''I remember being hit hard, where I fell and my hands were bruised falling directly on the ground.... As of now, there's feelings of shame, of guilt.... Did I encourage this? And was I strong enough?.... I live in a bubble. I forget that around the world ... this happens to people for a multitude of reasons. It was a surprise, absolutely.... Violence against anyone - gay, whatever it may be - we need to come together and stand up and say we're not going to tolerate this.''

Jerry Knight, 41, of Seattle, WA, speaking about being attacked by two men in that city's Capitol Hill neighborhood while wearing a sailor's outfit. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) In addition to two other incidents of gay people being attacked since the year began, eleven gay bars received a letter threatening to poison customers with ricin. A vigil has been planned. (Capitol Hill Seattle Blog)

"Today is D.C.'s recognition of his role, locally and nationally, in turning around discrimination against homosexuals.... If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and you get a job in government, it's because of Dr. Kameny. If you need security clearance for a job and you get it, it's because of Dr. Kameny. If you're not referred for electric shock therapy when you tell people you're gay, it's because of Dr. Kameny.''

Rainboy History Project chairman Mark Meinke speaking about the Historic Landmark designation of the home of Washington, DC's own Frank Kameny. (Washington Post)

''When Mayor Nutter was elected, we felt like we finally had a seat at the table. Now we feel like that seat has been pulled out from under us.''

Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Equality Forum, a week-long event for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders that is scheduled for April 27-May 3 this year in Philadelphia, PA. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country. I mean this isn't something that you just kind of like, "Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage." I mean, this is a foundational principle of this country. It is a foundational principle of organized society. It isn't something that, you know, in America we decided, "Let's make it between a man and a woman; oh well now, let's change our mind and make it between anyone and anyone." No.

GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions, in your mind?

STEELE: What's the difference?

GALLAGHER: Well, you're not calling it marriage.

STEELE: Is it?

GALLAGHER: I don't know. I mean, I... I...

STEELE: I mean, like Sarah Palin said, you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig.

''We're disappointed because Christian students and other students who do not approve of homosexual behavior (are not) second-class citizens simply because of their viewpoint.''

Joel Oster, an attorney for the conservative Christian group Alliance Defense Fund which petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case of Timothy Morrison, a student who opposed a Gay-Straight Alliance in his school on the grounds that it prevented him from expressing his anti-gay religious views. During a series of lower court hearings, it was determined that Morrison was not harmed in any substantial way and could not pursue damages against the school system. (Lexington-Herald Leader)

'I'm not saying this (homosexuality) is the only sin that's out there. We have murder. We have all sorts of sin. We have adultery. And we don't make laws making those legal, and we would never think to make murder legal.''

Colorado state Senator Scott Renfroe during a debate on whether same-sex partners of state employees should have health care benefits extended to them. It's reported that Renfroe went further calling homosexuality an ''abomination'' and an ''offense to God,'' all of which left some fellow Senators at a loss for words. Jennifer Veiga, an openly gay Senator stood up to say that ''... God also created me.'' (Colorado Springs Gazette)

''Finally, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone!''

Sean Penn during his acceptance speech for his Oscar winning role as the openly-gay San Francisco politician Harvey Milk. Penn opened his remarks by jokingly calling the Academy Awards audience "commie, homo-loving, sons of guns,'' and thanked the gay screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (who also won an Oscar), and the film's director Gus Van Sant. (ABC)

''If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by the churches, by the government, by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value, and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours.''

Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter for "Milk," a movie about pioneering gay politician Harvey Milk of San Francisco. Black, who is openly gay, also mentioned his wish to someday be married. (Associate Press) Read Metro Weekly's interview with Dustin Lance Black and others behind the Oscar-winning film 'Milk'

''They're probably the greatest threat to America going down I know.... Homosexuality will always be a sexual perversion.... What is the morals of a gay person? You can't answer that, because anything goes. So now you're moving toward a society that has no morals.... Muslims are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it's been taken over by the radical side. And the gays are totally taken over by the radical side.... It's the beginning of the end. Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide.''

Chris Buttars, a Republican Utah State Senator, during remarks to a gay documentary film producer, Reed Cowan, about the Mormon Church's involvement in Proposition 8. Buttars was removed from his position as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, though it was said that he was removed by fellow Republicans not because of the content of his remarks, but because he had become a distraction. Buttars says there's nothing to apologize for and continued his insults again referring to the ''homosexual agenda.'' (Associated Press)

''It was just for fun. In the larger scheme of things, winning says so much about the university. We're one of the most diverse campuses in the country, and . . . we celebrate that.''

