''There's no question African-American and Latino voters are among our strongest supporters. And to the extent that they are motivated to get to the polls, whether by this issue or by Barack Obama, it helps us.''

Frank Schubert, of the anti-gay marriage group ''Yes on 8,'' seemingly pleased at the possibility of using minority voters in California to roll back legally-recognized same-sex marriages this November. (International Herald Tribune)

''This is black people talking to black people. We're saying, 'Gay people are black, and black people are gay. And if you are voting conservative on an anti-gay ballot measure, you are hurting the black community.... For too long, black people seemed to think there were no gay people around, especially black ministers. They'd say the most insanely anti-gay things, and then the choir would come up and the choir is 50 percent gay.''

Ron Buckmire, board president of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, one of several gay rights group in California that are trying to reach out to the black community in a effort to educate the traditionally conservative members of African-American religious institutions on the reasons why same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue needing their support. (International Herald Tribune)