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I made a firm decision some time ago, as I grudgingly entered the realm of old age without my consent, that my ultimate calling is to empower individuals to unearth and unapologetically manifest their authentic selves. In tandem with this profound mission is my dedication to aiding gay men in their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment by championing the unapologetic expression of their truest identities. Historically, and even today, gay men remain among the most unjustly suppressed and marginalized groups, ensnared in societies that, for a myriad of corrupt and immoral (and, ironically, religious) reasons, vilify the love that ultimately defines us.
In the service of enhancing the spiritual and emotional well-being of all, with a particular focus on the gay community, I've composed an array of gay romances and stories, some of which are still awaiting their debut, while simultaneously crafting pathways for introspection and contemplation on the concepts that have illuminated my own journey.
A glimpse into my past provides the backdrop against which my life unfolded. I came of age in an era when homosexuality was regarded as pure evil. A time when the mere fact of being homosexual could lead to imprisonment. There were no openly LGBT individuals parading in the streets, and no voices on television or radio to counteract the lies perpetuated about us, although I do remember at least two courageous “Dear Abby” columns that put us in a positive light. My awareness of my own difference blossomed at the tender age of eight. The first march for gay civil rights took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia in 1965, when I was a mere eleven years old, though I remained unaware of it until my thirties.
It wasn't until I reached the age of thirty-one that I summoned the courage to step out of the closet, having dedicated the better part of fifteen years to trying my best to be “normal." By the time I embraced my true self, there was a wealth of literature to guide me on my journey, for which I am profoundly grateful. I was fortunate to have the guidance of Ed Hermance, the proprietor of Giovanni's Room, a haven of queer literature in Philadelphia. During my weekly visits en route to therapy appointments with my gay psychologist, Ed offered valuable book recommendations.
Since those transformative early days, my life has been marked by my role as a writer for the gay press. I penned a weekly column for the local gay paper, contributed to several national gay magazines, and eventually took the helm of my own weekly radio show. My portfolio expanded to include the production of documentaries and features for esteemed broadcasting outlets such as the Pacifica Radio Network, Public Radio International, and This Way Out: The International Gay & Lesbian Radio Magazine.
Throughout this journey, I was humbled to receive numerous awards, both in journalism and for my contributions to the community. Philadelphia Magazine even honored me by including my name in their prestigious list of "66 Philadelphians Who Are Changing the Face of America."
Now, as I try futilely to defy time as I lurch into my seventies, my life's purpose centers on empowering others to attain personal, political, and economic liberation. Much of my adult life unfolded in the business world, where even as a journalist, I used my well-honed selling skills to coax folks into sharing things they had not intended to share. Whether I am educating a young citizen of the Cuban gulag about capitalism and democracy, assisting someone in digging around the depths of his subconscious to break free from the past, or nurturing the seed of a new entrepreneurial idea that might lead to a fortune, I measure my success by the achievements of those I mentor, a reward far more precious than any accolade or deposit in my bank account.
In pursuit of this mission, I publish these books and journals, guided by the timeless wisdom of the ancient Jewish sage, Hillel: "He who saves one life, saves the world."
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