Ryan Allen, 22, a gay man who came out in high school, decided to run in drag for Homecoming Queen at Virginia's George Mason University and won! (Washington Post)

''Reann's a pretty good friend of mine. She is really sassy, just really sweet. Just a more exaggerated version of myself.... It was just so exciting to know that, even though I was a boy in a dress, everyone -- a large number of people on campus really supported me and [thought it was] cool that I was doing what I was doing.

Ryan Allen describing his drag persona, Reann Ballslee, and his experience as winner of Homecoming Queen of George Mason University. (WJLA)

''I wanted to be a movie star," he told the mag. "I had a difficult set of circumstances to deal with, particularly for a movie career. When pressed, Rupert responds bluntly, "Being gay, really. It just doesn't work.''

British actor Rupert Everett speaking about the nature of his uneven career. In this interview he says he did not get a lead role in ''Basic Instinct 2'' because an MGM agent felt gays are perceived as perverts by Americans. He also talks about his friendship and falling out with pop singer and former actress Madonna during 'The Next Best Thing.' (Access Hollywood)

''These protests are not to get angry at these organizations, because they're simply misled. It's to be a visible presence for those people who are going to be victimized by these false hopes of ministries and therapies.''

Matt Comer of the Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality which is one of several groups planning on holding a rally in front of a ''Love Won Out'' conference being held this weekend. The conference is one of a series of ex-gay events designed by the ultra-conservative extremists at Focus on the Family to promote misinformation about the origins of homosexuality, and to convince confused people of faith into believing that they can "pray the gay away" in the name of God and Jesus. (Charlotte Observer)

''The Home Secretary has excluded both Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper from the UK. These individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities.... Other supporters of Phelps who are identified on entry will be refused on non-conducive grounds under the immigration rules. The government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms and we will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.''

A spokeswoman for the Home Office of Great Britain referring to leaders of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church. The very active and extremely offensive family of Fred Phelps had posted on their church website that they were going to the UK to protest a production of 'The Larmie Project,' a play about the real-life murder of gay college student, Matthew Shepard. The Phelps churchmembers held a hateful protest at Shepard's funeral, as well. (AFP)

''Mike was the typical kid who was into chat rooms. It was in his nature. He was outgoing and likable. We told him all the time to be careful. But, once he moved out and got a place of his own, we had no more control over what he did or who he met.... Some kids think they're invincible and can't make a mistake, but all it takes is one mistake and your family is planning a funeral.... Even if that were true, that's no justification to stab someone and then stab them 19 more times," William Searfoss said. "This wasn't self-defense.''

William Searfoss remarking on his the murder of Army vet Michael Goucher, 21. His body was found in a wooded area a week after he went missing. Shawn Freemore, 19, is accused of stabbing Goucher to death. His defense is reported to be that he and Goucher had previously had sex after meeting in an internet chat room, but on February 3 Freeman claims he met Goucher again in a car, but put off his advances and then stabbed him when Goucher followed him outside. (Pocono Record)

''(I'm) just wondering how it could have happened, just terribly shocked and we all still hurt.... He plunged right into our music program. He helped with piano and organ, sang in the choir, played bells. Everybody loved him.''

Reverend Doctor William Ramsden of Zion United Church of Christ of Stroudsburg, PA, remarking on the stabbing death of Michael Goucher, 21. Another teen Shawn Freemore, 19, is charged with his murder after meeting Goucher in an internet chat room for sex. (WNEP)

''[If] you dont know, i am kind of crazy since i got out of jail doin 21 months. i hear voices that tell me to kill people, hallucinate, get dillusional sometimes...schitzophrenia runs in my family and i think i caught it early.''

Quote said to be from the web page Ian Seagraves, 17, a/k/a ''ThrOwt Stabba'' on MySpace. Seagraves is the second suspect to be arrested for the murder of Michael Goucher, 21. It is not yet clear how Seagraves is attached to previously-arrested Shawn Freemore and the crime, but it is being reported that he is being charged with murder, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, robbery, and fabricating or tampering with physical evidence. (Pocono Record)

''I've been a bit of a George Michael, meeting people, often strangers, for sex. Not in public toilets - I'm not big on the unhygienic side of things. These days you'd meet online and figure out a place where to meet - your place or mine.... The thing about the date-rape - that was the biggest part of the shame,' he told cameras. I actually enjoyed it at the time. What was happening to me was was a bit of a turn-on.... The knock-on effect of my feeling pleasure out of that event is that I found myself attracted to men every now and again.''

