Sunny Bjerk

Communications Manager, Housing Works Inc.

Cuomo's fight for women's equality cannot afford to overlook transgender women, who are especially vulnerable to violence, harassment, and discrimination in housing, employment, and health care. I hope that the Women's Equality Coalition will recognize the vulnerability of all women.

Marianne T. Duddy-Burke

Executive Director, DignityUSA

While Catholics in general are supportive of LGBT people, the church is still perceived as unwelcoming. This seems to indicate that the church is so identified with the positions assumed by its leadership that the reality among "rank-and-file" Catholics is rendered meaningless.

Judy Rickard

Author, 'Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law'

This tale of three flags is our nightmare. It made me take early retirement. It made us spend months apart, in different countries, until I quit my job years earlier than planned. My flag, my country, won't let me sponsor her flag, her citizenship, her gender, for U.S. immigration

Mark Simpson

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

Why do so many men shave their chests now? Because, as I told the skeptical Army doctor, it shows off muscle definition. That's to say: It shows off. Now that metrosexuality is pretty much "normal," young men think nothing of wanting to be sexy. To be hot.

Matt Baume

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

Opponents of marriage equality claim that there are "negative consequences" to letting gay and lesbian couples marry. Marriage will deteriorate, they claim; fewer straight people will want to be a part of the institution. Well, that's a fine thing to claim, but the evidence just isn't there.

Rev. Patrick S. Cheng, Ph.D.

Theologian, seminary professor and ordained minister; author, 'Radical Love' and 'Rainbow Theology'

As an openly-gay Chinese American minister, I will always remember my experiences of living, loving, and leading in the midst of my queer Asian siblings from around the world.

Austin Considine

Writer

Musto first made a name for himself in the 80s, when the downtown New York scene was at its peak of flamboyance and grit. It was also a battleground for gay rights, and Musto, an openly gay man, was a fierce voice for equality.

James Nichols

Brooklyn-based recent graduate

While the three men did not take questions at the June 11 press conference and only provided a brief statement, Josh Williams and Ben Collins are now offering their first interview following the event.

Mitch Kellaway

Independent transgender scholar, freelance writer

As a man who desires medical affirmation for my gender transition, I've inherited a community history of insurance rejection, which has effectively functioned as yet another strand of social rejection.

Shawna Vercher

Media strategist, activist and mom

While no official policies or platforms were introduced, Rep. Darryl Rouson, State House Leader-designee, set a decisive tone in his speech to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and came out publicly in favor of marriage equality for the first time.

Todd Fernandez

Gay human rights activist

The idea is simple: to combine all our separate legislative initiatives and community groups into one mass appeal for justice, big enough to manifest our dream of full equality in America and proud enough to reclaim our dignity.

Abby Bergman

Junior at Vistamar High School, activist

I don't deny that we need a day to recognize our parents -- maybe even more than one. But in our modern society shouldn't we be able to celebrate a holiday that includes everyone? Families come in all shapes and sizes.

Paul Gorrell, Ph.D.

Founding Principal, Progressive Talent Partners; co-author, 'The Coaching Connection'

While many want the gay marriage fight to be state by state, we need to remember that there are federal benefits for married couples that elude gay couples who are legally married all because of DOMA. If DOMA is struck down, there is one sure of victim of this victory: Civil Unions.

Louis Virtel

West Coast Entertainment Editor, TheBacklot.com

Father's Day is a good time to think about our own dads and how awesome they are. I do my best to thank the fathers of gay kids everywhere -- using my own dad as a template.

Christian Piatt

Author, editor, speaker

If all it takes to be seduced over to the gay "dark side" is to earn a merit badge together, certainly we are all susceptible to the gay mojo. So I guess it's time for us to face the facts.

Jessica Gerson

Social worker, activist and curmudgeon

The next time you feel tempted to turn to pedophilia, polygamy, and bestiality as a go-to argument against marriage equality, I want you to repeat the words "two consenting adults" to yourself 10 times, and then find another argument.

Sabrina Lee

Student, Wellesley College

Recently, one of my close straight friends messaged me excitedly on Facebook: "I can't wait for NYC Pride! I'm gonna meet sooo many gay guys and make them my BFF." There were so many things wrong with that statement that I had to pause and stop myself from cussing her out.