Bobby Mackey from Baton Rouge (1958-1981)

[PaulinNJ]

My first year of college in 1979, I "came out" and another student on this small Virginia campus and I found each other somehow. We found a few of us gay students among the 1500 undergrads there in the heart of The Bible Belt!

Bobby was a flamboyant guy who had a heart of gold -- he never hovered over me, but he was around to watch over me as I wiggled my way into gay life. He was my first positive exposure to gay life and good people in the gay world.

Bobby was the first of many in my life that I lost over those years (and as we know still do). He spoke several languages, every one who met Bobby remembered him and he never spoke ill of anyone, but he always had a some campy (that was a strictly gay word back then) retort to any subject. He had small birthmarks on each cheek (his face not his buttocks!!!) and round cheeks, and some beard stubble that smiled right up to his colorful eyes (he was always smiling).

I had to just post some memory of Bobby... God, I can still hear his laugh! He was the first one I knew to leave "us" in 1981 ...and while the list is long, when I do think of those who have gone before us all, Bobby has always come to my mind first for obvious reasons.

I still miss his laugh and his jokes and support. Calling him "flamboyant" is a compliment to Bobby. I could care less how someone acts but what it what is is in their heart that matters. (I am often told I don't "act gay" - WTF? I am whatever I am!). He taught me to not judge myself based on what others thought of me. One of the many lessons I  learned from a lost generation.

I feel Bobby to this day every now and then and talk about him to certain people -- always relating some story about him or involving him that made us pee in our pants!

"Oh, honey! Please. By 4 AM I am usually so bored with a trick I give him two dollars for cab fare and throw him out!"

"Get off me! I'm done!" (LOVE that one!!!)

Two of the many famous Bobby Mackey quotes.

I still think of you Bobby - after almost 30 years. I will always love you for being part of my early life and hope perhaps one day we will see each other again.

Love,
Paul