I studied the Bible seriously until I was young teenager. It was always part of our home education: talking about the Bible, arguing about the Bible, interpreting it. So I don't connect prayer or scriptures with any particular religion so it's not a contradiction in my life.

My father was always talking about God, and I idolized my father, so I'd spend hours trying to have mental telepathy with God.

I have seen a lifetime of transgender people and it was hard enough being gay in the '50s and early '60s. One couldn't imagine the cruelty that trans people had to face back then.

I've always thrived on the encouragement of others.

I wasn't thinking so much of music. I wasnt thinking so much of perfection or stardom or any of that stuff.

The film [Dream of Life] is the way it is because it was the rhythm of my life, and also because the director and the editor are both gifted and both fine human beings.

I think the film [Dream of Life] is life-affirming.