by Aaron Spencer
Photo Horace Long
PRIDE | OUR STORIES
S
ome coming out experiences are
easy. David Hastings’ experience
was not one of those.
At 44, Hastings was married with
children. He lived in Salem and
was active in his church. But he was unhappy. He
was tired of pretending to be someone he wasn’t.
During two years of soul searching, he finally de-
cided to come out as a gay man.
He spoke with his family first. His wife already
knew and the two got a quick divorce. He then
came out to friends, many of whom went to
church with him. They turned their backs and
shut him out, he says. One friend he had known
for eight years said hanging out with him would
ruin his reputation.
“Coming out was painful and tumultuous for
me,” Hastings says. “It was hard, but it was really
healthy for me.”
Coming Out
The Magic
of Music
Hastings decided to move to Portland. He had al-
ready visited a few times and had lined up some
work – an experienced producer and musical di-
rector, he teaches piano and voice lessons. Hast-
ings, originally from California, conducted his
first musical theater show, Man of La Mancha,
when he was 19. Since then he’s produced more
than 120 shows.
On one of those trips, two years ago during
Pride, he found the booth for the Rose City Gay
Freedom Band. He left behind his contact infor-
mation and was invited to become a band mem-
ber a month later.
ROSE CITY GAY FREEDOM BAND
RCGFB is comprised of a symphonic wind ensemble, a sixteen-piece swing band (Rose City Swing), a
marching band, and several smaller performing groups. www.rcgfb.org
Now Hastings is the conductor of the swing band
Rose City Swing, one of three bands under the
Rose City Gay Freedom Band umbrella.
Aaron Spencer is a professional writer and editor.
Reach him at aaron@JustOut.com
“The swing band was my first connection to
Portland and my first connection to the gay com-
34
JustOut.com
June 2012