"At bottom, the harm about which petitioners complain is not based on a denial of the right to referendum. Rather, they simply disagree with legislation enacted by our duly-elected council.... A citizens disagreement with constitutionally sound legislation, whether based on political, religious or moral views, does not rise to the level of an actionable harm.''

Part of an ruling by Judge Judith Retchin of the DC Superior Court that finds Harry Jackson's complaint against the DC Board of Elections and Ethics is invalid. Jackson, a socially conservative preacher at a church in Beltsville, MD, has tried for months to rally black residents of the District against gay marriage. He lost his fight against the City Council which, with the lone exception of Marion Barry, twice voted in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages performed in states where it is legal. Jackson held a number of rallys decrying the actions of the Washington, DC lawmakers, and quickly registered as a voter in the District so he could register for a voter-driven referendum against allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Before he could even begin using his so-called "army" of signature gatherers, the DCBOEE determined that his ballot initiative would be contrary to the Human Rights Act of DC. Judge Retchin has rejected his appeal and agreed with the DCBOEE. The Council's same-sex marriage recognition bill currently sits in the hands of legislators on Capital Hill since the District still must comply with Constitutional law that gives Federal lawmakers final say over the District's decisions. (Washington Times)

''In 2009, if this can happen in San Francisco, it can happen anywhere. We have to be vigilant. There's a lot of work to do.''

Patrick Carney, a co-founder of monument to gay Holocaust victims. The "acre-sized" pink triangle was burned and torn. (UPI)

''Welcome to your White House! ... This struggle, I don't need to tell you, is incredibly difficult, all though, I think it's important to consider the extraordinary progress that we have made.... Though we have made progress, there are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes, who fail to see your families like their families.... We know that progress depends, not only on changing laws, but also changing hearts. And that real transformative change never begins in Washington....

''I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough. And I understand that. It's not for me to tell you to be patient.... We have made progress and we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect, and hope, to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises my administration keeps. We've been in office six months now, and I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think that you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration....''

''I've called on Congress to end the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to add, that we have a duty to uphold existing law. But I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty, in upholding the law, in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law.''

President Barack Obama speaking at a White House reception for about 200 LGBT leaders & their supporters. His wife Michelle was at his side during the 18-minute speech in which he briefly addressed a number of issues of importance to the gay community including Defense of Marriage Act; Don't Ask, Don't Tell; a hate crimes bill named for Matthew Shepard; benefits for partners of Federal workers; a special thank you to Frank Kameny, and a commemoration of the protests at the Stonewall Inn which occurred 40 years ago this week. President Obama did not address same-sex marriage and did not take any questions at the podium. (C-SPAN)

''It appears, however, that some members of the Labor Department team have a different view, as it has come to my attention that most of the posters have been continually defaced or removed.... On several occasions, even the poster frames have been torn completely off the elevator walls.''

Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, responding with a written warning to employees at the Department of Labor who have reportedly defaced and removed posters from elevators in support of Gay Pride Month. (NY Times)

''It's a migration that happened without fanfare. They didn't come here to prove a point. They are just looking for a safe place to live and be comfortable and raise their families, and we provide that.''

Justin D. Ross, Maryland Delegate for Prince George's county, speaking with the Washington Post for an article about the changing face of Hyattsville and Mount Ranier, areas of northeast of DC which have a higher than average per capita ratio of gay families. (Washington Post)

''I wanted to win best couple, but I didn't know how people react. I thought they would discriminate. But [my girlfriend] Deoine and [yearbook editor] Maribel went around to every class telling them to vote for us. When the papers came out for people to vote, it said 'best couple: pick a boy and a girl.' Deoine asked if I voted and I said 'no,' but then I was thinking about President Obama and I told myself "one vote could make a difference," so I scratched out boy and I put girl.''

