Ken Bruce, a retired businessman, opens up about his journey of 'Growing Up Gay' and the obstacles he encountered along the way. The song at the end was inspired by a poem that Ken Bruce specifically wrote for this story. Thanks everybody for supporting this channel.
Joe, would love to work on stories from the UK as well. If you ever wanted to share experiences, please do let me know. Appreciate you checking out these stories. Ken actually did manage to make the trip happen. (The one mentioned towards the end of the video). I was so happy for him. He's truly a wonderful man.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a few years older than me, but also a native Lexingtonian. Dear lord I haven't thought of the Living Room, Montparnasse, Johnny Angels in many years. As soon as I graduated UK, I moved to NYC to begin my career in IT. Eventually met my husbear and we were together for 38 years before his passing to bone cancer. While I remember the nights of dancing with beautiful gay men, I also remember the horrible Lexington police raids attracted by the endless string of working boys behind the bar and the few underage gay teenagers with their fake IDs, the UK religious club members staking out the parking lot spewing hate while shouting they'll pray for us, and being chased down Vine St. by gangs. It is wonderful to see you happy and I hope you are thriving in retirement.
Thanks a lot for checking out Ken's story. Sorry to hear of your husband's passing. Maybe one day when you're visiting Los Angeles, we could document your story as well. Much love!
Ken, your life story is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. My best friend growing up was gay and I loved him dearly. He died last year at age 73. He only had one love in his life, a married man that he was close to for over 50 years.
First you look fabulous for 79. second I’d love to pick your mind and learn all about the travel business from you. And I’m very proud of you regarding your sobriety. Be blessed
Thank you for sharing this story. It's not so different now, with gay hookup sites many gay men don't want to put the work into a successful relationship. I lost so many friends to HIV, it was painful and scary. Well we both survived. Congratulations on your sobriety!
I went to college in Lexington (Transylvania). You mentioned The Living Room. That's the first gay bar I ever knew...and the first bar I played piano in. Ah, yes...I remember it well!
The Living Room was indeed a piano bar. The back room featured a guitar-playing folk singer. I forget his name, but he had a young daughter named Jennifer, whose name became the title of one of my better songs of the time. One of my favorite stories of my time at that establishment was when I had just finished playing some song, and a customer came over and said, "That was great, but could you play a little softer?"
@@lgbtqarchives It's not likely that I'd ever get to LA. I used to work on a ship that sailed out of the other LA, Louisiana, and I couldn't get there, either. But thanks for the offer!
Thanks for sharing Ken. You ended saying you traveled with your brother. Do you have a good relationship with your sibs? I am second of 6 boys from a Catholic family.
Back then, gay guys could move to more progressive areas that were less dangerous, where we could live our lives. But, now those (blue) areas are often too expensive.
Ken Bruce, a retired businessman, opens up about his journey of 'Growing Up Gay' and the obstacles he encountered along the way. The song at the end was inspired by a poem that Ken Bruce specifically wrote for this story. Thanks everybody for supporting this channel.
So lovely to hear authentic life stories. Keep travelling while you can Ken! Best wishes from Cambridge, UK
Joe, would love to work on stories from the UK as well. If you ever wanted to share experiences, please do let me know. Appreciate you checking out these stories. Ken actually did manage to make the trip happen. (The one mentioned towards the end of the video). I was so happy for him. He's truly a wonderful man.
@lgbtqarchives do you have an email I can contact you on?
LGBTQArchives@gmail.com
Louisville KY here at 70 years old. So nice to virtually meet you.
What a fabulous life story! Loved every word of it. “Growing old ain’t for sissies”.
Funny you said that. I'm about 30 years younger than Ken, and I already don't like the whole getting older thing at all! 😆
@@lgbtqarchives I’m at 72, so I hear ya! But…we’re all still here which is such a blessing I never take for granted.❤️
Wonderful piece; thanks!
It’s seems odd hearing elderly people say they were a drug addict and went to rehab. But I’m glad he is well now!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a few years older than me, but also a native Lexingtonian. Dear lord I haven't thought of the Living Room, Montparnasse, Johnny Angels in many years. As soon as I graduated UK, I moved to NYC to begin my career in IT. Eventually met my husbear and we were together for 38 years before his passing to bone cancer. While I remember the nights of dancing with beautiful gay men, I also remember the horrible Lexington police raids attracted by the endless string of working boys behind the bar and the few underage gay teenagers with their fake IDs, the UK religious club members staking out the parking lot spewing hate while shouting they'll pray for us, and being chased down Vine St. by gangs. It is wonderful to see you happy and I hope you are thriving in retirement.
Thanks a lot for checking out Ken's story. Sorry to hear of your husband's passing. Maybe one day when you're visiting Los Angeles, we could document your story as well. Much love!
Thanks for sharing your story Ken! Best regards Keith & Raj 💗
Absorbing story. Most interesting.
Beautiful life story! So glad to have the opportunity to listen the stories of wonderful elderly gay men.
Thanks for sharing your story, Ken. You are the history which must be remembered. All the best.
Thank you for sharing your story, loved hearing it.
Ken, your life story is wonderful. Thank you for sharing. My best friend growing up was gay and I loved him dearly. He died last year at age 73. He only had one love in his life, a married man that he was close to for over 50 years.
Oh! Beyond lovely. I'm 68 and I could relate to so much of this wonderful video. Thanks!
What a beautiful boy. Thank you for sharing your journey. ❤
thank you Ken!
What a life story--of love and loss and love.
What a lovely guy
First you look fabulous for 79. second I’d love to pick your mind and learn all about the travel business from you. And I’m very proud of you regarding your sobriety. Be blessed
Thank you for sharing this story. It's not so different now, with gay hookup sites many gay men don't want to put the work into a successful relationship. I lost so many friends to HIV, it was painful and scary. Well we both survived. Congratulations on your sobriety!
You brought up a good point. This could actually be a topic for an episode.
I went to college in Lexington (Transylvania). You mentioned The Living Room. That's the first gay bar I ever knew...and the first bar I played piano in. Ah, yes...I remember it well!
Would love to interview you. So was the Living Room a piano bar?
The Living Room was indeed a piano bar. The back room featured a guitar-playing folk singer. I forget his name, but he had a young daughter named Jennifer, whose name became the title of one of my better songs of the time. One of my favorite stories of my time at that establishment was when I had just finished playing some song, and a customer came over and said, "That was great, but could you play a little softer?"
@@SchneiderGeorge ha ha ha, he wasn’t feeling it. If you’re ever in Los Angeles, let me know. Would love to document some of your stories.
@@lgbtqarchives It's not likely that I'd ever get to LA. I used to work on a ship that sailed out of the other LA, Louisiana, and I couldn't get there, either. But thanks for the offer!
You have a beautiful soul.
Thanks for sharing Ken. You ended saying you traveled with your brother. Do you have a good relationship with your sibs? I am second of 6 boys from a Catholic family.
@@johns7868 From what I remember Ken mentioned that over the years he’s got much closer to his family.
Living proof it's not environment.
Back then, gay guys could move to more progressive areas that were less dangerous, where we could live our lives. But, now those (blue) areas are often too expensive.
That is definitely the case in California. Not sure how it is elsewhere.
If you’re ever in Taiwan, welcome to visit us.