I Swish because being involved with Swish, I feel that I've gained wonderful new friends who share a common goal - supporting LGBT communities and helping to secure their rights as individuals. To help gain the freedoms that I don't even have to think about nowadays. Many of my closest friends are from the LGBT community and Swish has given me a way of supporting the people I love and to try and make a difference. I am a black American who has lived abroad for over 13 years and it still surprises me in my travels how closed minded people can be.

I had so much fun at EuroPride in Sweden! We marched down the streets in the rain shouting - "When I say fag, You say hag!" It felt like such a great place to be; to witness and feel the solidarity and to also let people know that there are loads of straight people who are willing and able to stand up for the good fight. It was such a great time because I was able to get to see Sue and other members of the Swish gang again after not seeing them for so long. I must say, the march was also very good at pointing out the plight of so many different people from countries where homosexuality is still banned and vilified. So,while it was a lot of fun, there was a variety of messages and people there. I was well knackered at the end of it but wouldn't have missed it for the world!

I hope Swish will be global in five years time. I'm very busy over here in London and am not sure I could handle the pressures of setting up a Swish Chapter here on my own. But! I am hoping that Swish expands to Europe. I would definitely help as much as I could. And!, as I've been here for so long, publicity would be a breeze! I believe that Swish will go from strength to strength.

I miss out on all of the great promotional events b/c of location...I would love for the Swish crew to come out to London and hold or be a part of an event here in London!! :)