And now these three remain: faith, hope an love. But the greatest of these is love.”

I love you,
Donna Summer
***
Thanks for this. Summer’s letter to ACT UP paints a fuller picture, indeed. And her Biblical quote is and remains a lovely passage. Given the personal turmoil in Donna Summer’s life at the time– and likely, a lack of deeper understanding of gay culture and history– one can understand a letter that came off as too preachy to some.

Romans and Leviticus aside, many among us are, or know neighbors, friends and perhaps family members, who are, as Donna Summer was, deeply religious, and who try to live their lives by such Biblical verse– wholly ignoring the Bible’s uglier verses.

That is their right, of course. But it also behooves us to put “childish ways” behind us and guard against our own biases against people with such beliefs.

We all misspeak at times. My better half and I long ago forgave Donna Summer for any misunderstandings.

For all those last dances (no matter who we danced them with), we still love Donna Summer and the music Donna Summer left the world. I am sure we will always hold her memory with a smile in gratitude for those good times to which she contributed her loving personality and her very considerable talent.