Les McKeown, former lead singer of the Scottish 1970s band Bay City Rollers which is best known for their hit ''S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night.'' He has been married for 30 years but just revealed in a TV interview that he's had a dozen male lovers over the years, following a confusing date rape that occurred when he was just 19. His wife and son said they were somewhat shocked at the news but remained supportive. (The Daily Mail)

''The amount itself is not important -- the city disrespected these men and violated their rights.''

Charles LiMandri, lawyer for four San Diego firemen who sued the city and their department for sexual harassment after they objected to a required participation aboard a firetruck in the 2007 Pride Day Parade. They had asked for $500,000 to $1 million each, but the jury awarded them far less: $5,000 each, plus $100 for one who had a counseling co-pay, and $14,200 for one who felt the need to transfer to another station. A previous jury could not reach a verdict. (LA Times)

"Same sex marriage in West Virginia is a closer reality than you may think. Thirty states have already passed constitutional amendments defining marriage. But activists outside our state are already targeting the remaining 20, including West Virginia, working tirelessly to redefine marriage away from God's design, to favor the deisres of adults over the needs of children for the naturally balanced model of a mother and a father.... [Judges] have arbitrarily redefined marriage and religious freedom, and virtually every area of ministry is coming under legal attack, threatening out ability to freely and legally follow the faith.... With alarming swiftness these sweeping changes are moving from the courtroom to the classroom.... A weekend trip to San Francisco for a West Virginia same-sex couple plus a pro-bono ACLU attorney could easily become a nightmare for marriage in West Virginia....

Quotes taken from nearly 6-minute video posted by the Family Policy Council, a West Virginia Christian group which is trying to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriages in that state. The video repeatedly claims gay desires and same-sex marriage are using the law to destroy interests of heterosexual couples, children, church members and all of West Virginia. At one point in the video a graphic representing the cross-hairs of a rifle's site are placed over face of a little girl who's blowing bubbles with her family on what appears to be the steps of a church. (Family Policy Council of West Virginia)

''Titles are very important. I like to embody titles, y'know, or words that have negative connotations, and explain why that's good.... Take the word gay--like, in hip-hop, that's a negative thing, right? But in the past two, three years, all the gay people I've encountered have been, like, really, really, extremely dope. Y'know, I haven't, like, gone to a gay bar, nor do I ever plan to. But where I would talk to a gay person--the conversation would be mostly around, like, art or design--it'd be really dope. From a design standpoint, kids'll say, 'Dude, those pants are gay.' But if it's, like, good, good, good fashion-level, design-level stuff, where it's on a higher level than the average commercial design stuff, it's, like, gay people that do that. I think that should be said as a compliment. Like, 'Dude, that's so good it's almost . . . gay.'''

Best-selling musician and budding narcissistic fashion brand Kanye West in an interview with Details magazine. (Details)

''It's a very efficient system, with people booking a slot in advance, and each ceremony taking a few minutes.''

Yves Padovani, chief clerk at the Marseilles Palais de Justice, remarking on one reason why heterosexual couples in France may be opting to join in Civil Solidarity Pacts (PaCS) instead of marriage. It is reported that only 10% of the 150,000 civil unions taking place are for same-sex couples. The PACS were adopted in 1999 and were originally designed to provide near identical protections for gay couples who cannot legally marry in that country including tax returns and deductions. (Telegraph UK)

''All over the country, marriage equality activists, union members and progressives clearly see the hypocrisy in President Clinton's appearance at the Manchester Hyatt. President Clinton's spokespeople said themselves that he would not have spoken at the Manchester Hyatt if he was invited by its owner, yet are going ahead with the speech. I think that's wrong, and evidently so do more than 25,000 other Americans. Does he really need the money that badly?''

Rick Jacobs of Courage Campaign expressing his disappointment that President Bill Clinton decided to proceed with a speaking engagement at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, a hotel who's owner is said to have donated $125,000 to Proposition 8. (San Francisco Sentinel)

''The approach in the e-mails we receive now is: 'What specials do you have?' not 'What are your rates?'''

Richard Gray, a hotel consultant who helped to pioneer gay travel in Broward County, Florida, on his estimate that gay travelers to Fort Lauderdale could decline some 15% and room rates off by 25%. The article mentions that Fort Lauderdale was ranked in a gay travel survey as #6, behind New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco as the top destinations. (Palm Beach Post)

''The way Americans think about homosexuality has changed over the last two decades, and if you think that's an accident, think again. Two homosexual activists wrote the book in 1989, 'After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays In the 90s.' In that book, Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen laid out powerful, and sophisticated propaganda techniques to manipulate people into accepting the homosexual lifestyle. Hello, I'm Janet Parshall, and in this program, we'll examine the agenda and the accomplishments of  homosexual activists and the impact of their astonishing success on families and on our freedom of religion....''

