R. M. (Doc) Livingston

A history lesson: Why am I called “doc”? I have nothing to do with the medical world and my only PhD is in life itself. So how come “doc”? My last name is Livingston for more explanation look up Henry Morton Stanley in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on line. My reply to “doc” is why fight ‘em? While a member of the US Navy the handle “Doc,” put on me by my shipmates, along with the statement, “Doctor Livingston, I presume?” Most of today’s young people have no knowledge of history so the phrase means nothing to them.
A true story: I had a sales job once that meant a lot of local travel. I was to call on a small general store on the Washington coast that was run by a man named John Stanley. When we met I gave him my card and told him that we just rewrote history. “How’s that?” He asked. I replied, “This time Livingston has found Stanley!” He looked at my business card and laughed.

Today when I am asked about the nickname I tell them, “You know, like with Bugs Bunny, “what’s up
doc?””

In 1962 I moved out on my own. A very shy geek with an over compensating life style. I was just out of the closet to my family. They were accepting but my father said, “You’ll never be happy.” It was just the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement; there were only two or three National organizations. There was ONE, Inc More of a social position, small magazine with gay love stories (we were not allowed to print sex). There was a national organization, The Mattichine Society that worked for gay rights. There was a small club in Orange County called Dionysus. I joined Dionysus for social contacts and became the club secretary. The 1960’s were the beginning of equal rights for all. (re:www.webcastro.com/94114/stonewal.htm for some history)

The Los Angeles Mattichine Society was holding a rally and Dionysus was asked to attend. As club secretary it was my job to coordinate. I met with their secretary and that is when I met John. He was almost hyper in wanting make the rally worthwhile.
We were pushed together and fell in love. Yes, it was as simple as that. I needed some one and John needed to be needed. Our togetherness lasted through 42 years. We were a couple for longer than my Parents. (sorry dad, but I was happy for 42 years)

For more of the story ask for “Commitment” it is one of the most published things we wrote.