I'll tell you what gives me hope. After the struggle for marriage equality, the LGBTQ community has built some very powerful organizations; in particular, I'm thinking of HRC (the Human Rights Campaign), GLAAD... but there are many, many others, too. Along with those organizations come some savvy and tested leaders who have come to understand not only how to change hearts and minds but also legislators and judges votes.

The murkiness of Donald Trump's position is really what distinguishes him from other Republican nominees and contenders who have been steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ equality.

I keep reading that Donald Trump is the most pro-LGBT GOP presidential nominee of all time - and I actually think that's true.

Cross-dressing is more of a set of actions or behaviors and not synonymous with gender identity (straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, among others).

I know many of my female friends do not like being referred to as "ladies."

Calling a trans person by their former name is referred to as "deadnaming" and is considered highly offensive to most trans people I know.

Too many people think that "good manners" are about subjugating yourself to others. Not true. Respect, and just as important, self-respect are two key elements in this equation.