I was in a conversation and someone said: "You know, we were talking about the whole issue of transgender and how it has become so accepted now, and somebody said, 'You know the Oprah show, I think has had a big impact.'" I said, I don't think so. We did several transgender [shows], but we didn't do as much for transgender as I did for, say, abused kids or battered women. And they said, "But no, you started the conversation. You started the conversation and the conversation has led us to here."

Whatever you fear most has no power - it is your fear that has the power. The thing itself cannot touch you. But if you allow your fear to seep into your mind and overtake your thoughts, it will rob you of your life.

Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.

It's up to each of us to get very still and say, 'This is who I am.' No one else defines your life. Only you do.

Getting my library card was like citizenship; it was like American citizenship.

Even in bad times, always say thank you. Whatever you are going through, God is using you to get through. God has already put a rainbow in the cloud.

What I know for sure is that if you can survive 11 days in cramped quarters with a friend and come out laughing, your friendship is the real deal. I know ours is.