''Maybe people don't want to talk about it, but it is definitely a major issue. They feel [gay marriage] takes away from the image of the strong, black family. I think it's a shame that those of us who are gay or bisexual and want to be responsible for our families are not even allowed to because family members see our contributions as less and counter to the black culture.''

Reverend Roland Stringfellow, a gay African-American, speaking on one of the underlying social issues affecting the effort to overturn gay marriage in California. (ABC News)

''It's a staggering amount. California is a cultural trendsetter. If voters decide same-sex couples can marry, it has an enormous influence.''

Matt Coles, director of the ACLU's LGBT Project, in reaction to the $60 million combined total raised to fight for and against Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage bill that will be voted on next week in California. The latest polls appear to show that there is an even split between voters in that state when asked if they plan to vote for or against the measure. (ABC News)