Hey Jay! Excellent piece. It's so interesting to me the memories we hold. The slights, the slurs, the absolute meanness, whether we're queer or not. Part of growing up? Yeah, I think so. I came out in high school in 1976. Maybe not the best decision, but I was already shunned for being a little odd, a little rebellious. And I was the onl…
Hey Jay! Excellent piece. It's so interesting to me the memories we hold. The slights, the slurs, the absolute meanness, whether we're queer or not. Part of growing up? Yeah, I think so. I came out in high school in 1976. Maybe not the best decision, but I was already shunned for being a little odd, a little rebellious. And I was the only one (that I was aware of) who did come out in a class of 3000. I love the way you flipped it for yourself and your peers. Very heroic, empowering, and self-loving. AND I love that you still have the invite you created "A decade later, I would become a New York City street activist with ACT UP and Queer Nation." And then some, Jay. You've never stopped being an activist, working for change. That's something I admire greatly about you. So maybe the hazing we experienced informed the rest of our lives? I think so, and in a way, I'm grateful, because it certainly helped me discover my path in life and my priorities. Thank you for your wonderful writing.
Hey Jay! Excellent piece. It's so interesting to me the memories we hold. The slights, the slurs, the absolute meanness, whether we're queer or not. Part of growing up? Yeah, I think so. I came out in high school in 1976. Maybe not the best decision, but I was already shunned for being a little odd, a little rebellious. And I was the only one (that I was aware of) who did come out in a class of 3000. I love the way you flipped it for yourself and your peers. Very heroic, empowering, and self-loving. AND I love that you still have the invite you created "A decade later, I would become a New York City street activist with ACT UP and Queer Nation." And then some, Jay. You've never stopped being an activist, working for change. That's something I admire greatly about you. So maybe the hazing we experienced informed the rest of our lives? I think so, and in a way, I'm grateful, because it certainly helped me discover my path in life and my priorities. Thank you for your wonderful writing.