The Man Who Betrayed Me Was Also the Man Who Loved Me

I came out of the closet in the throes of the AIDS epidemic and fell for someone I thought was a safe harbor. The blurred lines between his love and his lies have haunted me the rest of my life.

Illustration by Julie Benbassat | Story edited by Brendan Spiegel

We’re kicking off The Personals — a new series of sharply focused first-person stories that capture a single surprising unforgettable moment or event. Think vivid scenes, big feelings, and unexpected twists…all in a deliciously bite-sized package. Read on for our very first story in this series!