compiled by Howard Israel
"The furor raised over the Arizona illegal immigrant law is interesting to watch from my queer perch. I understand the outrage. The nerve of one state threatening to restrict the constitutional rights of a minority – simply because the majority can get away with it (even if only temporarily), sure sounds familiar to me. But I don't remember hearing all the indignation and outrage as multiple states passed laws restricting the rights of gay people to have legitimate families."
– Patrick Connors, in his blog titled "Anti-Immigration Laws Bad, Anti-Gay Laws Good," http://blogs.sfweekly.com, April 30.
"I believe there is no one right way to be queer, fat or femme. I identify as queer because I do not acknowledge a gender binary. It also acts as a handy umbrella term to encompass the LGBT community. Identifying as fat reclaims a word that has been used to hurt me in the past. I don't think fat is a bad thing. Bodies come in all sizes, (and) mine happens to be fat … . Femme is a way of defining how I fit into my sexuality, but does not describe my gender. Femme means I look how I want to look and not how someone tells me I should look to be perceived as queer and not how someone tells me I should look because I am a woman. Femme means I stand in solidarity with every other self-identified femme, butch and gender warrior out there."
– Bevin Branlandingham, welcoming readers to her blog titled "The Queer Fat Femme Blog Guide to Life," http://queerfatfemme.com.
"I think people know there's discrimination, but they don't know the breadth or severity of I, or how lasting the impact is. The stage is set by the parent and the school. Medical professionals need to be aware that a high percentage of patients with minority sexual orientation may have been victims of interpersonal violence and may benefit from follow-up care to cope with the aftermath of violent victimization."
– Andrea Roberts, postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology and the lead author of a new study from Harvard School of Public Health and Children's Hospital Boston, which found that LGBT and gender non-conforming people are more likely to experience violence and have double the risk of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence, http://news.bostonherald.com, April 25.
"(W)hen we've become fully aware of the extent and depth of our ability to effect change just by simply living our truth, courageously, transparently, dignifiedly; when we no longer play the part of victims but take our rightful position as co-creator of our destinies; when we finally understand that the risk of remaining apathetic and hopeless is way greater than the risk of being involved and engaged, perhaps we would be able to inspire the minds in power to realize that 'to be oneself is the greatest justice in life' and the foundation of a society that is built on the integrity of the human spirit."
– Sass Rogando Sasot, Filipina transgender rights activist, in a speech presented during the "The Right to Self Determination: A Forum on Transgender Human Rights," http://transpinayrising.blogspot.com, April 16.
"Besides racial profiling, a particularly noxious provision of Arizona's SB 1070 will criminalize anyone who does not report undocumented immigrants in their midst – effectively trying to turn teachers, health care workers, neighbors and religious advisers into agents of the government. LGBT people will note the parallels this provision has to that of a noxious anti-gay bill currently pending in Uganda. The Ugandan bill threatens criminal penalties against those who don't report gays, lesbians and bisexuals to the authorities."
– Andy Thayer, gay rights and peace activist, in a column titled "May Day immigration march offers opportunity to push back against Arizona," http://www.huffingtonpost.com, April 28.
"It's amazing! Today kids are openly gay in high school. I didn't have time to be gay in high school – I was far too busy with choir and drama club!"
– Eddie Sarfaty, openly gay comedian and writer, from his website http://www.keeplaughing.com, May 1.
"When I was in combat, I saw men and women alike risk their lives for the sake of our country's freedom. Our friends have died in these ongoing wars. They made the ultimate sacrifice. If anyone has earned personal liberty and freedom, it is our veteran community. Gays and lesbians are a vital group within our veteran community. They help form our ranks. These troops are among those who keep our nation safe. One of the Army's core values is loyalty. This value is central to why I've chosen to write on this topic. Just like in a fire fight, our gay and lesbian troops are advancing forward and need straight allies at their flanks. There are many of us out there who support repeal, but it is easy to stand idle as our friends continue to be denied a basic freedom. Denying gay and lesbian troops a basic freedom undermines the sacrifice we've all made for the sake of freedom."
– Ryan McDermott, self-described straight ally, in a column titled "Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Our Fight Too," http://www.VetVoice.com, April 30.
