May 2008 Archives

"Absent a stay of the mandate in this case, that number will certainly be very large indeed.... And unnecessarily so if a majority of California's voters favor in November the proposed ballot measure."

Mark L. Shurtleff of Utah, writing on behalf of 10 Republican attorney generals, asking California to delay the implementation of gay marriages until the public votes in November on the issue. They fear an open door to to challenges from gay residents who get married in California and then return to their home states to demand equality. States represented in the letter include UT, MI, NH, AL, CO, FL, ID, NE, SC and SD. (New York Times)

“Same-sex marriage is a deeply contentious issue, but in California the matter has now been resolved by the state Supreme Court.”

Jerry Brown, Attorney General of California, responding that the matter of same-sex marriage has been settled. (New York Times)

"I love To Wong Foo! It's so good, so fabulous.... If you think of heterosexuals, they have white-trash women and trailer parks, and we have drag queens and trannies. I don't know if I'm the one who can explain it. It's, like, drag queens are just there. These answers are hard!"

Designer Christian Siriano, the recent winner of Bravo Channel's TV show, "Project Runway," responding to a series of questions posed to several of NYC's queer "culture makers." The particular question was, "Drag has always been part of our experience and always will be. What is its everlasting appeal? Why won't it ever die?" (Time Out)

"I wish that my words were not taken in that way.... When I was speaking, some comments that I made were not used in the article. I completely support the fabulousness and amazing fashion inspiration that most transgender people provide."

Christian Siriano, in a communication with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The designer, a self-descirbed "flamboyant gay man" known for using phrases like "fierce!" and "hot tranny mess," was apologizing for the perceived insensitivity of his remarks to Time Out magazine. GLAAD says Siriano used derogatory slang and that "tranny" is an offensive slur. (GLAAD)

"I am dressing Whoopi Goldberg for the Tonys."

Siriano announcing that he will be designing an outfit for the host of the Broadway awards show. The next day he appeared on Whoopi Goldberg's daytime show, "The View," to show sketches of outfits. Siriano is a native of Maryland, attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, and is scheduled to host the Official Pride Men's Party at Town Danceboutique in DC on June 13, 2008. (E! Online) (Broadway World)

"(The judge) missed the big picture.... It became an argument on narrow points of the law and not on the voters' ability to function, and I think that was a mistake."

William McConkey, a plaintiff who argued that the ballot question which added a gay marriage ban to the Wisconsin constitution had not been constructed legally because it covered more than one purpose -- to restrict marriage to man-woman, and then to remove the ability of unmarried individuals to access the same rights. Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess ruled that the two were clearly related. (The Capital Times)

"Our policy primarily reflects heightened respect and concern for privacy as it relates to inmate gender."

Beverly Young, spokesperson for the Department of Corrections, remarking on changes that are to be made on gender identification at the DC Jail due to the likelihood that "the agency's policy violated District regulations and increased the risk for assaults." This Examiner article lists several changes including more sensitive procedures to identify an inmates gender based on genitalia, and placing vulnerable individuals into "protective custody." (Examiner.com)

"This is an event that is, on its face, very offensive because they're in there demonstrating their same-sex affection.... It's a party on their part. Most of them hang out on Main Street; they hang out in the restaurants. They want to be seen."

David Caton, Executive Director of a gay- and porn-obsessed "association" that claims to have influenced many government officials and media advertisers thousands of times. Mr Caton appears to be the only actual member mentioned on the "Florida Family Association" site. (One News Now)

"We are surprised by the decision, but that does not mean that Lambda Istanbul is closed down.... If the Supreme Court gives a closure decision as well, we will apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)."

Izlem Aybasti, a member of Lambda Istanbul, remarking on plans to appeal a court's decision to shut down the city's only gay rights group which has been operating since 1993. It is reported that the courts reasoning was based "on the grounds that the group violates the law for the protection of family and public morality." (Turkish Daily News)

"More than 12 police officers came to our office. They did not find anything that constituted a criminal office. Despite this, they seized documents about our financial systems and membership systems."

