"My practice in my entire political career when it came to gay issues was to prevent any kind of spotlight from being shined my way, because I was in hiding. So casting any kind of vote might, could in some way lead to my secret being revealed. That was terrifying to me. It was paralyzing. So I cast some votes that have denied gay people of their basic, equal treatment under the law, and I'm not proud of it. I'm not going to do that again." Outed California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, to Los Angeles' KNBC, May 27.
"It's good to see you again. I have to say, you know, I saw this guy down in L.A. at a Barbara Boxer event about a month and a half ago and I wouldtwo points I want to make: Number one, he shouldI hate to say thisbut he really should, like, buy a ticket toif he wants to demonstratebuy a ticket to a guy who doesn't support his point of view, and then you can yell as much as you want there. The other point is, maybe he didn't read the newspapers because we are working with Congress as we speak to roll back Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I actually think he does read the newspapers because he wasn't ashis heart didn't seem in it. He said, 'Do it ( repeal DADT ) faster.' It's like, come on, man, I'm dealing, I'm dealing with Congress here. It takes a little bit of time." President Barack Obama to GetEQUAL co-chair Kip Williams when Williams yelled at him about Don't Ask, Don't Tell during a May 25 fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in San Francisco. Williams was arrested for disturbing the peace.
"If the White House and Congress think that it is enough to acknowledge gay people in speeches and non-controversial memos, then they have made a serious error in judgment. Following in the footsteps of the Stonewall riots, ACT UP and other non-violent, civil disobedience that have been at the forefront of the battle for LGBT equality, we will go anywhere, at any time, to confront those politicians who put their own politics in front of our equality." GetEQUAL.org activist Robin McGehee in an April 18 press release.
"The relative indifference Americans have these days about high-profile people coming out appears rooted not only in progressively tolerant views of gay people but in the rather cynical supposition that stars wait to come out until they see a financial benefit, or have little to lose. ( Ricky ) Martin is past the prime of his career. ( Chely ) Wright is promoting an album and a new book about her life as a closeted lesbian, and her revelation gives her exposure to a potential fan base outside traditional country audiences." From a May 21 article in the Fashion & Style section of The New York Times.
" ( T ) he movement has too many organizations, leaders and egos chasing the same limited pool of donors. The LGBT movement is in desperate need of consolidation, something I've advocated for several years. Unfortunately, it's an idea that is anathema to those in power." Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff in an April 23 commentary.
"Chely Wright, the first openly gay country singer, appeared on Oprah this week. When will Washington catch up to America? Not during the homophobia-phobia of the Obama administration's closet." Writer Andrew Sullivan on his blog, May 21.
"I joined two hookup sites and posted my profile on both of them. I get a lot of views but I get no takers. Only a couple of old ACT UP members wrote to say they recognized me." Veteran activist Larry Kramer to South Florida Gay News, May 2.
"There seems to be, of concern to me, young men that are now sick again or are HIV-positive, and I think that ( is ) because they were too young to see what happened 20 years ago, to know the devastation and the absolute heartbreak that accompanied that time." Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker to Towleroad.com, May 28.
Assistance: Bill Kelley