KNOW THINE ENEMY

Susan Kushner Resnick, 07/01/12

Author of ‘You Saved Me, Too.’

The universe is terrible and ugly in so many ways, but it's always changing. And once in a while those changes are so good and so big that future generations won't be able to imagine life before them.

Amelia, 06/29/12

Mother, wife, partner, and breadwinner

My son is who he is, and I have never wanted him to be anyone else. I am proud of him, and try I encourage him to be himself and empower him, but here I was, just a few feet away, willing him to hold part of himself back. The shame came over me instantly.

Alvin Lopez-Woods, 06/29/12

Publicist, The Media Model; co-author, 'The Best Workout Is "Sex": A Gay Guide to Your Ideal Marriage'

I woke up yesterday morning as if it were any other day. But just seconds into a beautiful late-June morning, my shocked husband gave me the most appalling news. "Your biological mother made a nasty comment about our book," he said.

The Guyliner, 06/29/12

Taking on the internet one gay at a time

The true currency of dating, the one you never really think about, is time. Whether you're buttering up a honey in a noisy bar or stumbling through endless online profiles, the amount of time you spend on this initial process can be disheartening if the end result is less than satisfactory.

Jeffrey Sharlach, 06/29/12

Businessman; faculty member, NYU Stern School of Business; author, 'Running in Bed'

The photo of the New York Pride parade in this week's Wall Street Journal means a lot. All those people who came across it spread across the section's front page saw gay men and women who probably didn't look too different from the folks in the next cubicle.

Louis Virtel, 06/29/12

West Coast Entertainment Editor, AfterElton.com

Ben Harvey and Dave Rubin, 06/29/12

Scott Alexander Hess, 06/29/12

Author, 'Diary of a Sex Addict' and 'Bergdorf Boys'

Following are five novels that, in pre-Twitter, YouTube, Facebook times, went viral (or at least had readers gasping and gossiping) in a printable sort of way.

Trish Bendix, 06/29/12

Managing Editor, AfterEllen.com

We pride ourselves on knowing all kinds of Sapphic pop-culture facts. Each week we'll share some of the best tidbits on The Huffington Post in our new series, "Best Lesbian Week Ever." Here's who and what was on our raging gay radar this week.

Wayne Anderson, 06/29/12

LGBT rights activist and gay veteran of the U.S. Army

It's past time for the president to tell America if his religious views on gay marriage have also evolved. Does the president still believe that God only sees heterosexual marriages as "sacred," or does he feel that God's grace now shines on gay people, as well?

Waymon Hudson, 06/29/12

LGBT rights activist

One of the most important things when it comes to making progress for LGBT rights, and perhaps one of the things least talked about in the movement, is getting out the vote.

Rev. Susan Russell, 06/29/12

Episcopal priest and activist from Pasadena, Calif.

When the Episcopal Church gathers in Indianapolis next week for its every-three-year General Convention, transgender inclusion will be on our "to-do" list. We'll have plenty of work to do as we support trans-inclusive resolutions that will be wending their way through our legislative process.

Will Goldbloom, 06/29/12

Executive Assistant, 3 Guineas Business Solutions

I am a 20-something city boy who came out at a relatively early age and received unconditional support. In many ways I fit the so-called "new gay" stereotype -- I likely won't be attending the parade on Sunday, but I likely will attend a Pride event at a west-end bar that is as hip as it is gay.

Madison Hildebrand, 06/29/12

Real-estate mogul; star, BRAVO's 'Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles'

I had one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life as Grand Marshal of Pride Houston. What a rush! Everyone was so kind, loving, and happy. I was dancing up and down in the car, throwing beads and screaming, "I love Houston!"

Frank Mugisha, 06/29/12

Advocate for the rights of sexual minorities in Uganda

As these esteemed human rights defenders have supported human rights for LGBTI people in Uganda and worldwide, I hope the support of other leaders will have the same impact. If religious leaders defended our human dignity, how could anyone threaten us with violence?

Donna Red Wing, 06/29/12

Executive director, One Iowa

The voices of LGBT Americans, who have long faced barriers in accessing adequate, affordable, competent health care, are crucial in this debate. The health disparities facing LGBT Americans are daunting, and unequal access to health care is a roadblock to full equality.

Richard Lyon, 06/28/12

Queer activist

It seems that there is a trend afoot among many politically self-conscious gay men. From an effort to counter the notion that all gay men are effeminate, they have moved toward the position that all gay men should present an image of red-blooded American masculinity.