The Story Of Loraine Barr
2 09 2007To the outside world, they were roommates – keeping separate bedrooms for appearances.
To each other, Barr and Mary Frances Piercey were the loves of each other’s lives.
They felt incredibly grateful to have found each other, and incredibly lucky to have spent more than four decades together.
Barr and Piercey also felt that theirs was “the love that dare not speak its name.”
Both grew up at a time when people didn’t talk openly about their sexual orientation. “Coming out” as a lesbian just didn’t happen back then, Barr said.
Loraine Barr is 88 years old. A lifetime of living in the shadows but with a great deal of love. Her partner died several years ago, and now she’s talking about it.
With an exquisite power and grace, she is being brave about things she thought she could never be brave about.
Read the rest here.
I read her story in Newsweek recently. It reminded me of a documentary I once saw where several lesbian women who were in their 80s talked about what it was like to live that lifestyle way back when.
They were awesome.
I just wish they’d properly acknowledged Ms. Barr as Ms. Piercy’s surviving partner at the funeral. Maybe they did and maybe I just missed that. Or maybe she didn’t want it done, which was certainly her right.
Regardless, what a precious and poignant love story. Such fine ladies. I’m glad they found each other and had a good life together, which is really all what most everybody wants — somebody to love.
Smooches to all y’all, dahlink.
I was touched by Ms. Barr’s Newsweek article and hope to reach her to ask:
Ms. Barr, did you ever see an episode of All In The Family where Edith and Archie went to Edith’s favorite cousin’s funeral to learn that she (her cousin) had been living with a partner all of her adult life as a teacher — and that they considered themselves married?
It is your story and, if you’d like, I would love to send you a copy of it.
Norman Lear
Dear Mr. Lear,
My name is Loraine Barr and I am the individual who had the story in newsweek that you said touched you. I would appreciate having a copy of the episode of All In the Family you mentioned. You can reach me at “tempmail97@aol.com”
The fact that you took the time to read the article really touched me and I appreciate your interest .
Sincerely,
Loraine Barr
Ms. Barr,
Thank you for stopping by this blog. You are truly an inspiration. And thank you as well Mr. Lear.
[...] Said What! newscoma on The Story Of Loraine BarrLoraine Barr on The Story Of Loraine BarrRon on I Have Hair-Metal Hairnewscoma on Spider [...]
whoa.
Yeah, I kinda “whoa’d” too, Mary.
I’m speechless.
Wow…What an honor!! My wife and I have loved “All in the Family” for several years, and we absolutely love Mr. Lear’s work!
I can only imagine what it must feel like to have such a notable person and pioneer in his field read your blog.
[...] of “Maude,” Norman Lear made a stop by Newscoma to comment on a post she made last week about Loraine Barr. No, really. The real Norman Lear. Not only is he still alive and reading the intertubes, but he [...]
You claim I’m famous, yet you’ve got the greatest TV mind in history commenting on your blog.
I think Loraine Barr is my new hero. You go girl.
She’s mine as well, Emerson.
She’s amazing.
And thanks.
This is just an excellent story about the awesome Ms. Barr. She has a lot of courage.
And Mr. Lear - Thank you for the Princess Bride.
[...] I’m sometimes overwhelmed about who stops by. Norman Lear popped by last year to talk to Ms Loraine Barr who also had a few words. [...]
[...] a few months ago, none other than Norman Lear showed up to comment about the story of Loraine [...]