I Didn't Know I Could Love Someone Like That (Ep 453 - Mark/Rent)

My guest this week is Mark Daley. Mark’s background is in politics, and included some time as communications director for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. But a few years ago, he stumbled across an opportunity to apply his advocacy skills in a new arena, when he and his partner became parents — under circumstances that were not exactly what they’d planned. Mark has a new book out entitled Safe — it’s a look back at how he became a dad, how he maintained a family amidst the challenges of the foster system, and how he founded TheFosterParent.com to help families like his. We’ll have that conversation in a minute. First, a couple quick announcements, starting with a reminder that if you like this podcast, you’ll probably like my weekly newsletter about LGBTQ+ entertainment history. You can sign up for that at MattBaume.com. Also, check out my YouTube channel for videos about the making of iconic pop culture. I’ve got a video coming your way this month about the movie Rebel Without a Cause at YouTube.com/mattbaume.  And I hope you’ll join me for weekly livestreams over on Twitch every Sunday afternoon. That’s at twitch.tv/mattbaume. This weekend we’re continuing our watch along — and debate about the queerness — of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. Also! If you haven’t yet, take a look at my book about the history of queer characters on American sitcoms, Hi Honey, I’m Homo! Available now wherever books are sold. It was just named one of the American Library Association’s Stonewall Book Honorees! Go to gaysitcoms.com for details and to get a signed copy. Big thanks to everyone who makes this show possible on Patreon — visit patreon.com/mattbaume to support Sewers of Paris and get patron-exclusive benefits.