Victoria Cruz, a rookie reporter for WNYC, telling how she and her girlfriend Deoine won ''Best Couple'' in the school's yearbook, and also how she is dealing with her grandmother's negative perception of gay people in her family. (WNYC)

''My group and I were sitting on the back patio at a picnic table. Nobody was being wild out there. [The police] came through with flashlights, being loud asking what was going on out here, then asked why everyone was all the sudden being quiet. When one group started up their conversations again, they took one guy away.'' -- Todd Camp

''They asked the guy if he had been drinking, and he said some, and they snidely replied, 'Well, we'll see how much!' and plastic handcuffed him as they read him his rights... After this, we saw the policemen go into the men's restroom, pull out at least two guys from handcuffs from there, and pull one onto the ground before forcefully removing him.'' -- Kayla Lane

A couple of quotes posted at the Dallas Voice website about an alleged raid by State Police on a gay bar called The Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth, TX on June 28, which coincidentally (or not) was the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Some photos have been posted as well. (Dallas Voice)

''Now there's a gay demon on the loose! This poltergayst was perfectly harmless inside that gay teen. But now it's on the prowl looking for a new host.''

Comedian Stephen Colbert covers the recently published video from a small church in Bridgeport, CT which showed a group of adults trying to exorcise a homosexual spirit out of a teenage boy in the name of Jesus. (Colbert Nation)

''I have made many [mistakes] in my life, but this past week I have made more than I can count on one hand.... The "F" word will never be uttered from my lips again.... I am NOT apologizing to GLAAD. I could care less about them, my former employers. I am apologizing to the gay community, to anyone who was hurt by my choice of words, and to all the people who have ever emailed me to thank me for all that I have done to fight for gay rights over the last few years.''

Controversial celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who is gay, apologizing for using the the word "faggot" as an intentional insult toward hip-hop artist Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. He was recorded on video at the time of an altercation he had with the musician and his manager. In typical Hilton style, he went online to scream obscenities at the Will.I.Am and singer Fergie for him ending up with a black eye (no pun intended). Hilton is infamous for publicly going after former Californai beauty queen Carrie Prejean for stating during the Miss USA pageant that she is against gays being extended legal marriage status. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation had sought an apology from Hilton for promoting the notion that it's okay to use the word ''faggot'' and call someone ''gay'' as an insult during an argument. (PerezHilton.com)

''I've been unfaithful to my wife. I developed a relationship with a -- what started as a dear, dear friend from Argentina. Um, it began innocently, as I suspect many of these things do.

South Carolina's Republican Governor Mark Sanford, yet another "family values" social conservative who has had to come out publicly as having an affair outside of his marriage. Sanford mysteriously dropped out of sight for a week, and the official falsehood from his spokespeople was that he was hiking the Appalachian trail. But, unsurprising to most, it turns out that he was actually visiting a mistress in Argentina. He has stated that, as a matter of legal policy, gays and lesbians should not be allowed to marry; and while he was a Member of the House of Representatives, he voted against the right of same-sex couples and unmarried people in Washington, DC to have the ability to adopt children. (AP via YouTube)

''Loose your hold, in the name of Jesus, you homosexual sprit-tah! We call you out right now. You have no power! ... Come on homosexual demon! We want a clean spirit! Get out of the way!''

Portion of the outrageous behavior seen in a video from church leaders at the Manifested Glory Ministries. The people at the small ''storefront church'' in Bridgeport, Connecticut appears to have an African-American membership, and a number male and female adults can be seen surrounding what looks like a teenage boy performing a ridiculous "exorcism'' on him. They place their hands and feet on him as he writhes around on the floor and is even thought to have vomited at one point. (Fox 4)

''Parade spectators MUST stay behind barricades. Only registered parade entries, Parade Marshals, police, and other city officials will be allowed in the street.''

Organizers of Chicago Pride Parade which is instituting new restrictions that put a damper on many of the favorite interactive features of the event including an end to tossing items such as beads, condoms and candy, use of water cannons, and the ability of any observers to enter the street to hop on or off of floats. City safety regulations are being cited as the reason, and it is reported that last year one person fell off a float and broke their leg. (CBS2)

''We're in no way going to promote invading anyone's privacy, especially in this scene.'' -- Mark Rutstein

"[N]ow everyone who walks through the door has a camera in their pocket.'' -- Ed Bailey

Mark Rutstein of Cobalt and Ed Bailey of Town Danceboutique responding to the possibility that cast members of ''The Real World DC'' might stop by the popular 17th Street gay bar. The concern is that television cameras would end up filming gay patrons who did not want to be filmed because they might be closeted or other reasons. The reality show's home base is well know to be located in Dupont Circle at 20th and S Streets NW; and the newest series is slated to air in 2010. (Washington Post)

''While I've long been for extending every benefit of marriage to same-sex couples, I have in the past drawn a distinction between a marriage-like status ("civil unions") and full marriage rights. The reason was simple: I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.... But the fact that I was raised a certain way just isn't a good enough reason to stand in the way of fairness anymore.... But I am also proud to now count myself among the many elected officials, advocates, and ordinary citizens who support full marriage equality for same-sex couples.''

Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut in a public opinion piece reprinted on his official government website explaining his change of heart toward support for gay marriage. (Dodd.Senate.gov)

''No, no, no. You're not a fucking artist. You're a fucking faggot.''

Perez Hilton, one of the world's top celebrity gossip bloggers, during a heated argument with hip-hop musician Will.I.Am. It's not clear how the argument started or even what it was about, but it's reported that Hilton claims to have been hit in the face by Will.I.Am's manager more than once. (TMZ)

''The other night in Toronto, after feeling physically threatened by a verbally abusive Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, I chose the most hurtful word I know to hurl at him.... I can't take it back. I did what I thought was best at the moment to stand up for myself in a non-violent yet still assertive way. Clearly, I am not homophobic. Also, I am not nor have I ever claimed to be a spokesperson for the gay community. I am just speaking for myself, a gay man.''

Perez Hilton responding to criticism of his use of the word ''faggot'' during his earlier argument with Will.I.Am. He says he is the victim of violence and should not be ridiculed for what happened to him. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has asked Hilton to apologize. Recently, of course, Hilton went on a flurry of talk shows and on his own blog to defame California beauty queen Carrie Prejean for taking a public stand against gay marriage. So, some now find it ironic that he is saying he is not a spokesperson for the gay community. In a hot-headed video blog about the altercation, Hilton dug his un-PC hole deeper by repeating the most deplorable f-word again as he recounted what was said at the time. (PerezHilton.com)

''It legitimizes use of a slur that is often linked to violence against our community. And it sends a message that it is OK to attempt to dehumanize people by exploiting anti-gay attitudes.''

Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs at GLAAD, in a statement released about Perez Hilton's latest controversy. (GLAAD)

''Sadly, the effort to redefine marriage against the wishes of a majority of the people is, with help from activist judges, succeeding.... In order to defend the institution of marriage, uphold the rights of individual states, and maintain the will of the people, I believe we are compelled to amend our country's constitution.''

''The effort to pass a constitutional amendment reaffirming marriage as being between a man and a woman only is being undertaken strictly as a defense of marriage against the attempt to redefine it and, in the process, weaken it.... Marriage is an extremely important institution in this country and protecting it is, in my mind, worth the extraordinary step of amending our constitution.''

John Ensign, Republican US Senator from Nevada and yet one more married, social conservative whose career has imploded with a sex scandal. The quote above remains on his official government website, and dates back to February 25, 2004. Up until the Senator admitted to "violating the vows" of his marriage, he was considered a possible Republican Presidential candidate. (ensign.senate.gov)

From the Los Angeles Times:

Overall, the poll showed a majority of voters in Los Angeles support the right of same-sex couples to legally marry, with 56% in favor and 37% opposed.... White voters were most emphatic in supporting same-sex marriage, with 68% approving of it and 27% opposing. African American voters were almost the opposite, with 54% opposing same-sex unions and 37% supporting them. Opposition to gay marriage by African Americans was widely seen as a major factor contributing to the passage of Proposition 8. In the current poll, Latinos were split, with 45% supporting same-sex marriage and 46% opposing.

From Google's Twitter feed:

google - A rainbow with your search results for our LGBT friends & family. Happy Pride Month. http://bit.ly/f32sB (works on desktops only).

From the Wall Street Journal:

The White House said Thursday it was seeking ways to include same-sex marriages, unions and partnerships in 2010 Census data, the second time in a week the administration has signaled a policy change of interest to the gay community. The administration has directed the Census Bureau to determine changes needed in tabulation software to allow for same-sex marriage data to be released early in 2011 with other detailed demographic information from the decennial count.

''[Those benefits] require an act of Congress -- a change in the law in order to grant those benefits. The President signed a limited, but very meaningful, order today that extends certain rights, in certain instances, in certain agencies. And I think he went as far as he could go through an Executive Order. But now, the responsibility is really on the shoulders of Congress. And I can tell you that the legislation really got a boost by his strong endorsement today. And I'm hopeful that we'll be able to move it.''

