Nico Lang, 12/05/12

Co-editor, In Our Words; Associate Director, The Civil Rights Agenda

After being in a relationship for two years (with another one right before that), I thought that being single would be easy and that having my relationship removed would be a relatively painless procedure. However, this was not to be the case.

Dana Beyer, 12/05/12

Executive Director, Gender Rights Maryland

Trans persons are no longer classified by the medical community as mentally ill, this decision coming 39 years after homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness. I have been involved in many civil rights campaigns, but as a physician, none has mattered more to me than this one.

The Guyliner, 12/05/12

Taking on the internet one gay at a time

It becomes clear why I don't fancy him at all, why the fireworks failed to materialize -- he looks like me. Like, spookily. His hair, the same kind of dishwater brown and even greying in similar spots as mine, is styled as if he used me for a mirror. I'm on a date with myself.

Allison Hope, 12/05/12

PR specialist and journalist

Women's shoes fit, but they're ugly, and men's shoes, while cute, don't fit. I've even resorted to trying on large boys' shoes. You haven't lived until you've caught soccer moms staring at you wide-eyed while you try to jam your foot into a shoe in the children's section at the shoe store.

Warren J. Blumenfeld, 12/05/12

Associate Professor, School of Education, Iowa State University

The AP revealed recently that its stylebook will no longer include the word "homophobia" in political or social contexts. Oddly, and for entirely different reasons, I agree that the terms like "homophobia," "biphobia" and "transphobia" are imprecise at best, so I, too, find them problematic.

Jesse Archer, 12/05/12

Writer, actor, rabblerouser

President Obama was victorious, but that's not to say his supporters didn't suffer casualties. How many friendships were lost in lead up to the 2012 presidential election?

Chase Strangio, 12/05/12

Attorney; Founding board member, Lorena Borjas Community Fund

On Saturday, the APA approved changes to the diagnostic criteria for Gender Identity Disorder. Many trans advocates celebrated the changes, but there are also many advocates with important questions about what it will mean for trans communities and advocacy moving forward.

Nicholas Snow, 12/05/12

Openly gay activist, actor, journalist, singer/songwriter and multimedia entertainment personality

In this episode of my SnowbizNow online radio show, we hear from Southern Baptist Sissies writer/producer/director Del Shores, producer/star Emerson Collins and star Ann Walker about how the hit play is headed for the big screen.

Joseph Amodeo, 12/05/12

Catholic researcher

As Catholics, we need only follow our faith and the conscience that guides it, to realize that World AIDS Day is an opportunity, and a call, for us to exercise faith in action.

Karen Hagberg, 12/05/12

Piano Teacher

I grew up in an era when I never heard words like homosexual, lesbian, or gay. The publication of The Empty Closet and the social movement it represents brought those words out into the public dialog, and I believe that was a good thing.

Mark Simpson, 12/05/12

Father of the 'metrosexual' and 'retrosexual'; author, 'Male Impersonators,' 'Saint Morrissey' and 'Metrosexy'

Whether or not Little Richard invented rock 'n' roll, as he has often loudly and boldly claimed, it's as obvious as the eyeliner around his lips that this son of a bootlegger from Macon, Ga., invented glam rock, way back in the "uptight" 1950s.

Rob Watson, 12/05/12

Dad, LGBT activist, businessman and blogger, evoL =

Often the love between gay men is not romantic or sexual but the love of brothers. I have had that many times, and in one case in particular, it was with a man I consider my my spiritual and emotional twin.

Phillip M. Miner, 12/05/12

Board member, The Center for Homicide Research

For the majority of my grandfather's generation, homosexuality was, frankly, just plain gross. This disgust has played an important role in the efficacy of the LGBT rights movement. Our early activists were fighting more than ideas; they were fighting a deeply ingrained gut reaction.

Gary Nelson, 12/05/12

Blogger, now walking barefoot

Try to see yourself as a leader, mentor and teacher. Remind yourself daily that there is no room for shame. You will find allies. We number greater than those who turn away from you and offer no help in eradicating this disease. We will move forward with you.

Jacob Tobia, 12/05/12

Activist at Duke University and Point Foundation Scholar

On Dec. 15, in commemoration of five years out of the closet, I'm going to be raising money by running across the Brooklyn Bridge in five-inch heels. Why? Because Hurricane Sandy has left thousands of homeless LGBT youth in New York City out in the cold.

Perry Brass, 12/05/12

Author, 'King of Angels: A Novel' and 'The Manly Art of Seduction'

Everybody has a Christmas list, I guess. I've been thinking about Christmas and the kind of stuff I'd really, really like, although I'm sure I'm not going to get it.

Sue Carswell, 12/05/12

Author, ghostwriter and SWGF

I've joined Eater, a dating website devoted to foodies. I've scoured what seems like the two or three lesbian bars in Manhattan. I've been to speed dating events. Where are the attractive late-40s/early-50s girls to date? Why are you in hiding? I've tried finding you everywhere.