Opinions.

"I believe that ... this battle [against same-sex marriage] is the most important issue that we face today, and what an honor it has been to serve in the United States Congress and carry the marriage amendment. ... The future is grim unless we ... win this battle."

--Colorado Republican congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, speaking at the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit, September 22

"I don't understand why people care [whether I'm gay]. You do what you do; I'll do what I do. Everybody does what they do. I hope that I'm here to sing and be successful and do it well enough that people want to hear me, and that's kind of what I want to do, you know."

--Clay Aiken on Larry King Live, September 27

"Same-sex marriage is a disgrace to the nation and to God. ... When I was growing up, unqingili [homosexuals] could not stand in front of me."

--Scandal-plagued former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma, who admitted in 2005 that he'd had unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman who accused him of rape, as reported by Reuters, September 27

"My remarks were made in the context of the traditional way of raising children. ... I, however, did not intend to have this interpreted as a condemnation of gays and lesbians. [I respect the] sterling contribution of many gay and lesbian compatriots in the struggle that brought about our freedom. I apologize unreservedly for the pain and anger that my remarks may have caused."

--Zuma again, September 28