Quote from Jan Parshall, the virulently anti-gay host of a startlingly awful piece of religious consevative propoganda that is currently set to air on broadcast and cable televisions across America. The series of videos are a product from the American Family Association that attacks gay, lesbian and transgender rights and equality from every imaginable side, constantly referring to the ''radical homosexual agenda'' as being against freedom, children, family, and morals. It promotes ex-gay conversions, the social divide between African-American's and gay's interests, and the notion that gays are commiting violence against Christian Americans. The program's main focus is one particular book of tactical proposal from 1989 called, ''After the Ball.'' The show constantly takes information out of context and twists it to depict all gay rights achievements as being crafted through a coordinated effort based solely on this one book. Parshall and her fellow Christian commentators attack the equality for gays in education, the workplace, religion, marriage, and on and on. (SilencingChristians.com)

''I realize, in hind sight, that part of my homosexuality and what I was looking for in lesbian relationships, was that I was looking for my mother's love in the arms of another woman. I was also looking for protection from men.... I knew that I wanted Jesus even more than my homosexulaity.... Break down in the relationship with a same-sex parent, gender confusion, peer rejection and labeling... there too many commom themes for me to ever believe that it was genetic.... But there are people who attempt this journey who don't make it, who fall away, who either give up, or say it's just too hard. And because there are some who -- for whatever reason -- stop the journey, doesn't negate or invalidate the other people who have made it out of homosexuality. For example, people who say 'I've tried to give up smoking, but it didn't work for me, so it's not possible to give up smoking.'''

Christine Sneeringer of Exodus and Worthy Creations in Fort Lauderdale, FL, two religious groups designed to advance the notion that one can pray the gay away. Even though she admits to not knowing how to live without homosexuality, she perpetuates the stereotyping notion that all gays have weak relationships with their parent of the same gender, and that being gay is some kind of an addiction, in this instance nicotine. (SilencingChristians.com)

''This is the opening salvo in a campaign designed to denigrate LGBT Americans and deny us our basic rights. Just as our community is at a point where measures protecting millions of Americans heads to Congress and a willing President, the AFA unleashes 60 minutes of lies and distortions to scare voters. The AFA and its allies have never been 'speechless' when it comes to promoting their own agenda, and that's driving a wedge in the very places where LGBT Americans work, live and even pray.... It's telling that even the most basic forms of protection -- stopping violent crimes of hate or ensuring that people are judged not for who they are, but for their work -- lead the AFA to launch a national, paid campaign of hateful lies.''

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in response to the planned airing of a terribly slanted, anti-gay television program from Jan Parshall and the American Family Association. (HRC)

''Fred [Karger] and I focused on common ground, and there is plenty of common ground.... Fred learned some things I don't think he knew.''

John Garff of the large chain of car dealerships, Ken Garff Automotive, based in Salt-Lake City, UT. Fred Garff of Californians Against Hate, a group aimed at overturning the ban on gay marriage passed through Proposition 8, had called for a boycott against the Garff car dealership because it has been revealed that the owners' mother, Katherine Garff, had donated $100,000 to support Proposition 8. What Karger apparently did not know about the Garff dealership is that it has made significant financial contributions to the Human Rights Campaign and Utah Pride parade. (Salt Lake Tribune)

''The man was exercised to death. I'm glad it's over. The video is bone-chilling. The whole case is very sinister. My personal feeling is that what she did was more intentional than reckless. This is a case that could just slip through the cracks....I think he was victimized for years by her.''

Middlefield, OH Police Chief Joseph Stehlik referring to the confession of Christine Newton-John, 41, to the reckless homicide of her husband, James Mason, 73, by forcing him to swim in a pool until he had a heart attack. She reportedly pulled him by his arms and legs at times and allegedly prevented him from leaving the pool over 40 times. All of this is said to have been caught on a surveillance camera above the pool. Newton-John changed her name to match that of her favorite singer, and was legally married in Kentucky after gender reassignment surgery. (Plain Dealer)

''We could get married in Massachusetts or Connecticut, but we'll wait a little and see what happens in New York. It's a matter of principle. This is our home, and we should be able to get married where we live, where our friends are.''

