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cabensonIn 1993, I was working night shift at Teh HellLab with a group of crazy, fun people. On payday Friday mornings, we would head out to The Colorado Rose for breakfast and booze. A few of us became close enough that we socialized on our rare nights off.
One evening a group of us were at some friends' house, bellies full of pizza, high on Fosters Oil Cans and cigarettes, playing "Truth or Dare". We were all feeling too wiped to take the "dare" part, so a lot of truths came out that night, including our young friend Matt's preference for other guys. He was feeling very vulnerable and worried that the others would have an issue with his being gay, so the next time I had to tell a "truth" I took the plunge and jump started my own outing which was a HUGE step as I had barely admitted it to myself, let alone another person. With the exception of one person, everyone was incredibly supportive of both of us, and together Matt and I found our way into the wonderful gay culture of Central Ohio. Eventually, he left the lab and found other work but I would run into him at a club now and then and we would immediately begin gossiping about people ;) Then I met Mrs. CB, and he met his partner, and over the last 5-6 years we fell out of touch. Last I heard he was living in Chicago.
Matt died Thursday at the age of 34. I will always remember his incredible sense of humor, his impeccable style and his beautiful smile. Most of all, I will always remember the night we played Truth or Dare because that was the night we both took a chance the ultimately led to personal happiness.
This one's for you, Matt!
One evening a group of us were at some friends' house, bellies full of pizza, high on Fosters Oil Cans and cigarettes, playing "Truth or Dare". We were all feeling too wiped to take the "dare" part, so a lot of truths came out that night, including our young friend Matt's preference for other guys. He was feeling very vulnerable and worried that the others would have an issue with his being gay, so the next time I had to tell a "truth" I took the plunge and jump started my own outing which was a HUGE step as I had barely admitted it to myself, let alone another person. With the exception of one person, everyone was incredibly supportive of both of us, and together Matt and I found our way into the wonderful gay culture of Central Ohio. Eventually, he left the lab and found other work but I would run into him at a club now and then and we would immediately begin gossiping about people ;) Then I met Mrs. CB, and he met his partner, and over the last 5-6 years we fell out of touch. Last I heard he was living in Chicago.
Matt died Thursday at the age of 34. I will always remember his incredible sense of humor, his impeccable style and his beautiful smile. Most of all, I will always remember the night we played Truth or Dare because that was the night we both took a chance the ultimately led to personal happiness.
This one's for you, Matt!
