By Ben Godina
Temporary Secretary
David Bowie has been a significant part of my life since I was in middle school. Through my favorite movie series of all time, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” I discovered a real life alien. Bowie was more an icon than a person, and what he represented has significantly impacted me as a human. I was always the odd man out, always the “weird kid,” but finding Bowie made me feel not so alone in the world. He was weird as weird gets, and people loved him for it.
So though I’m not queer, I understood from a young age how important that kind of representation was for those who felt different. Bowie was never conformist or particularly influenced by criticism, and that greatly inspired me. One night, at a Trinity basketball game, the theme was ’80s night, and in my quick thinking, I had my mom paint a blue and red lighting bolt on my face, threw on a god-awful orange mullet wig and trampsed out of the house. I was met with ooo’s and ahh’s from parents who knew what I was referencing, and the absolute vitriol of people my age or slightly older. I was called the worst slurs and names and chased around the school as people attempted to film me. I was small, I was scared and I was hurt. However after about 10 minutes of cowering in the bathroom, crying, and with the help of my friends, I came to the realization that this was exactly what Bowie stood for. I proudly returned to the student section with my friends, them telling off any further attacks. Since that day, it has been an essential core belief of mine that you should live life as yourself, conformity is lame and people who want to snuff out your light are inherently miserable people.
I feel the exact same way about Pride. As I said, I am not queer, however, in the last 10 years of my life, I would say more of my close personal friends have been queer in one way or another than not. I have asked the question before of why. It could be the environments I’ve put myself in, like the theater community, or many have told me it’s because they see me as a safe person, and I have always been so proud of that fact. That’s what David Bowie has been for me, a safe harbor who I am able to feel fully myself with, so I’m elated to act as that for others.
Unintentionally, lots of the art I love is queer, like Bowie. Many of my favorite books cover topics of queerness in all of it’s forms. First, I’d like to recommend my favorite book ever, “Winger” by Andrew Smith. It is the story of Ryan Dean, who is a 12-year-old entering into his freshman year at a boarding school. He is two years younger than everybody else but finds his home with the rugby team and a few friends. One of these friends is the only openly gay kid in the school, Joey. Joey becomes a mentor and a general bright light in Ryan Dean’s life. Be warned that while the book is uplifting and inspiring, it does get dark and tragic.
Along with that is another book by Smith, “Grasshopper Jungle.” It was named as a Michael L. Printz Honor Book and tells the story of two Iowan boys beginning the end of the world by releasing a horde of giant praying mantises upon their town. It delves into the complexity of friendships and relationships and how we are shaped by those closest to us, as well as the struggles that come with the development of one’s sexual orientation. These books are fun, thought-provoking and generally great reads.
My 18th birthday gift from my parents was a tattoo. They didn’t consult me on a design or artist, because they knew me. My dad packed me in the car and handed me a piece of paper. I opened it, and on it was a bright red and blue lighting bolt. My jaw dropped, and I looked up at him and asked him where we were going. He said, “Point Blank. That’s the right design, right?” I was ecstatic. They knew how powerful this symbol of David Bowie’s passion and individuality meant to me, and I’m so proud to carry that symbol on my back 24/7 as a constant reminder that everyone is unique, powerful and special in their own way. Happy Pride month and R.I.P. David Bowie; the world has not been the same in 10 years.