Quips & Quotes

“This movement is not going to go away anytime soon, and most likely never will until the gay community has equal rights with everybody else. Chances are that in 20 years or so, our generation and future generations are going to look back and wonder how we ever thought gay couples, and individuals, didn’t deserve the same rights as others.”

– The Utah Statesman, in an editorial about LDS Apostle Boyd K. Packer’s recent anti-gay remarks.

“Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that messages from U.S. religious pulpits are connected to the rising rates of suicide among gay youths, according to a new poll.”

– The Salt Lake Tribune on a poll conducted by Public Religion Research Institute and Religion News Service in mid-October.

“My policy priorities are more in line with the district. [Residents want a councilmember who] is willing to stand up and say something different than the dominant voices in Utah government.”

– Arlyn Bradshaw, openly gay Democratic candidate for Salt Lake County Council’s District 1 seat, in The Salt Lake Tribune, answering charges of corruption by Republican opponent Steve Harmsen.

“Do I have blood on my hands?”

– National Organization for Marriage Chairperson Maggie Gallagher, in a New York Post editorial in which she ultimately says gay marriage foes play no part in gay teens’ suicides.

“Basically she’s claiming that the negative factors and influences on LGBT youth that she, NOM and groups like them create are to blame. Not her of course! Reprehensible.”

– Local activist, PRIDE in Utah blogger and Justice Vanguard member Eric Ethington on Gallagher’s piece.

“We get a lot of support from the campus administration. We’re not a perfect campus, but we’re a campus that’s working towards inclusion and accommodating the needs of all university students.”

– Cathy Martinez, Director of the University of Utah’s LGBT Resource Center, telling the campus newspaper The Utah Daily Chronicle about Pride Week celebrations on the campus.