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, speaking with talk show host Rachel Maddow who asked her why pension and healtcare benefits -- "the big, expensive ones'' -- were excluded by President Obama's recent memorandum that extended a few Federal benefits to the partners of gay employees. He singled out Baldwin, who was at the signing, for her hard work on an evolving bill called "The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act." In addition to saying he supports that bill he also indicated that he was still in support of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act -- a position which is at odds with last week's bombshell news that the Justice Department was actively defending the Clinton-era law. The DOJ asked a judge to dismiss a particular lawsuit by a gay couple, Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer, on the grounds that they were making the wrong arguments by claiming an infringement on their rights to free speech and privacy. (MSNBC)

''We are not going to sit by and allow an unelected board of bureaucrats to deny voters their rightful say on this issue and, by their action, allow the institution of marriage and the entire structure of our society to be radically redefined.''

Harry Jackson, a Beltsville, MD preacher who is trying desperately to gain national recognition by forcing the District of Columbia's residents to vote on the issue of same-sex marriage, and has reportedly turned to the courts to force the DCBOEE to approve his anti-gay marriage voter referendum. Based on Jackson's repeated racially-tinged statements, he appears to believe that, because Washington is a majority African-American city, there are religiously- and culturally-based motivations for the city's black residents to vote en masse for his socially conservative agenda. He and the pastors who speak in unity at his side have an unyielding argument that gay activists are hijacking the Civil Rights movement in an attempt to pit the interests of black community members and gay community members against one another -- ignoring the obvious crossover or support that exists between them.

The DC City Council has already rebuffed Jackson and his so-called "army" of bible-waving protesters by voting twice in favor of recognizing gay and lesbian marriages that have been performed legally in other jurisdictions. The Board of Elections and Ethics also determined that that the intentions of Jackson's referendum would not be in-line with existing ordinances. Reports indicate that Jackson and his wife, Vivian, are Maryland homeowners, but if Jackson is a legitimate tax-paying resident of DC, he has only been so for a extremely short period of time, and is possibly the roommate of another man. (No word yet on where his preacher wife is living officially.) Jackson seemed to indicate on a recent plea to Fox News, that he was the victim of computer hackers who obtained his personal residential information. His group of conservative preachers in April complained about unelected, activist judges approving of homosexual marriages, so it's rather ironic that he is turning to the judges now to help him regain footing against the determinations made by DC elected officials and the board of elections. (Washington Post)

Many of our government's hard-working and dedicated, and patriotic servants, have long been denied basic rights that their colleagues enjoy -- for one simple reason: The people that they love are of the same sex.

US President Barack Obama signing an order that will reportedly extend some benefits to same-sex partners of all Federal employees. (Associated Press)

''Yes, it's true -- Chaz, after many years of consideration, has made the courageous decision to honor his true identity.''

Publicist Howard Bragman for Chaz Bono (f/k/a Chastity Bono) speaking with TMZ. No comment yet from Chaz's mother, the world-famous Cher, who has spoken many times about her poor initial reaction to Chastity coming out as a lesbian back in the early 1990s. Chaz's father, Sonny Bono, reportedly gave full support to his coming out as a lesbian at the time, but the two had political differences before he died in an accident. Chaz later worked for the Human Rights Campaign as a GLBT rights activist, and he also appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club 3." (TMZ)

...For private citizens to try to intimidate the Gay Alliance into silence is a denial of the foundations on which a university is built.

No matter how much one may disagree with the Gay Alliance or the policies they are advocating, no matter how repugnant one may find homosexuality, the manner of expressing this opposition should be intellectual. At this university, we are dedicated to persuation by reason, not by brute force.

Intimidation of those courageous enough to express their views, violence directed against unpopular associations, midnight criminal assaults on private residences -- these speak for themselves. The entire university community should be angry, and disgusted, that this kind of action has occurred at Princeton....

