Nuggets & bites.

"[Washington, D.C. minister Willie Wilson maintains] that black girls are 'engaging in same-sex relations' at 'an alarming rate all over the nation,' and that 'many girls ... have been threatened and intimidated into participating by same-sex girls' gangs.'

"Rev. Wilson, I have nothing but gratitude and praise for all you've done to keep me, my two sons and all African American men off the endangered-species list. But I don't know of any research suggesting that girls--or boys, for that matter--can be coerced into becoming homosexual. Everything I've read says that simply isn't the way it works."

--Eugene Robinson, writing in The Washington Post, August 2

"Even a simple understanding of sexual anatomy or the importance of both fathers and mothers for children demonstrates how gay marriage discards the beauty of human design.

"Finally, redefining marriage requires ignoring the law written on every human's conscience. Many would disagree, of course, and I respect their right to do so. But regardless of how Hollywood and others try to reshape our moral values, gay marriage discounts what we know to be right in our heart of hearts."

--California Republican assemblyman Tim Leslie of Tahoe City, writing in The Sacramento Bee, August 7

"[A] homophobic vibe ... permeates the whole picture [Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo]. Making fun of homosexuality seems to be the one area of humor that has yet to be ruled off-limits by political correctness.... T.J. [a pimp accused of murder and of being gay] repeatedly exclaims, 'I ain't gay!'.... it's not funny the first time, it's not funny the 20th time--it's just stupid, small-minded screenwriting,"

--Associated Press movie critic Christy Lemire, in her August 11 review