Trish Bendix
"Some personal highlights have been meeting people—musicians, actors, writers, producers, directors—who not only know exactly what AfterEllen is but tell me how much they love it."

Joe Fiore
"Ten years ago, nobody thought a bear dance would get a crowd..."

Miguel Torres
"We’re comfortable with our sexuality and can express it."

Mark Pino
"By far, the biggest challenge is to maintain the style and charm of this iconic event, while putting my personal spin on it."

Gary Gangi
"The beard does one thing now that has not been done in the past in terms of determining sex appeal: it makes attractiveness focus on a person's face."

Scott Malinowski
"Playing music is such an immersive thing, I feel such a strong sense of flow and satisfaction blasting out high notes with a roaring jazz band."

David Ernesto Munar
"It’s my calling to work to better the lives of people affected by HIV. That’s who I am, and that who I’m going to be at Howard Brown."

Michael Kutza
"If I look at some of the films today, including Brokeback Mountain, doesn't the gay hero die at the end?"

Jamie B. Frazier
"I think this notion that African-Americans don’t support marriage equality is just simply not true."

Dr. Robert Garofalo
"That puppy saved my life. It's a little facetious. But I had gotten to a point where I didn't know how to have fun anymore. I didn't know how to laugh. I didn't have peace in my life."

Scott Jannush
"The neighborhood has changed and it's time to change."

Jason Knade
"It’s a powerful moment for me, one that transcends gender and sexuality and really speaks to the universal human emotions of desire, connection, rejection, and the emotional bravery that’s required..."

Tom Tunney
"Pride is everyday for me! My only advice for Pride and Pride activities are let’s be safe and respectful of each other."

Michael Rolik
"I couldn't believe the scale of love and acceptance... it was really electric... that kind of security and knowing there was that level of acceptance helped me with my own confidence"

Sam Provenzano
"If you aren't comfortable and can't truly be yourself with your personal trainer, chances are you will not reach your full potential."

Bryan Herb
"I have been taught what it really means to give when you have nothing from a six year old in Varanasi, India... and how to find the joy of stillness and silence in Bhutan"

Brian Richardson
"What I want instead is to be able to say that I did the best that I could and in some way I was able to make a difference for my community and the people who came after me."

David LaSalle
"I realize that I have a responsibility to my client’s, my staff and my neighborhood that I will never take for granted."

Bernard Cherkasov
"If you were to ask me to describe myself, the very first word that comes to mind is refugee because that’s the most definitive, formative experience of my life."

John Dalton
"Minibar is reflective because I like to dress up, go out, and have a nice cocktail."

Stan Sloan
"Every day I get to make a difference."