The GLBT community is in the process of great change. In the 35 years since Stonewall, our community has made huge strides forward establishing itself in society. Ironically, as we have carved out a clear public profile we have simultaneously lost track of one another. The GLBT community is broad and diverse, but in many respects we have splintered into factions whose paths rarely cross.

“Portrait of a community” aims to correct this imbalance by profiling the men and women who make up our community in an environment that describes him or her best. Additionally, each portrait includes a conversation about the substance of each individual’s life and how he or she views some of the cornerstones of his or her GLBT experience.

In time, the goal of this column is to create a complete and inclusive portrait of our community, one person at a time.

December is a fitting month to look back. Since October 2005, this column has endeavored to put an authentic face to our diverse and vibrant community. We have shared the optimism of 21-year-olds and reflected the wisdom of people significantly older than that. Like any community, we have also had to negotiate death.

Andrew Galligan passed away in October after enduring a painful, chronic illness for much of his life. He was a vivid presence in the community and he was eager to participate in this column. Despite a year of physical setbacks, he found the time to pose for this portrait, but not to answer the questions that typically accompany it.

I knew Andrew relatively well but won’t try to speak for him. I will simply describe my personal experience. Andrew had a sharp tongue, a warm heart and a thin skin. Almost everything he said in his strong Massachusetts accent sounded sarcastic, but in truth he was a vulnerable soul. He loved to cook for his friends, and each of us will miss the party he threw every Christmas at his cozy home that was chock full of ornaments.

Andrew knew this would be his last year. He was philosophical about it and he desperately wanted photos of himself that reflected who he was. He was keenly aware of his physical appearance and wanted photos he was proud of for people to remember him by.

In truth, Andrew was an easy person to be with and an easy person to photograph, so there were many strong images to choose from. This, a rare genuine smile, is just one.

www.andrewprinter.com