In some communities it is - like, for me, coming out with my parents, they were not accepting; they were not understanding. So it depends. For kids in New York and L.A., maybe it's different, but for kids in Iowa, for kids in Tennessee, it's still something that's not really talked about.

Growing up, I was very aware that there weren't many people like me on the screen.

Creatively, I just like interesting characters. So straight, gay, or whatever - like, whatever, wherever the characters are coming from or their lifestyle.

I want more images onscreen because when I was growing up, I think, like, that one kiss in 'The Color Purple' was the one thing that I had. Or 'The Watermelon Woman.'

I am more relaxed at home in Scotland, and my children are of an age where I want us, as a family, to spend more time up here.

I never think about gifts. It's enough to have my family present.

I've lived in Kansas for more than thirty years, and for half of those, I was part of a ranching family, so I'm writing about things I know and love.

Being on 'Good Times' was the first time I was around a group of people that wasn't my family.