Boira Bengisum of Lambda, speaking to Radio Netherlands. The news report notes that homosexuality is no longer illegal in Turkey, and that the Taksim area of Istanbul has opened numerous gay bars. However, police are likely using "loosely worded laws on decency" and accusations of transgender prostitution to have the rights organization shuttered. (Radio Netherlands)

"And he (the security guard) goes 'there's a lady whose son says he saw you guys making out, and I did, too. And you have to stop.' And I said 'well, we weren't making out, but we were kissing and I'm not going to stop.... (The security guard said) the mom doesn't want to explain to the kids why two girls are kissing. So I said 'well, I'm not going to stop, so you'll have to kick me out. So he said 'so I suggest you leave then."

Sirbrina Guerrero, who claims she only gave her girlfriend a peck before a mother complained to a staffer at Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. (KOMO 4 News)

"We would like folks to know that we're treating these complaints and concerns very seriously," Hale said. "We've definitely not got a policy that states that if you're gay, you can't kiss at Safeco Field. Our policy is, if your behavior is inappropriate in a public setting, we are going to proactively intervene.... This is not a place where we are targeting people based on sexual orientation or any other classification. Our goal is to have an atmosphere where everyone is welcome.... If it turns out we were in error, we'll do what we can to make it right."

Rebecca Hale, a Mariners spokesperson, responding to a blogger via e-mail about Guerrero's lesbian kiss situation. Hale clarifies that the person involved was a seating host who "addressed a complaint from a guest that two women were 'groping and making out.'" (The Big Blog)

"None the size of UW-Madison.... It is a big milestone, and it's part of the progress that we're seeing at the college and university levels. When you've got more and more openly gay faculty members and openly gay administrators, there are bound to be those who want to aspire to presidencies and chancellorships."

Candace Gingrich of the Human Rights Campaign remarking on the recommendation of Carolyn "Biddy" Martin to be the next leader of the University of Wisconsin. The school is reported to have some 40,000 students, which is said to make Martin the first openly gay leader of a large University. (TwinCities.com)

"I certainly think it's an important thing to have, and I believe that the university's recruitment and retention of staff and faculty depends on benefits of that sort.... Domestic partner benefits are, in my view, a matter of fairness but also a matter of competitiveness."

Carolyn Martin, speaking to reporters about the fact that, as a lesbian, she would be heading a major university that doesn't offer domestic partnerships. (The Capital Times)

"What I hear about the book does not sound like the Scott McClellan I knew for two years. I can say without fear of contradiction, that I knew Scott better than any other White House correspondent or Washington reporter."

Conservative blogger, Jeff Gannon, appearing to claim a close connection to Scott McLellan, a former White House Press Secretary. McLellan's just-released book contains some remarkable, negative assertions about the behind-the-scenes dealings of George W. Bush's Administration. 'Jeff Gannon' is said to be a pseudonym for a controversial figure, James Guckert, who served as a reporter for an internet-only service, Talon News, which ceased operations soon after allegations arose of Gannon serving as a gay male escort. (JeffGannon.com)

"Absolutely not!"

Jeff Gannon later responding to late-night radio talk show host, Alan Colmes, when Colmes asked if Gannon was referring to a sexual or romantic relationship on his blog entry about Scott McLellan. Gannon relayed a tale of "kinship" with McLellan on the show, and said that during his early days as a reporter he would turn to McLellan as a accessible news source instead of McLellan's predecessor, Ari Fleisher, who has said he stopped calling on Gannon intentionally. Colmes also grilled Gannon on how he was able to obtain an unusually high amount of daily access to the White House when he didn't qualify to be granted permanent access as a member of the press. (Alan.com)

"The only way this bill is going to be repealed is when the stories of gay people who want to serve get heard and when that causes people to move to action to demand change.... So I think it's a very effective way of making this point clear. Plus, as any young person who wants to serve their country, I ought to be able to walk in there and make that attempt."

Jacob Reitan, a gay Harvard Divinity student, who says he's ready to serve in the military. He and some others were arrested on trespassing chages after staging a sit-in at an Armed Forces recruiting station in Portland, ME. The station's commander, Sgt. First Class Otis McMillan, appeared to be understanding of the group's efforts, but encouraged them to look to Congress instead. The incident appears to be part of a planned tour of protests that are said to include Washington, DC. [View video of TV report] (WCSH 6 Portland)

"There is evidence that it is causing otherwise very talented people to have to leave the service or to not be able to serve. And that troubles me."