Matt Flanders of Brooklyn, NY after taking part in a same-sex marriage protest with his partner in Manhattan as part of a national day of protests against Proposition 8 and the continued rejection of marriage licenses or even legalized civil unions for gay couples in most of the United States. (Associate Press)

''The area's only progressive talk station is changing formats, dropping such syndicated liberal hosts as Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller and Bill Press in favor of financial news, starting next week. The move by Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who purchased the station, WWRC, and others in Washington last summer, leaves the city without a liberal radio outlet. Program Director Greg Tantum says he thought the station could work because of enthusiasm over Obama, but that ratings collapsed to a level that could not be measured after the election.''

Washington Post media columnist Howard Kurtz explaining the sudden disappearance of the AM 1260 radio format that featured mostly gay-supportive, left-wing progressives. The liberal-friendly radio station, that included Rachel Maddow, originally began as Air America Radio a few years ago, then changed its name to Progressive Talk 1260 as a variety of syndicated talk show hosts were added to the line-up, and late last year to the rather ridiculous name of Obama 1260. (Washington Post)

''As first reported by the Post's media critic, Howard Kurtz, Dan Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting Company, owner of Obama 1260, has announced plans to jettison all progressive talk and replace it with canned, pre-recorded financial advice programming.

''The commercial use of public airwaves is supposed to reflect the local community. But not in Washington. On the AM dial, 630 WMAL features wall-to-wall conservative talk. So do stations 570 WTNT and 1580 WHFS. For the last two years, AM 1260 - even with a weak signal that can not be heard in downtown Washington - was the one exception. No longer. Starting Monday, February 9, our nation's capitol, where Democrats control the House, Senate, and White House, and where Democrats outnumber Republicans ten to one, will have no progressive voices on the air.

''Or maybe one. In order to mollify critics, Red Zebra has said it will add Ed Schultz to its conservative line-up on 570 AM. Which means Shultz will be outgunned in this market by at least 15 conservative talkers: Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Chris Plante, Michael Smerconish, Michael Savage, Andy Parks, Fred Grandy, Bill Bennett, Monica Crowley, Bill O'Reilly, Dennis Miller, and Lars Larsen. No matter how good Schultz is, that's not a fair contest - nor a fair use of the public airwaves.''

Washington-based, morning talk show host Bill Press talking about his last day of his show airing on DC's WWRC AM 1260, a formerly progressive and gay-friendly talk radio format. He makes the case for supporting the Fairness Doctrine in that right-wing conservatives continue to dominate the airwaves because station owners refuse to support and promote viewpoints from left-wing Democrats and other political progressives. (The Bill Press Show)

''There were so many wealthy progressives out there that could have made [progressive radio] happen. It ended up being on Sheldon's shoulders.''

Anita Drobny on the mental breakdown and reported suicide attempt by her husband Sheldon Drobny after the financial collapse of Nova M radio. The Drobnys founded Nova M as a liberal presence on the talk radio circuit, but had previously helped to establish Air America Radio. Their most famous talk personality was Randi Rhodes who stopped broadcasting some days before Nova M filed for liquidation. (Wall Street Journal) Washington DC's liberal talk station Obama 1260 recently converted to an all-financial talk format leaving the commercial talk airwaves to an overwhelmingly far-right political influence.

Most of the Progressive talk radio shows can still be heard online at a variety of sites:

• Air America Radio -- The Lionel Show, Thom Hartmann, Ron Reagan
• The Rachel Maddow Show
• The Ed Shultz Show
• The Bill Press Show

''Yes, she's a lesbian. She's also a redhead. It is an element of her character. It is not her character. If people are going to have problems with it, that's their issue. That's certainly not mine.... People should be skeptical of the character. They absolutely should. They've barely seen her. And if I were a fan, I'd be going, 'Great, we've got a redhead wearing a Bat suit. And it's not Barbara Gordon. And she's gay. This is all I've heard about her.' As a fan, I'd be like, 'That's not much of a character.' And they'd be right. That's not a whole lot to go on.''

Greg Rucka of DC Comics on the appearance and subsequent coming out process of the company's new lipstick lesbian superhero, Kate Kane as Batwoman. (Comic Book Resource)

"It's inevitable that somebody will do that," Duhm said. "The bios come out before anybody's seen anything, and (fans are) going to say, 'You're the black one. You're the old woman.' I didn't want people on TV right off the bat to go, 'OK, here's our homo.'"

