"Rachel Maddow is an incredible talent—she's funny, and smart, obviously well researched on subjects. I'm just not interested as a viewer in listening to anchors' opinions. It seems like there's an awful lot of yelling, and this year yelling's been replaced by sarcasm and snarkiness." — CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on openly lesbian MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow, to the Los Angeles Times, Dec. 28.
"You know, kids, I had high hopes for Clinton, and then he got in and unleashed 'Don't Ask Don't Tell.' I had high hopes for Obama, and he ... unleashed Rick Warren. So I still have hopes, but I'm no longer high. Like so many well-intentioned straight people, Obama doesn't get that we are the last minority that can be dumped on without guilt. I don't see him reaching out to Klansmen in his bid for an inclusive inauguration, but plucking Rick Warren out of deepest Orange County is evidently allowable under current moral codes. The addition of Gene Robinson, clearly an understudy promoted for one matinee, doesn't even qualify for the title of Band-Aid. Kids, the only solution for us is to reluctantly, but firmly, vow to be the unpopular people who force our new leader's feet to the fire on a regular basis. It won't be the first time we're unloved. But if that worries you, note that Barney Frank keeps getting re-elected. At least one of us knows how to play the game." — Gay comedy writer and Hollywood Squares celeb Bruce Vilanch to this column, Jan. 19.
"Prior to my crisis, I was for equality under the law no matter how people grouped. Whether it was two old spinsters living together or a homosexual couple or a heterosexual couple, I think it ought to be the same under the law. But prior to my crisis, I thought the word 'marriage,' I thought it was worth defending the definition of it—the traditional definition of it, and I no longer believe that. ... I think the government should recognize the union between people whether they're gay or not in whatever the language they choose, whether they call it a marriage or a civil union, it's up to them. If the government is going to be in the business of recognizing people grouped together as couples, then they need to do that across the board. It's a big change for me." — Disgraced former mega-pastor Ted Haggard, who was brought down by a gay-sex-and-meth scandal, to the San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 9.
"McCain's gumptious partner, Sarah Palin, ( was ) a walking faux pas who got her cues from the great almighty Gosh ( and who was done much more appealingly by sketch comic Tina Fey than by herself ) . Palin's good-golly demeanor ( wink, wink ) —which was served up in the purpose of right-wing viewpoints and a clear insufficiency of savvy—was pretty much terrifying. Most memorably, she boasted about how, in parts of Alaska, you can see Russia from your back door. Honey, I can see New Jersey from my window, but that doesn't mean I understand it!" — Gay Village Voice columnist Michael Musto in his year-end wrap-up, Dec. 23.
"I think Obama will do more for our community than any elected national official has. What ( that will be ) is hard to pinpoint. He will be under pressure from other constituencies. Clinton wanted us in the military but had to settle for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" — International Mr. Leather founder Chuck Renslow to this column, Jan. 15.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley