''It wasn't anything overdramatic, It's an expression of yourself, no matter what. To dress out of your own gender shouldn't be anything.... A lot of people responded to it well. I didn't think I was causing that much of a disruption.... I think a lot of people kind of figured it's OK for people to be different. They understood why I did what I did," he said of his peers' reaction.''

Justin Reynolds, a 16-year-old, 11th grade student who was sent home after having a discussion with his principal because he had come to his Florida school in female attire and had worn a stuffed bra. It appears that his transgender attire was deemed to be a class disruption because it did not adhere to the gender specific language in the dress code. Reynolds says he had tried two years ago to start a gay-straight alliance but was denied. (Ocala.com)

''You have been found guilty of physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on campus, harassment, bullying other girls on campus and of being dishonest by not telling investigators the whole truth.''

An quote from a letter reportedly sent to the home of a girl who attended Oprah's famed school for girls in South Africa. The alleged improprieties of this particular 15-year-old girl is said to have been one of seven girls who were suspended because ''they contravened the school's code of conduct,'' or as the NY Daily News relays it: ''Other girls were caught fondling each other or trying to get other girls to join them in lesbian liasons.'' (NY Daily News)

''I definitely understand and respect people's curiosity, you know. But people, they have to trust me and when I speak on my truth, that's really the bottom line in dealing with people. If I say to you, 'I don't have an open marriage. No, we're not gay.' [laughs] And you don't trust that, well then there's nothing that we -- that I have to say to anybody about anything, because at the end of the day, I'm living my life and I'm happy.''

Actress and metal rock musician Jada Pinkett Smith, of Baltimore, remarking about rumors that she and her husband Will Smith are in a marriage of convenience because they are both secretly gay. She also said their school is not a Scientology school, but that the method of teaching is a product of L. Ron Hubbard -- the founder of the Scientology who, incidentally, claimed that homosexuality can be cured through scientific feedback therapy. (NPR audio)

''Although there was swelling and bruising and everything, I automatically felt more comfortable ready to just walk around the house with my little shorts, and -- just felt more confident.''

Isis King returning for another visit to the Tyra Banks show after having completed her gender reassignment surgery. King, who is from Prince Georges County, Maryland, was the first MTF transgender contestant to appear on ''America's Next Top Model.'' (CelebTV)

From E! Online about actor Andy Hallet who played a friendly, green, singing demon in the TV series Angel:

''Andy Hallett, who starred as Lorne ("the Host") on the TV series Angel, died of heart failure last night at age 33, according to his longtime agent and friend Pat Brady. The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after a five-year battle with heart disease, with his father Dave Hallett by his side.... "We don't really know if [my character is] gay. I don't really know. It's funny, because sometimes he's right in Angel's face, and that's when I feel it the most. And viewers would probably think, hmm, what's going on here? This guy's pretty curvy."

From TheWrap.com about Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy/documentary ''Bruno'' which features the cross-the-line behavior of the Cohen's title character, a swishy gay fashion reporter from Austria, which often plays off of people's homophobia & vapid viewpoints about fashion trends:

Among the objectionable scenes is one in which Bruno--a gay Austrian fashionista played by Baron Cohen--appears to have anal sex with a man on camera. In another, the actor goes on a hunting trip and sneaks naked into the tent of one of the fellow hunters, an unsuspecting non-actor. A Universal spokesman confirmed the rating on Sunday, saying: 'On its first submission the film did not receive an R but it is far too early to say that there is any struggle to get there as the process is only at its inception.''

''Oh. My. God. Before is all like gay, gay, gay. Now would you believe? Our audience is all straight people. Couples!"

Isanoel Pinson, who performs at a gay bar, Mad Myrna's, in Anchorage Alaska, regarding the changing face of paying patrons at formerly all-gay nightclubs. (Anchorage Daily News)

''You can always tell the straight people, because they're the ones who come on time.''

Scott Koeller, who appears in drag as Daphne DoAll LaChores at Myrna's. The Anchorage Daily News article in which he's quoted alleges that a nationwide phenomenon has hit gay bars where gay patrons are declining in numbers and that the bars are trying to appeal to heterosexuals in order to stay in business. (Anchorage Daily News)

"Put it in me, Scott."

A talking toaster oven asking a Quiznos employee, Scott, in the sandwich company's latest TV ad. Gay bloggers are not sure what to make of the weird ad which seems similar to famous Hal, the talking computer of ''2001: A Space Odyssey.'' But the male voice emanating from the flashing oven, and the fact that the male employee seems to look down at his crotch while holding the foot-long ToastyTorpedo gives the spot a bizarre sexual twist. (Quiznos.com video via YouTube)

"I want every single one of you in this room to take note of what corporations put their time and money behind gays, behind lesbians - behind you. Do you want to continue to give your money to people in corporations that oppress us, that keep us down? Or do you want to give your money to the corporations who can help us rise and change what needs to be changed in the United States of America today. I ask you to honor those corporations not only with your support but with your money as well. We can do this - and here's how you're going to do it. You are going to think about every single penny you spend from this day forward. And the only think I ask of you is to spend it and invest it in those companies that invest in you."

Multimedia finance guru Suze Orman accepting an award at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards in NYC. (GLAAD)

"[The LGBT community] empowered me. And in turn, when I finally had a platform, and a power, and a voice - no longer just a face, but a voice - to get across the points and the messages that were important to me, I brought you along with me. Because you embraced me and now I embrace you in front of millions to show how beautiful you are, how absolutely amazing you are, how giving you are. And I will continue to do that as long as I have a platform. I will continue to get the message out about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.''

Supermodel and TV show host Tyra Banks receiving an Excellence in Media Award at from GLAAD at their 2009 Awards show in New York. (GLAAD)

''It's unbelievable to think about the power and the warp speed of this revolution. Twenty years ago when I proudly accepted the first GLAAD Media Award...it was a very small crowd. There are more photographers here tonight than there were people then.... And now, we look up in 2009, and [the LGBT community] is popular. The majority of the people in the nation agree with us. Our job now is to summon these people to stand up and say so out loud. To tell them to join us. To march the lavender line with us down Fifth Avenue, and to remind them, when they do join us, they're going to meet a lot of nice people.''

Talk show pioneer Phil Donahue picking up a Special Award at the 2009 GLADD Media Awards(GLAAD)

''Well, it continues to be the law. And any change in the policy would require a change in the law. We will follow the law, whatever it is. That dialog, though, has not progressed very far at this point in the administration. I think the President and I feel that we've got a lot on our plates right now, and let's push that one down the road a little bit.''

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates responding to Fox News on the question of why, if Obama plans to do away with the ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' is there still money in the 2010 budget for that policy. (Fox)

''WARNING!! The following information is offensive! It is offered as informational evidence of the sickening material broadcast on FOX Network. The March 8 episode of Family Guy, a disgusting cartoon that airs Sunday nights on Fox network, condoned bestiality, gay orgies and babies eating sperm.''

A posting at the AFA regarding a recent airing of ''Family Guy,'' the Fox TV channel's hit animated cartoon that is less about a linear plot and more about skewering just about anything the creators can think of. In addition to the acts mentioned in the AFA's warning (promotion?) the lead character is injected with a ''gay gene'' which causes him to act effeminately, talk to his child about glory holes at a circuit party, lose sexual interest in his wife, and move in with a man. It also skewers Ronald Regan's sexuality and the ex-gay movement. (AFA)

From TechCrunch.com:

We've seen a handful of dating applications that cater to the straight community, and today brings the launch of Grindr, one of the first iPhone applications geared towards gay and bisexual men.

''I want to be a role model. I want to be a good role model for the drag community. I want to bring it back a lot of dignity. Not that it doesn't have it already, but I want to play my own part in doing that. I'm ready now to take that step and follow RuPaul's footsteps to accomplish a lot of what he's accomplished.''

Bebe Zahara Benet, of the African country Cameroon, after winning ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' and the title of American's Next Drag Superstar. She beat out 8 other queens including Nina Flowers and Rebecca Glasscock in the Logo Channel's reality series that was like a cross between ''America's Next Top Model'' and ''Project Runway.'' The entire season can be viewed with extras online at Logo's website. (Logo Online)

''[Justice Scalia] wrote a very long, very angry opinion [about Lawrence v. Texas] in which he makes it very clear that he thinks gay people are a threat to this society.... He's had other opinions involving gay people in which he makes it very clear that he's very angry, frankly, about the existence of gay people.... What a 'homophobe' means is that he's someone who's got prejudice against gay people.... He thinks it's a good idea for two consenting adults who happen to be gay to be locked up because he is so disapproving of gay people. We're not talking about marriage ... While I support same-sex marriage, I don't think if you're against it you're a homophobe. I don't think Clarence Thomas is a homophobe for an opinion which says, 'Look, the Constitution allows a state to do what I think is silly.'''

US Representative Barney Frank regarding his earlier comment about Justice Antonin Scalia being a homophobe who would be given the chance to decide any court case regarding the Defense of Marriage Act if it went before the Supreme Court today. (WBZ)

''It's time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue.''

A statement from US Senator Chuck Schumer [D-NY] on the issue of allowing same-sex marriage. Schumer has been viewed primarily as a gay-friendly liberal from a Democratic state, so, up till now, it has been frustrating to some in the gay community that neither he nor his former colleague, Hillary Clinton, have been in support of gay men and lesbians sharing in equal marriage rights. (NY Daily News)

From WCAX-TV regarding the tentative approval by the Vermont Senate of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages:

Governor Douglas has said that he opposes the bill, and this afternoon he announced he plans to veto it. He said he made the announcement to stop speculation and to focus attention on economy.

As noted previously, Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican, has consistently been against the movement toward same-sex marriages, despite a unanimous approval by a state Senate committee and an overwhelming majority approval during a preliminary Senate. It's not clear how or why he continues to associate the state's economy with marriage equality.

''The consequences are there, politically. But I'm not choosing votes based on what's politically correct. My vote is going to go to what I think is right on the issue when it's presented to me.... You hear such passion on both sides. I've come to see there's some percentage of people who are for it or opposed, and they're polarized. There's a fairly good-sized group who either don't care or don't care enough to call or think that we have more important things to be dealing with''

Vermont State Senator Matthew Choate [D-Caledonia] explaining why he voted for a bill to pass full marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in that state, despite that fact that his district is said to lean conservative and receiving some 300 calls about the issue. (MassLive.com)

''As much as I dislike [the Defense of Marriage Act] -- I led the fight against it -- I don't think that it's appropriate to say that the President should pick and choose what laws he defends. On the other hand, I do think this argument, that it is unconstitutional for the Federal government to pick and choose as to which marriages it will accept, is a good one. At some point, that's gonna have to go before the United States Supreme Court. I wouldn't want to go to the Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia's got too many votes on his Court.''

Representative Barney Frank [D-MA] in a taped interview with Logo news, discussing Federal judges in California who have decided that employees in their court are entitled to health benefits for same-sex partners despite DOMA. (Logo)

''I didn't do anything illegal. I didn't hurt anyone. I don't think I did anything wrong. Who should I apologize to?... I am straight, but on the forums people make a lot of gay jokes about me. I'm not too concerned. They can talk about me all they want, it doesn't matter. If a guy wants to be with a guy, who cares?... We kept thinking no one would ever find out because it was a gay website and we really wanted that money.''

Paul Donahoe, a college wrestler who was dismissed from his Nebraska team after he and a fellow wrestler, Kenny Jordan, appeared in nude photos on an all-male porn site for directed at gay men. Donahoe says that after the scandal he has now transferred to Edinboro University in Pennsylvania where he has been given a second change to wrestle, but lost 24 credits and had to donate all of the money he made to a charity. (Boston Globe)

''The women are a hoot, and some can be just delightful. But because not everybody can get married, watching them celebrate, it's such a slap in the face. Prop 8 just reopened the wound.... Until same-sex marriage is legal everywhere and same-sex couples are allowed the rights as every heterosexual couple worldwide, we simply do not think it's fair or just for a female bride-to-be to celebrate her upcoming nuptials here at Cocktail. We are entitled to an opinion, this is ours.''

Geno Zaharakis, owner of Cocktail, a gay bar in Chicago, IL, which has posted a sign stating that bachelorette parties are not allowed. It's reported that groups of heterosexual women (one typically wearing a veil or tiara) are often seen at gay bars and gay strip clubs so they can drink heavily and not be propositioned by straight men. (Chicago Tribune)

''We actually have some gay people that work with us, and we have a lot of friends that are gay, too, and I know that this song has inspired them. I know that coming out was tough on their parents and on them and the whole entire family. For a long time, some of them didn't get to hear 'I love you' from their dads or be accepted in that way. ... It's helped a lot of our friends.

Rascal Flatts singer, Gary LeVox, speaking about their new song ''Love Who You Are," which might be interpreted by some of their fans as supportive of gay relationships. (CMT)

''The United States is an outspoken defender of human rights and critic of human rights abuses around the world.... As such, we join with the other supporters of this statement and we will continue to remind countries of the importance of respecting the human rights of all people in all appropriate international fora.... In the words of the United States Supreme Court, the right to be free from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation 'has been accepted as an integral part of human freedom.'''

An unnamed United States official, as quoted by the Associated Press, allegedly announcing that our country may officially sign on to a United Nations declaration that calls for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality. It is reported that the Bush Administration refused to sign the document. (AP)

''The gay community tends to stay in traditional gay bars, and part of the problem is our community is too insular. This is more to get the community out of our gay ghetto. It's supposed to be a social event, and it's supposed to be a good time.''

Kris Banks, president of the Houston GLBT's Political Caucus, who was unable to participate in a Facebook-organized event where gays visit a straight bar. The bar, Union, in Houston, TX stopped the gay patrons from entering, while letting in others. The bar owner says it is all a misunderstanding in that private parties are frequenlty booked at the venue, and that the number of 'Guerilla' attendees had grown so large that it exceeded the capacity of the club. (Houston Chronicle)

''I have been, um, supportive of a lot of my friends who are gay in some of the core things that they believe are important to them. You know, the ability to be able to share in the information of your partner, to have the ability to--particularly in times of crisis--to manage their affairs.... I just draw the line at the gay marriage. And that's not antigay, no. Heck no! It's just that, you know, from my faith tradition and upbringing, I believe that marriage--that institution, the sanctity of it--is reserved for a man and a woman.... I think that there's a whole lot that goes into the makeup of an individual that, uh, you just can't simply say, oh, like, "Tomorrow morning I'm gonna stop being gay." It's like saying, "Tomorrow morning I'm gonna stop being black.''

Republican National Comittee head Michael Steele in an interview when asked what his opinions of gay marriage are, and also whether he thought homosexuality is a choice. Steele, who is a native of Washington, DC and served as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland has repeatedly turned his nose up at the rights of gay men and lesbians to enter into either marriage or civil unions. Yet, some still consider him a moderate in his views of gays in general, and some on the far religious right are finding his statements that homosexuality is not a choice, just one more reason for him to resign. As the first African-American man to serve in the position, his self-labeled "hip-hop plan" of inclusion and empowerment is causing an uproar with a lot of the Republicans whom he has been given responsibility to represent. (GQ)

''My belief from having done this work for many years is that surges in types of hate incidents are linked to the headlines and controversies of the day. Marriage equality and Proposition 8 have been in the news, and we have seen an increase in gay-bashing.''

Deputy District Attorney Jay Boyarsky, who is assigned to monitor hate crimes Santa Clara County, California. (San Jose Mercury News)

"The only thing our gay and lesbian friends can get from this is potentially additional social acceptance... All of this was sprung in a fashion that I think most Vermonters-- even if they are in favor of gay marriage-- would recognize that the tactics being used are underhanded tactics, trying to push this through without debate."

Steve Cable of Vermont Renewal. a group opposed to the renewed interest in that state's legislature in pushing for gay marriages. The state was the first to provide state-wide civil unions equivalent to marriage (but at a state level only). (WCAX)

''What would I give for a playboy, who couldn't keep it in his pants and runs through women. But what I have, is a son who shows no interest in them. Oh, you thought I didn't know? I've been keeping pictures of our family out of the free press for years. What you do at night, with your boys, after your show of skirt chasing, is a disgrace. If you were my second son, I wouldn't care. But for a king, it's not possible.... You cannot be what God made you, not if you mean to take my place.''

Pivotal dialog from King Silas during the premier episode of the new NBC TV series ''Kings.'' The show presents an interpreted take on the Biblical tale of King David and his youthful relationship with Jonathan, son of a jealous King Saul. Jonathan is now ''Jack,'' Saul is now ''Silas,'' and the setting is a alternate reality of our modern world with tanks and NYC as the backdrop. But the early, and somewhat disappointing indicators, are that the writer, Michael Green, has made David totally straight while the character of Jonathan/Jack is gay but immature and less than admirable. Green tells (see AfterElton) that people should just keep watching as the script develops because the Jack character is not so easily defined. (NBC)

''I think that is a travesty to the citizens of the state of Maryland.... I can tell you that I have met many a former homosexual and I have yet to meet a former African-American.''

Republican representative Don Dwyer of Glen Burnie, MD, once again using the standard conservative tactic of trying to separate the interests of gay men and lesbians and people of color. His statement comes in reaction to a civil marriage bill introduced again by Ben Barnes of [D-College Park]. Dwyer has countered with his own proposed bill that would limit marriage between one man and one woman. Janet Greenip [R-Crofton] is said to be sponsoring a senate version. Barnes' bill supports the inclusion of same-sex couples and has support from the Attorney General, Doug Gansler, and also Republican Wayne Gilchrest who says his own gay brother was been married in Massachusetts.(The Capital)

''I thought I'd never get another acting job again.... So I was like, 'Yeah--why not try to do something weird?' There's all these gay sex scenes. And y'know, I haven't even done a sex scene with a girl, in my whole career.... Trying to do it doggie-style. Trying to have a nervous breakdown while doing it doggie-style. And it wasn't even a closed set. There were all these Spanish electricians giggling to themselves.''

Actor Robert Pattinson of ''Twilight'' fame, telling GQ about his post-"Harry Potter" role as bisexual painter Salvador Dali, and the on-set requirements of a ''hardcore" gay sex scene for the small-budget film ''Little Ashes.'' He attributes the interest in the yet-to-be-released film as being due to his own sudden stardom. (GQ)

''I assumed that I would get the gay and lesbian audience -- just by living my life out and open, so casually and comfortably. I did not know I would get this huge influx of straight women, mostly married, mostly with kids, middle-aged, who are living all over the country, middle parts of America where I'm from.... I'm was only used to having straight friends. All my friends were cheerleaders, and I had that environment, so I am used to that. Plus, I believe I have that right blend of masculinity and femininity. I love to shop. I love to go to spas. So, I can be your best girlfriend and I'm kind of a tomboy, too.''

Fitness coach Jackie Warner of the TV show ''Work Out'' on her theory of why straight women are drawn to her. (Tyra Banks Show)

''I believe marriage, as our statute says, is a union of a man and a woman.... I want to be sure every Vermonter, regardless of sexual orientation, has a decent job.... That has to be our top priority now.''

Vermont's Republican Governor, Jim Douglas, reacting to revived debate in Vermont's legislature toward same-sex marraiges. Vermont currently excludes gay and lesbian couples from being married, but has adopted civil unions that are supposed to be the equivalent. (MSNBC)

''How many more good soldiers are we willing to lose due to a bad policy that makes us less safe and secure?''

Portion of a statement released by Representative Jim Moran [D-VA] in reaction to his finding that 11 more U.S. Army solidiers were discharged for openly gay behavior in the month of January. (Associated Press)

''When we go over there at 2 in the morning, expecting to find 30 or 40 people bowling, and instead we see ... velvet ropes with 120 people waiting outside - that doesn't look like a bowling alley to us. It looks like a nightclub, and they can't do that..... We're not saying, 'We don't want them to do this,' 'We don't like this.' We're saying, 'Get a license. Get it approved.'''

Sgt. Fred Lopez of Orange County, California, explaining why the police shut down a popular gay event at a bowling alley. (OC Register)

''I definitely get hate mail. But I have ever since I started doing radio in 2000, so it's been, I guess, 9 years since I've been in the public eye and broadcasting. I always get hate mail. And, actually, a lot of the hate mail I get mentions that I am gay. But the proportion of that has stayed constant over time.''

MSNBC talk show host Rachel Maddow taking her "enormous" lesbian presence onto the set of daytime TV via ''The View.'' (The View)

From VoteForTheWorst.com

''While we didn't want to hurt his chances in the competition by scaring the fundie frauen away from him, Adam Lambert apparently has tons of photos of himself making out with some dude online that were posted on our message board.''

''Adam, look. To me, that was in a totally different league to everything else we've seen.... Whether it's your stage experience that you had before, you looked comfortable. And to make Michael Jackson work, you've got to be over the top and you've got to be comfortable with it....''

Simon Cowell complimenting American Idol contestant Adam Lambert, 26, on his performance of Michael Jackson's ''Black or White.'' (American Idol)

From day one that I saw you, I loved you, because I think that you are one of the most current artists we've ever had on this show. It's like a combination of Steven Tyler meets Fallout Boy meet Robert Pattinson from 'Twilight'. It's like My Chemical Romance -- I'm sayin, dude, you got it goin' on.

American Idol Judge Randy Jackson reviewing Adam Lambert's performance of The Rolling Stone's ''Satisfaction.'' (American Idol)

''More than ever before, people are just making up their own stories of who they are. They say, 'I'm everything. I'm nothing. I believe in myself.... It's about gay marriage and abortion and stem cells and the family. If a personal God says, 'Thou shalt not' or 'Thou shalt' see these a certain way, you'd take it very seriously. Meanwhile, three in 10 people aren't listening to that God.''

Barry Kosmin, a principle researcher for the American Religious Identification Survey. Which, out of 54,000 interviews, claims to have found that the number of people claiming ''No religion'' nearly doubled from 8.2% in 1990 to 15% in 2008. Many specific religious traditions lost percentages in membership including Baptist, Jewish, and Mainline Protestant, while other Protestant denomination, Pentacostals, had some gains. Muslim and Eastern religions and other "new movement" religions had significant percentage gains, but remained a small minority of the American population at around 1% or less. Mormons remained the same small percentage since 1990 at 1.4%, and Catholics had a modest loss of 1%. (USA Today)

''The investment of evangelicals in the culture war will prove out to be one of the most costly mistakes in our history. The coming evangelical collapse will come about, largely, because our investment in moral, social and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. We're going to find out that being against gay marriage and rhetorically pro-life (yes, that's what I said) will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence and are believing in a cause more than a faith.''

Michael Spencer, a Christian writer from Kentucky, expressing his viewpoint that the Evangelical movement is about to collapse on a widely-read blog post and commentary posted by the Christian Science Monitor. (Christian Science Monitor)

''I came to this [book] trying to figure out if there were people who had a real concern about unit cohesion, or if it was something that was pretty much made up... and many of them told me, to my surprise, that this was based on nothing but their own prejudices and fears.... This was 15 years later, so, in a sense, these were guys who were ready to do a mea culpa -- people who were engaged at intimate levels with creating this policy -- senior military officers, and they were ready to tell me. And I appreciated that they were finally being truthful with me.

Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Palm Center at UC Santa Barbara, discussing his book ''Unfriendly Fire'' with Jon Stewart. Frank says that over 12,000 service members have been dismissed under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and that 800 of them were of ''mission critical'' status. (The Daily Show)

''I still continue to write about [the 'down-low' phenomenon] because I see a whole new generation of these young men.... I found out from reading the blogs that a lot of black gay men had abandoned me three or four books ago because they thought I was writing for women, and that -- you know, not necessarily showing them in the best light in that my characters are good-looking and wealthy, and a lot of their lives are not like that.... Am I too far removed from the black gay community to understand what's going on? Do I have more chances at meeting someone like [the book's rich, popular athlete, ] Dre than the average gay man? ... The majority of my friends, the majority of the people that I'm close to are heterosexual. And it doesn't say -- it's not like 'passing' or anything like that. It's just, that's who I feel comfortable with at this point of my life.... The mere fact that I'm so mainstream has seemed to hurt my popularity among the people whom I started writing these books for.''

NY Times' Bestselling author E. Lynn Harris speaking with talk show host Michele Martin about his works about the relationships of gay African-American men and his new book, ''Basketball Jones.'' (NPR, Tell Me More)

''This is all about the numbers. This not about lifestyle or anything else.''

U.S. Census spokeswoman Cynthia Endo speaking with Contra Costa Times which states that same children of same-sex couples will be listed as belonging to a single parent, and that even legally married gay couples and couples in civil unions will be counted as ''unmarried partners.'' (Contra Costa Times)

''Opinions haven't changed much since November. The closeness of the divide suggests it would depend on the quality of the campaigning and voter turnout.''

Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo on the findings of their new poll of 761 registered voters which asked if Proposition 8 should be overturned. Indications are that Democrats and voters under 40 are somewhat more in favor of same-sex marriages than older voters and Republicans who are more strongly opposed. The overall split is 48% in favor, 47% opposed, with 5% undecided. (San Francisco Chronicle)

''We don't expect the court will rule to overturn Prop. 8 so there will likely be another initiative. The movement understands that we will have to win at the ballot box as soon as it is politically feasible.''

