Like a Love Story(101)

In college, a friend conducted a survey for a class, asking his classmates where they saw each other with each passing decade. None of the gay men he spoke to, myself included, saw a life for themselves past forty. I am past forty now, with the family I always wanted but never imagined for myself. A loving partner who accepts me as I am, and who knows as many Mommie Dearest quotes as I do. Two incredible kids who light up my life, and have a lot of favorite Madonna songs. I am blessed to live in a time that allows me to live and love freely, but there is still work to be done. When people say that history repeats itself, they tend to mean it in a negative way. But there is so much that can be good about history repeating itself. Activist movements can learn from past activism. Storytellers can be inspired by artists who speak to them. Families and communities can honor their ancestors. We owe so much to those who came before us, and perhaps by honoring the best of the past, we can repeat the best of history instead of the worst of it.





Acknowledgments


I’ve wanted to write this story since I was a teenager but was too afraid to. I began my career as a screenwriter in Hollywood, often being told to stop writing about Iranian and queer people. My editor, Alessandra Balzer, pulled this story out of me after I pitched numerous ideas I thought were more “commercial.” I am deeply grateful to her for encouraging storytelling that is personal and daring, and to the whole team at Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins for supporting that mission.

Writing a book is a solitary and insecure experience, but much less so with an agent who gets you. Mitchell Waters is always there for me when I need someone to send pages to and discuss them with. There would be no books without him, and I am deeply grateful to him and the Curtis Brown team, including Steven Salpeter, Anna Abreu, and one of the people who has had the greatest impact on my life and career, Holly Frederick.

I hope you judge books by their covers, because Michelle Taormina and Alison Donalty have created such beautiful covers for my books. Thank you to them, and to Dave Homer, who created the stunning cover art.

Brandy Colbert, Mackenzi Lee, and Robin Benway, you inspire me and so many others with your words. Thank you for being early advocates of this story.

Writing about teenage life in an era close to when I was a teenager brought back so many memories of the friends and mentors who lit up my life as a teen. A few friendships in particular felt very alive in me as I wrote these pages. Lauren Ambrose, my fish friend forever, made my teenage self feel alive and creative and still does. Tom Collins made me feel seen and accepted, and still does.

There is no greater gift to a writer than reading rough drafts and giving honest feedback. Thank you to Richard Kramer, Mandy Kaplan, and Ronit Kirchman for taking the time to help me find my way.

It was so important to have input from people who were involved in ACT UP, and Jim Hubbard and Philip Pierce provided input and more. Thank you, Jim and Philip, for your guidance.

As I was writing this, James Teel gave me an original ACT UP sweater, which was one of the most thoughtful and inspiring gifts I’ve ever received.

Friendship and community keep me going in so many ways, and a few people I wouldn’t be here without are: Jamie Babbit, Susanna Fogel, Nancy Himmel, Ted Huffman, Erica Kraus, Erin Lanahan, Joel Michaely, Busy Philipps, Mark Russ, Melanie Samarasinghe, Micah Schraft, Sarah Shetter, John Shields, Lynn Shields, Mike Shields, Jeremy Tamanini, Amanda Tejeda, Serena Torrey Roosevelt, and Lila Azam Zanganeh.

Big thanks to the authors in the young adult community who have accepted me with open arms. There are too many names, but if we’ve lip-synched, paneled, or shared a meal together, I appreciate you.

One of this book’s most pivotal scenes is set against the backdrop of my favorite Madonna song, “Keep It Together.” I’ve always loved the song’s message about family being gold, probably because I have a huge family that loves and inspires me. Huge thanks to la famille: Maryam, Luis, Dara, Nina, Mehrdad, Vida, John, Lila, Moh, Brooke, Youssef, Mandy, Shahla, Hushang, Azar, Djahanshah, Parinaz, Parker, Delilah, Rafa, Santi, Tomio, and Kaveh. And big love to the Aubry and Kamal clans: Jude, Susan, Kathy, Zu, Paul, Jamie, and company.

So much gratitude for my parents, Lili and Jahangir. They took me to the Virgin Tour when I was eight, and to the Blond Ambition Tour when I was thirteen, and that says all you need to know about the kind of open-minded, amazing people they are. And big thanks to my brother, Al, who shares my love for celluloid and has always supported my self-expression.

Tom Dolby, our friendship, collaboration and creative kinship has helped me grow in so many ways. Thank you.

Jennifer and Jazz Elia, you are family to me. I love you with the ferocity of Nadal’s new backhand.

Jonathon Aubry, I could never have written this book without my place by your side. You inspire me, cheer me on, and allow me to disappear into hotel rooms when I need quiet time to write. Nothing about us is like a love story. It is a love story, and I still smile every day knowing I found my Pally. Your heart fits me like a glove, and this book is for you.

Evie and Rumi, as I write this, your most requested Madonna songs are “Open Your Heart” and “Crazy for You,” which is perfect because you have both opened my heart in so many ways, and I couldn’t be crazier for you. You teach me every day to be more patient, loving, and creative. I can’t wait for you to read this book, so I can tell you all about a time when there were no cell phones or internet, and when I was a starry-eyed kid who dreamed big, but could never have dreamed of one day having the privilege of raising the two greatest children in the world. Never forget that if I hold the lock, you hold the key.