Stars speak out against the Federal Marriage Amendment; forty-two artists speak out for their gay fans and against President Bush's push to write discrimination into the U.S. Constitution.

Are gay men and lesbians the only ones who think President Bush's Federal Marriage Amendment to forever ban same-sex marriage is an outrage? Not at all. For The Advocate's annual Music Issue, we asked nongay stars in all genres of music to send us their opinions on same-sex matrimony and the FMA. We were overwhelmed by the friendship and support we received. Forty-two artists contacted us--opera superstars, vital young pop divas, reigning rockers, and at least one bad boy who's reconsidered his own homophobia over the years. So many artists cared to say so much that we've had to confine their remarks to brief excerpts in these pages. Look for their full statements in our online edition, www.advocate.com. And another thing: Buy their records.

"The American Constitution is a magical document that has evolved over 200-plus years. While we revere it, it did not start out us a perfect document.

This republic was founded with a Constitution that counted slaves as three-fifths human. It took decades and a civil war, the deadliest in U.S. history, to erase that stain upon our country. It took over l00 years to bring women into the political system by giving them the right to vote. Interracial marriage was illegal in some states until 1967. Now the Bush administration wants to change the positive inclusive direction of our Constitution by calling for an amendment that authorizes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Well, I say, 'No way.'"

Barbra Streisand, excerpted at her request from a speech she delivered at a Los Angeles benefit for the Human Rights Campaign, March 6

"If you want to marry 'Joe Millionaire,' go ahead. If you're a celebrity and you want to marry your high school sweetheart for 55 hours, go right ahead. If you're J. Lo and you want to marry 18 people for six days each, hey, go right on ahead! But if you happen to be reasonably minded and have fallen in love and want to many your soul mate and make a life of it--and you just so happen to be the same sex--then, no, how dare you! You demon creatures! We'd rather you just buy gasoline and support our war and continue to consume and fear in our country so we can make money off you. But do us a favor: Don't hold hands in public."

Pink, pop-rock-R&B singer and songwriter

"President Bush's idea to amend the Constitution of the United States so as to ban gay and lesbian marriage ... is an obvious and sensational election-year prank.... It is completely inappropriate for the federal government to wade into an issue that is so deeply embedded in both religious practice and states' rights. Furthermore, as the old saying goes, the horse is out of the barn. Even if such an amendment were passed, in today's world it is likely to be as effective as Prohibition was."

Midori, Grammy-nominated violinist

"The parties responsible for putting [this amendment] into motion do not in any way represent a moderate core of American public opinion. When allowed to act unchecked, this sort of conservatism is very dangerous."

Matthew Caws of Nada Surf

"This fuckin' government is stupid as shit. Instead of dealing with real issues like homelessness, unemployment, and money being taken from schools, they waste time trying to stop gay marriage! Isn't there supposed to be a separation of church and state? If this country is so free, you should be able to marry a rock if you want to."

Ice-T, Grammy-winning rapper and actor

"I believe, very simply, that consenting adults should he able to do whatever they see fit so long as their actions do not affect anyone other than themselves. Bush's 'gay marriage amendment' is just a way for the commander-in-thief to appease his reactionary right-wing base."

Moby, pop-electronica performer and composer

"You can't legislate love."

Nellie McKay, pop singer

"This amendment would oppress and punish people for being themselves--a private personal attack on the individual level. The implications are devastating."

Leila Josefowicz, violinist

"It is unthinkable and sad that an amendment to the Constitution is planned that would deny gay and lesbian Americans the right to many, now or ever.... The Constitution is one of the great documents in history, and it would be shameful if it were diminished by such a plan."

Legendary couple Sir Andre Previn, pianist and composer, and Ann-Sophie Mutter, violinist

"We rely on our country to protect us not only from invasion on our shores but from invasion into our minds and hearts. The things which make us human, as individuals in or out of relationships, are best left to our own stewardship. A great relationship is like a true work of art, created out of idealism, passion, and freedom of choice."

David Finckel and Wu Han, cello-piano team and parents; Finckel is cellist with the Emerson String Quartet 

"To suggest that the U.S. Constitution should actively discriminate against one--and only--one group should be grounds for impeachment."

Johnny Temple of Girls Against Boys and New Wet Kojak, also an essayist and publisher

"The fact that this president brays that he intends to have passed an anti-gay-marriage amendment to the Constitution is an embarrassment to those of us who are intelligent, unbiased people. This is the 21st century, not the 12th."

Ervin Drake, legendary songwriter

"Let me state that I'm not gay and I am a faithful Christian, but I feel that by throwing the Bible around and targeting the gay and lesbian population, we as a country are doing the opposite of what we are supposed to be learning from the Bible."

Willa Ford, pop singer

"It's hard to believe in the year 2004, with Americans being killed in Iraq, with civilians killed in Madrid, that these despicable assholes would conjure up the sanctity-of-marriage blather. This is a nonissue promulgated by thieves and religious zealots to imprison contemporary people in the prison of the medieval mind. They should just call it the Mel Gibson amendment."

Lou Reed, legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist

"I believe that marriage should be recognized as a publicly acknowledged legal contract by the states as the formal union of two individuals who care deeply for each other and wish to share their lives with each other. The validity of such a union should not be determined based on sexual orientation any more than it is determined by race or religious preference. The proposal that such a union would be made illegal by a constitutional amendment goes against the freedom our Constitution protects and will not enable us to enter into the kind of dialogue which has produced so much positive societal change in the past."

Renee Fleming, soprano superstar

"I find it strange that there should be so much controversy about this issue in a modern society. In these turbulent times, how wonderful it is for anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, to find love. We should embrace, share, celebrate, and validate that love. Every man has a man who loves him! Every woman has a woman who loves her!"

