From Gary North

Gary North
Senior News Editor, Variety/Daily Variety

For a long time I've been grateful for and awed by Roy's life and accomplishments, not the least of which, of course, was the founding of NLGJA. But right from the start, being the uppity bi person I am, it stuck in my craw that the B word wasn't in the organization's name -- which, admittedly, already was too cumbersome, so why complain? Nonetheless, I made a point to bring it to his attention (and others) -- and he gave me a full hearing, though he seemed somewhat defensive. Later, with Elizabeth Weise, we brought it up again at a confab session. Given folks' reaction in the room, I thought: Oh, well, it was worth a try, but nothing will come of this. Not long after, however, the organization adopted a revised mission statement. You can see it on the homepage of NLGJA and on its literature: There's the B word and the T word right along with the G and L words. I don't think that would have happened without Roy's active support and acceptance. I also had the humble privilege and honor of working with him from time to time in L.A., but even more I treasure the memory of the personal conversations we occasionally had; I remember thinking: Here's the former executive editor of a major newspaper, an accomplished longtime journalist with the Washington Post and other major publications, a co-founder of the Maynard Institute, an author and librettist -- and he has time to philosophize with little ol' me?! Awesome. And forever inspiring -- a role model of the highest order.