Of course people are afraid. But honestly facing that fear, seeing it for what it is, is the only way of putting it to rest.

There are easier things in life than being a drag queen. But I ain't got no choice. Try as I may, I just can't walk in flats.

There's nothing I need from anyone except love and respect, and anyone who can't give me those two things has no place in my life.

I got the regular call, that they were doing a Broadway musical of Hairspray, and would I come and audition. I was familiar with the movie, because at the time it came out my lover wrote for Premiere magazine, and we had to see everything.

Political movements always belong to the young.

I burned out on AIDS and did no AIDS work for a couple of years. I was so angry that people were still getting this disease that nobody can give you - you have to go out and get it!

When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response I'd get - the backlash because I'm openly gay. There was none. I toured Canada and America, and not one single review suggested that I played the role gay or that I seemed anything but Tevye.