Cher, Rick Santorum, Adam Carolla and more sound off

Outspoken: The most outrageous recent quotes on LGBT issues

“On the cover of Newsweek under M. Bachmann’s picture it said ‘Queen of Rage,’ but there is only ‘One Raging Queen’ in her house!”

Actress, singer and gay rights advocate Cher, continuing her Twitter war with GOP presidential hopeful Rep. Michele Bachmann. Bachmann’s husband, Marcus Bachmann, runs a therapy practice that attempts to convert gays and has been the subject of Internet rumors that he is gay himself. (Towleroad.com, Aug. 14)

“When did everybody get lumped in with the gays? You know what I mean? … When did we start giving a shit about [transgender] people? … And shouldn’t [LGBT] be something that spells something, like YUCK?”

— Comedian Adam Carolla, ranting on his Aug. 11 podcast about the term “LGBT” and the Change.org petition that wants to see Ernie and Bert get married on “Sesame Street.” Carolla will podcast live from the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Sept. 30. (GLAAD.org. Aug. 15)

“Given his history of anti-gay and racist comments, networks and advertisers should know what their money is supporting if they choose to hire Adam Carolla. The gross intolerance that he tries to pass off as comedy should not have a place on our airwaves.”

Herndon Graddick, senior director of programs at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, in a press release denouncing Adam Carolla’s remarks (GLAAD.org. Aug. 15)

“Most gay people are very tasty people — they like beautiful stuff in their lives. If they like me, it means they have taste. They don’t follow me for my butt shots.”

— Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme in a recent interview with Sabotage Times (Towleroad.com, Aug. 14)

“We have people who say, ‘States have the right to pass gay marriage.’ I say, ‘No they do not because they do not have the right to do wrong.’”

— Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum in a campaign appearance in Iowa, where he placed fourth in a straw poll of GOP contenders (Radio Iowa, Aug. 15)