Spencer Duhm, 20, a gay contestant currently appearing on the 17th season of CBS' realty competition show "Survivor: Tocantins.'' (The Ledger) The show's very first winner was also a gay man, Richard Hatch, who's winnings and fame famously led to a number of problems.

''Going into it, I did not plan on telling my tribe mates," he said. "People have prejudices sometimes. My theory was, I'll let them get to know me. If it comes up, I'll tell them.''

Spencer Duhm (pronounced like "Doom") explaining how being gay contributed to his strategy as a contestant on ''Survivor: Tocantins -- The Brazilian Highlands.'' (Orlando Sentinel)

''Snakes in general, I just don't do snakes.''

A quote from the official "Survivor" show site that says Spencer Duhm is "a gay, single man and currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. His birthday is December 20." He also appears to be the youngest contestant to have ever appeared on the show since the network lowered the age limit from 21 to 18. (CBS)

''I had no right to make decisions about Eric's remains. I felt betrayed and angry. After all, we had lived out our commitment to each other and commitment to Tess. We had done what we were supposed to do to protect our family.''

Tim Reardon, a gay man who lost his partner, Eric, to brain cancer and says he was not granted end-of-life decisions that a married couple would have been granted in that state even after filing a number of expensive legal papers to cover just such an event. An initiative called Project 515 is introducing the Final Wishes Act is being proposed to extend to Reardon and other same-sex couples some of those benefits. (The Minnesota Independent)

''My favorite [line from a review] was when Frank Rich wrote in The New York Times, 'It doesn't matter that the lady is a man. The lady in question is a star.' The worst was when John Simon wrote that I was merely a 'wan transvestite.'

Actor Charles Busch who regularly plays female characters on stage and screen. His latest endeavor, 'The Third Story' is a three-in-one story line inspired by Busch's late-night channel surfing habits. The show also features actress Kathleen Turner, and it has been extended through March 6 at the MCC Theater (Village Voice)

''The city's best defense is, 'Even if you were harassed, it was not severe or pervasive,' The law is unclear, and the fact that this is a hot-button issue makes this an even harder case. It's going to be difficult to keep the jurors' prejudices out of the decision-making.''

Shaun Martin, a professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, describing the second trial of several San Diego firefighters who say they were forced to participate in a Gay Pride Parade and then were sexually harassed by observers of the event. They are suing the city for $1 million dollars each, however, in a previous trial, the jury failed to reach a verdict. It is reported that the plaintiffs contradicted themselves and each other during testimony. The new trial is expected to go to jury on Wednesday.(San Diego Union Tribune)

''To grant the divorce here is not against public policy. It's consistent with the strong marriage recognition principles that have been practiced since the 1800s.''

New Jersey State Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ruling favorably in the case of two lesbians, La Kia and Kinyati Hammond, who were married in Canada in 2004 but were seeking a divorce in New Jersey. The judge stated, though, that the New Jersey does not have to recognize same-sex marriages in other contexts. One of the lesbians in the case is seeking to finalize their divorce so she can marry another woman in Canada. (Associated Press via The Examiner)

''This really is a great day and a part of moving forward to a time when all Vermont couples will be treated equally under our laws.... I know that there's broad support in the House... We have work we need to get done as a state. Part of it is this work. This is important work for Vermont families, just like economic issues are important work for Vermont families. So we can do it all.''

Vermont State Rep. Mark Larson who, along with Rep. David Zuckerman, introduced a bill at the House that would allow same-sex marriages. Vermont was the first state to pass statewide rights for gay civil unions. It is reported that a similar bill will be introduced in the VT Senate as well, but lawmakers are not sure there will be action taken during the current session. (Associated Press)

'I know one of your top priorities is the recognition of marriage between same-sex couples -- something that I strongly support, something that I believe in and something that we will make happen together.... Although we do not have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage. And the question is not if; the question is when. So our work still needs to happen for it to happen this year. But I'm going to need your help, and I'm going to need your prayers.''

New York State's Senate Majority Leader, Malcolm A Smith, speaking at an HRC fundraiser. The NY Times reports that Governor Patterson is a strong supporter of gay rights and the House passed legislation to move toward gay marriage, the state Senate appears to lack votes for the measure. (New York Times)

''Folks, till my dying breath there isn't anybody in this country who could say that she is a terrible person, or someone that needs to have their rights restricted.''

