New York Blade Of Saints & Sexuality:
The legacy of Father Mychal Judge He died September 11 at the World Trade Center, but Father Mychal Judge continues to touch people. Judge, a chaplain for the fire department, is counted as the first official casualty of that infamous day in 2001. An outgoing Franciscan monk (his friary was located on West 31st Street), Judge was well-known for helping the homeless, comforting AIDS patients and championing peace in Northern Ireland. He was also a recovering alcoholic. And he was gay. In April, a documentary about Judge titled "Saint of 9/11" debuted at Tribeca Film Festival. The 90-minute film also played last Tuesday at The New School, followed by a TimesTalks panel discussion. New York Times journalist David Dunlap moderated the 30-minute talk, focusing on Judge’s sexuality as it affects his legacy. Thomas Von Essen, who was the city’s fire commissioner from 1996 until he retired in 2002, said Judge had discussed many times with him that he was gay but that Judge kept his sexuality a secret from the other firemen, a decision Von Essen mourned but ultimately agreed with. "He would not have been able to reach so many people," Von Essen told the panel. "The prejudice that people have is very evident. I wish it wasn’t the case. [Judge] and I were in synch about a lot of things: the church, incompetent management. You won’t find more incompetent management than in the church and fire department." But Judge was out to other people. The documentary hints at his sexuality but doesn’t discuss it until about halfway through. Malcolm Lazin, the executive producer of ‘Saint of 9/11’ said that he was influenced by how "Brokeback Mountain" approached homosexuality by introducing the film as about cowboys. "‘Saint of 9/11’ was made for the mainstream," Lazin said. "Mychal Judge has a legacy for all us." Lazin said that informing viewers of Judge’s sexuality in advance could lead to unfair judgments. Lazin added: "Because of homophobia, he identified with a number of minorities; AIDS issues resonated with him. In a very positive way, Judge was influenced by his sexual orientation." Dunlap, who had seen a previous cut of the documentary, observed that a segment in which Judge noted two very cute guys was cut from the final version. Lazin said that the cut was a result of editing for length. Dunlap respond that "of all the outtakes, the one that suggests someone who is in fact sexually sensitive while being celibate is a rather decisive cut." Not that ‘Saint of 9/11’ completely eschews Judge’s sexuality. However it will leave viewers with more questions than answers: Was he sexually active? Could he have exerted more influence if he were openly gay? How did he rectify his homosexuality with Catholic Church teachings? Ron Buford is behind the United Church of Christ’s "Jesus Doesn’t Turn Anyone Away" commercials. Buford said that even within his progressive church, members experienced homophobia. "What touched me [in the film] was how Father Mychal embraced people," Buford said, referencing that Judge loved to physically hug everyone. "People want to be touched. And Father Mychal touched."
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