Bernard-Henri Lévy, 01/08/13

French philosopher and writer

The gay marriage debate has taken an odd and worrisome turn. The truth is that the opponents of gay marriage are finding it increasingly difficult to conceal the homophobia that skews their views.

Alexandra Katehakis, M.F.T., 01/08/13

Founder and Clinical Director, Center for Healthy Sex

Though there were not as many spectacular sexual implosions in 2012 (remember 2011's Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Herman Cain and Jerry Sandusky?), there were still significant political and social developments that will have implications for healthy sex for years to come.

Sandi DuBowski, 01/08/13

Filmmaker, 'Trembling Before G-d'

We as filmmakers, more than ever, must become as creative and strategic in our distribution, outreach, funding, audience engagement, and evaluation as we are in our filmmaking.

Jarrett Hill, 01/08/13

Writer, graphic artist, part-time standup comic, and producing PA at 'The New Ricki Lake Show'

The idea that God created me and my life perfectly but would ask me not to live it according to its reality isn't something that makes much sense to me.

Concetta Bertoldi, 01/08/13

Psychic medium

As a psychic medium I am blessed to know that our loved ones never leave us. Harold is still with me and I know is working from the Other Side to "steer" many blessings to those he continues to watch over on this side.

Michelangelo Signorile, 01/07/13

Editor-at-large, HuffPost Gay Voices

Contrary to what many may believe -- and contrary to the Associated Press' banning of the word -- homophobia is alive and well, and we may be seeing it expressed more than before in the most "pro-gay" places.

John Voelcker, 01/07/13

Editor, Green Car Reports; co-founder, Medius Institute for Gay Men's Health; former member, ACT UP New York

Spencer Cox's death last month was a wake-up call that highlighted once again the critical need for mental health programs and studies of the powerful trauma experienced by gay men in their 40s through 70s who've lived through the loss and destruction of entire communities due to AIDS.

Marsha Aizumi, 01/07/13

Author, speaker and member of the PFLAG National Board of Directors

"Never bring shame to our family." For a while, this voice forced me into the closet and I could not openly talk about my lesbian child. I was afraid that I would be judged a terrible mother who brought dishonor to her family.

Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, 01/07/13

Executive director, The Campaign for Southern Equality

Laws that treat LGBT people as second-class citizens in the South are typically invisible because they are rarely enforced. But when they are enforced, something new happens: everyone involved must engage with the reality that LGBT people are calling for full equality under federal law.

Nadia Cho, 01/07/13

Student, University of California-Berkeley

This holiday season, I came out to my mom about being sexually active, being bisexual, writing about sex for my college newspaper and then getting a ton of media attention for my column on having sex in the library. But did I also mention that I got straight A's this semester?

Steve Drum, 01/07/13

Nonfiction writer and blogger

"I'd look at [Colt men] as a kid and say, 'That's what I want to be when I grow up,'" Brian Doyle tells me. "These guys were like Greek sculptures. You knew whoever was behind it really studied classical art and classical bodies. It seemed like such an honor to be in the pantheon of these men."

Valerie Jarrett, 01/07/13

Senior Advisor and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls

Chuck Hagel is uniquely qualified to be Secretary of Defense. He is a decorated war hero who earned two purple hearts for his heroism in Vietnam. He knows the sacrifices that we ask our brave service members to make because he has made them himself.

Domenick Scudera, 01/07/13

Professor of Theater, Ursinus College

To begin, I can help bring about world peace by dumping my partner of 17 years. You see, we are both men (we are gay!), and homosexuality makes many people angry and uncomfortable. If my partner and I are no longer a couple, then there is no chance of making anyone upset.

David Duran, 01/07/13

Freelance journalist

My trip to Cuba was a chance to hear what Cubans have to say about all the changes and victories for their LGBT community. After talking to many of Mariela Castro's activists and volunteers, I can't help but think that what's potentially around the corner could be monumental for Cuba.

Rob Watson, 01/07/13

Dad, LGBT activist, businessman and blogger, evoL =

The pope is wrong to denigrate gay families and is on the wrong side of history. In Disney stories there are great transformations and awakenings. It is my sincere prayer that the pope gets one of these as a gift for himself this year.

Jincey Lumpkin, 01/07/13

Founder and Chief Sexy Officer, Juicy Pink Box

Season 3 of The Real L Word followed a group of lesbians as they navigated sex, relationships and binge drinking on both coasts. Arguably the hottest is Lauren Bedford Russell, a jewelry designer whose brand, Lyon, has become popular with the young Hollywood crowd.

Aaron Belkin, 01/07/13

Author, 'How We Won: Progressive Lessons from the Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"'

It is too late for Hagel to undo the damage he caused to gay and lesbian people during his Senate career. But he now has an opportunity to make sure that the Pentagon keeps making progress on the route to full inclusion.