Vp Issue 1: "The Tao of Cho, An Interview with Margaret Cho"

much religion and morality tied up to the institution of marriage. That's what is standing in the way. The moral majority is going to be very unlikely to give that up without a fight. But as we have seen, the G.L.B.T. community really loves to fight. Which is one great thing in our favor. We love to get in the ring. So I think it's going to happen.

I hope so. There's a chapter in your book called "Bravery," where you write about the cruel teasing you went through as a kid, especially when you were in Summer Camp. It's really moving. I was wondering if you think that growing up as an "outcast" per-se has made you a natural ally to the gay community?

Well I think it adds to it, but I think that I always have been. Even when I was kind of an outcast, I always had gay boyfriends. Yeah, I identify certainly. But then I think that what happened to me, in a sense, is not really unusual because at some point in life it happens to everyone. My speaking of it and retelling it is my way of reaching out to everyone. We've all felt that way. Maybe not to the same degree, but I think whenever something bad happens to you, it always feels bad. There's no level of feeling bad; it just sucks. There is no suckiness contest. We all experience suckiness and have to just live it. I think that's what I was trying to share with people.

In Notorious C.H.O., among other things, you end with a pretty powerful message, which is "love yourself." Do you believe in God?

Yes.

And what does your image of God look like?

Well my image of God takes many forms. God is everywhere. God is my godchild, my dog, the female Buddha. God is Ganesh and the flowers growing in my backyard. It's really kind of hippy-dippy. (laughs)

But you've obviously done a lot of searching. And you've probably dabbled in a few different paths!

Oh everything. I think that it's all God. I love it all.

Where do you go, what do you do to find your center?

Well I have a group of really close friends. I'm really so lucky to have these great relationships, and they keep me grounded and centered. I love my home. I'm so happy there. I love