Those of you who have met him will most likely agree; you won't meet many people in life who are as giving of their time and energy as Robby Johnson. And he asks for nothing in return.

Robby grew up in Mobile, Ala., and lived there until 1996, when he moved to Little Rock, Ark.

Robby is active in a lot of things, but one thing close to his heart is his horse. And what he didn't mention in the interview is that recently he moved up to the next competitive level and on the first event after that he and his horse won first place.

“I own an eight year-old thoroughbred gelding and actively compete in the sport of three day eventing (www.useventing.com) and serve on several committees for this national association,” Robby said.

“The competitive equestrian world has a large gay population and, as a result, it is very welcoming and encouraging. It allows me to purse passion and athleticism in an atmosphere that is non-judgemental.”

Robby doesn't yet hold his dream job, but one never knows when that opportunity will present itself.

“I am the director of corporate communication for a specialized healthcare company, and do some public relations consulting and freelance writing on the side,” Robby explained. What he wants to do is write all the time.

Robby, like many of us, came out a little later in life than we wish. He came out to family and friends in December 1995, when he met his first relationship partner. They were together until May of 2005.

When asked, “What have you done to help with gay rights, or bettering the community?” Robby said, “Not nearly enough! I think the first thing you can do to help is ‘come out.' “Accept yourself and don't be ashamed of it. It's organic and your only choice is to be honest about it.

“Beyond that, I have done volunteer work for several AIDS organizations, both in Alabama and in Arkansas. I am very proud of my involvement with ‘Singing in the RAIN' in 2000 and 2001. I was their publicity chairperson and met a lot of amazing people.

“I also volunteer with a committee that produces and markets the Humane Society of Pulaski County ‘Day Planner.' That is a very worthwhile project as well.

“I think it's important to be openly gay, but also ‘diverse' in your interests and efforts. While equality and gay rights are zeniths to me on the list of ‘what's important,' they don't prevent me from pursuing other passions and interests.”

Robby was asked to give his thoughts on what will or might happen in the future with gay awareness, gay rights and gay marriage.

“If I could predict the future, I would be a wealthy man!” he said. “I think what will happen as time progresses and as people come out at younger ages, and as younger generations are less ‘shocked' by the concept of homosexuality, is that there will be a general softening toward gay culture.

“I am not a proponent of ‘gay marriage' though I am definitely a supporter of legally recognized unions that grant rights to both partners.

“Having survived a ‘gay divorce' this year, I definitely speak from experience and unless there are legally-binding changes made, I will pursue other relationships very carefully based on what I learned.

“I hope that the ridiculous ‘constitutional amendments' will be repealed and will go down in history as a major embarrassment or blooper to the states that passed them. And, I live for Inauguration Day 2009, when I hope our country will have elected a president who is actually capable of leading our country. I, personally, am really looking forward to Jenna's inevitable Playboy spread.”

Robby also further commented on the issue of coming out.

“I took the chicken way out where coming out is concerned. If I had it to do over, I'd have done the ‘there's something I have to tell you' speech.

“Instead, I met someone, fell in love, moved in with him, and within a few months my mother actually asked me about it. I always felt like I'd lost a bit of control there and I felt weak as a result.

“My honest feeling on coming out and advice is directed at elders who whisper about ‘so and so who might be gay.' If you're talking about a 14-year-old who meets the stereotypical criteria, just do your best to love and encourage them in whatever their interests are.

“I imagine it would be really difficult to be a parent and have the suspicions, then watch a child endure some rough times and years as they struggle to come to terms with it, but I don't think many parents consider this. To them, their child's sexuality is really about the parent and how it effects them, not about the child and how it effects him/her.

“I find that really sad, and sort of the fundamental part of the ‘coming out conundrum.' Our culture demands gay individuals to ‘come out' but, really, I've always subscribed to the ‘if it quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck' train of thought.

“I think it's unfair to require someone to disclose something that personal, but it's the only way you can be if you want to live a life based on truth and honesty.”

Editor's note: I met Robby last summer at a fundraiser for the Arkansans for Human Rights. We discussed that I was having this Web site built and he was interested in it. Later we started to e-mail and talk about it on the phone. He was very supportive and had some ideas that I was able to implement in the site while it was being built.

I'm grateful to Robby for his listening ear and support when I panicked at times, and for writing the press release for the site when we went live. I didn't even know him when he began to offer his support. Robby is a guest blogger on this site using the name, RBJohnsonII.

Profiles in Pride questions:

Date and place of birth? July 7, 1971, Mobile, Ala.

What is your favorite food? Sushi. Or any type of Gulf seafood.

What food will you not eat? Organs.

What is the best job you've ever had? I've learned so much from all of my jobs, but I will say it was when I was in high school, mucking stalls at the barn. I love being with the horses and taking care of them.

What is your dream job? To write full time.

If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time? I would love to be the sort of Southerner who visits everyone in the hospital and takes food to funerals, but I probably would do more volunteer work with gay youth and HIV/AIDS programs. Kids are so precious, especially teenagers, but youth is a hard time and I would love to do what I can to take some of the edge off of it for gay teens.

Who do you admire most (living or dead)? Bill Clinton.

Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)? Mr. Blackwell.

Who has had the greatest influence on your life? Madonna, my mother and my grandmother. I'm a pearl-clutching exhibitionist with a Depression era work ethic.

What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time? Worn Z. Cavaricci pants.

What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time? Gone to vet school. And made a move on Jeff Epstein.

What is your favorite word? Emancipation.

Least favorite word? Try (To me, it means you plan to fail.)

Favorite curse word? I curse like a sailor. Right now, it's "ass chunk" or "f*#k nugget" which I use in moments of road rage. I drop f-bombs all day, every day.

What turns you on? Smart guys with a twisted sense of humor who breathe to the bottom of their lungs and don't care what other people think.

What turns you off?   Not much. Though excessive jewelry and too much grooming will jumpstart my "next" button if I don't like what you have to say.

What word would others use to describe you? High-maintenance.

What word sums you up? Multi-dimensional.