I was always a relatively quiet and introspective kid.

I have always loved science, but I have always loved the arts - drawing, painting and, yes, writing - more.

But generally speaking, I tend to be quiet and introspective.

One thing the gay rights movement taught the world is the importance of being visible.

The first memory I have in the world is of death and tears. That is how I would mark the beginning of my life: the way people mark the end of one. My family had gathered at Papa Joe's house because Mam' Grace was slipping away, only I didn't register it that way. For some reason I thought that it was her birthday.

I had an insanely long commute - New York to D.C. - when I worked at 'National Geographic.' I hate to waste time, so I spent my time by writing about my life on the premise that I might be able to pitch those as short essays to magazines. It wasn't until later that I realized that I was writing a book.