'Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.' — George W. Bush at the signing of the Defense Appropriations Act, Aug. 5, 2004.
'I personally believe in gay marriage. He [John Kerry] believes in civil unions, which is still equal rights under the law ... I respect his opinion enormously ... but if you want to get into the semantics of it, that's it [how we differ]. ... [Adding quickly:] I'm very, very proud of my father's politics.' — Kerry's younger daughter, Vanessa Kerry, 27, a Harvard medical student, to reporters.
'I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America's citizens, courage and faith. People have different notions of these values, and they live them out in different ways. I've tried to sing about some of them in my songs. But I have my own ideas about what they mean, too. That is why I plan to join with many fellow artists, including the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, in touring the country this October. We will be performing under the umbrella of a new group called Vote for Change. Our goal is to change the direction of the government and change the current administration come November.' — Legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen writing in The New York Times Aug. 5.
'Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?' — U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., on the floor of the Senate, July 14.
'I want to address these next words directly to President George W. Bush. In the weeks ahead, let's be optimists, not just opponents. Let's build unity in the American family, not angry division. Let's honor this nation's diversity. Let's respect one another. And let's never misuse for political purposes the most precious document in American history: the Constitution of the United States.' — Presidential candidate John Kerry denouncing the antigay Federal Marriage Amendment during his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, July 29.
'You hear them talk about the gay agenda, and I'm going to be honest with you now, the fact is, we who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered, we do have an agenda. ... We even believe, it's true, that when two people are in love and they are willing to be morally and legally committed to each other and financially responsible to each other, that if they are prepared to get married, it's a good thing for the stability of society. We believe that.' — Gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., addressing the Democratic National Convention July 29 in Boston. Frank deviated from his prepared remarks to address same-sex marriage, a topic the Democratic Party had attempted to keep out of the convention spotlight.
'I was in Sonoma for a fundraiser and after I spoke, a guy came up to me and said, 'I wish you were my mom.' ... At least if nothing else, you will have a mom in the White House. ... I will always have an ear, I will always have a heart, and I will always respect and want you to be loved. ... You can call me 'Mama T' anytime.' — Teresa Heinz Kerry, John Kerry's wife, addressing the GLBT Caucus at the Democratic National Convention.
'There will be a time, and it won't be so long in the distant future, where gays and lesbians will have all the rights that every American has. And we'll look back at this time as being ... what was the issue? What were we even thinking about?' — Actor-activist Rob Reiner addressing the GLBT Caucus at the Democratic National Convention.
'I really look forward to looking back on this aspect of our convention [the marriage debate] with some degree of embarrassment for how antiquated it was. ... You're entitled to every goddamned right that every other American is.' — Actor Ben Affleck addressing the GLBT Caucus at the Democratic National Convention, July 28 in Boston.
'A reception like that just makes me want to take my shirt off and dance. ... You know ... my partner and I — Matt Damon — have done more for raising the profile and awareness for gay men in this city than anyone in the last 10 years.' — Affleck.
'Our nominee for president is the most pro-gay nominee for president in U.S. history.' — Lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., addressing the GLBT Caucus at the DNC.
'[People are saying], 'This is the most important election of my lifetime.' Over the next couple of years, we may have as many as four Supreme Court justices appointed, and you and I know that [under Bush] that could change America in a way that we would not recognize. We cannot let that happen.' — U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., addressing the GLBT Caucus at DNC.
'We support full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for these families. In our country, marriage has been defined at the state level for 200 years, and we believe it should continue to be defined there. We repudiate President Bush's divisive effort to politicize the Constitution by pursuing a 'Federal Marriage Amendment.'' — From the Democratic Party platform passed at the DNC.
'If I pay my taxes and do my share with the business of government, I should have every right to love who I want to love, or to marry, or for them to share in the benefits that the government gives in terms of marriage. I can't believe that we even have to explain that this is important. It's something that everybody should be able to understand.' — Singer Ru Paul to the Michigan gay newspaper Between The Lines, June 17.
