Rev. Vicki Flippin

Pastor, The Church of the Village

I find it hard to say the word "safe" this week without thinking about the anti-gay hate crimes that have been occurring in our community this year. I have reacted strongly to these acts, but I know that, in this case, I am like the New Yorkers who have never been directly affected by tornadoes.

Tim Paul

Actor/writer/director, Annoyance Theatre; staff writer, Second City Network

At this rate, if I want to remain comfortably single without the pressures of a looming marriage proposal, I'll have to move to one of those states. Next time I'm on Craigslist, I'm going have to forego the "Men Seeking Men" section so that I can peruse apartments in Biloxi.

Fr. Gary M. Meier

Author, 'Hidden Voices, Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest'

At the heart of every authentic call to ministry is the desire to live a life of integrity. It was my desire to live a life of integrity that led me to the priesthood and it is that same desire that has led me to where I am today.

Fred Karger

President, Rights Equal Rights

In 2007 and 2008, its first two years of existence, NOM never bothered to file any tax returns with the IRS. Each subsequent year, NOM has either been late or filed at least two extensions on its tax returns. This is illegal if you are a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization like NOM.

Andrew Nackerud

Writer, comedian and doer of monotonous acts for meager returns

If there were gay rights trading cards, my character would have high tolerance, 9 acceptance, 10 respect and telekinesis. But in spite of all this power, the moment I stepped foot in The Abbey in West Hollywood and a man caressed the chest hair protruding from my V-neck, I flipped out.

James Owens

President, Log Cabin Republicans of Oregon; Leadership Committee member, Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry

Chris Busby is the vice president of the Log Cabin Republicans of Houston. Recently he made the decision to run for a Precinct Committee Person (PCP) vacancy in the Harris County Republican Party. He was confident that he would be given the position, but that's not what happened.

Win Bassett

Writer, lawyer and entering student, Yale Divinity School

Most of the conversation has focused on the double standard of refusing membership to openly homosexual adults as leaders. However, there hasn't been any discussion about another qualifier in the proposed language -- "alone."

Cindy Zelman

Writer and blogger

As I've shed my sexy boots, so too have I shed my narrow-minded views on the queer community. I may not be bringing sexy back with my new dress style, but I'm bringing back something much more important: a wider and more encompassing perspective.

Allison Hope

PR specialist and journalist

I believe that we're seeing the tortured last battle of an anti-gay subset of our society that knows that it's losing the culture war. what do angry, ignorant people do when they feel that they no longer have control? They use their angry words, their fists, their guns and their knives.

Matt Baume

Writer, online strategist and video producer, American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER)

Marriage equality is on a winning streak, and it may not be over yet: Illinois may soon join Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota in passing marriage legislation before the start of summer. But time is running out: The Illinois legislature has just until the end of this month to pass its bill.

Stephen R. Haynes

Professor, Rhodes College

Biblical passages to which conservative Christians appeal on these issues can be interpreted differently. But even those convinced that conservatives do not interpret the Bible correctly in these cases must concede that they do so consistently.

Toni Newman

Writer, law school student and author, 'I Rise: The Transformation of Toni Newman'

Finding a mate who can love and accept you as you will unfortunately not come easily. Like any person, you will have to deal with rejection, heartbreak and disappointment, but don't be dismayed, because love is out there, and you can find it.

Kyle Hillman

Illinois political consultant

With a vote upcoming any day now in Springfield and a Supreme Court decision that is likely to be less than an all-out victory for equal marriage, the issue won't be going away as some have hoped.

Louis Virtel

West Coast Entertainment Editor, TheBacklot.com

Now that Season 12 is over, let's judge Idol's judges, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey, for all they're worth -- and, hell, Seacrest too. Frankly, they all deserve it.

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño

Bishop in The United Methodist Church

The opportunity to reunite their families should be extended to all immigrant families, including LGBT families. It is the just and right thing to do. It is the humane thing to do. It is what we must do.

Erin Chrisman and Mauricio Arias

The most telling bit of it all is that thing that can't be put into words. It's the thing that happens when they look at each other: countless unexplainable emotions expressed within one electric connection of the eyes.

Aundaray Guess

Performing artist, producer, writer, and actor; program manager, Project Wipeout

It should be an alarm that alerts us to the complacency that has enveloped us and force us to refocus on anti-LGBT hate crimes. It should generate a renewed dialogue about why a gay man can be shot dead in plain sight in the street simply because of who he is.