SURVEY SAYS

Laverne Cox, 05/15/12

Actress, producer and transgender advocate; co-creator and star, 'TRANSform Me'

I don't want to be disrespected and misgendered in my death, as all too often happens to transgender folks in news reports on our deaths. I was reminded of that this weekend when I read the unfortunate New York Times article about the death of Lorena Escalera.

Michael B. Keegan, 05/15/12

President, People For the American Way

Having gay friends doesn't absolve one of anti-gay prejudice any more than loving one's wife and daughters absolves one of defunding Planned Parenthood. Even if you'd be happy to have gay people over to dinner, that doesn't give you a pass to deny them fundamental rights.

Marten Weber, 05/15/12

Author, 'Shayno,' 'Benedetto,' and 'Gabriel'

If we want to make the world a more tolerant place, gays do need to be more visible, and not just in the Castro. There is enough room to challenge people's attitudes without breaking the law or ending up as a censored YouTube clip. A sweet kiss is enough.

Amy Andre, 05/15/12

Co-author, 'Bisexual Health: An Introduction'; speaker on bisexual health and LGBT issues

In this two-part interview I got a chance to learn more about Dr. Diamond's research, her precedent-setting commitment to the truth about bisexual lives and lesbian desires, and how she stands up to bigots at the federal level. Here is part one.

Lance Brister, 05/15/12

Writer

For me women were a safe way to explore the world, offering relationships uncomplicated by sex. They were my "in" to relationships, teaching me how to build trust and make real connections with the objects of my affection. There should be a better name for this kind of friendship.

Margie Omero, 05/15/12

Democratic pollster, president of Momentum Analysis

Obama's support is already in the single digits with Republicans. How much less likely to vote for him can Republicans be?

Paul Schmitz, 05/15/12

CEO, Public Allies

It has long troubled me when any population is marginalized and we don't benefit from their full, authentic participation and leadership in society. Recent advances in equal rights for our LGBT citizens are only a beginning.

Rick Lowery, Ph.D., 05/15/12

Writer, Bible scholar, Disciples of Christ Minister

How do we decide what to keep and what to ignore when we use Scripture to make moral judgments? Why would we say that it's an "abomination" for a man to lie with a man, but it's OK to wear a wool-blend suit, have a tattoo or eat hybrid fruit?

Gideon Resnick, 05/15/12

Undergraduate, Northwestern

If gay rights truly is one of my generation's biggest issues, shouldn't our political predilections in some way reflect this?

Michael Cohen, 05/15/12

Popologist

Sometimes with friends, as your life or their life habits change, you just have to  change your social activities with them before you get sucked into their downward spiral.

Byron Williams, 05/15/12

Columnist, author, and pastor

Will President Obama's support for same-gender marriage have repercussions within the African American community? Some African American pastors stated last week that their congregations would stay at home on Election Day.

Lincoln Mitchell, 05/15/12

Harriman Institute, Columbia University

Obama's position on marriage equality changes the policy debate on this issue, probably permanently. Not only is it good to see that the president supports equality for all Americans, but Obama's statement throws down a challenge for future bigots and enshrines marriage equality as the Democratic position.

Dominic Sheahan-Stahl, 05/15/12

You have been cited as being distressed that people are being hurt through this process. It is true. Of all those hurt, the most harm has come to the youth in Mount Pleasant who are still struggling to figure out who they are.

Gary North, 05/15/12

Co-founder, BiNet USA and the Bisexual-Pansexual-Fluid Organizing Institute at Creating Change

What has been accomplished in the 20-plus years that BiNet USA and other such groups have existed? What has lasted in terms of bi visibility and validation since activists quietly or loudly asserted their right to be themselves?

Maria Burnham, 05/15/12

Writer and hairstylist; author, 'Jesus Loves Lesbians, Too'

A young boy experiencing thoughts or feelings that may be completely foreign to how he was raised can find some truth and validation in a comic book. Will it have openly gay characters who don't treat homosexuality as something to be ashamed of or disguised?

Alexandra Katehakis, M.F.T., 05/15/12

Founder and clinical director, Center for Healthy Sex

Can Internet porn really be an addiction? I'm sure you and your friends have talked about how more and more guys in their 20s and 30s are complaining of erectile dysfunction, or you've been on the receiving end of an inconveniently flaccid penis.

Catherine Oliver, 05/15/12

Genderqueer activist, freelance writer, and publisher, 'Just a Bit Radical' magazine

The FTM (female-to-male) community cannot gloss over the fact that we who are genderqueer and identify as men, dress as men, bind, pack, etc. are not "less-than" because we don't take testosterone. We are not less than any man because of our choice not to have surgery.