? ... Hilton says she's a 'fag hag' ... Gay doctor paid patient £12,000 after masturbating him.' — Sample headlines found during this column's twice-daily online scan for gay news, May 4. Also known as, 'Things we chose not to report.'
