The Debt I Owe to the Gay/Lesbian/Transgender Community

[Mike 03]

All of these discussions have reminded me of something I had forgotten, or pushed out of my memory.

It was a selfless transgender male who took care of my grandmother after she suffered a severe stroke. I've never in my life met anyone who was more giving, dependable or devoted to such an unpleasant task. I'm referring to her as she, because that is what she wanted, but I remember that we flew to another country to attend a family reunion, and how bravely she coped with all the trials and tribulations of trying to render care in a fairly conservative area. To the credit of my relatives, nobody said anything bad to her, but had I been her, I would have been really frightened of what could have been the response.

She was later murdered. So, she's gone. But I think about her and the enjoyable times we spent together with my sisters during the reunion, when I really got to know her. We drank beer together and smoked cigarettes (which I almost never do).

Gay and Lesbian people are all around us. They care for our parents, our grandparents, our children. My two most influential teachers were gay. One of them was a writing teacher who died of AIDS. The other lived a long, healthy life. They were amazing people and I think about them often. They changed my life.

I want to tell you something about my writing teacher who (unbeknownst to us) had and died from AIDS. Even though he knew he was dying, he read our screenplays closely, he offered comments, he once called me at ten at night to give me a screenplay critique. Here a man is dying and he is struggling to be a good teacher.

We need to pay back what we have received. It's only right. And that payback includes observing the Constitution of the United States in which everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or anything, is treated equally.

[Bluebear]

1. I'm so glad you're back with us :)

[baby_mouse]

2. Thank you for posting this. NT

[crispini]

3. .