“The comments …  that sought to link the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy to our state’s embrace of marriage equality are as offensive as they are ignorant.”

— New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, responding to Rabbi Noson Leiter, who called Hurricane Sandy “divine” retribution for New York legalizing gay marriage. (New York Daily News, Nov. 5)

“It was really challenging and as an actress having to find chemistry with other actresses, it was kind of a new experience for me and kind of confronting of my own real world sexuality.”

—  Michelle Ang on playing Sophia, a character coming out as a lesbian, on the new MTV drama “Underemployed.” (Celebuzz, Oct. 30)

“You’re never going to make it. You’ve got that gay red top on.”

— New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, in an interview, describing the shirt of “The Farming Show” presenter Jamie Mackay; Key later said he meant it to mean “weird,” not to be homophobic. (New Zealand Herald, Nov. 6)

“I’m currently touring [schools], attacking homophobia in the playground and discouraging kids from the careless use of ‘gay’ which might make their gay friends (and teachers) feel less about themselves. So even as he supports the proposal to introduce same-gender marriages in New Zealand, I do hope John Key listens to his critics and appreciates their concern.”

— Gay actor Sir Ian McKellen, blogging that the New Zealand prime minister “should watch his language.” (New Zealand Herald, Nov. 6)

Top photo: Sir Ian McKellen (by Stefan Servos/CC 3.0)