Ray's Area
What does Quentin mean to me?
Where to start?
I have been a fan of his since I saw The Naked Civil Servant on tv in the mid seventies. I was then in my mid twenties. (Yes giving away my age here)
Here was the most extraordinary human being I had ever seen. Not because of his appearance, but because of what went on in his mind and in his heart.
Such intellect, such integrity, such amazing courage.
It is so true that no one could have invented Quentin. If you had written such a character into a story it would have been so ridiculous people would have just laughed at you.
He has been an inspiration to me ever since. He showed me that it was ok to embrace your feminine side, or indeed whatever side(s) you have.
My girlfriend at the time was very worried and I think she got a bit of stick from her friends and family about it, poor girl. She clearly thought I was developing ‘homo’ tendencies, as did my own family and my friends. Maybe that’s why we split.
My wife today fully understands my admiration for this man and I think my family have come to accept it for what it is.
But even now over thirty years later I know that if I mention to anyone my interest in and admiration for him, they will almost automatically think that I am either a closet gay or bi-sexual, or hide some other dark depravity.
So maybe things haven’t progressed that much?
I never meet him or saw him on stage, and I have only seen two films about him, The Naked Civil Servant and Resident Alien. Though I did once see a documentary about him on late night tv, which seemed to have been made while he still living in his one room in London. It showed that he did indeed live exactly as he said he did, and was a fascinating insight into the man.
But I have read every book I could get, and ingested his remarkable philosophy.
Shakespeare said
“This above all to thin own self be true and it follows as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man.”
This was how Quentin lived his entire life without compromise.
That is what Quentin taught me, and the rule by which I live my life.
And that is something which cannot be measured, and its benefits are incalculable
So thanks Quentin for everything.
Also read Ray's Favourites ( Favourite Quotes, Books and Films )
Ray Laneborough
England
8 July 2007
Where to start?
I have been a fan of his since I saw The Naked Civil Servant on tv in the mid seventies. I was then in my mid twenties. (Yes giving away my age here)
Here was the most extraordinary human being I had ever seen. Not because of his appearance, but because of what went on in his mind and in his heart.
Such intellect, such integrity, such amazing courage.
It is so true that no one could have invented Quentin. If you had written such a character into a story it would have been so ridiculous people would have just laughed at you.
He has been an inspiration to me ever since. He showed me that it was ok to embrace your feminine side, or indeed whatever side(s) you have.
My girlfriend at the time was very worried and I think she got a bit of stick from her friends and family about it, poor girl. She clearly thought I was developing ‘homo’ tendencies, as did my own family and my friends. Maybe that’s why we split.
My wife today fully understands my admiration for this man and I think my family have come to accept it for what it is.
But even now over thirty years later I know that if I mention to anyone my interest in and admiration for him, they will almost automatically think that I am either a closet gay or bi-sexual, or hide some other dark depravity.
So maybe things haven’t progressed that much?
I never meet him or saw him on stage, and I have only seen two films about him, The Naked Civil Servant and Resident Alien. Though I did once see a documentary about him on late night tv, which seemed to have been made while he still living in his one room in London. It showed that he did indeed live exactly as he said he did, and was a fascinating insight into the man.
But I have read every book I could get, and ingested his remarkable philosophy.
Shakespeare said
“This above all to thin own self be true and it follows as the night the day thou canst not then be false to any man.”
This was how Quentin lived his entire life without compromise.
That is what Quentin taught me, and the rule by which I live my life.
And that is something which cannot be measured, and its benefits are incalculable
So thanks Quentin for everything.
Also read Ray's Favourites ( Favourite Quotes, Books and Films )
Ray Laneborough
England
8 July 2007