British Royal Air Force Welcomes Gay Servicemembers

"Whatever your race, religion, social or cultural background, whether you’re male or female, gay or straight, you’ll find professional respect in the RAF and be welcomed for who you are and what you have to offer." Royal Air Force, December 2006

Governor of New Jersey Signs Civil Unions Bill

"We must recognize that many gay and lesbian couples in New Jersey are in committed relationships and deserve the same benefits and rights as every other family in this state. I believe very fundamentally in equal protection under the law and this legislation is about meeting that basic responsibility and honoring the commitments that individuals have made to each other." New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine signing legislation giving same-sex couples the right to enter into civil unions. December 21, 2006.

New Jersey Supreme Court Rules for Equal Marriage Rights

"HELD: Denying committed same-sex couples the financial and social benefits and privileges given to their married heterosexual counterparts bears no substantial relationship to a legitimate governmental purpose. The Court holds that under the equal protection guarantee of Article I, Paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, committed samesex couples must be afforded on equal terms the same rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex couples under the civil marriage statutes. The name to be given to the statutory scheme that provides full rights and benefits to samesex couples, whether marriage or some other term, is a matter left to the democratic process." New Jersey Supreme Court, October 25, 2006

Lawyer Slams Anti Adult Entertainment Legislation

"In time, it is my fervent hope that eventually the entire 2257 regime as it is currently configured will be judicially characterized for what it is and always has been: an adult industry-harassing, freedom-strangling exercise in brute governmental power by those motivated by sexual ignorance, fear, and intolerance." Gregory Piccionelli, Esq.,XBIZ World October 2006 [about recently passed republican-congressional stealth legislation designed to eliminate adult entertainment]

Rochester NY City Council Supports Equal Rights

"We... call upon our representatives in the New York State Senate and Assembly to pass legislation ending discrimination against New York's tens of thousands of loving, committed same-sex couples by allowing them to legally marry in New York State. The July 6 decision by the New York State Court of Appeals has placed this issue squarely in the hands of the state legislature and it is now up to you to recognize the importance of marriage for same-sex couples and their children. There are more than 1,500 protections and responsibilities denied same- sex couples simply because they are blocked from marrying in New York State. These life and death protections include health insurance, joint adoption, medical decision making authority, inheritance, child custody, pension benefits, Family Court protections from domestic violence and eligibility for public support programs like Workers Compensation. The State of New York has a proud tradition of extending equal protection and civil rights to all of its citizens. The City of Rochester has also, historically, been at the forefront of struggles for equality. Whether it has been the fight against slavery, or the Women's Suffrage and Civil Rights movements, Rochester has worked diligently to secure equal treatment under the law for all Americans. We as a City have already taken important steps to protect our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and their families. We have passed sexual orientation and gender identity and expression non-discrimination ordinances, offer domestic partner benefits to City employees, and respect marriages of same-sex couples performed in Canada, just to name a few. We are asking you to do what we cannot: guard the dignity of all New Yorkers and their families by granting them the rights and privileges associated with marriage that they so desperately need and deserve. There are those who wish to deny this access through changes in state law. We are asking you to withhold support of these efforts when or if asked and, we strongly encourage you to become a sponsor or co-sponsor of marriage equality legislation. If you cannot be a sponsor or co-sponsor, please support it and work with your respective legislative leaders to bring such legislation to a vote in each chamber early in the upcoming session." Rochester NY City Council, September 21, 2006.

Connecticut Candidate for US Senate Supports Equal Rights

"I am proud that Connecticut was one of the first states to legalize civil unions and remain hopeful that we will be one of the first to enact full marriage equality... I would have opposed the Federal ‘Defense of Marriage Act’. I support the strengthening of any Federal non-discrimination and Federal Hate Crimes legislation. I believe that the rights enshrined in the United States Constitution belong to every American. Every American should be able to walk down the street free of violence, learn in a harassment-free environment, and work hard at their jobs without discrimination." Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate for US Senate for Connecticut, Aug. '06

Governor of New York Regrets Court Decision

"Today's Court decision, while disappointing, is certainly not the end of this struggle. We in the legislature must continue to fight to help ensure that same-sex couples are afforded the right to marry. It is, quite simply, the fair and just thing to do. No one should be denied equality or basic fundamental protections under the law." New York State Senator David Paterson, after the New York State Court of Appeals' decision that the state is not required to provide equal access to marriage for same-sex couples, July 6, 2006

