7th Inning Stretch
The quest for the gold was not the only factor in choosing San Francisco. I had learned that I was not the only gay person in the world, and I wanted to meet others. The modus operandi at the time was cruising the bars. And that's what I did night after night, looking for Mr. Right. After many one-night stands, I met my first lover, an artist. From day one, we lived together for seven years.
In 1973, I was hired by Primo Angeli Graphics. Primo was one of the designers featured in the CA issue and the one I most wanted to work with. For almost three years, it was just the two of us. It was thrilling being involved in projects such as Boudin Bread, Henry Weinhard's Beer, and the Grand Canyon; and with gold medals from every major design show, I realized it was time to set some new goals. As Primo began to expand his studio and hire more designers, I began to feel less important and out of touch with my creative abilities.
It was now 1977, and the beginning of my 7th year in San Francisco, and I was feeling the need for a break a Seventh Inning Stretch. I decided to take a year off and regroup. I spend my time in introspection and self-improvement. A typical day included forty-five minutes of meditation twice a day, an hour of Tai Chi, jogging, and a workout at the gym. For the first time in my life I felt good about my body. But as the year was drawing to a close, I was no closer to knowing what was next for me.
I thought that perhaps a change in my environment would help, and began plans to move to Portland. But the antics of Anita Bryant moved me to respond to a wave of bigotry. I put off my plans to move, and instead, became the graphics chairman of the Coalition for Human Rights. Our goal was to turn back the tide of bigotry and hatred being expressed by right wing fundamentalists. This work gave me a new sense of purpose, and I decided that San Francisco was the best place to fulfill that purpose.
