Book Review: Dirk Vanden Gives His All

Pre-Stonewall Novel Broke the “Fag-Hot” Mold
When is the last time you read a stroke-book twice?
Have you ever even finished a stroke-book once? Did you then display it on your bookshelf in the permanent collection, or did you tear it to shreds and toss it in the landfill before your mom, your wife or your [...]

Jack T. Dawson, Activist and Lover

Jack Dawson and Josh Thomas, wedding night, Dec. 6, 1990
I have written two pieces on the final illness and death of my lover and husband, Jack Dawson, a eulogy and a thank you letter, but I’m struck by how inadequately I describe him. I’m a professional writer; can I not apply my wordsmithing skills to [...]

The man I married is dying. The priest says to write a thank you letter.

Jack Thomas Dawson on our wedding night, 1990.
Dear Jack,
Thank you for being in my life.
Thank you for chasing me down at a party on December 6, 1985. I can still picture us sitting there on the couch that night, in your apartment on the third floor of the Roanoke. I sat on the left [...]