Elevator Boy

On May 25th, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri, a postal employee fell down an elevator shaft on his way to work and perished from the earth. That day, his closeted fifteen-year-old son's mind shattered. The shadow known as 'Elevator Boy' was born out of necessity to survive the tragedy. Pity is his sworn enemy, and rejecting it became his ultimate survival skill. Wearing shields of protective armor, like cool hair in the '70s or muscles in the face of AIDS, the shadow would fight anyone or anything that looked like sad-eyed condolences." This autobiographical account takes readers on a journey from the highest highs to the lowest lows-presented with openness, candor, and raw honesty. "Elevator Boy" guides us through the author's early trauma, the streets of Hollywood in the 70s, and the era of AIDS, when print media thrived and local LGBTQ+ activists paved the way for the rights we have today-rights that are once again at risk. These pages contain lessons, pearls of insight, and delightful accounts of a rich and inspiring life journey.