“If you had a daughter or son who was gay, would you not want them to be able to work and support themselves?”

— Memphis, Tenn., City Councilmember Janis Fullilove on why she is sponsoring a measure to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the non-discrimination policy for city workers. Fullilove has received death threats over the measure, which will be discussed by the council on Aug. 10 (Memphis Flyer, July 20; WREG.com, July 28)

“I don’t ever really think of things as out or in. I just think I am who I am, and when topics come up that are appropriate, I’ll talk about them and share when it seems right.”

— Actress Sara Gilbert, known for her work on “Roseanne,” discussing how she will be open about her real-life role as a lesbian mom on her new CBS chat show, “The Talk.” (Entertainment Weekly, July 28)

“To boost development, a city needs to be open to a full range of people, especially the innovative ones who break barriers, like people of the gay community.”

— Houston, Tex., Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, in remarks at the Shanghai World Expo. Parker led a 60-member Houston business delegation to the Chinese city. (Xinhua, Aug. 2)

“Target and Best Buy’s long history of inclusion and fairness makes these donations all the more troubling. These multi-billion dollar companies have spent years treating the LGBT community with respect and dignity. Now they have slapped us in the face for $250,000. We had no choice but to call them out in Minnesota’s biggest newspaper.”

— Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, on why the national LGBT group purchased ads denouncing the companies’ donations to a political action committee backing Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who has praised a Christian rock band that supports killing gays.

“Maybe it would be a destination wedding. Us going somewhere that gay marriage is legal. But they have to save some of that stuff. We hope to be on the air for seven years.”

— Actor Eric Stonestreet, commenting that there is “no doubt” his character, Cameron, will eventually wed his partner, Mitchell, on the ABC sitcom “Modern Family.” (New York Post, Aug. 1)

Top photo: 'Modern Family' ABC publicity Photo