ABSTRACT
We met the night of February 11, 1981, in a bar called Chaps on the Upper East Side of New York City. Ed was avoiding going home to his apartment mate (also his ex)—an Anglican priest. I (Morgan) was avoiding going home to my parents in New Jersey, with whom I was living due to my (own fault) financial difficulties. We were both sitting there, minding our own business, when a man came in and propositioned me with himself, coke, and/or grass. I declined all three. Ed noticed this and, laughing, started talking—as the would-be trick left for other territories. The talking and many more drinks followed, as did dancing. Information was exchanged: we were both thirty-three, both comfortably out—although my parents (aware deep-down) drew an Irish Catholic veil over the situation. I had never directly told them I was gay; at the time, knowing their Catholic attitude toward life in general, it was just easier not to discuss the matter.
