I didn't know Rick well in high school, but I am so happy that he was able to live the life he did. She was a brave person and I respect that. RIP Ashley.
Patty, Thank you for your comments about Rick Rukes. I only new Rick very casually in HS but got to know him somewhat better in my mid-twneties as we were both working for the same company for a short while before one or both of us moved on. He was still skinny then and fun to be around. As I look at the "In Memory" list, I experience diverse emotions and appreciate better the times shared.
I first met Rick in first grade. I remember him as a friendly kid who liked just about everyone. I would see him ocassionally (often in the company of Pete Jevne and Tom Muliian) in later years. I went to CA in 1968 finally returning to Minneapolis in 1974. I did not learn until some years later that he came out and became very involved in the LGBTQIA movement in the Twin Cities. In those days It took a great deal of courage to come out as gay. He became,a majpr leader of the gay movement in Minnesota. It was not until Minneapolis Judge Delilah Pierce ruled that the sodomy law violated the State Constitution when dealing with private, adult consensual and non-commercial sex. Ashley (Rick) Rukes was the former director of the Twin City Pride Festival,and the direcctor of the Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council of the Twin Cities. Ashley became the namesake for today's gay pride parade, now known as "The Ashley Rukes's Annual Twin Cities Pride Parade." Rick was a good and, courageous person who believed that one person reallly can make a difference.. I am proud to say that Ashley had been a friend..
Patricia Drew (Drew)
I didn't know Rick well in high school, but I am so happy that he was able to live the life he did. She was a brave person and I respect that. RIP Ashley.
Mark Slettehaugh
Patty, Thank you for your comments about Rick Rukes. I only new Rick very casually in HS but got to know him somewhat better in my mid-twneties as we were both working for the same company for a short while before one or both of us moved on. He was still skinny then and fun to be around. As I look at the "In Memory" list, I experience diverse emotions and appreciate better the times shared.
Peter Lang
I first met Rick in first grade. I remember him as a friendly kid who liked just about everyone. I would see him ocassionally (often in the company of Pete Jevne and Tom Muliian) in later years. I went to CA in 1968 finally returning to Minneapolis in 1974. I did not learn until some years later that he came out and became very involved in the LGBTQIA movement in the Twin Cities. In those days It took a great deal of courage to come out as gay. He became,a majpr leader of the gay movement in Minnesota. It was not until Minneapolis Judge Delilah Pierce ruled that the sodomy law violated the State Constitution when dealing with private, adult consensual and non-commercial sex. Ashley (Rick) Rukes was the former director of the Twin City Pride Festival,and the direcctor of the Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council of the Twin Cities. Ashley became the namesake for today's gay pride parade, now known as "The Ashley Rukes's Annual Twin Cities Pride Parade." Rick was a good and, courageous person who believed that one person reallly can make a difference.. I am proud to say that Ashley had been a friend..