A Living Book - Ian

I had the opportunity this week of attending the new Albury library museum. I went to borrow a book…not an ordinary book…a Living Book. His name was Ian, and for an hour or more he shared his life with me over coffee and cookies. And what a life he’d had.

From being adopted into a very straight family (of homophobic boys) as a young child and then the realization that he was gay (aged 11),to meeting his extended biological family (all girls no less!)… Ian had an amazing story to share and he was quite a character!

He talked about being gay in the seventies and of the need to wear what he termed as his ‘cloak and mask’ - being unable to show the ‘real’ Ian for fear of his life and also his lively hood. He spoke of his first Sydney Gay Mardi Gras parade in 1979 where he announced openly with other males that he was a gay.They were promptly thrown in the back of a police divvy van and taken away. In fact it was illegal then to show open signs of homosexuality…that was nearly 30 years ago and Ian attended this years parade walking directly behind gay representatives of the Australian Police Force…my my how things have changed! I wonder if any of them had been there back in ‘79?

I have never read a book quite like Ian and the hour flew by without either of us realising. I could have listened to him chat for hours. He isn’t actually a writer, nor does he have a book written on his life, but I’m sure glad I got to borrow him even if only for a brief time.

Thank you Ian…I hope our paths cross again some time.