The response we've gotten and continue to get from certain elements of the gay community is just startling to me.

Look at where the gay community was five years ago and what's happened since the (2004 presidential) election.

Gay rights are taking a step backwards. Things will ultimately change. But this is what is happening.

It is sad to see the leader of the Muslim community attacking the gay community.

The homosexual community wants me to be gay. The heterosexual community wants me to be straight. Every [writer] thinks, I'm the journalist who's going to make him talk. I pray for them. I pray that they get a life and stop living mine!

As many as half of the participants were straight allies, and they consider themselves part of the gay community even though they themselves are not gay. One of my goals next year as V.P. of Multicultural Affairs is to make the Day of Silence even more visible.