Offers every piece of his authentic self in a display that garners respect and admiration.
Though modern opinions and viewpoints are shifting, being gay in a world that feels different from you has never been easy. And growing up as a gay child in the 1950s and 1960s was a much different experience than it is in America today. For David Hughes, even understanding his feelings and desires would take years to put a name to, let alone sort through. Born into a religious family, the mere idea of a gay person in the community was a threat to their collective values. This ingrained view proves to be only one source of the perpetual anxiety and stress David endures throughout his school years while looking for answers, looking for himself. This touching memoir covers significant points in time, spanning from the author’s earliest memory to finally leaving his tormented home life behind for college and a fresh start hundreds of miles away. With each recollection, the building blocks of the author’s character are developed, granting readers access to the feelings, insecurities, and intimate moments that would ultimately lead to emotional freedom.
This poignant collection of memories and stories from David Hughes is effortlessly sincere and entirely genuine. There is no hint of agenda or soapboxing hidden among the pages. Instead, the author offers every piece of his authentic self in a display that garners respect and admiration, both from inside and outside the LGBTQ community. It is with almost impossible honesty and innocence that we get to know David’s personality as a young boy growing up in a conservative blue-collar town. Even from a young age, he is a consummate worrier. And it’s no wonder when you consider the tenuous connection to his father’s love! Capturing childlike innocence to a T, David reminds readers of the age of monsters under the bed, crayon boxes with built-in sharpeners, and memorable visits with department-store Santas. Even in a family where he was ridiculed, physically abused and called a sissy, David is able to move forward, using the difficulties as the motivation to keep going. An inspiration to those who travel such a challenging path, Knowing When to Leave is a beautiful example of patience, persistence and love.
