''Let's not sit by and just chant. We need to count on each other to write letters to Obama, to write letters to Biden, to write letters our Senate and House Members and demand, 'Let's see some real change we can believe in. Let's end the Defense of Marriage Act!''

One of several speakers taking part in a pre-march rally in front of the US Capitol as part of a nationwide protest against the passage of Proposition 8 in California which has repealed the marriage rights of same-sex couples.After a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, the march proceeded west across the National Mall to the World War II Memorial, and then over to the park in front of the White House. (Metro Weekly)

''We need you to start conversations. We need you to talk to people. Go out there to anybody who is even just questioning whether or not they believe whether gay marriage is right or wrong. We need you to talk to them, because that's how you change hearts and minds.... And even though sometimes it hurts -- and I know it hurts to talk to people who hate you -- but you have to do it, because we have to change minds.''

A speaker at the post-march rally in front of the White House in Washington, DC this past Saturday. (Metro Weekly)