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Quote UnQuote

Compiled by Rex Wockner

Published Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 in issue 885

“I am not apologizing for being a gay American but rather for having let personal feelings impact my decision-making.”

— New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey resigning Nov. 8 following what he says was an adulterous same-sex affair with a subordinate. The subordinate, Golan Cipel, denies the affair took place. Cipel says he’s straight and that McGreevey kept coming on to him.

“Homosexuality has never been a problem in my life. There’s always been a way for it to be part of my life without my having to be mistreated by society or being discriminated against.”

— Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar to Advocate.com, Nov. 9.

“Everybody we know is gay. Almost everybody that’s ever worked for us has been gay. Their [my kids’] lives are filled with people that have been in long-term gay relationships, both women and men, so they’re pretty much surrounded.”

— Actress Susan Sarandon to the San Diego gay magazine Buzz, Nov. 11.

“On gay marriage, I don’t believe in it. And my gay friends don’t believe in it. I do believe in equal rights, in civil unions.”

— Singer/actress Carol Channing to the Palm Springs gay publication The Bottom Line, Nov. 12.

“A state coming out against gay marriage is a bold, audacious statement. It is a gritty, ugly slap in the face to all homosexuals (like my brother), their families and their friends.”

— Columnist Gary Wockner, writing in the Denver Post, Nov. 14.

“Democratic politicians accept gay money, recruit gay volunteers and seek gay votes, but too often treat those of us who are gay as the mad aunt they’ve hidden in the attic. They act as though being associated with us is shameful. And they cringe in embarrassment when Republicans shine a light on the situation: ‘Hey, you’re harboring gay people in your attic.’ When the topic of gay rights comes up, many Democratic politicians squirm and say they’d rather talk about ‘important issues.’”

— Lesbian columnist Deb Price, The Detroit News, Nov. 15.

“[A]reas of the country where divorce rates are highest are also frequently the areas where many conservative Christians live. Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas, for example, voted overwhelmingly for constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage. But they had three of the highest divorce rates in 2003. ... The lowest divorce rates are largely in the blue states: the Northeast and the upper Midwest. And the state with the lowest divorce rate was Massachusetts, home to John Kerry, the Kennedys and same-sex marriage.”

— Columnist Pam Belluck, The New York Times, Nov. 14.

“I’ve always been a staunch opponent of outing, and my feelings are now really in transition, and that surprises me. ... I am less horrified than I was 12 years ago. What’s changed is the marriage issue, which is seen by many people as the apex of our movement’s efforts. If ever we needed to pull out all the strategies and tactics and make good use of them, this is the time.”

— Veteran gay activist and author Eric Rofes to the San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 14.