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Yeah it's a terrible shock when you realise you sound and look gay.

What a beaut life. Must have been hard losing so many mates. I relate to your story.

You, sir, are precisely the type of person whom the Catholic church should want as a priest (you are full of the love of Christ and have lived your life devoted to the service of others), but their medieval superstition causes them to reject gay Catholics.

Why do people think that walking close to each other it means you are a couple. I have heard this response before.

Gay or straight it takes work to make a relationship work…being authentic and honest makes it a better relationship 😊

We still are in this altogether. There is no cure. There is no vaccine. It's now referred to as a manageable disease, but I have chosen celibacy because it's the right choice for me.

I feel you my brother. As a black gay man, I understand your experiences. As a black gay man, my experiences were somewhat similar. As black gay men, we are like a courageous clique of black panthers. I truly thank you for sharing your story. MUCH LOVE AND PEACE. I LOVED the football 🏈 players!

I was one of the fortunate ones. I met someone in 1981 when I was in my mid 20's and stayed with him through 1992. At one point i think in 1983 our doctor told us both to get tested because we could have it and not know it. We both were negative.

Thx for your willingness to tell your story. Tom

Mark, how HOW can you look better today then you did 30 yrs ago? You have an angel in heaven looking down upon you every single day. I've never known anyone in my life that had or died from AIDS. Sheltered maybe, and had a couple gay friends that I can't find that I met in Buffalo my hometown. That scares me because when we hung together in late '70s and had our fun it lasted a couple years and Joe went on to Temple U. and I lost track of him. I called many last name people in Pittsburg where he was born to no avail. Anyway, thanks for your extraordinary story, you are a kind loving person and I admire your strength and courage. Take care. 😢

You sure are handsome. You were so hot when you were young, and you're aging well. You're a very lucky man. You inherited good genes.

My grandfather was a socialist who fled to the east, and who had never met a non white person despite liking brown and black girls. He met my grandmother and sacrificed everything to love her.

Thank your for all you have done to make the world a better place.

Grief and mourning immobilizes you for a period of time. It all seems unreal.

My husband and partner of 48 years died in September 2023 after a brief illness. I'm still grieving and missing him terribly every day. We were a gay couple who marched for rights, survived AIDS and owned a home for 40 years. I cry everyday.

Thank you for telling us your journey.

How nice. Enjoyed this as same boat here.

