Tori Amos has been listening to our conversation

See below, from a new interview conducted with the Dutch rag GAY & NIGHT (courtesy of my current go-to source for all things Amos - www.undented.com):

I spoke with Patrick Wolf about Gay Pride, and the parades. There's always a discussion about whether or not it's a good idea to dance half-naked on boats, or whether minority groups should just trying to blend in as much as possible. As Amsterdam Gay Pride is coming up soon, what is your opinion on the gay pride events?

You're talking to a woman who courts controversy. I mean, if you stop doing the gay pride thing, do you know that song by Jim Reeves, Each Time You Leave? [starts singing 'Each time you leave, I die a little'] I understand what people are saying, but it seems to me, if you're really gonna become influential, then instead of worrying about tempering the gay pride thing, trying to tone it down, I think you need to start getting in office. Those people who don't want to partake in the gay pride side need to get involved in getting into positions of authority, that can start to turn people around in their way. I think the problem with the whole gay pride thing is, if you stop doing that, then you're not just taking it away from the gay community, you're taking it away from the people who also think "they're so creative, they express themselves". If that goes away, then that dies in me a little too. I don't think the black community got a black president by thinking "They're segregating us, let's just be quiet, and don't make noise". I think the rap music scene thought "If it's too loud, turn it up." But that's the entertainment side, the gay pride parades. That's fun. Now you all need to roll up your sleeves and get fucking serious. I would only spend so much energy on your floats and your festivities. I'd be thinking about my votes instead of my floats. Getting into positions where laws are made and governments are influenced and lobbysists are there. You need gay lobbyists, being smart, knowing how to play the chess game, knowing how to get people to open up to the concept. That's what I think. You have to be working on all fronts, you know?