compiled by Howard Israel
"Del Martin, with Phyllis Lyon always at her side in a remarkable relationship that spanned more than five decades, dreamed a world in which sexual orientation and gender identity and expression would be accorded full dignity and respect. They spoke the unspeakable, wrote the unthinkable, and lived their lives as few before them ever had: open and proud lesbians in 1950s America."
– Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, commenting on the passing of activist Del Martin.
"As someone who has spent over 40 years advocating on behalf of women both politically and philanthropically, as someone who was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton and as someone who cares deeply about the health and welfare of all women, hear me Senator McCain: This calculated, cynical ploy to pull away a small percentage of Hillary's women voters from Barack Obama will not work. We are not that stupid!"
– Barbra Streisand on her Web site www.barbrastreisand.com, commenting on Sen. McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidental running
"It's not surprising that they have not moved further. That takes time and energy. Historically, they are an organization that does not move fast. Anybody like the APA or the American Medical Association making positive statements around transgender inclusion and trans rights is helpful to our cause and movement."
– Gunner Scott, director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, commenting on the American Psychological Association report urging psychologists to take a leading role in ending discrimination based on gender identity, in an article titled "APA Backs Transgender Rights," New England Blade, www.innewsweekly.com, Aug.
"Decisions about data collection should not be driven by political and value-laden judgments about marriage. They should be grounded in the demographic and legal realities of this nation. Regardless of how one feels about the recognition of gay men and lesbians, all sides in these debates could benefit from accurate data. Taking steps to improve data quality on same-sex couples would permit scholars, policymakers and the American public to form opinions based on facts instead of anecdotes and stereotypes."
– Gary Gates, prominent demographer with the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California Law School, in a op-ed column titled "Making same-sex marriages count", responding to the decision by the U.S. Census Bureau that same-sex couples in the 2010 census will be reported as "unmarried partners," rather than married spouses, even if they are legally married, Los Angeles Times, July 18.
