'The most important thing for me was to never, ever, ever deny it. But I didn't really have the courage to talk about it. I was thinking, Well, the people who need to know I'm gay know, and I'm somehow living by example by continuing on with my career and having a full, rich life, and I am incidentally gay, but it's not a big political platform. I justified it in so many ways. Believe me, I had a very, very long and difficult struggle with my sexuality.' — TV actress Portia de Rossi to The Advocate, Sept. 13.
'Equality is equality, period. When I leave this Legislature, I want to be able to tell my grandchildren I stood up for dignity and rights for all.' — State Sen. Liz Figueroa as California's Senate became the first U.S. legislative body ever to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, Sept. 1. The bill also passed the state Assembly but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to veto it.
'This is probably the most profound civil rights movement of our generation, without a doubt.' — State Sen. Jackie Speier as California's Senate became the first U.S. legislative body ever to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, Sept. 1.
'This is one of those times when history looks upon us to see where we are. Ten years from now there are a handful of issues that history will record where we stood. And this is one of those issues. History will record whether we pushed a bit, whether we took the lead to encourage tolerance, to encourage equality, to encourage fairness. ... And the constituency I'm concerned about is a very small one. That's the constituency of my three children, should they decide to look back on my record and look back and reflect on where I ... stood when I could make a difference. If I stood with those who sought to take a leadership role in terms of tolerance, equity and fairness. And I'll be proud to say I did.' — Assemblyman Tom Umberg as the California Legislature became the first in the nation to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, Sept. 6.
'Today in California, love conquered fear, principle conquered politics and equality conquered injustice. For the first time in our nation's history, the people's elected representatives have taken a stand to protect all families and ensure equality for all. We are counting on Governor Schwarzenegger to lift the burden of discrimination from hundreds of thousands of California families by becoming the first governor in the nation to sign legislation ending discrimination against same-sex couples obtaining a civil marriage license. His legacy will in large part be based on whether he signs or vetoes this historic civil rights legislation.' — Equality California Executive Director Geoffrey Kors on Sept. 6 as the California Legislature became the first in the nation to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.
'In Governor Schwarzenegger's personal life and work in public service, he has considered no undertaking to be more noble than the cause of civil rights. He believes that gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationship. He is proud that California provides the most rigorous protections in the nation for domestic partners. Five years ago the matter of same-sex marriage was placed before the people of California. The people voted and the issue is now before the courts. The Governor believes the matter should be determined not by legislative action—which would be unconstitutional—but by court decision or another vote of the people of our state. We cannot have a system where the people vote and the Legislature derails that vote. Out of respect for the will of the people, the Governor will veto AB 849.' — Margita Thompson, spokesman for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Sept. 7 after the state Legislature passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Proposition 22, enacted by 61 percent of California voters in 2000, amended the Family Code to read, 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.'
'Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was a profile in timidity this week when he vowed to veto a pioneering bill authorizing gay marriage in California. [ E ] ven before receiving the bill, he announced a tortured rationale for vetoing it. For years, social conservatives have accused judges of deciding social issues that should be left to legislators. Now Mr. Schwarzenegger wants to ignore his Legislature and leave gay marriage to the courts or the voters at large to decide. He relies on a fig leaf: five years ago, Californians voted overwhelmingly for a ballot measure that recognized only heterosexual marriages as valid. ... That ignores the fact that five years is an eternity in the fast-moving arena of gay rights.' — From a New York Times editorial, Sept. 9.
'Although he [ Gov. Schwarzenegger ] was initially hailed as a centrist Republican superhero who could appeal to a broad range of voters, his popularity has plummeted, and polls show that most Californians are inclined to oppose his re-election. Only his Republican base continues to back him. Mr. Schwarzenegger's own views of gay marriage are hidden beneath vague, elusive, sometimes contradictory comments that add up to ducking the issue. The former Mr. Universe who has derided political opponents as 'girlie men' is afraid to say what he really thinks. He falls back on a rationale that would leave the issue to the courts or another vote of the people. Anything to get him off the hook.' — From a New York Times editorial, Sept. 9.
'Darling Arnie, You are famous with your muscles and [ the ] heart is a muscle too. But this particular muscle of yours seem to be beating just to be the President. With this veto you may please [ the ] American right but your decision affects all of us in this global village of ours. Here I am writing from Istanbul and pleading for you to use your conscience: Do not use your veto, be a good boy. Bad boys may go to [ the ] White House but good boys make a place at our hearts.' — Letter to the Governator from Kursad Kahramanoglu, secretary general of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, Sept. 10.