I visited San Francisco just once. I came out in 1983, fell in love with an older man, was thrown out by my folks, had 2 boyfriends that passed away too soon, and began waiting tables in a 5 star restaurant where I met everyone who was anyone in the 80’s. I went from having the time of my life, to wondering if was going crazy. What I really wanted was to meet Mr. Right, and settle down. I thought id met him a handful of times, but it never quite worked out. My first boyfriend and I broke up and made up too many time to remember. Then there was the last time we broke up, he died suddenly, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over him. Then a few years later I met a man who had just moved back to town. He was job and house hunting. I was flattered he asked me out. He was model handsome, but shy. After a few dates, he broke my heart. He told me he had moved back and was living with his folks because he lost his job in Maryland. He was fired because he had AIDS. I was shocked. I still wanted to see him. He found a job, and started house hunting. And then broke my heart again. He said we had no future together. He was sorry. I knew he was right, but it still hurt like hell when a year later, I saw his obituary. I went to the funeral and met a friend of his. He didn’t know who I was and asked if I was John. I said yes, he was so happy to meet me. He wanted to tell me how happy I’d made his friend while we dated. He was the only one at the funeral who gave me a hug, and told me they were sorry. After attending his funeral, I felt I needed a break. I found myself a good shrink and started seeing him once a week. I finally realized I wasn’t the cause of all the trauma in my life. I decided to treat myself to something I’d wanted for a while. I always dreamt of seeing San Francisco. I started saving and thought my next birthday was the best time. I had a friend who had moved there a year or so before, and thought it would be fun to surprise him and just show up where he worked. It was a place called The Metro. All I knew was it was on the second floor. I booked a room for a week at The Willows. I also started plotting everywhere I wanted to have dinner. The place I wanted to see most was Bix. My birthday was in February. I saved for almost a year, I wanted to have LOTS of fun. In October I was still seeing the shrink. Every appointment night, I’d have dinner by myself at a restaurant. It was a way for me to start enjoying my own company. One night after dinner I decided to go into Tiffany. I looked at all the pretty things, wondering who could afford any of it. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and faced a taller, dark haired guy with a mustache…….. smiling. He was dressed entirely in beige. I thought “who is screwing with me?”. He introduced himself, asked if I saw anything I liked? He tried his best to make me laugh, then asked if he could buy me a drink. We had fun, he smiled the entire evening. We exchanged numbers. 4 nights later he called asking me to dinner, anywhere I’d like to go. I told him I was busy and asked if it could be another night. He sounded disappointed. Twenty minutes later I called him back and apologized. We went to my favorite place, he seemed nervous. When dinner arrived, he cut up everything on his plate at once. It was a wonderful night. We slowly began dating. I came down with flu a few days before Christmas. He stopped by Christmas Eve holding a huge stuffed polar bear with a purple velvet bow around its neck. I couldn’t tell him I was in love with him. He knew I was going to San Francisco for my birthday. He wanted to drive me to the airport, but I’d already paid for limousine service. I was excited for my trip, but wanted to ask him to come with me. I knew it was too soon though. I wanted to make the possibility of hooking up with someone difficult, so I didn’t pack any condoms. I’m glad I didn’t. As my flight started to land, I thought I’d never seen a more beautiful city. The limousine was waiting to take me to The Willows. I plotted my arrival at The Metro to surprise my friend Jeff. I called to see when his shift started. I got there about 30 minutes early. I sat with a drink, alone at the bar. Soon, Jeff started his shift with preparing his bar for the night. He didn’t look at me. I was smiling wondering how long it would take. I asked for another drink, he asked what I was drinking, I answered, he looked up in shock, then ran around the bar and hugged me for 10 minutes. “What are you doing here? Where are you staying? How long are you here?!!!!”. I answered all his questions. It was so good to see him. He comped my drinks all night. It was fun. I was standing by a window, watching traffic. An older, handsome man introduced himself. We struck up a conversation. We told ourselves about each other. I found his southern accent charming. I saw Jeff grinning at me and winking. I thought “o.k. this is weird”. My new friend went to use the men’s room. Jeff ran over to me. “Well, Well, Well? What’s going on?” I said “he’s very nice” Jeff blurted out “He’s one of the wealthiest guys in town!!!!”. I sad “that’s nice”. My new friend came back and ordered drinks for us. Jeff brought them back in record time. Southerner asked me how long I was in town. Then asked me, out of the blue, would you go to Palm Spings with me this weekend? I think I spit me drink out. I told him I couldn’t, but thanked him anyway. We talked more, then he said he had to get home. He asked me to walk him out. He kissed me and handed me his card. He said he hoped to hear from me. When I told Jeff about his invitation, Jeff said “you’re going to go aren’t you?!”. I said no, don’t be silly. Jeff then informed me, “do you know how many guys in town would kill for that invitation?”. I replied I was dating someone new back home. Jeff said “he’d better be worth it” LOL. I had a wonderful time. The next day my new boyfriend called. He wanted to tell me something. He said that he had his first HIV test and he was negative. He wanted to tell me first. I was happy. Jeff and I saw the city day and night. When it was time to go home, he seemed sad. I told him I missed him. He got a little teary and I told him goodbye. I returned home. My new boyfriend’s birthday was the following weekend. I booked a hotel room for us at the best hotel in town. I got into the room before, and put the polar bear he gave me for Christmas between the pillows on the bed. We had the best time. I spoke to Jeff a few times during the year. He didn’t come home for Christmas, I was disappointed. I had hoped he could meet my boyfriend. We had been together just over a year. I wanted to get him something nice that 2 nd birthday. I took a break from shopping and visited a friend who was working waiting tables where my b.f. and I had our first date. She asked during lunch if I’d heard about Jeff? I said no. She went off and came back with a glass of wine for me. She told me he had died last week. I was stunned. He never told me he was sick. I cried all day. I really wanted him to meet the man I was in love with, and now it was too late. I miss Jeff all these years later. My boyfriend eventually became my husband. This autumn will be 34 years for us. I thank god every day for bringing him to me. I’m so lucky.