Portion of a letter signed by Sonia Sotomayor that has been submitted as part of her Supreme Court judicial nominee questionnaire, item #12, "Published Writing and Public Statements." She was one of 39 individuals at Princeton who signed the statement which was published in The Daily Princeton. Although some analyzers of this statement are interpreting this as a pro-gay stance, it appears to more accurately reflect a position against using violence and intimidation as retaliation for unpopular speech. (US Senate)

''Carrie is a beautiful young woman and I wish her well as she pursues her other interests.... I told Carrie she needed to get back to work and honor her contract with the Miss California USA Organization and I gave her the opportunity to do so. Unfortunately it just doesn't look like it is going to happen.''

Donald Trump, owner of the Miss USA pageant explaining that he has ousted Carrie Prejean, the current title holder of Miss California USA. Prejean infamously responded in April to a question about gay marriage from Perez Hilton, the gay gossip blogger. Prejean said she was raised to believe marriage was between a man and a woman. But after being verbally attacked by Hilton over her answer, Prejean went on a media blitz to position herself as the conservatives as a champion against for heterosexual-only marriage. (Associated Press)

''I heard him say, 'We're going to break up some of these relationships, start a boys wing, and we're going to take all these studs and put them together and see how they like looking at nothing but each other all day instead of their girlfriends.''

William Drumheller, one of three guards who worked at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women who are making the claim that the Building Manager, Timothy Back, had employees single out dozens of lesbians for having forbidden sexual relationships, but also is said to have included other masculine looking straight women. The Warden, Barabara Wheeler, appears to be denying that any such policy exists. (Associated Press)

''Marriage to me is between a man and a woman. I voted for the constitutional amendment in 2005 and 2006. I voted for that issue to put it on the ballot to give people the right to vote. I went on the radio in both DC and Harrisonburg, and gave reasons why I didn't think it was necessary to put that language in the constitution.... I believe in equal rights for all people. For me marriage is between a man and a woman.''

Creigh Deeds, the candidate just chosen by Virginia's Democrats to run for Governor of that state. His Republican opponent, Bob McDonald, has also reportedly stated his opposition to same-sex marriage as well. The videographer, who appears to be a Reuplican supporter, asked Deeds if gays and lesbians were right to call marriage a "civil right," to which Deeds can be seen left speechless with his mouth open. (via YouTube)

''"I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I'm gay... I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me.... I'm trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader.... I didn't want the Clay Aiken thing and the celebrity-magazine bullshit. I need to be able to explain myself in context.''

Adam Lambert of American Idol fame finally ending speculation about being gay, and telling Rolling Stone magazine why he chose to chose the music magazine over another publication like People Magazine which has featured "I'm Gay" cover stories from Clay Aiken and Lance Bass. Lambert was expected to win the TV competition during most of the season, but lost in the finale to Kris Allen.(Rolling Stone)

''I think this decision is an absolute travesty of justice and I think every judge on this court should be ashamed of themselves.... The Supreme Court is not infallible, they get things wrong, and they got it wrong this time.''

James Pietrangelo, II, a former Army Captain, who appealed to the Supreme Court to hear his case against his dismissal under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that excludes gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. However, it is reported that, in refusing the appeal, the court is not passing any judgment on the anti-gay policy itself. (Associated Press)

We don't see that at all as bad news for repeal. What happened today puts the ball back into the court of Congress and the White House to repeal the law, and that's where we think it should be right now."

Kevin Nix of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network remarking on the Supreme Courts refusal to hear a case against the military ban on gays. (BBC News)

"To the government and lawyers we were criminals. To the religious people we were sinners. To the psychiatrists we were sick," he said. "There was nothing affirmative to offset that in any way whatsoever."

Frank Kameny, 84, recalling the reasons he became one of America's first organizers of gay and lesbian rights. He is being honored during DC's Capital Pride events this week. (Associated Press)

''He's indomitable. There's no one else like him in the movement," said Dudley Clendinen, co-author of a book about the gay rights effort in America. "He doesn't relent. He doesn't really negotiate ... The culture gradually came around to recognize what he early on insisted was fair and true.''

Author Dudley Clendinen describing Washington, DC's own Frank Kameny, co-founder of the area's first gay and lesbian rights organization, The Mattachine Society. (Associated Press)

''It is time to march again. Time to end this state-by-state, county-by-county, city-by-city struggle for equality and rip apart the patchwork of inequality that it has created. We are one nation, indivisible, with one Constitution, one Bill of Rights, and only one class of citizenship. It is time to march again, on the 30th anniversary of our first March, to seize this moment history, to believe as President Obama has taught us, that real change is possible in this country that we love.... We have a message for the people, the President, the Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. We are equal!''

