Chris, 56, and Tom, 65, got talking at an Aids activism group in 1989 and finally kissed three years later. They married in 2008
‘Having someone you can trust is everything’ … Chris and Tom.he first thing Tom noticed about the man who is now his husband was his impressive presence in front of a crowd. They met at an event organised by a local Aids activism group in 1989, where Chris, now 56, was working as an outreach coordinator. “I owned a feminist bookshop in Fresno, California, where we were both living,” says Tom. “I was volunteering at the organisation and went to an orientation session.
Although Chris admits he began to develop feelings for Tom by the early 90s, it wasn’t until 1992 that they shared their first kiss. “It was the town’s first ever Pride parade and we’d been told the Ku Klux Klan would be there to protest against us,” says Tom. “We arranged this stunt where someone in a hot pink KKK outfit stripped off to reveal a drag queen outfit, and then we all kissed each other. Chris turned around and kissed me.”After that moment, their relationship shifted.
As well as facing prejudice, they have supported each other through bereavements, including the death of Tom’s son, Dennis, whom he had adopted before the couple met. “I fostered him and adopted him as an older child but he sadly died from a heart condition eight years ago,” says Tom. “Chris was really there for me.” The couple are grandparents to Dennis’s two children, to whom they remain close.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘No second prize’: Chris Minns and his pursuit of the NSW political throneWithin reach of forming a Labor government, the opposition leader has traded his charming firebrand persona for pragmatic centrism
Read more »
NSW Liberal who almost unseated Chris Minns chooses education over politicsScott Yung came exceptionally close to dethroning Labor leader Chris Minns in 2019, but his decision to not re-run has left the Liberals without a candidate for the marginal seat just eight weeks from the election.
Read more »
Tom Verlaine, innovative guitarist and frontman of Television, dies at 73Fellow musicians pay tribute to Tom Verlaine, who died on Saturday after a brief illness, and was revered by generations of rock guitarists for his jaggedly inventive playing.
Read more »
Tom Verlaine, frontman and guitarist of US band Television, dies at 73New York group, which broke up in 1978, best known for Marquee Moon and whose singer-songwriter also worked with Patti Smith
Read more »
NSW needs a ‘statewide ban on mobile phones’ in classrooms: Chris MinnsNSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns says a policy Labor is taking to the state election in March is a statewide ban on mobile phones in classrooms. “We need a statewide ban on mobile phones in New South Wales classrooms. That is a policy we’re taking to the next state election,” Mr Minns told Sky News Australia. “We think it’s crucial right across high schools in this state. “I’m not quite sure how we believe students and adolescents can have the self-discipline to focus on the job at hand … I don’t think they can.”
Read more »
Dominic Perrottet & Chris Minns announce education policies ahead of the 2023 state election | 7NEWSThe NSW premier and opposition leader are competing head-to-head in the polls, but today they outlined almost identical plans to improve education standards. Schools are becoming a focal point for the upcoming election. nswpol 7NEWS
Read more »