Thinking of Pride Month today, I couldn't help but remember a dear soul from years ago, Paul. It’s been 24 years since my best friend from med school, Paul, passed away from AIDS. He was just 39. It was March 2000, and the world was a harsh place, especially for people with AIDS and for those who were gay.
I think of Paul often. He was an honorable man, a dear friend, and a compassionate doctor who cared deeply for his patients. Losing him was like losing a trusted confidant and loved one.
I often wonder what Paul would think of today's world. He’d be amazed to see gay marriage; I still am. We fought hard for these changes, and I wish we could have celebrated them together. Young gay people now express their love openly in ways we never imagined. It’s a beautiful sight to see.
Paul's life would have been so different if he'd lived in a world that appreciated the complexity of who he was, recognizing that while his sexuality was an essential part of him, it was just one aspect of his rich and multifaceted identity.
In honoring the LGBTQ community and celebrating Pride Month, I remember Paul and all those who came before us, whose lives and struggles paved the way for a more accepting and loving world.