California gay rights activist Cleve Jones, best known for establishing the famous AIDS Quilt, speaking at the Utah Pride Fest, and calling for a fourth March on Washington for gay civil rights. The first march occurred on October 11, 1979, and the last occurred in April of 2000. Many will recall that the latter Millennium March was was immersed in controversy from the start, and that hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of debt was accrued, and enormous sums of cash were reportedly stolen from a terribly designed street festival that resulted in many service vendors not being reimbursed. Jones began his speech in Salt Lake City, by thanking the Mormon Church for uniting the GLBT community through its efforts to pass Proposition 8. (YouTube)

''I think gays and lesbians have a friend in the White House, because I've consistently committed myself to civil unions, making sure they have the ability to visit each other in hospitals, that they're able to access benefits, that they have a whole host of legal rights that they currently do not have. I don't think it makes sense for the federal government to get in the business of determining what marriage is, that isn't traditionally the federal governments role.''

President Barack Obama speaking with Brian Williams of NBC News who asked, "Do gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry in this country have a friend in the White House?" His reply, of course, does not appear to address any of the negative issues associated with the Defense of Marriage Act which is a federal law that has banned recognition of anything outside of heterosexual marriages for 13 years. ()

''Today we're standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities, and respect under New Hampshire law. But we are also standing up for religious liberties.''

Governor John Lynch who signed a bill Wednesday, June 3, that made New Hampshire the sixth American state to legally recognize marriage for gay men and lesbians. Lynch previously opposed same-sex marriages, but appeared to change his mind when it became apparent that the state legislature would pass a bill to extend marriage to gay men and women. Passage of the bill was in doubt when it was revised to offer exemptions for religious reasons. It will reportedly take effect on January 1, 2010. (Boston Globe)

''Z and Vielpunkt, both males, gladly accepted their 'Easter gift' and got straight down to raising it.... Since the chick arrived, they have been behaving just as you would expect a heterosexual couple to do. The two happy fathers spend their days attentively protecting, caring for and feeding their adopted offspring.... Homosexuality is nothing unusual among animals.''

Officials at the Bremerhaven zoo in northern Germany discussing the successful hatch of a baby penguin by a pair of male Humboldt penguins. In the United States a book children's book, ''And Tango Makes Three,'' about another chick hatched by a pair of male penguins in the New York Zoo, has maintained its title of ''Most Frequently Challeged'' book for three years in a row. (BBC News)

''In some ways, this could be a back door toward marriage equality. I hold out hope for the day that it's part of our everyday culture here in Maryland, and it's no big deal.''

Montgomery County's Delegate Heather Mizeur, expressing her thoughts on the news that Doug Gansler, Maryland's Attorney General, is planning to release the results of a study about the recognition of gay and lesbian couples who have been legally married in other states. Mizeur is said to have obtained a legal marriage to her wife in California last year. (Baltimore Sun)

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans....

As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

Portion of a LGBT Pride Month Proclamation by The President of the United States, Barack Obama, restarting a practice by former President Bill Clinton. (Politico)

''Well, I think freedom means freedom for everyone. And as many of you know, my daughter is gay, and its something that we've lived with for a long time in our family. I think that people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union that they wish, any kind of arrangement that they wish. The question of whether or not their ought to be a federal statute that governs this, I don't support. I do believe that historically, the way that marriage has been regulated is at the state level -- it's a state issue. And that's the way it ought to be handled today. That is on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions but I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that. And they do at present.''

Former Vice President Dick Cheney at the National Press Club in Washington, DC responding to the question: "Given recent developments in Iowa and elsewhere, is some form of legalized gay marriage inevitable in the United States?'' Note how Cheney's beliefs about the history of marriage recognition completely skips over the fact that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act continues to ban the legal recognition of gay and lesbian "freedoms" at the federal level, nor does he seem to recall Loving v. Virginia, the 1967 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court made the decision that effectively declared unconstitutional laws at the state level which banned mixed-race marriages. Cheney's wife, Lynne, uttered a similarly weak reply about "freedom" when asked about marriage rights applying to her lesbian daughter, Mary, last September. (C-Span via YouTube)