I believe we really became friends [with Larry Kramer] when we bonded at our fifteenth class reunion in 1972.

[Calvin Trillin] was very "shoe," which means he was a big jock, a big deal.

"Weenie" was definitely a word we used at Yale back then. But I'm not sure you were one, Larry [Kramer]. Also, you were going by a different name.

That's why I tried to kill myself when I was a student [in Yale]. I thought I was the only one there.

It's always been hard to be gay in Washington.

One thing I learned in sobriety is to stop being judgmental, to always be discerning. When I drive, that will be my bumper sticker.

Calvin [Trillin] was much more of a mover and a shaker. That's all I'm saying. I was a "weenie." That was another term back then.