Yes, many years after the events in this story, I left West Berlin where I had been serving in the US Air Force and moved to New York City to find gay community.

I fell in love with and partnered with a man who occasionally attended a Reform Jewish synagogue. He also volunteered once a month at the same synagogue for a dance for LGBT seniors.

For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by religious people who cherished queer people. It was an eye-opening experience!