The only way to get gay issues off the front pages of Canadian newspapers is to grant gay and lesbian people our full civil equality and leave it alone.

Dan Savage’s quote, "The only way to get gay issues off the front pages of Canadian newspapers is to grant gay and lesbian people our full civil equality and leave it alone," speaks to the idea that the visibility of gay and lesbian issues in the media is often a result of their lack of full civil equality. Savage is emphasizing that the constant media focus on LGBTQ+ topics will persist as long as inequality exists. Once gay and lesbian people are granted full civil rights—such as the right to marry, adopt children, and be protected from discrimination—there will no longer be a need for these issues to dominate the news cycle. The solution, in Savage’s view, is not to keep debating LGBTQ+ rights but to recognize equality and allow people to live their lives without being constantly defined by their sexual orientation.

The phrase "grant gay and lesbian people our full civil equality" is a call for the legal recognition and equal treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals under the law. Savage argues that the continued focus on these issues in the media is a sign of the unfinished work in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The implication is that when full equality is achieved, there will be no reason for sexual orientation to remain a topic of controversy or sensationalism in the press. Instead, it will become a non-issue, and LGBTQ+ individuals can live their lives without the need for special attention or debate about their rights.

By saying, "leave it alone," Savage advocates for a society where the LGBTQ+ community is no longer singled out or treated differently. He suggests that once equality is achieved, the media will stop focusing on the struggles of gay and lesbian individuals and instead treat them as equals in all aspects of society. This reflects his broader view that visibility and media attention are often tied to the fight for rights, and once those rights are fully recognized, the public discourse will shift.

The origin of the quote comes from Savage’s long-standing work as an advocate and commentator on LGBTQ+ issues. Known for his column Savage Love and as an outspoken activist, Savage has consistently used his platform to push for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. The quote captures his frustration with the way that media attention is often driven by inequality and his belief that true progress will come when gay and lesbian individuals no longer have to fight for their basic rights. It also highlights his vision of a society where sexual orientation is seen as just one aspect of identity, not the defining factor in how people are treated.