Compiled by Howard Israel
"We believe our customer base comes from all cultures, all sexual orientations and all backgrounds. We really believe that our customers will embrace this. Harrah's developed its marketing campaign with the help of an employee advisory board that includes gay and lesbian casino workers. It comes down to diversity in our company and diversity in our workers and our customers. We believe that by having different backgrounds and different perspectives, it will only make us a better business."
– Jennifer Weissman, regional vice president of marketing for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., in an article titled "Harrah's, Atlantic City hope to become 'gay friendly' destinations," promoting Atlantic City as a gay friendly town, http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com, Aug. 29.
"Without question, love in its various permutations is what we need more of in this world. The idea that the concept of marriage will be sullied by same-sex marriage is ridiculous. Heterosexuals haven't been doing that well at it on their own."
– Hugh Hefner, Playboy Enterprises, editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, in an interview, expressing his support of same-sex marriage, http://www.TheDailyBeast.com, Aug. 28.
"Marriage equality is good and right for Maine. Opponents' letters warn of a so-called 'homosexual agenda.' I see no such threat. Instead, I see people, like so many others, doing what they can to get by, make a living, find love and share a life together. What we call 'traditional marriage' is not now nor has it ever been everyone's experience. In fact, historically, marriage for love instead of as a contract for money or position was rare. In Maine today, if two adults want to declare their commitment and marry, why deny some that right? As a rule, everyone should have the same rights and protections. Maine is a state with a tradition of tolerance and respect for our neighbors."
– John Hinck, Democratic state representative, Portland, Maine, in an editorial titled "Marriage should be open to all who want it," http://www.MaineToday.com, Aug. 22. Opponents of marriage equality are working to repeal Maine's recently-passed same-sex marriage law at the polls on Nov. 3.
"Sanchez has done extensive face-to-face lobbying for ENDA that's enabled some members of Congress to get to know a transsexual for the first time. He interacts with a lot of people. Prejudice is literally ignorance. I doubt votes will be cast against ENDA solely because it extends to transgender people."
– Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) in an article titled "New impetus for bill banning anti-gay bias at work," crediting Diego Sanchez, his legislative policy adviser, for his efforts to add transgender-inclusive hate crimes to the 2009 Employment Non-Discrimination Act that is under construction in the House, Associated Press, Aug. 27. Transgender activist and prominent AIDS leader, Sanchez, is the first transgender person hired for a senior congressional staff position on Capitol Hill.
"In these International Guidelines the need for sexuality education is interpreted from the standpoint that children and young people have a specific need for information and skills on sexuality education that makes a difference to their life chances. The threat to life and their well-being exists in a range of contexts, whether it is in the form of abusive relationships, exposure to HIV or stigma and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Given the complexity of the task facing any teacher or parent in guiding and supporting the process of learning and growth, it is crucial to strike the right balance between the need to know and what is age appropriate and relevant."
– From "International Guidelines on Sexuality Education: An evidence-informed approach to effective sex, relationships and HIV/STI education," created and distributed by the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization, advocates for the universal right to accurate, non judgmental sexual and reproductive health education, including LGBT information.
"She's not necessarily a lesbian. Her human partner is a girl, but I'm pretty sure she goes both ways. I think vampires are like that in general."
– Evan Rachel Wood, about her character, Queen Sophie-Anne, the 1,100-year-old vampire Queen of Louisiana on HBO's "True Blood," http://www.EOnline.com, Aug. 26.
"(The ERFAA petition campaign) calls on all decent Americans, straight or gay, to join together and put an end to religious bigotry that has stolen the constitutional right of gay Americans to simply have their own private sex lives without being discriminated against. We believe our fascist Catholic, Protestant and Mormon politicians should stop reading their Bibles, and start reading our federal Constitution. It's no longer a crime to be gay in your own bedroom. Therefore, continued religious discrimination is now both unconstitutional and un-American."
– Mary Cristos, Universal Free Church spokesperson, in a press release, announcing its national "Equal Rights For All Americans" petition drive, to protest religious and secular discrimination against LGBT people, http://www.UniversalFreeChurch.org, Aug. 18.
