Gay Today: Quote

Quotes & Quips

Compiled By Jack Nichols

Top Pop Boyzone Pap

The pop singer Stephen Gately of the group Boyzone has announced that he is a homosexual and has asked his legions of teenage girl fans for their understanding.

Gately, 23, had been linked with several women, including the Spice Girl Emma Bunton, but as other members of the group got married, he became known as the "Boyzone bachelor". He has been keeping secret a steady relationship with a Dutch performer. He took the decision to go public after hearing that he might be "outed".

He said: "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I owe it to our fans - as well as myself - to be completely honest. I know this may come as a bombshell to our followers."

Adam Sherwin—"Boyzone star declares that he is homosexual", The Times, London, June 16

Mom Says 'The Sun' Tabloid Blackmailed Her Boyzone Boy

Stephen wasn't ashamed about his sexuality – but he never wanted people to know about it.

Because it was always his own business, and that is the way it should be. I think what has happened is blackmail. I always thought my children should never be pressurized.

But Stephen has been bullied into doing this.

Margaret Gately—"My Son Was Bullied into Admitting He is Gay"—The Mirror (London), June 17

Eloy de Jong Sings a Sad Song

The lover of Boyzone star Stephen Gately fears his career could be in ruins after he was forced to tell the world he is gay.

Eloy de Jong had to co-operate with Stephen's decision to tell all after it emerged a former Boyzone worker was touting the story round newspapers.

And the Dutch singer is said to be devastated his relationship with Stephen has been made public just as he is about to embark on a solo career.

Daily Record and Sunday Mail, Glasgow, Scotland, June 17

Two for the Price of One

I could be my own first lady.

Tom Ammiano-- openly gay President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors-- Reflecting on running for the office of Mayor at the National Queer Arts Festival.

Sources at the Hair Stylist?

Ricky (Martin) only adds to the gay debate by sometimes frequenting Manhattan's largely homosexual Chelsea district when he's in the Big Apple. . . .

On Saturday nights he parties at Chelsea's hot clubs like the Roxy and the Tunnel, say sources. During a recent outing to get a haircut at a top stylist on Madison Avenue, Ricky's companion was a handsome male pal, confides an insider.

The Globe --"Is Ricky Martin Gay?"—June 8, 1999

Gay Travel Writer Mirrors Pat Robertson's Scottish Rap

In an article headlined Wales – A Gay Nation? Mr. Parker pulls no punches.

He accuses St. David of having a gay love affair with his close friend St. Justinian 1500 years ago.

Since then "same-sex affection" has become commonplace among the Welsh, he wrote in a publication called The Welsh Internationalist.

He added: "My contention is that there exists in the Welsh psyche a remarkable strain of non-heterosexuality."

The Mirror, London, England—June 16 "And now, author says Wales is a Gay Nation."

A Bitter Pill for Those who can't Rise to the Occasion

After nearly a year of deliberation, the (Australian) Federal Government has decided against subsidizing the anti-impotence drug Viagra.

The decision to exclude the drug from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme drew immediate criticism from doctors. They said it was demeaning to sufferers and an example of rationing within the health service.

Julie Robotham-- The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia, June 18

The Clone Ranger

Yes darlings…I feel more and more pregnant these days.

Randolfe Wicker-- GayToday contributor, described as founder of the world's first pro-human cloning activist group in The Clone Age published by Henry Holt, Inc.

Social Constructionist Chimpanzees

In a comprehensive synthesis that covers 151 years' worth of chimpanzee observations, an international team of primatologists reports that humanity's closest cousins display what was long thought to be the sine qua non of humanness: cultural variation.

Chimpanzees living on the Ivory Coast of Africa groom, court and use tools in a very different manner than those apes of the Gombe forest of Tanzania; while the chimpanzees of Uganda are likewise slaves to local fashion.

Natalie Angier—"Chimps Exhibit, er, Humanness, Study Finds"—The New York Times, June 17

Reality: Is it Merely Perception?

I am also aware perceptions are more important than reality.

Aaron Lawrence—"Suburban Hustler: Stories of a High Tech Callboy"— www.aaronlawrence.com