#finally free

Actor Richard Chamberlain died this week. He had a long and successful career, mostly on TV. Articles about his death provide a summary of his acting roles. Here instead, I will include some excerpts from a 2007 interview where he discussed his sexuality.

(Early life)

“I was born in 1934. Back then, in the 40s and 50s, being gay in America was much worse than being a crook or an assassin. I was scared… being gay was the deepest, darkest secret you could possibly have, and I made a pact with myself never to tell anyone."

(Father)

“Things were not easy in my family. My father drank and was psychologically very abusive: he used to tell my brother and me that we weren't good for anything. It is not a coincidence that I grew up being very shy."

(Straight relationships)

"I had my first quasi-sexual experience with the sweetest Japanese waitress. At college, I had two great girlfriends. I did all what other young people used to do back then: hold hands, kiss on the back seat of the car.... I love women but not up to the point of wanting to marry one."

(Meeting his long term partner Martin Rabbett)

"We met (in 1977). We were acting in a Tennessee Williams play… Martin is much younger; he never hid his homosexuality. For his generation, homosexuality was not something one would hide. It is true that things were not easy for him. Our life was like the life of a dog who has an injured leg and continues running on three legs: this is what it means to hide oneself…

I was not ready (to come out), and he understood. I was scared to draw attention to me. Of course, our friends knew.

My heterosexual friends, who are almost all separated or divorced, always ask me what our secret is. We have grown together, learned from one another.”

(Coming Out in his 2003 autobiography)

"Only at 68 was I able to say the truth, when I no longer could be a romantic hero on the screen…When I wrote the word "gay" in the book, I felt as if an angel had touched my head, freeing me from fear. Finally, I felt free."

(Martin announcing Richard’s death)

“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul… Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.” 

my original artwork by @winchester-reload was delivered today

a two-word prompt watercolor entitled

“Finally Free”

im crying. its beautiful

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