I really thought I wanted to be a musical-comedy star, but I lived in Phoenix and didn't want to go all the way to New York and be that far away from home. So I thought maybe I'd be a rock 'n' roll singer or an opera singer.

When people pay to see you live, they connect with you on a much deeper level than people who just buy your records.

I've become this sort of icon for the gay community. I don't like the position.

When you have a knowledge of history, it's very soothing. When there's continuity in your life, it's soothing.

Purim, one of my favorite holidays. It's like the original drag queen's holiday. It's when all the Jewish men go for it and feel no guilt for a change.

Madonnas got one big choice. Take a couple of years off and become a human being.

I'm not saying I'm some high priestess. I do things, I'm sure, that are damaging, but it's certainly not on purpose.