Jan 02, 2009   | COMMENTS     

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I came out when I was 29. I hadn’t been with anyone up to that point, waiting for this gay “phase” to pass. My mother finally asked me if I was gay. I said, “I think so, but it’s an untested theory.” (Neil Schuldenfrei — Jan. 4)

Who’s your gay hero?

Thre are so many. Favorite is probably the late Barbara Gittings. I heard her speak at Oberlin College my freshman year. She “oiled my closet door” as she liked to say. (Dan Kaufman — Nov. 21)

What is Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?

The original Green Lantern. I still dine out on a conversation I had with a female hooker outside the bar who was bemoaning the downfall of the neighborhood since a gay bar had moved in. (Michael Triplett — Aug. 22)

If gay marriage were legal, would you tie the knot?

Honestly I think the closest I could get to marrying someone is having adjacent condos. (David Mariner — Oct. 10)

No, I would probably continue to live in sin. (Jim Ensor — July 4)

What non-gay issue are you most passionate about?

I am disheartened that we are pulling arts programs from schools and replacing it with every kid having a cell phone. It’s the dumbing down of America. (Frank Muzzy — Aug. 29)

What historical outcome would you change?

In 1492 Columbus would not have sailed the ocean blue. (S.B. Frank — May 30)

Taylor Hicks winning “American Idol.” (Scott Barker — May 16)

What has been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

Madonna’s “Vogue” video. It made me realize that I was not the only gay person in the world. (Paquita Wiggins — Nov. 7)

The streaker at the ’76 Olympics in Montreal. My parents should have known something was up with me because I was so fascinated by that guy. (Hans Johnson — Sept. 19)

When Marsha broke her nose on “The Brady Bunch” (Herndon Davis — April 18)

On what reality TV show would you fare best?

“I Survived a Japanese Game Show” — great location and not as punitive or melodramatic as so many. (Brian Benavides — July 18)

What item of clothing has been in your closet since high school?

A purple casino vest my mom bought when I was in junior high. (Lorenzo Caltagirone — Oct. 31)

Nothing has survived since the ’50s, but I do still have my original blue gown from Halloween 1966 at the Chicken Hut. (Carl Rizzi — Feb. 15)

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Annoying All the Right People” (Barrett Brick — July 11)

“Hair and Paint Makes a Man What He Ain’t” (Shi-Queeta Lee — May 23)

“I’m No Jellyfish” (Trang Duong — May 9)

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

Oh please — there are enough gay scientists to prevent this from ever happening. (Scott Roewer — March 21)

What do you believe in beyond the physical world?

The church of Cher. The world ends when the world tour ends. (Paul Williams — Oct. 17)

What would you order for your last meal?

Thousand-year-old eggs, assuming the name of them is accurate. Start making them now. (James Dronenburg — April 4)

What would you walk across hot coals for?

To end world hunger, find a cure for cancer or for a hot butch dyke Daddy top who led a double life as a sane, non-addicted person. (Peggy Sue — Aug. 15)

What gay stereotype annoys you most?

Ryan Seacrest (Jim Ensor — July 4)

What is the best gay film ever made?

It hasn’t happened yet since they haven’t filmed my life story. (Monet Dupree — Nov. 14)

What is the most overrated social custom?

When someone dies, people always come to you and say, “I’m sorry for your loss.” What am I supposed to say? Thank you? (Monet Dupree — Nov. 14)

Any social custom that involves gift exchange, but particularly the awkward office Christmas gift exchange, which I’ve always loathed. (David Mariner — Oct. 10)

Easter egg hunts (Nicholas Benton — Feb. 29)

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

The Ketubah (the Jewish marriage certificate) that bears my husband’s name and mine. (Ken Seifert — Dec. 5)

I tend to really value most the people around me, but I don’t keep them in a trophy case because I think it would be a little creepy — and illegal. (Brett West — Sept. 26)

What’s your advice for gay teens?

Take risks with your heart, not with your health. And surround yourself with people who will love you for who you are, not for who they think you should be. (Dan Kaufman — Nov. 21)

Why Washington?

To commute from Harrisburg, Pa., would have been a bitch. (Candace Gingrich — March 28)