He watched as the LGBTQ+ movement gained momentum, building mainstream support and sparking landmark policy changes like the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Obergefell decision, which legalized same-sex marriage in the U.S.Īs a Merck employee, he saw the company consistently champion diversity and inclusion, encouraging employees to “show up as their authentic selves.” He envied people, both gay and straight, who felt the freedom to do that. “We continued to have a great, loving relationship, but silently I suffered with tremendous conflict,” says Wright, who despaired as the chasm widened between his true self and the life he’d built. The couple soon had a daughter, and life went on. Although he “had some confusing feelings about men”, Wright never doubted his love for her. And then the second wave hit me - I couldn’t ever talk about how much it deeply bothered me.”Īt the time, Wright was newly married to his wife, Cherryl.
Recalling the television reports of Matthew’s horrific murder, Wright says, “On one level, it was immensely tragic, and it frightened me that someone’s life was taken for just being gay.
