America continues to provide a roller coaster ride for its citizens & beyond since the attacks on September 11th 2001. As we commemorate the milestone 25th anniversary of 9/11 everyone who remembers that day has a story to tell. Where they were when it happened as our entire country went into shock. For the weeks to follow we were united in our grief. As celebrations are planned & taking place across the nation we are reminded to honor the diversity of people & communities affected by the attacks including those in our LGBTQ community. Tom Ryan was a retired New York City firefighter who upon hearing of the attacks on World Trade Center called his firehouse & rushed to the scene. At the time Tom was the only openly gay firefighter in the FDNY. Father Mychal Judge was the gay Catholic priest who was killed by debris from the collapsing World Trade Center as he was caring for victims. Father Judge, 68, was a chaplain at the New York Fire Department & was known in the New York LGBTQ community for his work with AIDS outreach. Tom Ryan was a pallbearer at his funeral at St. Francis of Assisi Church where he resided brought over 2,000 people. In the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan next door to the now closed St. Vincent’s hospital our LGBTQ Community Center offered immediate assistance to survivors & later counseling services for those grieving. In 2002 I produced & directed this music video tribute dedicated to those who perished on September 11th 2001. Michael Feinstein performs Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim's "Somewhere" from "West Side Story" with Keith Lockhart & the Boston Pops. 25 Years Later... Let's Take a Moment to Reflect....
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