"Ironic that Same Sex Couples Can Marry in Cedar Rapids but Not in San Francisco - The heartland is now ahead of 'the People's Republic' of California" — Headlines on an alternet.org story, April 4.
"We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification. There is no material fact, genuinely in dispute, that can affect this determination." — The Iowa Supreme Court in an April 3 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The weddings begin April 24.
"If the ( California Supreme ) Court, and if this Chief Justice, vote to uphold Prop 8's damaging blow to American constitutional principles, it will be a terrible mistake, failing their obligation under and to the California Constitution. If in so doing, they compound that mistake by selling short, or sidling away from, the truths set forth so powerfully in Chief Justice George's 2008 ruling—the fundamental nature of the freedom to marry, the way in which exclusion from marriage itself denies equality and imposes the stigma of second-class citizenship—they will do a powerful disservice to the people, to the Constitution, and to history, which for the moment still ranks them alongside the judges who struck down race discrimination and the subordination of women in marriage in the face of the passions of the moment, and were vindicated. Failure of judgment and duty now will tarnish their own legacy, wreak real harm on gay people and their loved ones, and shatter the faith of millions in the courts and their legitimate and crucial role in our constitutional system." — Freedom to Marry Executive Director Evan Wolfson writing at The Huffington Post, March 30.
"I am hopeful—and also watchful. I want President Obama to lead us all to a more inclusive and just America and to inspire the nation to live up to its highest ideals. He can restore balance to the courts and be the spark that re-ignites the fire for civil rights in our country. And there is a clear list of goals—things that we need and have been waiting for long enough: passage of an inclusive ENDA and hate crimes laws; repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and DOMA; fair policies for people living with HIV. But I know that a leader—even one as powerful as the president of the United States—has no magic power. The power of a leader comes from people demanding change and standing up when he becomes a voice pressing for it. We'll be there making those demands. That's what each member of our community needs to do as well." — Lambda Legal Legal Director Jon Davidson to this column, Jan. 15.
"Two of the biggest issues in politics today are that the gays want to get married and also crave to openly be prancing around the military. It's cuckoo times two! While I fully understand the importance of these advances—and I'll fight for them to my gay death—I couldn't imagine two more horrible things for me, personally. I hate the idea of getting married ( It's an admission of utter defeat ) and besides, I always thought one of the good things about being gay is that your parents can never ask, 'Why aren't you married already?' I also detest the idea of going abroad and killing people! It's extremely unsavory and lately it's not even done for any kind of good cause!" — Village Voice columnist Michael Musto on his blog, March 26.
"We're going to lose. I think it was very clear from the oral arguments that the court intends to uphold Prop 8. I've never seen a court so unequivocally telegraph their thinking." — Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, at the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce's 4th Anniversary Dinner & Business Excellence Awards on March 25, as reported by the Dallas Voice.
"Places ( in Iowa ) along the Illinois border, they better start pulling out the floral arrangements and get those cake toppers with the guy and guy and the girl and girl ready. Cause it's coming." — Chicago Male Salon desk manager Richard Biasi to the Chicago Tribune April 3 after the Iowa Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. The weddings begin April 24. Iowa has no residency requirement for marriage.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
