Only in The Advocate: Our favorite quotes of 2006.

"I've attended almost every Christopher Street West [pride] parade [in West Hollywood]. Sometimes, especially when I was younger, they'd have these big signs saying HE'S A 10. I always liked that."

---Los Angeles mayor ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA on attention from his gay constituents (November 7)

"If an individual church or synagogue doesn't want to have marriage vows expressed by gay people, I think that ought to be a religious decision. But under no circumstances do I think a gay couple ought to be deprived of their rights as citizens."

--Former president JIMMY CARTER (January 17)

"Homosexual is not a noun. It's an adjective describing an activity.... I was supposed to come out on a white horse in the name of gaydom. Well, I didn't, obviously. And why should I? I don't feel I'm part of a community; do you?"

--Author GORE VIDAL (November 7)

"Have you found any other place in the world which is easy to be gay or lesbian?"

--Lesbian activist RAUDA MORCOS, when asked how difficult it is to be gay in Palestine (May 23)

"I told my publicist, 'You need to call The Advocate--because that's my audience!' And for years you guys have stood behind me with your pom-poms, like, 'Sister, we got you.' And I love you all for that."

--Phat Girlz star MO'NIQUE (April 25)