Today is a big day. A very big day, indeed.
Some of you may know that in 2003, we lost our brother Kirk to suicide while he was living in India. I don't have to tell you how devastating that was and in fact, still is. While time does heal to a certain extent, the pain and unanswered questions are always there, and the "what if's" are endless.
Today, however, is a big day. It's also a very good day. It is about legacies and promises.
His legacy. Our promises.
His legacy will no longer be a life lived for someone else's beliefs and ambitions. His legacy will now be about teaching us to simply love one another as we are, as God made us. That is our promise to him. To help spread this message.
 |
| Kirk with brother Mark and niece. |
The first part of his legacy is being fulfilled today. So indeed, it is a big day. Today the truth about his life, what he went through, and his silent suffering for so very long will become known.
His story is a long and complicated one, but if you are interested, here are some links (they are growing and changing by the minute):
The long form of the story broke on a website called Box Turtle Bulletin late last night.
Anderson Cooper from CNN is doing a 3 part series beginning tonight on his show AC360. The show airs at 9:00 p.m. CT. Here is a link to their first story and video promotion.
Each of these stories profiles the anti-gay industry (those who profit from “therapy” alleged to “convert” gay individuals to heterosexual orientation) and its victims.
Kirk is considered a very high profile victim, as for more than three decades, his “conversion” was considered the industry’s documented success story.
Research conducted by others and only recently brought to our attention reveals that our family was betrayed in profound and deeply painful ways.
We are humbled and grateful that these two organizations are telling his story, and more importantly that we now have answers to so many questions we have had since we were children.
This news cycle will last a matter of days. For those of you who know us we hold dear the support and love you’ve shared with all of us, including Kirk if you knew him, our entire lives. When the dust settles, we hope that his story helps create change in our country. That we learn to appreciate others and to celebrate our diversity and recognize that we all deserve the same rights and freedoms. Regardless.
We ask for your prayers and support as this story is told by CNN and Box Turtle Bulletin with great integrity towards Kirk and our family and interpreted by viewers around the country.
It is not our desire to have a moment in the spotlight, and reliving moments from our childhood through the eyes of an adult and parent has not been easy, but we are certain that sharing this story fulfills Kirk’s legacy. His legacy. Our promises.
It is not our desire to have a moment in the spotlight, and reliving moments from our childhood through the eyes of an adult and parent has not been easy, but we are certain that sharing this story fulfills Kirk’s legacy. His legacy. Our promises.
Please share the love, share this story and watch the specials.
Peace.
5 comments:
it is through the retelling of Kirk's life that others will find the courage to live their own in peace and wholeness. Through his story, that someone's closed heart will open, accepting and embracing our differences. May it bring a touch of peace to your family. With love, to Kirk.
Skye
I knew your brother in the Air Force. Kirk was a good man and I am very sorry for you and your families loss.
I also knew Kirk in the Air Force (Hi, Michael). His story and those of so many friends who grew up feeling like there was something wrong with them just because they were gay led me to become an LGBT advocate and also prepared me for the conversation when my not yet teen son came out to me. My family and I will be watching tonight.
I knew Kirk very well and considered him a friend during our time in the Air Force at DLI in Monterey and in Korea together. He was honest, a real gentleman, took his job seriously and we enjoyed having him in our life. He never spoke of any issues growing up and kept personal things private. I am glad to have known him and cannot believe the tragic events and the things he went through. I miss you Kirk and I would like to pass my condolences to his family. You were blessed with a great man for a brother.
I feel really bad about this whole thing, I have struggled and still do struggle with my sexual identity and I wasn't subjected to an "experimental therapy" so that must have been terrifying to him in his mind and it hurts me to think such a cool looking guy like Kirk went through Hell in his life, I can relate to that aspect. So I just want to say that this is very touching and I'm sorry this has happened to a human being.
Post a Comment