"As far as I'm concerned, I am very fortunate because I never thought of it as being a hinderance or something negative; you see me and you know I'm gay. I think all of our differences and things that makes us unique are always strengths and that people should use it as a strength rather than see it as a difference. The more accepting I am of my lifestyle and how I look and what I do, the more others will be, too. It's just part of me and I don't want it to be a big deal."

- Jenny Shimizu