I'm 68 and Richard's gone. You might
think marriage wouldn't be important to me. Well, it sure as
hell is important to me. When Richard and I decided to speak
out for marriage equality in 2005, we vowed to each other that
as long as we drew breath we would speak out against injustice.
He kept his promise and I'm going to try to keep mine.
Richard was the light and love of
my life. He always, always encouraged me. Every problem that came
up, he was there for me. He provided such balance for me and he
was so protective of me, and I of him. I was always afraid that
I would die first and that he wouldn't get my Social Security.
I worried about him having enough to live a good life.
Richard and I used to marvel that
we were so lucky that we had each other and loved each other so
much. We took great joy in each other. Our level of commitment
made the other person the most important thing. The struggles
that we had were easier to get through because that foundation
was there. We never went to sleep angry.
It's like a passing parade:
You're on that float together, and you wouldn't have
it any other way. It was a good ride.
Together since September 2, 1956
