“Mr. President, the time to end exclusion from marriage is now. We ask you to complete your journey and join us, and the majority of Americans, who support the freedom to marry.”

—Letter signed by gay celebrity couples, including Ellen and Portia DeGeneres, sent to President Obama on March 14. The letter, which was also signed by other LGBT rights supporters, was organized by Freedom to Marry’s “Say I Do” campaign. (Huffington Post, March 14)

“Our relationship is recognized by the government, but some of our friends don’t have the same opportunity. So please join us in fighting for marriage equality in New York.”

—Actor Ethan Hawke, appearing in an ad with his wife, Ryan, urging New York lawmakers to approve gay marriage. The spot was produced by the Human Rights Campaign. (On Top Magazine, March 14)

“I think the responsibility of today’s pop stars is to liberate the masses … I’m anti-conformity, as you can tell. But Lady Gaga has been doing a great job. I think she’s fucking fantastic. And it’s something beyond sexuality.”

— Openly gay “American Idol” alum Adam Lambert, reacting to Lady Gaga’s decision to dump a distribution deal with Target over gay rights issues. (Hollywood Reporter, March 11)

“At least there are gays and lesbians who want to get married. Would that the same could be said of African Americans.”

—Columnist Colbert King in an article titled “Same-sex marriage isn’t the threat to African American families,” in which he counters black preachers who oppose gay marriage. He noted: “In 1960, the black marriage rate was 61 percent. By 2008, only 32 percent of blacks were married.” (Washington Post, March 4)

“I discovered it hurt less if you tackled hard than if you tackled like a queen.”

— Actor Hugh Grant, discussing playing rugby in school, when invited into the commentary box during the England v. Scotland Six Nations game on March 13. The BBC apologized for “any offense his comments may have caused.” (Pink News, March 14)

Top photo: Actor Hugh Grant (via Facebook)