Susan Colins, a Republican Senator from Maine and a member of the Senate Committee of Armed Services, restating her previously expressed opposition to the US Military's gay-excluding policy. [View video of TV report] (WCSH 6 Portland)

"Effective June 17, 2008, only the enclosed new forms may be issued for the issuance of marriage licenses in California."

A quote from a directive from Janet McKee, chief ot the California office of Vital records. Instead of "bride and groom" the forms now contain spaces for "Party A and Party B." Previously registered domestic partners are also to be accommodated. (San Jose Mercury News)

"To deny this fundamental constitutional right to same-sex couples based on speculation about what might happen in November would not merely be inappropriate, it would be inhumane."

A portion of San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera's brief filed against an attempt by an anti-gay group to delay the implmentation of same-sex marriages following the California Supreme Court's recent ruling. (San Jose Mercury News)

"For the first time in over three decades of polling on the issue of same-sex marriage laws, The Field Poll finds more California voters approving than disapproving of allowing same-sex couples the right to marry and having regular marriage laws apply to them. In a survey completed May 17-26 among a random sample of 1,052 registered voters the idea of allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry is now approved by a 51% to 42% margin statewide."

The opening paragraph from the results of a new poll conducted by Mark DiCamillo and Mervin Field for the Field Research Corporation. The poll shows that support has grown and opposition dwindled regarding recognition of same-sex marriages, and a slim majority finally appears to approve. (Field.com)

"The memo was a response to the [NY Court of Appeals] decision.... The governor has been an unequivocal supporter of marriage equality and once the [same-sex marriage] bill passes both houses he won't hesitate to sign."

Risa Heller, spokeswoman for New York's governor, David Paterson, who issued an order to state agencies to overhaul regulations to recognize same-sex unions, because they "should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union. In February, a court ruled that a community college in NY could not deny benefits to a lesbian couple that were married in Canada. An appeal against that pro-gay ruling was rejected on May 8. (Newsday)

"Basically we've done everything we can do on marriage legislatively at this point.... But there are tools in our tool kit on the executive side, and this is one."

Sean Patrick Maloney, a senior adviser to Mr. Paterson, regarding the NY governor's directive. (Newsday)

"We would extend to people who are married in other states, whether of opposite sex or of the same sex, the same equal opportunities in New York.... I am taking the same approach that this state always has, with respect, to out-of-state -- or marriages conducted in foreign governments being recognized here in the state of New York."

New York State Governor David Paterson during a press briefing on his decision to have state agencies overhaul policies regarding the recognition of same-sex marriages. (Associated Press via You Tube)

"A known skinhead has been arrested for attacking two [homeless] transgender men in Sacramento county. [William Johnson, 34,] was stabbed in the leg. Johnson now being charged with a hate crime, robbery, and battery charges."

Reporters at CBS13 in Sacramento, CA in their broadcast TV news report. [video] (CBS 13)

“Our conversations with management never went anywhere.... Gay and lesbian employees can still be fired for being themselves at Exxon, unfortunately."

Trevor Thomas, a spokesperson for Human Rights Campaign, speaking about the need to turn to "shareholder activism" in the quest to get the energy giant, ExxonMobil, to adopt protections for GLBT employees. It is said that the measure has been introduced every year since 2000, and that the May 28, 2008 vote received nearly 39.6% approval which is far higher than the 8.2% approval it reportedly received in 2000. (Fox Business)

"ExxonMobil continues to have the dubious distinction of being the only Fortune 50 company that refuses to add sexual orientation and gender identity to their non-discrimination policy, and is stuck in the ever-shrinking minority of businesses that don’t offer domestic partner benefits... It is irresponsible for ExxonMobil to ignore overwhelming shareholder support and not to join the majority of companies that provide equal protections and benefits to all families."

