For years public figures have used the "friend" excuse to defend themselves against accusations of bigotry. We've all heard it - "I'm not a homophobe. Some of my best friends are gay."

Sarah Palin definitely played that card in 2006, when she told an Alaskan newspaper that though she supported her state's potential ban on same-sex marriage, she's not against the gays: "Palin said she's not out to judge anyone and has good friends who are gay, but that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment."

Yet, in the weeks since John McCain picked Palin as his running mate, however, there's been nary a mention of any queer chums coming out for Palin. Not a single homo has spoken out against media scrutiny and said, "Leave Palin Alone!" And it makes Dan Savage sad.

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