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Today's Featured Biography

 
Gary Lee Bellomy

Our generation has been both blessed and cursed by living in interesting times. My own journey has held more than my fair share of happiness; but, also balanced with a small degree of great sorrow.
I ventured into the world beside a few of you. Great friends I cherish to this day, even though I parted from you long ago for my own reasons. At that point, I had what I believe a spiritual awakening. I shared that experience in a spiritual commune that in time I also left.
Soon after, some life changing events occurred. First of all, I began to accept I was gay. I could not be like most of you and I let go of that sorrow. I met a man I fell totally in love with. That allowed me to love the life I was given. He was 17 years my senior so he really taught me slot about being an adult. We parted company after a couple of years but both gained so much. We were not meant for the long haul.
I then stumbled into what would become my life career. I leap -frogged into the high-end sector of the restaurant industry. It had provided me with a good income. The work itself is diverse and challenging. But it was not my passion in this life.
That passion actually found me. It continued to find me many times throughout the years. Anyone that knew me in school is aware that I am a trouble maker. So it’s natural that would be my life calling. I have excelled in the pursuit of activism and in time advocacy. I’m a natural. When it comes to those pursuits, I’m the guy you need on your team. Sports in junior high- not do much.
This began when I was faced with the military draft at the end of the Viernam War. This was the same for many of you. I have the deepest respect for those of you who served. For me, it seemed an unjust War. I became the sole individual to resist the draft in Dallas- EVER. That is how I chose to serve my country. I did not dodge. I did not claim an easily obtained deferment. I said no and accepted the consequences and there were many that only complicated my life. I served my time for that war.
I eventually moved to Austin. I spent five lazy, hedonistic and outrageous years there. I went on to San Francisco as the 70’s drew to a close. There, I met my second life partner. We buckled down. We took life seriously. We accomplished building our own businesses and bought our first house.
In 1984 we decided to move to Dallas. This area’s cost of living became attractive to us. The City was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a decent standard. We found a great house on a stunning lot in Oak Cliff. It had remained my home to this day.
A year after my return to Dallas. My partner,Kyle was diagnosed with AIDS . He fought and lost a tough battle for another year, leaving me alone. This was my wake up call. I’d been inactive too long. I became very involved with AIDS activism along with gay rights isdues. Many of the people I worked with in those dark years also perished. Myself, I am also HIV positive and a remaining relic of that epoch of time.
In the 10 years after Kyle’s death I had time to really look at myself. I had to face that the man I loved for so long and had to bury was also controlling and abusive. From that I went on to begin the dialogue about partner violence in gay and lesbian relationships. I established the initial projects for dealing with the issue. Frustrated with gay politics, I ventured into mainstream social services dealing with the issue. I served ax a representative from my community. I worked predominantly with battered women. It was great, rewarding work.
Today, I live a near perfect life. I have a partner named Will. He’s 15 years younger. We’ve been together 25 years and married for 10 of those. Concerning marriage- it changes things . I guess gay people deserve the bad along with the good we’ve been seeking. But Will’s the real hero of the story. He gave me a new life. He gsve me back a life I was forced to give up. He made my house s home again. He’s a good guy.
I’m back to my activism ways these days. I’ve been been tapped to work on issues around how an older gay person ages with dignity. Again, no handbook was left behind, so we’re continuing to make this s••t up as we go along.
I also garden and do some writing. Both quite often and with dilegegencw. Many of you know I’ve done some writing in the past. Due to my FB rants, I was asked to become a contributing writer for a gay newspaper. I am trying to branch out, as well. Most of what I write about has a broad base appeal. As for gardening I am managing to use my entire salary to support my addiction and often dipping into Will’snretirement funds.
Anyway, that’s most of what has kept me occupied these long years. Never grew up. My brain thinks I’m 30. My body says different. Still making trouble. Someone wrote in my yearbook, “Don’t ever change”. I think that was the
curse. I never did.

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