Joe Solmonese, HRC President, quoted in a press release following the ExxonMobil vote "to add 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' to the company’s official equal employment opportunity policy." (HRC.org)

"[Another] part of our work of commemoration is becoming reality.... This memorial is important from two points of view - to commemorate the victims, but also to make clear that even today, after we have achieved so much in terms of equal treatment, discrimination still exists daily."

Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, who is gay, speaking at the opening of a new Holocaust Memorial in Berlin that is designed to remember the homosexual victims of persecution under the Nazi regime. (International Herald Tribune)

"We wanted to make a story that connects both the homosexual victims and the Jewish victims in a similar way, but, of course, we are also telling a different story." -- Ingar Dragset

"For us it was quite important to have a direct imagery of a love scene -- a passionate scene, an emotional scene -- between two same sex persons. Beacause that is the main problem in homophobia. Like, you can get whatever rights, you can get whatever acceptance on an abstract level, but they don't want to look at us." -- Michael Elmgreen

Ingar Dragset and Michael Elmgreen, the designers of the Tiergarten Park memorial, speaking on camera to the Associate Press. The memorial appears to be a simple, sloping slab of gray concrete but features an opening through which people can view a video of a gay male couple kissing. Another article says that an agreement to change the video every two years was reached after lesbians remarked that they were being left out. A number of similar-looking structures were erected eariler across the street as a memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. (Associated Press video c/o YouTube)

"Samantha is an amazing girl... The entire family are really good friends of ours. There just -- so silly." -- Dina Lohan.

"They're best friends. There just friends. It's ridiculous. Like I said, it's pathetic what people say." -- Ali Lohan.

May 15: Dina and Ali Lohan, mother and younger sister of actress Lindsay Lohan, responding to a reporter's questions on Extra! about Lindsay's relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson. The interview can be seen being interupted twice -- assumably because questions were becoming off topic regarding the family's new celeb-reality show, "Living Lohan." [video] (Extra! TV)

"Lindsay Lohan and her ‘girlfriend’ Samantha Ronson were caught kissing in Cannes last night. The two - who have maintained that they are just friends amid rumours that they are a couple - gave into their inhibitions as they cavorted on the top deck of P Diddy’s party yacht.... it was strange to see that Lindsay - who isn't seeing anyone at the moment - had a ring on her engagement finger."

May 23: Quote from a report in the UK's Daily Mail that includes pictures of Lohan and Ronson. The celebrity rumor mill was set ablaze worldwide by the photos that show. what appears to be, the pair engaging in an intimate hug, and again holding hands and smiling. (Daily Mail)

"Ashley Olsen said hello to Sam at [the Beatrice Inn in New York City], and Lindsay screamed at her, 'Get your 15-year-old 'Full House' a— away from my girlfriend"

May 23: An anonymous Page Six spy allegedly recounting an exchange between Lindsay Lohan and actress Ashley Olsen. (Fox News)

“They are close friends.”

May 23: Leslie Sloane, representative for Lindsay Lohan, possibly trying to dispell rumors that the actress is in a romatic relatioship with Ronson. (CelebTV.com)

"[Their relationship] is evident to anyone with half a brain... Just like the [topless] Marilyn Monroe spread, Linds is my daughter and there are just some things a father doesn't want to see or hear, regardless of whether they are true or false.... [She] is a big girl, and she can make her own life choices. Then it is between her and God."

May 27: Alleged quotes from an e-mail to Us Weekly by Michael Lohan, Lindsay's father, who is said to work at a Christian-based rehab organization. (Us Weekly)

"Former maneater Lindsay, 21, has told her ex-lover Calum Best 27, that she IS engaged to music guru Mark Ronson’s little sis. A desperately seeking attention Lindsay was spotted at the Dolce & Gabbana party on the French Riviera sporting a mahoosive ring on her finger."

May 27: An uncited excerpt from an item that ran in the British tabloid Daily Star, claiming that Lohan wants to marry Ronson. (UK Daily Star)

"I never said anything like that about Lindsay or a relationship with Samantha... I never looked at the pictures! ...so how could I comment? It was applied towards Lindsay. It was twisted and misrepresented.... No [I] never [told Us Weekly about Lindsay's personal life], that’s Lindsay's business. Lindsay can make her own life choices, that’s between her and God."

