Wesley Taylor: Journey of a Pacifist Marcy Frecht-Harris: The People that Led to My Plays

The People That Led to My Plays: Marriage, Partnering, and Shacking Up by Marcy Frecht-Harris Mimicking the Form of Adrienne Kennedy My Mom: You told me that love is never wrong. My Dad: I was scared to tell you my secret. Mom made me. We sat down over a pitcher of beer and a pizza as I confessed my failed marriage, my impending gayness and my crush on my husband's chemistry lab partner. You finished your beer in one swallow took a deep breath and asked me if she skied. Women in Film- Sharon & Demi - need I say more? Women in Music- For the first time all my feelings were expressed in words and seemed real to me. My ex-husband: We had some great times. I spent two years coming out and probably in many ways at your expense but you remained my friend. When I strung you a long because I was scared of facing the truth, you filed for divorce. Years later you taught me the valuable lesson of what goes around comes around and you married my ex girl friend. You moved on and taught me how to do the same. A bartender at the Red Lion: You didn't tell anyone. My ex-husband's Chemistry partner: I adored you. You were the first person I told and you didn't even flinch. You made me uncomfortable while we drank coffee and you called me on it. You told me you weren't interested but you'd always be my friend. You made the first move and the last. You hung in there for a long time as we navigated the path of friends to something else and back to friends. You came home from college when my dog died. You took me to my first gay bar. You always give me your brutally honest opinion of the person I'm with no matter what. You told me that I should leave the straight girls alone or continue to get my heart broken, you were so right. When I was having a couple of rough years, you called me on Christmas Eve & read me The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and made me feel loved. The manager at the lady footlocker: You haunted my dreams for years - I hope life has made you happy. My neighbor's hot wife: You confessed you had a girlfriend on the side and suddenly my world became very small. Was everyone gay? You told me I was too young for you but we could hang out. You let me drive your cool car and introduced to me to music I'd never heard before. You told me I was adorable and strong and brave and I would find happiness in my life. You kept up with me for nearly a decade and have been a constant source of inspiration and a good friend. My first live-in girlfriend: You taught me the meaning of the word patient. You shared your kids with me and have not let our falling out effect them. I learned from you that being gay has nothing to do with sex. I learned from you that a person's past does not indicate their future. I learned from you the true value of being honest and what can happen if your not. The women at work: You brought being gay into the workplace for me. You were the most supportive people I've ever met. You showed me how successful gay women can be. You were my first models for good relationships between women. When I was a slacker you fired me and told me pull it together. The woman from the football game in Dripping Springs: You were the first person I met in Texas. You were so independent and nice. You bought me a CD and a beer. You introduced to me either directly or indirectly to every other lesbian I would ever meet in Texas. You shot me down when I asked you out. You took me to lunch and introduced me to my next three girlfriends. You seduced me and apologized for it later. You wrote me the nicest card I've ever received and you remain one of my best friends to this day. You taught me the meaning of the word community. You asked my permission before dating my ex. You asked for my opinion on the subject when she dumped you for your ex. It all comes full circle-you said. The wild women from Louisiana- You guys camped next to us and wow is really all I can say about Cajun women. From your twelve foot ice shot slide to your camp fire making skills to whatever was in the punch. That was the best weekend of my life. The women from the folk festival: I had never seen so many lesbians in one place. You were loud and proud. You shared your food. I dated into your group. You included me after she dumped me and we played red rover. You showed me how important it is to make new friends but keep the old. You warned me of the dangers of dating more than one person in a group. I didn't listen and still you were there for me. You have all stuck together and been supportive of each other no matter what. You made me realize that family is more than genetics. The woman from the river trip: You were so quiet and unimpressed by me. I jumped out of a twenty-five foot tree for you and you barely noticed. We drove home together when our campground flooded and you talked with me honestly about life even though I'd only known you for one day. I spent the night on your couch and we dated off and on for the next couple of years. You were the only person I can trust to tell me when I'm being a jerk. My roommate in Austin: You always admit when you are wrong. We were so bad for each other. We had so much fun. We changed the recycling law for an entire city because we were lazy. We were a family. You warned me when my love interests overlapped that I was surely going to get caught, you were right and you were there for me when I lost them both. You bought me presents just because. You didn't listen when I warned you about the neighbor, you dated her anyway and it broke up our friendship for awhile. You let me visit the dog. You danced with me at that wedding we crashed and apologized for being a jerk. You taught me that friendship is the strongest bond there is. My second live in girlfriend: You were a workaholic. You taught me that things can always get worse and to follow my initial instincts. You kept my favorite chair. We were so different. You thought I was lazy - I thought you were self absorbed. I respected the work you did and tried my best to support you and you were quick to compliment my sense of humor. In the end when all the pain is behind us - know I'm sorry and I want nothing but the best for you. My battle buddy in the Army: You are a piece of work. In helping you come out to yourself, I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. You shaved my head and snuck me in rice crispy treats. You remain true to yourself even when it hurts. You made me laugh harder than I ever have in my life. You can't make a bed to save your life and it almost got me killed. You of all people thrive in the Army, I went AWOL. You remind me that everyone is different and that is a good thing. Every drill sergeant I ever had: Homosexuality = push ups = nice arms = cute girls with limited access to men. My first gender studies professor: You used the F word in class. You didn't care what the administration thought. You fought for what you believed in and taught me to do the same. You introduced me to books that changed my life. You keep in touch with me even though we've both moved on. You were my model for what I want to be when I grow up. My Wife: You loved me from the first time you saw my picture. You never gave up no matter how hard things got for us. You don't allow me to be a jerk. You are amazing. You stick by me no matter what. We went before an eighty-five year old staunch republican judge & hyphenated our last name. We're about to become parents, mothers, together. We are business partners, friends, lovers and more than I ever thought possible. From our initial friendship to this marriage we navigate every day, know I love you always. My parents: You have always supported me. Your house has been open to all my friends no matter what color they were, who they loved or how they dressed. You taught me to be myself and treat others with respect. You offered to put a rainbow sticker on your car. You never judge me and you never count how many times I tell you - she's the oneÓ. You showed me the meaning of the word unconditional.