Charles, thank you for a relationship that let Johnny finally take this step and writing about it. Johnny, thank you for all your work, your life lived in public service and to your new life open to the person you painfully hid. Coming out is a sweet and difficult passage. 

To Don Clocksin, thank you for hiring Johnny. But I want to leave you with this story. It was some months ago in London, when I noticed two teenaged boys crossing the street in front of me in a pedestrian shopping mall. They were holding hands, chatting. As they walked, they passed mums pushing babes in prams, blokes and glamour girls with treasures. I stayed behind them, watching the world react to them. 

No one batted an eyelid. They were happy, likely in love. I don't know. But I do know the joy that came over me to see what I saw -- to see what Gene and I gave so many years of lives fighting for made a difference. Who we are matters. You count as a gay person.

Be well, and welcome to being you, friend.