Rep Pat Childer, a Republican state representative in Wyoming, using her lesbian daughter as reason why her fellow state legislators should not approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The bill was defeated 35-25. (Casper Star Tribune)

''I thought he was very handsome. I thought he was charasimatic.... He was surprised [when I told him I was 17].... It was a kiss. It caught me off guard, but it was mutual.... I never had a sexual relationship with Sam before I was 18. ''

Beau Breedlove who says he was disappointed in Mayor Sam Adams for lying to the residents of Portland about their relationship, and also adding that, "Looking back on it, yes," he did see something inappropriate about it. He says he's received hate mail, but says he and Mayor Adams are still friends after all that has happened since the election and revelations that followed. (CBS News via YouTube)

''These are troubling allegations. The department is taking this matter very seriously and it will be fully investigated.''

"I've been targeted for almost my entire life. I've been out since 14 and being really, really active in school, in the community, I've definitely been targeted a lot, but I'm just taking it with a grain of salt, and they're going to think what they're going to think, do what they want to do, and we're just going to do our thing and keep our spirits high.''

Matt Pope, an openly-gay student who was voted Prom King of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas. The family of anti-gay preacher Fred Phelps held a protest at the school and supporters of Pope are said to have far outnumbered the infamous "God Hates" group. (KCTV)

''This move is consistent with the governor's goal to provide affordable, quality health care to more Marylanders rather than fewer. It's absolutely the right thing to do.''

Shaun Adamec, spokesman for Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley spokesman who is making the proposal that same-sex partners of state workers should receive heal care benefits. The Baltimore Sun reports that some 300 employees would expected to take advantage of the offer and that it would put Maryland in line with the District of Columbia and several other states that offer some benefits to employees' non-legally married partners. (Baltimore Sun)

''I just didn't think too much of it at the time," he said. "It's not the first guy who he had sex with that was older than 18. He liked it, obviously. Maybe he just didn't know that this guy was going to become the mayor of Portland.''

A anonymous friend of Beau Breedlove, the young man caught up in the middle of Portland's mayoral sex scandal. He claims he received a text message from Breedlove about a physical relationship he was having with an unnamed politician while he was still 17. The newly elected and openly gay mayor of Portland, Sam Adams, insists Breedlove was an 18-year-old adult at the time, but has also lied previously about having any affair with Breedlove at all. (KATU)

''I know this city pretty well. I knew coming clean with this issue would likely spark calls for my resignation from everybody. Understandably, I've embarrassed a lot of people in the LGBT community, and the newspaper calling for me to resign is a reflection of the frustration and anger and disappointment that lots of people have. My job is to try to regain their trust. And part of doing that is accepting and embracing people's own reactions, and going to them, and being with them. And as difficult and as painful as it might be, that's part of what I feel I need to do to make amends. I've been out in the community and will continue to be. I'm not going anywhere.''

Mayor Sam Adams in an interview with Out.com regarding the anger & embarrassment that the gay community of Portland has been expressing over his past relationship with a teenage intern, Beau Breedlove. Adams says he was 42 at time, that Breedlove was 18, and that he is not interested in stepping down even though Just Out, the gay newspaper of Portland, has also added to a number of calls for his resignation. (Out.com)

''I get that all the time. People are like, 'Are you secretly a lesbian? Because I'd really love it.' Lesbians tell it to me all the time. I'm like, 'I'm glad it works for you and I wish I liked women like that because oftentimes men are very hard for me, but I happen to like boys.' I could never be a lesbian. I would never want to date [someone like] myself, ever. I'm a crazy person. I need some kind of stable, quiet man. I don't really care if you're black, white, yellow, gay, straight, crazy, whatever. As long as you're cool and you like the music, and you're coming out to have a good time at the shows, I don't really care. I have everything I just said in my family, so I'm just used to being surrounded by that. I just don't know any different.''

Singer and the first "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson responding to rumors that she is a lesbian. (Pop Eater)

''People are hemorrhaging, and we're no exception.... Even if we were rent-free, it wouldn't be enough for us to cover the bills we have.... This is one instance in New York where it's not a case of the landlord gouging the tenant. Our landlord has always been remarkable with us''

Kim Brinster, the current owner of the soon-closing Oscar Wilde Bookshop, one of the USA's first gay & lesbian bookstores, located in Greenwich Village in NYC on Christopher Street. It's reported here also that Deacon Maccubbin of DC's Lambda Rising was one of the store's owners up until 2006. (NY Times)

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments against Proposition 8, the voter-approved initiative that banned gay marriage that state. They are to consider:

• Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution?
• Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
• If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

I wish I could talk them into staying together, but I don't see how. They had a great thing going. I love Julie, and I always will.... I guess because Julie and Hillary made headlines, people will pick on it. I don't think sex has anything to do with it. If (marriage) is what Hillary wanted, I was proud of her.''

