After a lifetime of secrecy, a decorated veteran came out as gay in his obituary.
Col. Edward Thomas Ryan, who reportedly lived most of his life in Rennselaer, New York, was a brother, uncle, retired firefighter and Army veteran. He was also gay, the late Ryan wrote in his own obituary.
The obituary, published by the Albany Times Union on June 8, 2024, ended with a message written by Ryan himself.
“I have to tell you one more thing. I’ve been gay my whole life: through grade school, through high school, through college, through life,” he revealed, adding that he found love in a relationship with a man from North Greenbush, New York. York.
“He was the love of my life,” Ryan wrote. “We had 25 great years together.”
Ryan went on to say that his loved one died in 1994 “from a botched medical procedure” and will be buried next to him.
Ryan concluded by explaining why he didn’t come out during his lifetime.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to come out as gay,” he wrote. “I was afraid of being left out: by family, friends and colleagues. When I saw how people like me were treated, I just couldn’t do it. Now that my secret is out, I will rest in peace forever.”
The obituary included a painting of a man, apparently Ryan, in his military uniform.
By the evening of June 12, approximately 150 people had written messages of support for the late veteran in the comments section of the obituary.
“May you rest peacefully in the arms of your eternal love. I’m so sorry you never felt safe to be your authentic self,” one person commented. “Your courage followed you beyond death.”
‘A fine American. A life of service that continues his dying wish to share his truth so that others can learn about love,” another commented.
“Sir, I’m so sorry you had to live a life in secret,” another respondent wrote. “No one should ever have to wait until death to be happy. May your soul and spirit live on in happiness with your true love. Humanity can be so unkind to the kindest of individuals. May you and your soulmate continue your love without judgment and boundaries .”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
