When others have shied away, our awardees have shown great commitment in their advocacy for equal rights, ... It is our pleasure to say, 'Thank you for never backing down. Today, we are closer to equality because of your work.'

Faith-based organizations have been partnering successfully with the government for years without the need to bypass civil rights laws in providing social services.

The Human Rights Campaign has been proud to be part of the enormous progress made on the road to equality over the last 25 years, ... While we have miles to go, the national dinner gave us an opportunity to look at the distance we've crossed.

[Joe Solmonese, president of Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights advocacy group, said the experience of Washington's outer suburbs underscores changes in attitudes.] We're talking about our community's willingness and comfort level living anywhere, ... And not just our own community, but society's view has changed so much in the last few years.

The idea of equal rights was in the air.

If it's a shared computer, then the spouse has equal rights to get on it and share what's on it.