From Newsweek's My Turn, by Loraine Barr, titled "The Love That Will Finally Speak Its Name":
It took the death of my dear life partner for me to find the courage to come out of the closet.
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Now I write this after living for 44 years with the most loved and loving, giving, understanding and delightful partner imaginable. For all our time together, we were "in the closet."
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Finally, after almost nine years since my beloved partner's death, I am able to do what I could never have braved in earlier years: present myself herewith to the world as a lesbian, along with all the women who ask to be judged by the full facet of our characters.
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Shall I be haunted for trying to tell my story now, when many might still not wish to address it, or shall I, perhaps, be congratulated?
I hope that she will be congratulated. Loraine is 88 years old. I understand that it took courage, even now, for Loraine to speak out. How sad that she and her partner spent the whole of their lives together in the closet. How sad that because of the hostility still so present in our society, many lesbians and gays feel compelled to keep hidden a vital and joyous connection in their lives.
It's just not right. I'm not talking about Loraine, but about all of us who contribute to making our society hostile to lesbians and gays and, indeed, to anyone who appears different - anyone who can be labeled as outside the norm.
Thank you, Grandmere. I appreciate you drawing attention to Lorraine's piece in "Newsweek." I read it in the magazine, but liked your reflections with it here. I'm glad Lorraine and her partner could live together, but it is sad that they hid their deep love from everyone else. She is very brave and a beacon for us all.
ReplyDeleteThat story broke my heart--not just because Lorraine and her partner had to hide their love, but also because, even now, she is afraid to confess it.
ReplyDeleteI hope Christ will have mercy on all of us for creating a world where faithful love is seen as something that must be denied, hidden, and feared.
Jan, Doxy, amen to what you both said.
ReplyDeleteI just read this piece over supper yesterday. I was very moved by it. And "Amen" to your reflections on it!
ReplyDeletewow, thank you for this. I hadn't seen Lorraine's story.
ReplyDeleteI will be checking this story out.
Thank you for this- it is, as Jan points out, so much better with your insights.
ReplyDeleteOur country is so screwed up. "Morals" of a certain sort trump the simple act of love.
That makes me insane.
I think a lot of us feel a little crazy in this country today. I know I do.
ReplyDeleteGrandmère, thank you so much for this.
ReplyDeletePax, C.
Cecilia, thanks.
ReplyDeletePeace to you.
I linked this to Walking With Integrity.
ReplyDeleteAnn, thanks. The more who read the article, the better. I'm pleased that Newsweek chose to publish the essay in the magazine. I complain about them a lot to my husband, that they have become a version of People Magazine, so when they do something right, I owe them credit.
ReplyDelete