Is there a moral to this story? What conclusion do you come to?
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23670)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
August 28, 2015 10:11am CST
(Having a tendency to ramble I will try to make this very long story shorter--I was asked about it in a general question about my being Gay in Memphis in the 1970s.)
Some background: My lover/partner and I moved to Memphis to start a new business franchise of Weight Watchers--within 2 years it grew much faster than we had even anticipated and acquired a big staff--many part-timers and about 4-5 full timers--Susan (an alias) was our secretary--5 years after the business opened my lover/partner and I went through a very messy, legal parting of the ways (Our relationship 'divorce' was just as messy--this was in 1975 and the Lee Marvin case hadn't hit the courts or I would have gone that route.)
In any case, loving Memphis (and not being able to get a job as a waiter because I was neither black or a woman--remember the times I am talking about) I decided to open my own--a competing--business, called Our Weigh .
As things happen in relationships, and business, people took sides--3 of the (full-time) ladies, and many part-timers, decided to come with me. I had had a tremendous following in the former business (as the employees who left with me did) and we took off like a rocket. Susan came as my secretary and office manager.
Soon we had expanded along the Western Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas and North Mississippi States. I decided to open in Chattanooga where I had held sessions for the previous 3 years.
(I have to add here that for their loyalty I gave the 3 women partnerships in the business--BIG BUSINESS--THOUGH NOT A PERSONAL-- MISTAKE.)
Soon I was running a real hectic schedule--holding many sessions in all the locations besides going to Chattanooga on Sunday,holding sessions there on Mondays and driving back on Tuesdays--doing radio, TV and newspaper interviews, making commercials, etc. As in the previous business I was the 'face' of the company. I knew something had to give--along with all this I had a new lover and certainly had to give him time.
Everyone in both companies had known that Al and I--another alias--had been lovers as they now knew John and I were lovers.
In both cases we went to their homes, they came to ours, we went out for dinner many times, celebrated special occasions, etc. so it was no secret that we were gay.
I decided that I would have to limit my trips to Chattanooga to once a month and would have to have someone run the area for me--I spoke to Alice who was more than agreeable (and capable.)
At our Friday partners meeting I told them what was happening--we had discussed it before and they agreed with my plan. I announced about Alice and told her she would be getting bonus's as the revenue went higher.
Susan screamed, "WE CAN"T HAVE THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE WORKING FOR US!!!" (Yes, Alice was/is a lesbian.)
After I picked my jaw up from the floor I looked at her in stunned amazement.
Here was a woman (Susan) who socialized with my previous lover and current lover. Her son had taken the pictures at my 10th Leap Year Birthday party (where I had rented the Hilton and had a jazz cocktail party, followed by a prime rib dinner in the main hall--with a full orchestra for dancing--and afterwards a dessert table with entertainment--but that's another story!) and he was well paid. She hadn't had a problem with gay guys but it seemed gay women really upset her--still wonder why.
I must admit it was one of the very few times I was at a loss for words.
From that point on our relationship (and the business) went downhill.
I still---40 years later--haven't been able to understand her reaction. Okay, she was a very devout Christian but that didn't seem to be a problem with the males. Was she a lesbian--afraid she was one--that would be an easy excuse but I don't think so.
Unfortunately she had me looking askew at many straight friends and asking myself, "Are they sincere in their friendship?" Fortunately that phase didn't last too long.
Is there a moral to this story? What conclusion do you come to?
(Photo of me at Our Weigh)
4 people like this
3 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
28 Aug 15
The moral that I take away is you cannot please all of the people all the time no matter what you do. And still today, people will judge others for the silliest of things.
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
30 Aug 15
Yes I still see it happening today! After 60+ years of activism I am still surprised now and then by what people say and do really out of ignorance.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
30 Aug 15
@GreatMartin Ignorance is one thing, but to be arrogant with the ignorance is what I find. lolz
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
31 Aug 15
@TiarasOceanView They seem to go hand in hand!
1 person likes this


@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
31 Aug 15
I always trust people though a few along the way have lost that trust but until I get to know you I don't hesitation to trust
1 person likes this

@allknowing (153529)
• India
31 Aug 15
Did she not know that you were also a "Those kind of people' in the past or may be at the time this was happening?





