"I find that communication as an actor and person is an important part of who I am. And I'm really drawn into the psychology of those dynamics."

"It became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality."

"We are witnessing an enormous shift of collective consciousness throughout the world. We are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and government."

"Parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance."

"The sinews of art and literature, like those of war, are money."

"I'm not just a big-haired redhead country singer who dresses flamboyantly, has this wicked sense of humor and wears rhinestones."

"The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself."

"In the long term, the United States could greatly benefit Islam by uniquely freeing the religion from government constraints and permitting it to evolve in a positive, modern direction. But that's the long term."