"One change I will never get used to is that everyone keeps calling me 'congressman.' It's ridiculous to hear someone shout 'congressman' and watch each of the 435 members of Congress within earshot turn their heads. Seriously, for my sanity, just call me Jared." — Openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., writing on cnn.com, Jan. 30.
"Newbies are often lumped together and collectively, even mockingly, referred to as 'The Freshmen.' Some of the upperclassmen are a bit snooty and don't talk to us lowly fish, but others are friendly and eager to help." — Openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., writing on cnn.com, Jan. 30.
"I am so sorry for the silence that I had that resulted in duplicity. Because I was never deceptive and never told a lie about other areas of my life. I was perfectly transparent and open. And it was just this one area that I stayed quiet about, and that ended up in a great deal of hurt. And of course I apologize to the homosexual community for the awful impression I gave, and I'm so sorry for the silence. I actually just thought I could handle it myself and my prayer was that I would handle it without embarrassing my wife and kids and without disappointing the church." — Disgraced mega-pastor Ted Haggard to the Los Angeles Times, Jan. 27.
"Maybe the reason Oprah was so nice to Ted was because she probably relates to him in a lot of ways. She's not married with children, you know? Maybe she relates to some of the things he's saying. You know what I mean?" — Alexandra Pelosi ( daughter of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ) , who made a documentary about disgraced mega-church preacher Ted Haggard that is currently airing on HBO, to New York magazine, Jan. 29.
"Haggard on Oprah: I didn't catch the whole thing. But if Mrs. Haggard had been leaning any further away from Ted Haggard during the interview she would've tumbled off Oprah's couch. The body language was ... more revealing than anything." — Gay writer Dan Savage on his blog, Jan. 29.
"Last week, I labeled members of the Mormon church who supported California's Proposition 8 as 'un-American.' I believe Proposition 8 is counter to the promise of our Constitution; it is codified discrimination. But everyone has a right to vote their conscience; nothing could be more American. To say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who contributed to Proposition 8 are 'un-American' creates more division when the time calls for respectful disagreement. No one should use 'un-American' lightly or in haste. I did. I should not have." — Actor Tom Hanks in a Jan. 23 statement.
"Imagine if I told you that I only hated 'the Christian lifestyle,' and not, you know, actual Christians. Hey, nothing personal! I know and like tons of individual Christians, and I've broken bread with Christians, and I've had Christians over to my house. But I nevertheless think that Christianity—just the practice, not the people—is immoral and that no one needs to be Christian—it's a lifestyle choice, and Christians can change! Indeed, I was a Christian once. And while I have great affection for Christians I also believe that no one who is Christian is fit to parent, that Christians should not be allowed to marry or adopt, and that Christians aren't going to heaven because my God condemns their immoral lifestyle. Oh, and I also believe that Christians being allowed to marry infringes upon my right to, um, live in a world where Christians do not enjoy that right. Would you consider me an anti-Christian bigot then? I expect you would ... and you'd be right." — Gay writer Dan Savage on his blog, Jan. 19.
"I'd like to see Obama naked. I think great leaders, charismatic leaders and men who are so confident and who have achieved so much, usually have big penises." — Bisexual actor Alan Cumming to New York magazine, Jan. 29.
" ( I'm ) cautiously optimistic ( about Obama ) . I think as gays, and Democrats, we're used to being disappointed by politicians. Hopefully that's going to change." — Popular gay blogger John Aravosis ( Americablog.com ) to this column, Jan. 15.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
