"This bold declaration that all of Hawaii's families should be treated equally under the law is commendable and long overdue. We thank all those who have worked long and hard in this struggle for equality and urge Governor Lingle to immediately sign this bill into law." — Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii, in an April 30 statement commenting on the Hawaii state House passing a civil-unions bill that same day.
"Unfortunately, harmful attitudes like those of Setoodeh are used to pressure actors to stay in the closet. Our work is clearly not done and we will continue to fight to end fear within the acting community that being open about who you are means the end of your career. I'm an actor; it's not who I am but what I can play that counts." — Jason Stuart, chair of the Screen Actors Guild's National LGBT Actors Committee, in a May 13 statement that was issued in response to an April 26 Newsweek article by Ramin Setoodeh. In the article, entitled "Straight Jacket," Setoodeh contended that audiences do not accept openly gay actors playing straight roles, using Sean Hayes in the Broadway play Promises, Promises as an example.
"i have a network and show riding on my shoulders. I would say a big difference between my character and me is that I can be too trusting. ... I definitely have a thing or two to learn from the con artists." — Matt Bomer, star of the hit USA TV series White Collar, on speculation that he's gay, in the January/February 2010 issue of Details magazine.
"Since the Olympics, I've dealt with Johnny's questioning my integrity and sexuality, and I've never spoken out on my own behalf no matter how hurtful those things may have been. I should have known better." — Olympic figure skater and Dancing with the Stars contestant Evan Lysacek, on why he commented negatively about fellow skater Johnny Weir, as posted on USMagazine.com April 30. He added that he thinks Weir is "accomplished and talented."
"I think the world is getting more gay-friendly, so hip-hop is, too. But it's harder to imagine an openly gay male rapper being embraced. People view gay men as having no street credibility. But I think we'll see one in my lifetime." — Openly bisexual rapper Nicki Minaj, in the May issue of Details magazine.
"We tested him several times, on the same questions, and he passed multiple times." — Polygraph expert John Grogan in the March 1 issue of In Touch Magazine on Perez Hilton. Hilton had claimed that singer John Mayer had told him that Mayer had oral sex with a man; Hilton offered to take a lie-detector test, and In Touch took him up on his offer.
"That cute little voice of his. It's okay, 50 Cent. Feel free to call me anytime. My boyfriend and I are experts. You can come over for dinner. And maybe dessert." — Singer Rufus Wainwright, commenting on what makes him certain that rapper 50 Cent is gay, in the May issue of Details magazine.
"It's a terrible thing I had to deal with for a long time. But it sort of saved my life, too. I needed a smack upside the head, and after the assault I didn't have sex for about 10 years. It really straightened out my loose behavior." — Singer Rufus Wainwright, on being sexually assaulted at 14, in the May issue of Details magazine.
"I find that a bit cynical. ... It's true, it's tougher careerwise if you come out, but this is a human-rights issue, and it's important to keep putting dents in it. It's about two teenagers being beheaded for holding hands in Saudi Arabia. It's bigger than someone's music career." — Singer Rufus Wainwright, after being asked if he agreed with musician Stephin Merritt's advice that gay aspiring musicians stay closeted, in the May issue of Details magazine.
"At its core it's a very beautiful love story. Even if there's no such thing as a 'gay play' 50 years from now—even if every piece of legislation that you and I want to pass as far as gay rights goes has passed—it will still be extremely relevant." — Actor Patrick Heusinger about the Broadway play Next Fall, in the April issue of OUT magazine. In the play, the straight Heusinger plays Luke, a gay fundamentalist Christian.
"Surprise us occasionally: Just once report that you slept with someone on the second date." — Veteran actress Valerie Harper in the "Girlfriend" section of the April issue of OUT magazine.
