Dan Savage. Photo by Rex Wockner______
'When we try to have an honest debate about the crises we face, whether it's on the Senate floor or a Sunday talk show, the conversation isn't about finding common ground; it's about finding someone to blame. We're divided into red states and blue states, and told to always point the finger at somebody else—the other party, or gay people or immigrants.' — Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addressing the California Democratic State Convention, April 28 in San Diego.
'Are you ready for a president again who actually respects science and believes we ought to listen to scientists on—oh, let's say, global climate change and stem cell research? Are you ready for a government that treats all Americans with dignity and equality no matter who you are and who you love? Are you ready to replace cronyism with competence again?' — Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., addressing the California Democratic State Convention, April 28 in San Diego.
'I think that is left up to the individual business. I really sincerely believe that that is an issue that business people have got to make their own determination as to whether or not they should be.' — Presidential candidate Tommy Thompson, former governor of Wisconsin, when asked during the May 3 Republican candidates' debate, 'If a private employer finds homosexuality immoral, should he be allowed to fire a gay worker?' After he answered, Thompson was then asked, 'So the answer is yes?' and he replied, 'Yes.' ( Video: tinyurl.com/257krv )
'I made a mistake. I misinterpreted the question. I didn't hear, I didn't hear the question properly and I apologize.' — Gov. Thompson a day later, to the Associated Press.
'I am the first openly gay congressional committee chairman, which means I am the first openly gay or lesbian person in American history to have significant governmental powers. A lot of very important people in the country and in the world are going to have to deal with me on equal terms, which will be very helpful in dealing with the prejudice against gay people. This is a big deal because this chairmanship oversees legislation on banking, securities, the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, the New York Stock Exchange—hard-edged bastions of conservatism.' — Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who became chairman of the House of Representatives' Financial Services Committee in January, to Out magazine, May issue.
'There are probably five or seven [ closet cases ] in the [ U.S. ] House and at least three senators.' — Openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to Out magazine, May issue.
'Sero-sorting—condom-free sex between people of the same HIV status—is a big reason why [ San Francisco has seen a marked decrease in new HIV cases ] .' — Gay writer Andrew Sullivan on his blog, April 28.
'At the same time that sero-sorting has been widely adopted in SF, HIV-infection rates are dropping. And who deserves credit for this 'prevention success'? Average, rank-and-file, commonsensical gay men that adopted the practice without any 'institutional support.' Credit shouldn't go to AIDS prevention orgs.' — Gay writer Dan Savage on his blog, April 30.
'I wish to acknowledge that I did formerly have a four-year relationship with Jeff Chevalier. ... My initial witness statements [ in a behind-the-scenes court case attempting to keep this news story from being published ] contained an untruthful account about how I first met Jeff. ... These allegations will result inevitably in considerable media attention for both myself and BP. ... I have therefore informed the board of BP that I intend to stand down as group chief executive with immediate effect.' — BP ( formerly called British Petroleum ) chief executive John Browne, 59, quitting his job May 1 after he was outed by London media as having been in a relationship with a 27-year-old man he met through an escort service.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
