If you’re a regular reader of this column, you’re aware that I’ve published my first book, which is my memoir. As with most books, the author goes on a book-promotion tour, which is time-intensive. At times you’re not sure what city or venue you’re going to next, but you can’t help but take something positive back with you from each visit.
Last week I had two such experiences.
The first was a radio interview with a woman in the Midwest. When I got on the phone, she seemed to be more excited than I would have expected. Then she said, “We usually take callers on this show but I’d like to have you all to myself.” I didn’t know what to expect. She then went through the questions she had after reading the book. It was a very positive interview and at the end, she added: “When I was a teenager, I witnessed your disruption of Walter Cronkite. That night, I came out to my mother. Thank you.”
Next, I found myself speaking in Cambridge at The Harvard Coop.
At the end of the talk, I take questions. A black man in the back of the room asked about the international picture of LGBT rights. My reply was that I think Western Europe is ahead of United States; Eastern Europe is largely homophobic; in the Middle East, only Israel is supportive of LGBT rights to some extent; and Africa, with the exception of South Africa, can be deadly for LGBT people.
After the talk, he came up and explained that the book has been inspirational. He is a student at Harvard, studying human-rights law, and is also a citizen of Uganda. He hopes to go back there to continue the fight for LGBT rights.
He asked for me to inscribe his book, and I don’t think I’ve felt as compelled to write something important in one of my books as I did then. I’ve said that I had no expectations when my memoir was published, but this was more than anyone could have hoped for.
This man is the future, and the future is not afraid.