WOW Wow and wow. Though I've heard you share this story with me before, the story you've relayed here is so intensely powerful- thank you for sharing and for being a leader, and a truth teller, and a champion for the LBGTQ community - just by sharing this you are one. xxooo
The power of your voice can never be underestimated. At that time so few people were willing to acknowledge that aids had become part of their family story, and you really broke that barrier with courage, love and dignity. I think you’re willingness to come forward, really changed the aids community in this town, it is amazing what the courage of one person can do and how much it can shape the community around them.
What's the point of retelling painful stories long in the past?
Perhaps some stories are never really in the past. Our hearts remember even if our memory fades.
But I am grateful you chose to revisit this story at this moment, with this photograph. None of the details are new to me, but your wound feels fresh and raw. Just as in 1988, we are living in unprecedented trauma and uncertainty. And yet, here you are in 2024, having made incredible contributions to our community and meeting a variety of challenges with courage and grace.
Thank you for inspiring me to make sense of painful stories.
This took my breath away. Even though I knew about your family's experience, your writing took me back to a time when things were so different from today. As the years pass, our clarity about the fear and discrimination of those days start to fade. Thanks for reminding us in such a courageous and clear-eyed way.
This story is incredibly moving, even the second time around. It’s important to remember how things were — the pain from the prejudice and fear — so we can stay vigilant. Congrats on another powerful column.
Oh, my dear sweet friend. I didn’t know these details, as they weren’t my business to know until you were able to share them.
I remember meeting your Dad and, like Andy, being intimidated by such a muscular, strong, confident guy. It’s why learning the truth, for so many of us, was such a shock. Until, of course, it wasn’t.
And your story made me remember my Mom, unable to be honest with decades-old friends about how her favorite son died (and he *was* her favorite, and that’s okay; he was my favorite brother, too), afraid of what their reaction might be.
Thanks for sharing your story. And your wedding photo; what a beautiful day that was.. And the photo from the Episcopal church, where I’m imagining Peter’s light shining down on you along with that from your sweet, sweet Dad.
Oh, Geoff, thank you for your lovely note and for helping me add Peter to the list of people I’ll remember when I see those beautiful patterns of light at church. Grateful for you and our decades-long friendship. Xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story. It is powerful and you are an excellent writer. I could feel your emotions as I read your words. It is an important story to tell, so definitely keep telling it. I knew you in our younger years through school, and obviously had no idea, but I did love your Mom as our Girl Scout Leader. I am excited to be a part of your community and to be reading your powerful posts.
I actually think the state of the world compels me to keep sharing my story, which about marginalization and bigotry but also about hope and love. And change, even if it’s not complete. Thanks, Tami, for reading.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and powerful story Leanne. I find it sad that with all the progress we have made today people still find themselves in similar circumstance in terms of fear about sharing who they are with loved ones, peers, and their communities. Your father would be proud of how you have shared his legacy and the work you are doing to help others understand the challenges and the strengthening of relationships that can occur with love, understanding and compassion. Iris
Thanks so much, Iris. It's hard for me to know just what my dad would think now, but I think you are right that he'd want me to tell his story, even though he couldn't. xoxo
Thank you for this, Leanne.
WOW Wow and wow. Though I've heard you share this story with me before, the story you've relayed here is so intensely powerful- thank you for sharing and for being a leader, and a truth teller, and a champion for the LBGTQ community - just by sharing this you are one. xxooo
OMG-you are a light! I did not know this. Thank you thank you for your open heart.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you for posting
Heart breaking and lovely
The power of your voice can never be underestimated. At that time so few people were willing to acknowledge that aids had become part of their family story, and you really broke that barrier with courage, love and dignity. I think you’re willingness to come forward, really changed the aids community in this town, it is amazing what the courage of one person can do and how much it can shape the community around them.
YOU are the barrier-breaker, my friend! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to remember my dad, then and now.
What's the point of retelling painful stories long in the past?
Perhaps some stories are never really in the past. Our hearts remember even if our memory fades.
But I am grateful you chose to revisit this story at this moment, with this photograph. None of the details are new to me, but your wound feels fresh and raw. Just as in 1988, we are living in unprecedented trauma and uncertainty. And yet, here you are in 2024, having made incredible contributions to our community and meeting a variety of challenges with courage and grace.
Thank you for inspiring me to make sense of painful stories.
You're right, Susanne -- some stories never leave you. Thanks so much for your connection and support.
This took my breath away. Even though I knew about your family's experience, your writing took me back to a time when things were so different from today. As the years pass, our clarity about the fear and discrimination of those days start to fade. Thanks for reminding us in such a courageous and clear-eyed way.
Thanks, friend.
This story is incredibly moving, even the second time around. It’s important to remember how things were — the pain from the prejudice and fear — so we can stay vigilant. Congrats on another powerful column.
Thanks so much, Peggy.
Oh, my dear sweet friend. I didn’t know these details, as they weren’t my business to know until you were able to share them.
I remember meeting your Dad and, like Andy, being intimidated by such a muscular, strong, confident guy. It’s why learning the truth, for so many of us, was such a shock. Until, of course, it wasn’t.
And your story made me remember my Mom, unable to be honest with decades-old friends about how her favorite son died (and he *was* her favorite, and that’s okay; he was my favorite brother, too), afraid of what their reaction might be.
Thanks for sharing your story. And your wedding photo; what a beautiful day that was.. And the photo from the Episcopal church, where I’m imagining Peter’s light shining down on you along with that from your sweet, sweet Dad.
Oh, Geoff, thank you for your lovely note and for helping me add Peter to the list of people I’ll remember when I see those beautiful patterns of light at church. Grateful for you and our decades-long friendship. Xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story. It is powerful and you are an excellent writer. I could feel your emotions as I read your words. It is an important story to tell, so definitely keep telling it. I knew you in our younger years through school, and obviously had no idea, but I did love your Mom as our Girl Scout Leader. I am excited to be a part of your community and to be reading your powerful posts.
Thank you again for sharing.
Cheryl (Poulos) Marty
Thanks, Cheryl, for reading. And I loved my mom as our Girl Scout leader, too! Best to you.
Thank you for sharing your family's story (again) even when the world remains an awful stage to do it on.
I actually think the state of the world compels me to keep sharing my story, which about marginalization and bigotry but also about hope and love. And change, even if it’s not complete. Thanks, Tami, for reading.
Though I knew this story, your telling it here made me cry...sob, actually. For you and for your beautiful dad.
Keep telling it.
Oh, friend, thank you so much for letting me know that. I will try. So grateful for you.
Thank you for sharing such a personal and powerful story Leanne. I find it sad that with all the progress we have made today people still find themselves in similar circumstance in terms of fear about sharing who they are with loved ones, peers, and their communities. Your father would be proud of how you have shared his legacy and the work you are doing to help others understand the challenges and the strengthening of relationships that can occur with love, understanding and compassion. Iris
Thanks so much, Iris. It's hard for me to know just what my dad would think now, but I think you are right that he'd want me to tell his story, even though he couldn't. xoxo