“You have a rare opportunity to right a wrong and I pray to God that you will take it. As an African American you understand the ugliness of hate and the pain of discrimination. This is not a battle of heterosexual against homosexual, but a struggle of justice against injustice.”

— Black LGBT activist C.D. Kirven in an open letter to Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., requesting a meeting to discuss King’s claim that gay marriage is “genocide” at a recent anti-gay marriage rally in Atlanta (Cherrygrrl.com, Aug. 9)

“I think there’s an alarming amount of undue respect that is given to people’s religious beliefs when it comes to gay marriage. Why is the secular state so concerned with these religious beliefs that stand in the way of justice or equality?”

— Comedian, actress and musician Margaret Cho, whose new album, “Cho Dependent,” comes out Aug. 24 (Huffington Post, Aug. 13)

“I believe that Thomas Jefferson said: ‘If it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket what difference is it to me?’"

— Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck, when asked on “The O’Reilly Factor” if he thinks gay marriage is “going to harm the country.” (Washingtonpost.com, Aug. 12)

“So.. caught up on Trueblood las nite.. Not a fan of how they get u hooked with the 1st 2 seasons then bring on a barrage of homosexuality”

— NFL offensive lineman Todd Herremans, of the Philadelphia Eagles, commenting via Twitter on the popular HBO vampire show “True Blood.” (On Top Magazine, Aug. 13)

“After speaking with Eagles management, I realize that my tweet earlier was insensitive and tasteless, and for this, I deeply apologize. It was not my intention to offend or hurt anyone.”

— Todd Herremans, apologizing later the same day after the tweet made news in the Philadelphia Inquirer. (On Top Magazine, Aug. 13)

Top photo: Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck (courtesy Fox News)