Massachusetts US Senator Applauds Defeat of Anti-Gay Amendment

"I’m proud that Massachusetts continues to be a leader on marriage equality. Being part of a family is a basic right, and I look forward to the day when every state accepts this basic principle of fairness. Marriage is a solemn commitment to plan a future together, to share in life’s celebrations, to be there as a source of comfort and support to ease life’s burdens and pains. This week’s debate in the Senate affects real families with real-life struggles. When the citizens of a state have decided to recognize those families -- through their state constitution or state laws -- the Senate has no business undermining their personal, private decisions. It’s wrong to try to turn back the clock on the progress we’ve made in guaranteeing civil rights for all our people. That progress has been achieved at great cost and sacrifice, and we must not retreat. The Constitution has never been amended to discriminate any American, and now is no time to start." US Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the defeat of the Federal Marriage Amendment in the Senate, June 7, 2006

Wisconsin US Senator Fights Anti-Gay Amendment

"The Constitution of the United States is an historic guarantee of individual freedom. It has served as a beacon of hope, an example to people around the world who yearn to be free and to live their lives without government interference in their most basic human decisions. I took an oath when I joined this body to support and defend the Constitution. I will continue to fight this mean-spirited, divisive, poorly drafted, and misguided amendment when it comes to the Senate floor." U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, objecting to the Judiciary Committee’s Handling of the Constitutional Amendment on Marriage, May 18, 2006

Long Island NY Police Support Domestic Partnership

"We support the domestic registry proposal and urge those legislators who voted against it to reconsider... The definition of a family is far different today from what it was years ago. This is a different society, a different world." Gary DelaRaba, president of the Nassau County, New York, Police Benevolent Association, May 3, 2006

Irish Prime Minister Supports Equal Rights

"Our sexual orientation is not an incidental attribute. It is an essential part of who and what we are. All citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, stand equal in the eyes of our laws. Sexual orientation cannot, and must not, be the basis of a second-class citizenship. Our laws have changed, and will continue to change, to reflect this principle. I want to state clearly today that the Government is unequivocally in favour of treating gay and lesbian people as fully equal citizens in our society." Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern, April 3, 2006

New York City Council Speaker Slams St. Patricks Day Parade Bias

"Unfortunately, a compromise has not been reached this year with organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade that would allow LGBT Irish New Yorkers to march in a way that openly celebrates our heritage and identity. Therefore, I will not be marching... New York City is the most diverse and welcoming place in the world -- it's a shame that for yet another year our... parade won't reflect that diversity... I continue to hope -- and I firmly believe -- that someday soon Irish LGBT New Yorkers will proudly and openly march up Fifth Avenue on St. Patrick's Day." New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, March 17, 2006

Coretta Scott King Supported Gay Rights

"I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others."

"Constitutional amendments should be used to expand freedom, not restrict it."

"I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy."

"Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. A constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages is a form of gay bashing..."

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in [his] dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people." Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)

Baltimore Judge Invalidates Same-Sex Marriage Ban

"This Court holds that Maryland’s statutory prohibition against same-sex marriage cannot withstand this constitutional challenge. Family Law § 2-201 violates Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights because it discriminates, based on gender, against a suspect class; and is not narrowly tailored to serve any compelling governmental interests. Section 2-201 bars a man from marrying a male partner when a woman would enjoy the right to marry that same male partner. As compared to the woman, the man is disadvantaged solely because of his sex. There is [also] no apparent compelling state interest in a statutory prohibition of same-sex marriage discriminating... against those individuals whose gender is identical to their intended spouses. Indeed, this Court is unable to even find that the prohibition of same-sex marriage rationally relates to a legitimate state interest." Judge M. Brooke Murdock, Baltimore City Circuit Court, January 20, 2006

Openly Gay New York City Council Speaker Appointed

"Let me end on a personal note. My father was watching the local news at my office two days ago and the reporter came on to talk about my selection as Speaker. The reporter talked about my being the first woman speaker…and the first openly gay speaker. And without missing a beat, my dad stuck out his chest and proudly yelled at the TV -you forgot Irish, you bum! Let me say that I am incredibly proud that in the most diverse City in the world, that diversity is seen as a strength - not an impediment." New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, January 4, 2006