Ann Kiernan Smith, 82, mother of Hillary Goodridge who was married to her lesbian partner, Julie Goodridge, four years ago when same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts. They were the gay first couple to wed in the United States, however they broke up in July of 2006 and have reportedly filed for divorce today. They have shared custody of their 12-year-old daughter. (Boston Herald)

''It makes me very frightened because homophobia -- like racism, like sexism -- it's grounded in irrationalism. To think that we are in the 21st Century and these crimes are committed by young people who, yes, we do presume are very progressive thinkers. It is quite scary.... Just recently, I was on the subway here in Washington, DC, and a group of young, African-American men, they were yelling derogatory statements toward me. I am an African-American woman and, in appearance, I have very short hair, but I think it's still quite easy to tell I am female. And these young men, they apparently made the assumption that I was lesbian and the company I had was my partner, and they took great offense to that. They looked at me and judged me to be lesbian and decided to schpeel very negative, hurtful statements toward me....

''I think I would like for many of us to do away with the misconceived notion that because people of color have a history of oppression, we should naturally be relievers or curers of other people's pain.... [Because] young people of this generation, my generation, are progressive thinkers that naturally we will act when needed to. I think it's just not enough to be a progressive thinker, but it also takes courage. I know when I experienced, what I shared earlier on the subway, not to many people said anything at all. And it was something that was ignored, even though, I'm sure, that in Washington, DC, most people would object to such statements that I heard....''

Jenelle Forde, an elementary school teacher in DC who is gay, relating her recent experience on the Washington subway system, during a conversation about anti-gay hate crimes on NPR's ''Tell Me More.'' (NPR / Tell Me More)

''Certainly, the incident in Richmond, CA was the most egregious form of homophobia.... Proposition 8 which banned same-sex marriage in California is homophobia. When the ministers get up in churches -- and I'm specifically speaking about black churches -- and give sermons and talk about how "we hate the sin but love the sinner" when they're talking about gays and lesbians. They're all forms of homophobia and gay bashing.... What strikes me and has been the hardest to deal with is why African-Americans specifically and, generally, people of color still, in the main, do not see the struggle for gay rights is a civil rights struggle.... And it is a paradox that people who have been subjected to the most bigotry and hatred in this country are not in the forefront of the fight for gays and lesbians....

''Homophobia is bolstered by religion. And I really would like to see sermons preached about homophobia, about how it is wrong. I would like to see that happen because we are the most disappeared when we're sitting in churches, where people are giving sermons and talking about how sinful gays and lesbians are and basing it on what they believe and I believe what is a misguided interpretation of the scriptures. So, I would like to see the conversation be generated from the pulpit about this issue.

LaDoris Cordell an African-American lesbian and retired family court judge speaking with NPR's Michel Martin about the roots of anti-gay violence. (NPR / Tell Me More)

"I think that's an important opportunity for us, absolutely. Because within our party, we do have those who have that view, as well as outside. And my partnership with Christine Todd Whitman was hopefully an effort to build a bridge between moderates and conservatives in the party. I'm a pro-life, Catholic conservative -- always have been.... The reality of it, is this, because I don't think we should mess around with the Constitution. We can deal with that at the state level. That's my personal view. But the reality of it is that the party has to recognize the diversity of opinion that's out there.... I'm not going to allow anyone to define the issues for us and say, 'Well, these are the only two issues that really matter.' There's a whole range of issues out there in which we can address the American people, and the American people can come to our table."

Newly appointed Republican party leader, Michael Steel, on "Fox News Sunday" addressing his views on gay rights and abortion. He was formerly the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, and is now the first African-American leader of to head the party that mostly holds socially conservative views. The show's host describes Steel as a co-founder of the Republican Leadership Council which supports candidates who favor abortion and gay rights. Former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman & Senator John Danforth of Missouri are also named as creators of the RLC-PAC. (Raw Story)

''It's a great day for our Party. Steele is an inclusive leader who will bring a new energy and a new vision to the GOP at a critical time. ... While we do not agree with Chairman Steele on every issue, we look forward to working with him to help rebuild the GOP. Republicans got wiped out in November with non-white voters, young voters and self-described moderates. Michael Steele understands the base doesn't equal a majority.''

Patrick Sammon remarking on the appointment of Maryland's former Lieutenant Governer, Michael Steel, as head of the RNC. Sammon's quotes are from a press release by the Log Cabin Republicans, the country's best-known gay Republican group. (LogCabin.org)