'I'm sorry, but I don't trust someone who smiles all the time, even when they're saying cutting things. I don't trust someone who uses words like 'heck,' 'darn,' and 'doggone it' to show how genteel they are. I don't trust someone who says 'nucular' instead of 'nuclear.' ( Why can't Republicans pronounce that word? ) I don't trust someone who says 'Can I call you Joe?' then calls you 'Senator Biden' for 90 gosh darn minutes. I don't trust someone who says she's a mom when in actuality she's also a grandmother. ( And yes, the unborn child is already a living being and has been for quite some time, according to Palin's principles. ) But mainly, I don't trust someone who has pre-rehearsed answers and gives them even if they don't fit the questions!' — Gay Village Voice columnist Michael Musto ( pictured ) on his blog Oct. 2 after watching the vice presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.
'There's a California Proposition on the ballot that's a little confusing. It's Proposition 8. It's called, 'The California Marriage Protection Act'—but don't let the name fool you. It's not protecting anyone's marriage. Not yours. Not mine. The wording of Prop 8 is tricky. It's like if someone asked you, 'You don't want dessert, right?' But you do want dessert so you say, 'Yes,' which really means you don't want dessert. And if you say, 'No,' which means you do want dessert—it sounds like you don't. Either way, you don't get what you want. See—confusing. Just like Prop. 8. So, in case I haven't made myself clear, I'm for gay marriage. And in order to protect that right—please vote no on Proposition 8. And now that you're informed, spread the word. I'm begging you. I can't return the wedding gifts—I love my new toaster.' — Ellen DeGeneres on her Web site, Sept. 24.
'They are trying to ... stop gay people from marrying, like somehow Portia and I staying at home watching Dancing With the Stars is affecting anybody.' — Ellen DeGeneres on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oct. 1.
'I don't see the marriage of two loving individuals as a threat to anyone else's relationship. I really don't understand the gut reaction that these people are having ( to same-sex marriage ) . I think there's entirely too much preoccupation with what people do behind their bedroom doors. And I think it's unhealthy. ... I don't understand why they have to spend time thinking about it, worrying about it, wondering about it. I don't get it.' — Jeanne Phillips, who writes the Dear Abby column, to the Palm Springs gay magazine The BottomLine, Sept. 26.
'I am optimistic ( about Barack Obama ) . I don't think there's much of a question. I have a lot of faith in the American people not to be idiots.' — Out screenwriter/director/producer Alan Ball ( American Beauty, Six Feet Under, True Blood ) to the New York Post, Sept. 7.
'Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8.' — Actor Brad Pitt in a Sept. 17 statement announcing a $100,000 contribution to the campaign to defeat the Nov. 4 voter initiative to amend the California Constitution to undo the state's legalization of same-sex marriage.
'I don't really have an opinion on it ( gay marriage ) , to tell you the truth. I think people have to do what they feel they have to do. Not being gay myself, I don't have the same frame of reference—do you know what I'm saying? I don't know what it is to feel like you can never be married or any of that, because I am married, I have kids and I have all those things. It's uncharted ground for me personally; I can't even make a comment on it.' — Singer Donna Summer to the Michigan gay newspaper Between The Lines, Aug. 21.
'I went to New Orleans after Katrina. I knew people who died in Katrina. ... The fact that the storm got this type of reaction from this administration—there are not even words to describe how appalling that is. And that we as a country are so cowed by it ... that we, that the media, didn't do anything about them not doing anything. I honestly think people will look back on this era, this administration, in the same way we look back on slavery and go, How the fuck did that happen? What on earth? How could it have gotten that wrong that people didn't see it?' — Openly gay R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe to the magazine Room 100, summer 2008 issue.
'I come from Massachusetts, and they've had it ( same-sex marriage ) in Massachusetts for a long time. And it's fine. The world doesn't collapse. You know, I must admit, I go to West Hollywood—people know that's the gay area. The nicest area, the cleanest area, the safest area. I mean, I don't get it. I mean, if two people want to have something together—the economy is falling apart, I don't care what you do!' — Host Jay Leno on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oct. 1.
'Yes, we have four children and we're trying to find the right time.' — Singer Melissa Etheridge telling the TV show Extra on Oct. 1 that she and partner Tammy Lynn Michaels will be getting married.
'Anytime they ( the Democrats ) touch her ( Sarah Palin ) , it's going to be, 'Oh, she's a woman, be careful.' The Democrats have been so stupid through this whole thing. I can't even discuss it; bunch of fucking morons.' — Comedian Joan Rivers to San Diego's Gay & Lesbian Times, Sept. 11.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
