I was a Georgia state legislator for a great many years

If your Bible tells you that gay people ought not be married in your church, don't tell them they can't be married at city hall. Marriage is a civil rite as well a civil right, and we can't let religious bigotry close the door to justice to anyone.

You know, I come from six generations of college graduates.

Many are attracted to social service - the rewards are immediate, the gratification quick. But if we have social justice, we won't need social service.

I don't think of myself as a Negro. I'm a Southerner. I just like the Southern way of life.

Discrimination is discrimination no matter who the victim is, and it is always wrong. There are no special rights in America, despite the attempts by many to divide blacks and the gay community with the argument that the latter are seeking some imaginary special rights at the expense of blacks.

Marriage is a civil right. If you don't want gay people to marry in your church, good for you. But you can't say they can't marry in your city.