"We are imposing great damage on them ( same-sex couples ) by the ... state of California saying they are different and they cannot have the happiness, they cannot have the privacy, they cannot have the liberty, they cannot have the intimate association in the context of a marriage that the rest of our citizens do. We have demonstrated during this trial that that causes grave and permanent, irreparable and totally unnecessary harm, because we are withholding from them ... that right of marriage in the context of the intimate relationship. We are withholding that from them, hurting them and we are doing no good." Lawyer Ted Olson at the closing of the federal Prop 8 trial, June 16 in San Francisco.
" ( Our federal case against Prop 8 ) is the most compelling, emotionally moving, important case that I have been involved in in my entire life." Lawyer Ted Olson as quoted in the Washington Post, June 14.
"It seems fair to say that the trickle of events ( from the Obama administration ) has flowed into a slow but steady stream of smaller, yet meaningful, policy gains for LGBT Americans. But given that the 'hope' president came to the White House endowed with heavy Democratic majorities in Congress and a mandate to forge a fresh course for our country, what could have amounted to a watershed moment for LGBT equality has felt less like a waterfall than the drip from a leaky faucet. Sure, water is getting through, but not nearly enough to fortify or sustain a vilified minority that has been systematically burned by a swarm of homophobic laws that swept the nation as the vast majority of politicians either cheered or turned a convenient blind eye." Advocate reporter Kerry Eleveld in a June 14 commentary.
"I just want people to know who I am and what's in my heart. I kept that from people. I concealed it from everyone for almost all my life, so I'm ( now ) privileged to work with people from all aspects of life, including organizations devoted to advancing the rights of gay and lesbian and transgendered individuals." Outed California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, to the Los Angeles Times, June 12.
"I don't know that I've ever felt more optimistic about the future for myself. I don't know what the future holds, but I think it's going to be incredible." Outed California state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield, to the Los Angeles Times, June 12.
"I do look at Obama as my president. I do look at the Democratic Party as the party I'm most aligned with. But I also don't feel like we need to be enabling our own selves and so codependent that we'll put up with anything. ( U ) ntil we begin to push in a way that says we're not going to back down, I don't believe we're going to get what we want." GetEQUAL co-chair Robin McGehee to lgbtpov.com, June 6.
"I still use the word 'faggot' all the time in my column. Every time that I am on chat shows on cable, I make a point of using 'fag' in reference to myself because I don't think it is a dirty word." Writer Dan Savage to Windy City Times, June 9.
" ( C ) urrent research reveals that the fastest-growing group along the sexuality continuum are men who self-identify as 'mostly straight' as opposed to labels like 'straight,' 'gay' or 'bisexual.' They acknowledge some level of attraction to other men even as they say that they probably wouldn't act on it, but ... the right guy, the right day, a few beers and who knows." New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow citing research by Prof. Ritch Savin-Williams, chairman of human development at Cornell University, June 4.
"Ten years ago, I was the first First Lady ... to march in a Pride parade, and it was so much fun. And one or two of you marched with me and I am still grateful to you." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at her official "LGBT Month" event, June 22.
"I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want." Rapper Eminem when asked by The New York Times on June 14: "You've been accused of writing gay-bashing lyrics in the past. Would you like to see gay marriage approved in Michigan, where you live?"
Assistance: Bill Kelley