[ Mitt Romney ] is so plastic that I bet he has 'Mattel' tattooed on his behind. —Syndicated gay-press columnist Wayne Besen.____________
'It's not because I don't like them [ that I oppose same-sex marriage ] . It's because I like even more the idea that the heart and soul, the essence of our civilization is in the family. It's not in the government. It's not even in some institution, not even the church. Before there was the church, and before there was government, there was family. When you mess with the design, you end up messing with results. We can't afford to do that. That's why you will never hear me waver.' — Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee speaking to voters in Iowa, Dec. 22.
'Gov. Mike Huckabee is establishing an unfortunate pattern on the campaign trail—making statements about gays and lesbians that demonstrate he's out of touch with the vast majority of Americans. Voters should take a close look at the governor's pattern of ill-informed and extreme statements. Gov. Huckabee should remember it's 2008, not 1968, and he's running for president, not preacher.' — Log Cabin Republicans President Patrick Sammon in a Jan. 18 statement.
'I don't trust either Clinton on gay issues. Sure, they're better than any Republican on the issues we're confronting. But they know that already. And they'll never take a risk for gay equality because they assume we have nowhere else to go.' — Writer Andrew Sullivan on his blog, Jan. 17.
'The State prohibits and punishes any form of discrimination based on sex, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, culture, nationality, citizenship, language, religious creed, ideology, political affiliation or philosophical beliefs, marital status, economic or social status, type of occupation, level of education, disability, pregnancy, or other factors that have the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of the rights of everyone.' — From Article 14 of the finalized text of Bolivia's planned new constitution, the first in the world to protect transgender people and only the seventh to protect gay people.
'I think it's wrong for the government to discriminate against people because of that person's sexual orientation. I think that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women to make contracts, to have hospital-visiting rights and to join together in marriage, and I don't understand why it is considered by some people to be a threat to heterosexual marriage to allow it by gays and lesbians. Shouldn't we be promoting the kind of faithfulness and loyalty to one's partner regardless of sexual orientation? Because if you don't do that, then, to that extent, you're promoting promiscuity and you're promoting all the problems that can result from promiscuity. And the loyalty and love that two people feel for one another when they fall in love ought to be celebrated and encouraged, and shouldn't be prevented by any form of discrimination in the law.' — Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore in a video posted at Current.com, Jan. 17. See tinyurl.com/yrazcf.
'Really, has there ever been a phonier, flip-flopping panderer in the history of politics than 'Full of Mitt' Romney? He is so plastic that I bet he has 'Mattel' tattooed on his behind. If Romney became president, it would be like watching a four-year video loop of the movie I-Robot, minus the action scenes. How anyone could actually pull the lever for someone so utterly devoid of character, conscience and consistency is a mystery.' — Syndicated gay-press columnist Wayne Besen, Jan. 2.
'There are too many moments these days when we cannot recognize our country. ... We can only hope that this time, unlike 2004, American voters will have the wisdom to grant the awesome powers of the presidency to someone who has the integrity, principle and decency to use them honorably. Then when we look in the mirror as a nation, we will see, once again, the reflection of the United States of America.' — From The New York Times' New Year's Eve editorial.
'I find the city fulfilling in the same ways I always have. It's so physically dazzling; it has a small-town vibe with cosmopolitan attitudes. And nowadays it's quite simply my home. And something I am so heavily identified with I probably would feel weird living anywhere else.' — Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin talking about San Francisco, to The Out Traveler, spring 2008 issue.
'I think the majority of the American public cares less about it than reporters like you do.' — Singer Clay Aiken when asked by Time Out New York on Jan. 17, 'What do you make of people nagging you about the gay thing?'
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
