I mention this because I recently came across the drawing you see above, which I drew for a flier promoting a party that was held on Christmas Eve to raise money for the switchboard.
This seems like a good time of year to reflect on how valuable hotlines like this one continue to be. It’s easy to forget, in this era of Will & Grace, Ellen Degeneres, and Rachel Maddow, that there are still lonely people in the world who don’t know what to do with the confusing feelings they secretly harbor, feelings the Rev. Rick Warrens of the world tell them are akin to pedophilia and incest.
As we listen to Rev. Warren’s invocation during Barack Obama’s Innnauguration next month, we should reflect on the damage that is done when we blithely tolerate ignorance from national leaders who are smart enough to know better.
Fortunately, the Gay Switchboard of New York was set up decades ago to be a sympathetic listening ear for closeted or otherwise troubled gays or lesbians needed to break out of their isolation and speak with volunteers who would understand where they were coming from.
Thanks for keeping the Switchboard in people’s awareness. They, and all the others like them, continue to do great work.
(Among the things I value most personally about my time at GSBNY is that it brought Eddie and you into my life…)