May 27: Michael Lohan, clarifying or retracting the earlier statement that was attributed to him regarding his daughter, Lindsay Lohan. (Access Hollywood)

"I was saying that it's evident the show is not about being a mom and a manager, the show's not about Ali, it's about Dina.... Lindsay's life choices are up to her.... I don't get involved in my daughter's personal life.... They're friends, they're always together. I hug my friends, does that make me a homosexual? Of course not."

May 27: Michael Lohan, further denying to NY's Daily News that he had outed Lindsay as gay. (Daily News)

"I did witness the murder and chased the accused.... The rest of our group is coping. I will say the Puerto Vallarta Police have been absolutely amazing working on this horrifying murder."

Travel agent, Terry Halverson, in an e-mail to The Capital Times regarding the stabbing death of Felicia Melton-Smyth, a transgendered activist and fundraiser of Madison, Wisconsin. The Associated Press reports that the man who confessed to the killing, Francisco Javier Hollos, said he did so because she would not pay for sex. (The Capital Times)

"If she were here [right] now, if she were looking over us she'd be like, 'It's Memorial Day, and there are military veterans that have lost their lives. I'm not a hero.' But in my eyes she was.... She was just one of those people who would give and give and give and didn't want anything in return.... Just as long as she could make someone smile, that was Felicia's life. She wanted to make people happy."

Dan Leamy, a friend of the victim, reflecting on the well-liked activist's dedication to AIDS fundraising. It is reported that Melton-Smyth's will specified funeral arrangements where "she wanted a party, a celebration of her life complete with music and toys for the holiday drive." A memorial has been set up at GayMadison.org (Channel 3000)

"That's not appropriate for a year book, an annual for 15 and 16 year old children. I just can't buy this. This is disgusting."

Former lieutenant governor and parent, Walter Bradley, reacting to the inclusion of a Clovis, NM high school yearbook spread that features eleven couples under the title, "Do you want to go out?" Two of the photos are of lesbian couples and are extremely tame by most standards. [video] (KOB 4)

"We just wanted to show that there is a diversity. There (are) gay and lesbian couples in the school and they have a right to be in the yearbook just as much as anybody else does."

Student editor-in-chief, Maggie Chavez, at Clovis High School remarking on a brouhaha over the inclusion of two photos of same-sex couples at the school. (Clovis News Journal)

"We don't think that it reflects anywhere close to the attitudes and the morals of the community.... I don't have a child in school but I'm appalled."

Will Cockrell of Central Baptist Church, who says the yearbook issue is mobilizing Christians to attend the school board's next meeting. (Clovis News Journal)

"As of Monday afternoon, this topic had attracted 140 anonymous comments on our Web site -- a record for any topic --- and many are laced with venomous attacks on Christians or gays."

A Clovis News Journal editorial listing a number of heated points from various sides of the year book debate. (Clovis News Journal)

"They're free to exercise their First Amendment rights.... What they're not free to do is get a benefit from the city while violating our policy."

Philadelphia City Solicitor Shelley Smith responding to a law suit by Cradle of Liberty Council, a Boy Scout chapter that currently pays $1 a year for a space that is said to be worth $200,000. At the heart of the matter is the gay-excluding policy of the national parent organization, Boy Scouts of America. The local chapter is reported to have rescinded a 2003 nondiscrimination policy because BSoA balked. Compromise language to bar "unlawful discrimination" took it's place. Cradle of Liberty Council claims that it's being illegally censored and singled out. (Centre Daily Times)

"The affair heated up last year, and the pair have been seeing each other since then.... She must have plain bowled Jodie over" -- A source talking to The Daily Mail

"[Cindy Mort is] very successful, and very keen to be in the public eye - quite a loud person, a show-off type." -- A fellow writer

"Look, everyone thought that Jodie and Cydney were for ever.... This was a romance which sailed totally under the radar and was completely happy. People are astonished that Jodie has dumped her. Mid-life crisis? Well, that would be one way to explain it." -- A Hollywood Insider

Unnamed sources of the Daily Mail speculating on actress Jodie Foster's alleged new relationship with Hollywood producer Cindy Mort, and her alleged break up with long-time partner Cydney Bernard who she only publicly acknowledged last year. (The Mail Online)

"There is no £250,000 agreement, I have never sought £250,000 and neither would I accept it.... I have been trying to negotiate my resignation with the Army so I can just get on with my life.... I thought I was making some progress and was feeling positive about the talks.... Now I feel crushed by this. Someone came up to me in the street yesterday and called me a money grabber, which is just not fair."

