Metro Weekly

Last Word

Notable quotes from GLBT-related headlines: Ric Weiland donation, Washington Times policy, 'Freeheld,' Iran, Nepal, Jimmy Kimmel

”In his absence, he’s standing up one more time and showing people the way.”

Thatcher Bailey, a high-school classmate and friend of Ric Weiland, a founder of Microsoft who was gay and committed suicide in 2006. Though it took roughly a year to settle his estate, it’s now clear Weiland left $65 million to GLBT-advocacy organizations. (Seattle Times)

”Gay is approved for copy and preferred over homosexual, except in clinical references or references to sexual activity.”

Erik Wemple, Washington City Paper editor, quoting a Washington Times memo that marks changes in the newspaper’s policies, including no longer putting quotes around ”marriage” when between two people of the same sex. The Times editorial desk confirmed the change. (Washington City Paper)


It was a tough movie to watch. I’ve been with my partner for 30 years and it’s always been an issue: What if one of us get sick?”

Sam Joseph, of South Orange, N.J., speaking at a West Orange Oscar-night screening of Freeheld, which won an Academy Award for best documentary short subject. The film follows Detective Lt. Laurel Hester, a county employee, as she struggled before her death against lung cancer and the Ocean County, N.J., freeholders to secure her employment benefits for her longtime partner, Stacie Andree. (New York Times)


”I am Iranian. I want to live here and this society tells you: You have to be either a man or a woman.”

Negar Askar, a transsexual Iranian, discussing her situation in a recent BBC report that finds that while Iran may punish homosexuality with death, the country is second only to Thailand in the number of gender-reassignment surgeries performed there annually, with the support of the religious hierarchy. (BBC)


”We are standing in the elections to fight the discrimination against our community. This is a very symbolic approach to tell all Nepalis that we have equal rights.”

— Sunil Babu Pant, founder of Nepal’s gay rights group, Blue Diamond Society, explaining why he and four other gay candidates are running for seats in that country’s Assembly. Nepali law includes a ban on ”unnatural sex,” punishable by up to a year in prison. (Reuters)


”You take something you love from me and you can damn well bet I’m going to take something you love from you, too.”

Jimmy Kimmel, addressing Matt Damon ahead of showing his special Oscar-night video — a retort to girlfriend Sarah Silverman’s earlier video, ”I’m Fucking Matt Damon” — called ”I’m Fucking Ben Affleck.” Along with Affleck, a number of celebrities joined in, including Macy Gray, Joan Jett and Brad Pitt. (Boston Herald)

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Last Word

Notable quotes from this week's gay-related headlines

”He has gone out of his way to ensure that the department has a new air of inclusiveness and an open and welcoming environment for all employees.”

Chris Hook, president of the Department of Justice GLBT-employee group, DOJ Pride, commenting on Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who last week reversed limits put on the group under previous Bush Administration appointees. (Washington Post)


”The Legislature may decide to prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages solemnized abroad. Until it does so, however, such marriages are entitled to recognition in New York.”

From the Jan. 31 unanimous decision of the five-judge panel of the Appellate Division of New York’s Sate Supreme Court, ruling that the state must recognize legal same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, even though such marriages are not legally performed in the state. (New York Times)


People are most concerned about the crazy war and that the economy is in the tank. That’s what’s driving people this election.”

— Kenneth Sherrill, political scientist with GLBT expertise, offering that gay Democrats are not as concerned with gay-rights issues as they have been in years past. (San Francisco Chronicle)


”There aren’t words to describe how I feel. I’m floating.”

Tiffany Isaman, of Portland, Ore., who joined Clair Shannon in a domestic partnership Feb. 4, following a U.S. District Court judge’s Jan. 31 ruling in a petition argument, which made Oregon the ninth state to approve some form of same-sex spousal rights. (Associated Press)


Trans people are using bathrooms now and have been forever. People probably didn’t even realize they were in there.”

Nora Spencer, director of LGBT Affairs at the University of Florida in Gainesville, criticizing the opposition to a Feb. 4 Gainesville City Commission vote extending discrimination protections to transgender people. Opponents cited issues regarding public bathrooms. (Gainesville Sun)

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These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!