Dear Bethanie: You always had a cause to fight for. I wonder, sometimes, if you still have the militant idealism, or whether life has sucked out that drive. Thinking about the last time I talked to you, I suspect you've managed to retain it.

You were a tough city kid, and you never quite adapted to suburbia. I don't know if I had anything to teach you, but I certainly learned an awful lot about life from you. You introduced me to (in no particular order): Christian Slater, bisexuality (as a concept, not in a practical sense), Rocky Horror Picture Show, gay rights activism, being comfortable with being heavy, environmental activism, Queen, political activism in general, the other side of the tracks, daring to be not just different but radically different, and your brother's pet tarantula. And you very nearly introduced me to sneaking out in the middle of the night to spray-paint a new town statue.

Last I heard, you were back in Cambridge and thrilled about it. I wonder sometimes if you might know Catherine - but Boston's a large city. I keep skimming Boston GLBT resource sites looking for your name, though. I'm sure I'll see you there some day.