Ex-paratrooper Jan Hamilton, upset with the press for reporting falsely that she had received an out-of-court settlment. Apparently she did sue the UK Army for unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination for allegedly refusing to wear a male uniform for a medical check-up. (Blackpool Gazette)

"I will not sign the proclamation! I will not sign the permit if it comes to me for the parade. And I will not authorize the rainbow banners out the city right of way. It's really just that simple."

Mayor Larry Langford speaking to Fox 6 Birmingham against Gay Pride taking part in his city of Alabama. The reporter adds that, "Langford says, if it were up to him, the parade wouldn't happen." [video] (Fox 6 Birmingham)

"As long as I don't have to sign it, I won't interfere with it.... As long as they are conducting themselves orderly, it's not an issue for me.... I'll talk to any citizen of the city... They're making an issue that is between them and God, not between them and me. I do not condone that lifestyle, but they knew that before they even came to me."

Birmingham, Alabama Mayor Larry Langford, saying that he won't interfere with Central Alabama Pride's permit requests to celebrate Pride. But he strongly emphasizes that he will not approve the placement of pride flags nor sign a proclamation acknowledging the event as other recent mayors of the city have. (The Birmingham News)

"My policy is don't ask because it's not my business, and don't put me in the position to make it my business... I don't condone it, but I also am not sitting in judgment on anyone. I don't think I'm intolerant, I just don't condone the lifestyle... Your personal lifestyle should be nobody's issue but yours. It's not a civil rights issue, it's a personal choice issue."

More reaction from Mayor Langford who, apparently, doesn't "condone" people being gay. The Birmingham News article also states that the mayor added that "anyone familiar with his personality and religious views should not be surprised by the denial." (The Birmingham News)

"This is the diversity the country wants, the diversity that we have to foster as a country seeking a tourist niche among the gay community."

Tourism Minister and former Mayor of Sao Paulo, Marta Suplicy. The Pride event is a "big money-earner for the city and for tourism" and (depending on who's being asked) estimates of parade participation range from over one million to as many as three or five million. (Reuters)

"We can't afford for Lachlan to go at the moment. But Johnson & Johnson offer grants to go to Beijing and I've nominated Lachlan as the support person I want to go."

Matthew Mitcham, 20, subtly coming out to Australia's Sidney Morning Herald by mentioning that he'd like for his boyfriend, Lachlan, to join him as he competes at the August Olympics in Beijing, China. In the interview, he also talks about coming back from taking time off to party and having suffered with anxiety and depression as a teenager. The Post reports that he earned gold at the USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month. See video of one of his winnning dives at YouTube.

"The character [Stanford] is -- what's the best way to say this? -- slightly flamboyant. It's a very specific kind of character that I am not in my real life. To me, it always felt a little over the top, but people who are more attuned to that community feel that it's actually right on."

Actor Willie Garson responding to how his "Sex and the City" character, Stanford Blatch, is different than him. (Entertainment Weekly)

"Why do people always talk about how gay men are writing the women and they never talk about how straight women are writing the men?... It's interesting, Mr. Big is written by women and they wrote him well and understand him."

Michael Patrick King, director of the film version of "Sex and the City," responding to long-running comments that the behavior of the female leads in the show are based more on the lifestyles of gay men because the show is in-part created by gay men. (Winnipeg Sun)

I've never had Manolo (Blahniks) on, I've never been in high heels. I really have seen enough shoes (working on the show). It's like a gynecologist that goes home and says, 'Honey please, I've seen enough of those today....' And here's another thing, I rarely say the word 'Fabulous!' because I've typed it a million times."

