Another way is to talk to the oldest family members alive. They might have memories or have heard stories from others in the family about your grandpa. Also, local historical archives or community centers might have some records or information related to the gay community in the area where your grandpa lived. If he was part of any social or activist groups related to the gay community, those groups might also have some information about him.
Searching in genealogy databases can also be helpful. You can input your family details and look for any connections or information related to your grandpa. If there are any family reunions or gatherings, it would be a great opportunity to ask around. Additionally, you could try to find any old diaries or journals that might have been kept by your grandpa or other family members. These could potentially contain details about his life as a gay man.
You could start by looking through old family photos and letters. Sometimes there are hints or references in these that can lead you to more information.
You could start by talking to your grandpa directly if he is comfortable discussing it. Approach the topic gently and let him know you're interested in his life story.
Well, if your first black grandpa was gay, his story might be one of courage. In the past, it was not easy for gay people, especially those from ethnic minorities. He might have had to hide his true self for a long time. He could have had a community of friends who supported him secretly. Maybe he met his partner in an unexpected place and they had to keep their relationship low - key. There could be so many interesting details about his life journey that we can only imagine without more knowledge.
Since I haven't read the 'My First Grandpa Gay Stories' directly, I can only speculate. Maybe the stories talk about the grandpa's journey of coming out. It might describe how he finally found the courage to be true to himself, and how his relationship with his family members, especially his grandson, changed. It could be a story full of emotions, from fear to relief to celebration.
One thing we might learn is the power of love and understanding. Regardless of sexual orientation, the relationship between the grandpa and his family, especially his grandson, can be a source of love. The stories may illustrate how love can overcome prejudice and ignorance. It can also show how the sharing of personal stories can create more awareness and empathy within a family and society at large.
There could be a story where your grandpa accidentally stumbled upon a gay pride event in town. At first, he was a bit confused but then he started to observe. He saw the love, the joy, and the sense of community among the participants. This experience made him realize that the gay community is just like any other community, full of people with dreams, hopes, and emotions. He then became an advocate in his own small way, sharing his new - found understanding with others.
I'm not sure exactly which two gay stories you are referring to. There could be many fictional or real - life inspired stories about a boy and his grandpa in a context related to the gay experience. Maybe it's about a boy coming out to his grandpa and the grandpa's reaction, or stories of their bond in a society that is gradually becoming more inclusive of the gay community.
You could start by asking your mother directly. She would be the best source of information. Just sit down with her and ask her to share some memories about her old friends.
It could be that your 84 - year - old grandpa has his own personal journey related to understanding and accepting gay people. He might have initially had some misconceptions due to the era he grew up in, but as he got older and saw the world evolving, he changed his views. He could share with you how he learned to be more open - minded and empathetic towards the gay community.
Educate yourself about the gay experience. There are a lot of misconceptions out there. By learning more, you can better understand what your brother has been through. For example, you could read memoirs written by gay individuals or follow LGBTQ+ advocates on social media to gain insights.
The internet is a great resource. There are food blogs dedicated to bread and its history. You can search for 'black bread stories' and browse through the results. Websites like food history archives might also have interesting tales about black bread.