A heroic act from a brave, dying Seattle hero(from The Stranger's "Last Days" Column)

[Ken Burch]

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/last-days/Content?oid=14594748

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 In much better but still painfully bittersweet news, the week continues with Cheryl Chow, the 66-year-old Seattle citizen who's devoted her life to public service, working as a teacher, a principal, a Seattle School Board member, and a Seattle City Council member, and coaching the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team for nearly 50 years (!). Today brought a heartbreaking update on the life of Chow, courtesy of KING 5's Lori Matsukawa: "Cheryl Chow has brain cancer and does not have much time left, but [Chow] has one more task to do—she wants to come out." After six decades of careful hiding (driven mostly by fear of disappointing her mother and the Chinese community), today Chow invited KING 5 into her real life: "Chow and Sarah Morningstar, an assistant principal, have been together for 10 years. They began running marathons because training was a way for them to be together in public... Last month, Chow became an adoptive parent to Morningstar's daughter, 4-year-old Liliana." Regarding her long-delayed coming-out, Chow doesn't mince words: "Parents and kids, don't be afraid of saying that you're gay. I was afraid for over 60 years and those 60 years were wasted. If I can save one child from feeling bad or even committing suicide because they felt terrible because they were gay, then I would have succeeded in my last crusade."Dear Cheryl Chow: Welcome to the non-closeted world. It's heartbreaking you might have to leave so soon, but you are awesome (as is your partner). Dear everyone else: It's one thing to come out if you're some up-and-coming Hollywood star who fell in love at first sight with Ellen or a beloved CNN anchor looking to get a jump on your inevitable outing. But to do it as brain cancer is ending your life and affecting your speech, and to offer yourself up as a glamour-free object lesson so others might live better, is heroism.

[Suich]

1. Oh geez...I read about her coming out but

totally missed the brain cancer part.

Best wishes to Cheryl Chow!

[Riverman]

2. Empathy: I came out in my 50's after getting cancer

Was married, now two adult children. Treated for prostate cancer 10 yrs ago. Cancer free now. Lived in Seattle in 2010 and feel deep empathy for her. I hope and feel sure that she and her partner have happy time and memories together. I came out - always complicated and an individual and personal decision. Irish-Catholic, blue collar family, not conducive to sons declaring their homosexuality. Not courageous, but honest. So, be gentle with us older folks who have struggled with being open about who we are. Those who forged the pathway at tremendous personal pain and fought for creating a society where the rest of us, the younger folks and future generations can live our lives in peace and openness - they are the true courageous heroes for whom we must be eternally grateful.