"Sex and the City" creator Darren Star, a gay man who created the TV show and film about four single women's relationships in Manhattan that was based on a book by author Candace Bushnell. (Winnipeg Sun)

"In terms of my sexual orientation changing, I don't really feel that it did. I don't feel any different. I don't feel like there was some deep hidden part of myself or my sexuality that I wasn't aware of. I felt like I have been with men all my life. I had never met a woman that I had fallen in love with before--but when I did, it didn't seem so strange. There are people who feel like they're only gay. Then there are people who feel like they're only straight. But to me, it's not so strange.... I always avoided marriage in the past. I was always wary of it. I also thought of marriage as a thing that is expected of a woman, so I was rebelling a bit. My girlfriend and I can't get married. Not in New York but if it (same-sex marriage) does become legal, I think we would (get married). I feel that, first of all, it's something that she's interested in. It was not something that my boyfriend was ever interested in."

Actress Cynthia Nixon, who has been dating her girlfriend, Christine Marinoni, since January 2004, in an interview discussing her "Sex and the City" character, Miranda Hobbes, doing a nude scene, and receiving treatment for breast cancer. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

"People are under the misguided perception that 'don't ask, don't tell' means don't show up to work in drag.... Many of our cases are about people who are told on. They had a bad breakup. An ex says, 'Screw you, I'm going to your command.'"

Victor Maldonado, Communications Associate of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, during remarks on a "procedural win" in the case of Air Force Major Margaret Witt. A federal Court of Appeals has revived her case with a ruling that the military must prove the importance of the government's interest in discharging homosexuals. (Air Force Times)

"Yaoi are Japanese manga about male-male relationships, but they're written and drawn by women, for women.... Antique Bakery is about three gay guys who run a French bakery.... [All Nippon Air Line (ANAL) is] about an airline that only has beautiful boys working as stewards, and occasionally you get to have sex with them.... When I was in Japan, I found these comics called baru, which is bear porn. [Famous illustrator Gengoroh Tagame] draws this erotic-grotesque stuff.... [Beef Jam is furry porn] about a tiger that turns into a hot guy and then has sex with another hot guy, and sometimes the other guy is also part-tiger when they do it. So that's hot."

Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling store in Toronto, using his expertise to explain the ins and outs of Japan's comic book industry -- gay to straight, romantic to explicit -- and how it transfers to North American audiences. Toronto is hosting the Anime North 2008 convention this weekend. (Eye Weekly)

"We recieved a complaint on the Gamertag ["TheGayerGamer"] and determined that it did indeed contain sexual innuendo. Now granted, there could be an argument that the text is not pejorative to homosexuality and should therefore be allowed.  But there is no context to explain that.  Gamertags are visible to everyone and it would be hard for me to defend to a parent of a young child who saw it that the name did not contain content of a sexual nature.... To answer the question another way, yes "TheStraighterGamer" or "TheHeterosexualgamer" would have gotten the same treatment...."

An excerpt from a lengthy blog entry by Microsoft's Xbox team member, Stephen Toulouse, in which he explains the company's reasons for banning a gay-related name from the video game network. Toulouse amended the top of his blog to emphasize his support for GLBT civil rights and marriage rights, adoption rights and workplace rights, adding that the notion that he or Microsoft are homophobic is "taking the matter too far." (StepTo.com)

"A person is capable of knowing what's really important to him and can go beyond his feelings. When you want a candy, for example, you can resist and have it later. And you can trade it for a piece of chocolate."

Alleged psychologist, Lena Wojdan, of the private, catholic Odwaga Center in Poland, using an odd metaphor to explain how they try to rid gays, lesbians and bisexuals of their "homosexual tendencies." Reported methods of "treatment" include teaching men to play football and women to do the cooking. (AFP Video at Yahoo)

"Actually, no. I never listened to disco, really. It's strange, but when I listen to the record, it relates to me just as a modern, futuristic, mainstream electronic pop record. I don't have those references in my head, so I can't really refer to it as disco. So the way it registers in my ears is just as some new kind of pop."

