Political Quotes

“I rise in strong opposition to the Hancock amendments. The Hancock amendments would attempt to remove funding from local school districts with activities and programs which instruct or distribute materials to students that support homosexual orientation as a positive adult outcome. The amendments are mean-spirited and dangerous. Mr. Chairman, on Monday night Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for best performance by an actor for his starring role in Philadelphia. In his moving acceptance speech, he particularly thanked to gay Americans who influenced his decision to become an actor. Please not that Tom Hanks was not made gay by these early influences. But he was made more openminded and sensitive to others. His performance was a gift to all of us. Mr. Chairman, gay affirmative materials and activities do not make people gay. Gay affirmative materials do, however, make people who are eventually going to be lesbian or gay adults feel better about themselves. Such affirmative materials also make those who will eventually be heterosexual adults more openminded and accepting of others who are different--and thus also feel better about themselves. Clearly, lesbian and gay youth encounter special challenges because they confront a frequently hostile environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that gay youth are at high risk of depression and suicide.”