Yoko Ono, singer, composer, artist, legend

"The dazzling hypocrisy of Bush's take on states' rights is only outdone by this ham-fisted capitulation to the freaky far right. It is transparently political and uniquely hateful. I take great heart in knowing history will not be on their side and this is just another part of what will become this administration's foolish and misguided legacy. Let's all say it together: 'One term!'"

John Flansburgh, one half of pop-rock duo They Might Be Giants

"We cannot legislate morality any more than we can mandate trust. But surely we shouldn't legalize bias."

Thomas Hampson, baritone opera star

"When any two people love one another and are committed to one another, they should be allowed to marry. It's a shame that our president is such a narrow-minded person. He needs to be out in November."

Cyndi Lauper, singer and songwriter

"Honey, gay marriage represents the coming together of two people under the eyes of humanity."

Pepper MaShay, dance music diva

"Yet another reason not to reelect [Bush].

Mick Hucknall of Simply Red

"Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness--I can think of nothing more inimical to these core American values than this mean-spirited attempt to codify bigotry. History will not be kind to those who seek this constitutional amendment but will cast them in the same lot with defenders of slavery and segregation. To politicians weighing the costs of supporting gay marriage, ask yourselves this question: In 20 years, when gay marriage is legal across the land, how will you defend the position you took today? Have some courage! Support the rights of all Americans to live, be free, and pursue happiness."

Itzhak Perlman, multiple Grammy--and Emmy--winning violinist and humanitarian

"In a world so devoid of tolerance and understanding of different religions, ways of life, and individual preferences of all kinds, it is unfortunate indeed that there should be even the consideration of involving a document as respected and honored as the United States Constitution in a matter as private and, indeed, as sacred as the coming together of two souls who wish to acknowledge, for all the world to see, their commitment one to the other."

Jessye Norman, contemporary opera and jazz soprano and 1990 honorary U.N. ambassador

"America's Constitution is about equal rights for all and the freedom to pursue happiness. We believe wholeheartedly in that vision. There should be no place in our Constitution for negative amendments, such as the one Bush proposes, which will put discrimination into that sacred document."

The B-52's, featuring vocalists Fred Schneider (who is openly gay) and Kate Pierson

"Remember, all of our country's citizens are entitled by law to the 'pursuit of happiness,' not just the chosen few or even the majority."

Deborah Voigt, soprano opera star

"If America is the land of the free and home of the brave, why is everybody so afraid of same-sex marriage?"

Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys

"I'm married for 21 years, and I believe in a happy marriage, and I believe everyone is entitled to one. My children feel the same way, and my daughter was telling me to be sure that I voiced my opposition to the amendment.... I think [Bush] is courting the votes of the religious

right, and that seems to be a big part of his basic power."

Kris Kristofferson, Grammy- and Golden Globe-winning actor and singer songwriter

"Bush is of a certain age, and it's a new day coming. My homeboys are so not into politics, but they need to pay attention to this one. You have a choice to fight against something you don't think is right. That's the good thing about being in America."

Teedra Moses, R&B singer

"George W. Bush is trying to change the fundamentals of the Constitution to suit his narrow-minded, discriminatory views. All people deserve the benefits that come with a lifelong commitment of love and caring to each other. Banning gay marriage is absurd."

Flea, bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, sometime actor, and clothing designer

"In '92 George Bush misjudged the American people, and his obsession with family values cost him the reelection. I hope gay marriage will do the same thing fur George W."

Susan Ottaviano of Book of Love

"A bunch of puritanical Middle Americans have no right to decide who loves whom and who are joined in a formal and legally binding union. I think a big part of what this is about is corporate America not wanting to provide health benefits to partners in same-sax marriages."

BT, electronica singer and songwriter

"I can think of nothing less American than altering our Constitution to discriminate between or against any of our citizens. America must be a beacon of social progress and a welcoming home to all its residents. Not only should we keep apace of other nations, but we must lead the way."

Gil Shaham, Grammy-winning violinist and impresario

"If you ask me, the number 1 'evildoer' in the world right now is George W. Bush ... and he should absolutely be prevented from using words like freedom and liberty. I think it's time for a regime change here in the nut-so-good old USA."

John Easdale of Dramarama

'The Bush administration's constant attack on individual liberties has to be stopped.... There is already enough shame in this country about our past; let's not act in a shameful way for our future."

Andre Watts, Grammy-winning classical pianist

"Having sung, demonstrated, and participated as activists for the human rights, civil rights, and dignity of all people, opposed to the Bush administration's proposed constitutional amendment. Let us rather find ways to embrace one another, all different, all special, and all deserving of being accepted as such--without bias, without prejudice, and, most critically, without the deprivation of our rights to full and equal participation in our society."

Peter, Paul, and Mary, superstar folk singers

"As a Canadian, I proudly tell my children that as of now they can marry whomever they choose and love whomever they love.... And I can toll my American friends that our country hasn't disappeared into the ocean; nor have we all turned into pillars of salt. The most disturbing thing about Bush's antigay amendment is that he and his posse have obviously decided that the best way fur them to win an election ... is with the politics of exclusion, xenophobia, and hate. it is the world's responsibility to tell him that it's unacceptable."

Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies

"The spectacle of an American president actively supporting the effort to amend the Constitution in order to limit the rights of a certain group of individuals is simply appalling."

Jeffrey Kahane, pianist and musical director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Santa Rosa Symphony

"As an immigrant to the U.S., I am acutely aware of just how fortunate we am in this country to have intellectual freedom. I believe that the idea of a constitutional amendment to regulate behavior which is a private matter and causes no conceivable harm to the general population is a Cue invasion of this freedom and is against every principle on which this country was founded."

Emanuel Ax, multi-Grammy-winning pianist