NY TG singer Nomi in an interview promoting a new album and tour of the band Hercules and Love Affair which has a sound connected to early house and disco. (This is Nottingham)

"And last year, when we were showing the film in South Africa, there was a lot of protest. The Muslim Judicial Council in that country issued a judgment saying that people should not go and see the film, and they called Muhsin and myself apostates. Now, the sin of apostasy in Islam carries the death penalty. This was read out in 300 mosques in Cape Town. But what was really interesting was that Muslims turned up in very large numbers to see the film because of what the Muslim Judicial Council had said. So--and his daughter, who is now fourteen, stood up on stage with her father, and she said, "I don't care what the Muslim leadership thinks about my father. If they think being gay is a problem, that's their problem, not ours."

Director Parvez Sharma, remarking on a screening of his film, "A Jihad For Love," which examines the lives of a gay imam in South Africa, an Egyptian who fled to France, and a lesbian couple in Turkey. (Democracy Now)

"Gay audiences do love their ageing divas, but I think Sheena Easton is pushing things too far. In Scotland straight and gay audiences both tend not to like people who go away, change their accent and lose complete touch with their roots. I'm very sorry, Sheena, but your invitation to come back to Glasgow is not likely to be sent out any time soon."

Steven Taylor, the producer of Glasgay!, Scotland's biggest gay festival, remarking on the appearance of 80's hit singer Sheena Easton at U.S. pride events. It is reported that her reception in her homeland of Scotland is rather chilly since she became an American citizen and took on a "mid-Atlantic accent." Easton recently played Long Beach and Phoenix Prides where she is reported to have been well received by fans. (Scotsman)

"When the government attempts to intrude upon the personal and private lives of homosexuals, the government must advance an important governmental interest ... and the intrusion must be necessary to further that interest."

Judge Ronald M. Gould, a member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled ito reinstate Major Margaret Witt's lawsuit. She "was suspended without pay in 2004 after the Air Force received a tip that she had been in a long-term relationship with a civilian woman." (Forbes)

"Morehouse is like this enclave where Stonewall never happened. It just doesn't exist in this realm of reality."

Morehouse College senior, Michael Brewer, reflecting on perceived anti-gay sentiment at the historically black college (LA Times)

"I think that people should be able to enter into legal agreements. And I think that that is something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas -- decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman. And I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue."

John McCain responding to Degeneres on Thursday's "Ellen" show.

"We are all the same people, all of us. You're no different than I am. Our love is the same... .When someone says, 'You can have a contract, and you'll still have insurance, and you'll get all that,' it sounds to me like saying, 'Well, you can sit there, you just can't sit there'.... It feels like we are not, you know, we aren't owed the same things and the same wording."

Ellen Degeneres politely confronting Republican Presidential Candidate, John McCain, on his stand against gay marriage on her daytime TV talk show. (Associated Press)

"[Sen. McCain] supports the right of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution sanctioning the union between a man and a woman, just as he did in his home state of Arizona. John McCain doesn't believe judges should be making these decisions."

A spokesperson for Senator McCain responding to the California Supreme Court's decisioin to allow gay marriages (Boston Globe)

"The formation of this club conflicts with my professional beliefs in that we do not have other clubs at Irmo High school based on sexual orientation, sexual preference, or sexual activity. In fact our sex education curriculum is abstinence based. I feel the formation of a Gay/Straight Alliance Club at Irmo High school implies that students joining the club will have chosen to or will choose to engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes.... My decision to resign is a personal choice based on my professional beliefs and religious convictions. I have prayed about the decision for a period of time and I have a peace about it. I would ask that you respect my choice as I respect your choice to disagree with me on this issue. I bear no malice towards anyone involved."

An exceprt from a resignation letter of Irmo High School Principal, Eddie Walker, who apparently rejects the idea of allowing a gay-supportive club to be formed in his school. (WIS10)

"They are loud. They are exuberant. It's a real tribute to the neighborhood that these kids feel they can come and be safe. They say, 'I can't do it on the South Side and the West Side. I can't do it in Pilsen.' ... [They're] just kids."

Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois focusing on success of Chicago's Center on Halsted. The Center is said to be at capacity for services. And the visibility of black and Latino youth hanging around outside is causing concern among some of the mostly-white neighborhood's businesses. Some hustling and drug trade is said to occur. (Chicago Sun Times)