✨♥

Thanks for your openess

Mark, what a great story. Your life history is very similar to mine (we must be about the same age. I'm 70 now,) The things you said reminded me a lot about experiences I had. I, too, had lots and lots of friends die, so many that I couldn't go to funerals anymore. Glad to hear your life is better. Mine is two. We are two souls with very similar life experiences. Hard to find.

Damn was that hot hairy older bear Daddy wearing a leather harness? I wonder what is attached to underneath his 501 jeans. Hopefully his leather jockstrap damn. I would let him know how much I appreciate a bolder experience. Beer Daddy and take his load and whatever hole he tells me to worship him to complete it. Nana

These people never know how to type on their keyboards properly or have decent grammar in general

This is an incredible story and tribute to your loving partner. My condolences on your loss. You are an incredible man.

You seem like a really special person. It is not too late to create a family with a nice man. Thanks for your story.

Ralph, what a wonderful story of your life and coming out. So happy that you have found your soulmate in life and all of the happy times you share together. What a handsome couple you both make! Thank you for sharing of your life with us all.

I like how straightforward he is.

maybe we wouldn't get an anesthesiologist out of this person if he were't gay?

Booty pirates 😂

Same I refuse to drink and feel isolated.

I was so moved by this confrontation with loss and death. Thank you so much for sharing your story with the world.

😥 This is so sad. I can't imagine. ❤

Roy and I want to wish you a happy pride.month

WOW!!! That is one amazing presentation for Gay Pride Month 2024 coming from LGBTQ Archives! Thank you!

Happy Pride Month Gays 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 I wish the best for all Gays and always remember that you Gays are special and awesome 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 God bless you all Gays 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. I'm dedicating this song and video to everyone who genuinely treats us with love and kindness. Thanks for supporting this channel. Love you all!

Exquisite!!! Thank you!

This strict male/female paradigm is so simple...yet we place so much value in this false coin. Being well adjusted and loving is much more of a touch stone in this limited existence. Homosexuality has been here since the dinosaurs...why do we wish to judge and demonize the "other" trope! Thanks Mr. Cook for your nostalgic backstory....and positive celebration. Kudos!..and well wishes for the both of you.

Great to hear a success story. Not that all the scenarios are tragic...but, some are bittersweet. Yet, Mr. Korver's journey is very uplifting and genuine. I truly enjoy these little episodes of "Our" history...the time lines are varied and insightful. There should be a library of these lovely people's chronicles of growth. History for LBGT agenda has been so sparse and non existent...we need more advocates and scholars. Nevertheless...thanks for these nostalgic backstories...

So when Jehovah god found in psalms 83:18 destroyed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah for such unnatural acts it was a FAIRYTALE 😂😂😂😂

You are a beautiful person, what a great story.

thank you for talking about your experiences, You never know this might be a lifeline for someone struggling with coming to terms with themselves...valuable information.

Truer words have never rang clearer. I like companionship, but I realized years ago I am a very solitary person and its just how I have grown to love and appreciate my approach to life.

I know exactly where u are coming from i been their my sealft i always love older men ❤❤️👅👍💋and my first was with a loder man

What a beautiful story and It so matches my life.I am so happy for you Rex.Go live your best life x

I count my lucky stars I meet my partner before AIDS. I just lost him after 45 years at age 87. I am so thankful we didn't have to deal with this disease.