Rick Jacobs, chair and founder of the progressive-leaning Courage Campaign speaking about the recent Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8. (San Francisco Chronicle)

''5. His lifestyle was also ahead of its time. Keynes was openly gay in young adulthood near the turn of the century, enjoying public love affairs with male writers and artists before marrying a Russian ballerina in 1925, when he was 42.''

From Newsweek's list of things to know about John Maynard Keynes, creator of Keynesian economics which basically dictates that the way to curtain a downturn in a country's economy is for the government to spend money in the right places, and lots of it. His ideas came to light during the Great Depression of the late 1920s through WWII, and was seen as a contributing philosophy behind FDR's New Deal. (Newsweek) (Wikipedia)

''He would bring his boyfriends to dinner parties and talk about being married to them.... One day he's a free-market extremist, the next day he's a socialist.''

Adam Davidson on the contradictory life of John Maynard Keynes who was gay in his youth but was married later in life to a female ballerina yet had no children. Beyond his radical economic theory, published in ''The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money,'' he is said to have been a British citizen who was arrogant, anti-Semitic, and disliked Americans and the working class. (Planet Money) (NPR)

''And in the club individuals where inside dancing and as a result someone bumped into someone else according to witnesses and that person angrily left the location.... After [the] beating the suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim, then shot the individual seated in the car, and a stray bullet struck a third victim.''

Nicole Monroe of the Baltimore City Police Department describing the horrific fight and multiple shooting that occurred at Coconuts nightclub located on Madison Avenue next to Maryland General Hospital. The incident happened outside as the bar was closing around 2am Saturday. (ABC2 News Baltimore)

''[This] attempt to undo good that has been done is unacceptable.... This shows why we have always got to be vigilant, always got to fight homophobic behaviour and any form of discrimination.''

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaking out about California's anti-gay marriage ban that was passed in November known as Proposition 8. In the UK same-sex unions are called Civil Partnerships, not "marriage," but are said to provide the same rights and responsibilities regarding taxes and inheritance. (BBC)

''We're worried that we will have to leave again. Anthony and I were both raised here in Kentucky, and I would hope that we would be welcome here.''

Richard Harland-Bennett, a gay adoptive father who is worried that Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Republican state Senator Gary Tapp, will invalidate the Wisconsin-approved adoption that he and his partner, Anthony, were granted seven years ago. The bill is clearly aimed at preventing gay adoptions but the wording is worded to prevent adoptions by any unmarried couples. Supporters of the bill have falsely claimed that studies show children do better in environments with heterosexual parents. (Lexington Herald Ledger)

''Our goal has never been to interfere with the religious liberty of the Mormon Church. We are opposed to the idea of a rally.''

Will Carlson, public policy manager for Equality Utah, reacting to an e-mail and blogger rumor that claims Salt Lake City has prepared for 100,000 protesters that will be showing up to disrupt the Mormon LDS General Conference in April. This article says neither the police nor any gay groups that were contacted have acknowledge any knowledge of plans for such a protest by members of the gay community. (Brigham Young University NetNews)

''This is our lives on the line. We don't want them to have to worry about getting in.''

Molly McKay, media director of the volunteer group Marriage Equality USA, explaining why Jumbotron monitors had been set up outside the San Francisco Courthouse. A 3-hour, televised hearing is taking place Thursday on the legality of Proposition 8, the voter-approved initiative that removed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to be legally married in California. (New York Times)

''[The hatch] hasn't been used since a drag queen dropped down through it during our 10th anniversary.''

Eric Hirshfield, owner of the 18th & U Duplex Diner who called police when he noticed a hatch on his restaurant's rooftop was open. Police officers and a dog caught the burglar in the restaurant. A string of skylight robberies have occurred in the Adams Morgan area where the popular gay restaurant is located. (NBC4)

''A family just lost a son for 30 years. Jimmy's messed up for the rest of his life. It's emotional from both sides, but justice has been served, and hopefully this will send a message to the community that these kinds of crimes will be punished to the maximum.''

Michael Robinson, a gay man who testified as an eyewitness to the beating of Jimmy Lee Dean, 43, by two drunken men who robbed Dean and beat him severely causing significant damage to his face. It was alleged that Jonathan Russell Gunter, 32, and Bobby Jack Singleton, 29, had decided to rob a gay man because it would be easer. In an odd twist, Gunter's younger brother testified that he is gay and that Gunter had even been to the Dallas-area gay bars before. Gunter has been convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. (Dallas Voice)