A Day In The Life: Richard Simon

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Rush City, Minn. I graduated there in 1977. 

Where do you live? I live in Pine City, Minn.

Who do you live with? I live alone. 

What is your occupation? I was a cook for 50 years, 1973-2023, but I’m retired.

When did you come out? My family found out in ’79. 

How’d that go? I was moving to Ft. Lauderdale, and my sister and grandmother helped me pack. My sister found gay porno in the trash while looking for paper to wrap a glass, lol. 

When do you wake up? 6 a.m.

Phone alarm or old school alarm? After breakfast cooking for 50 years, I wake up naturally at 6 a.m. 

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? I drink three cups of coffee.

Breakfast? Banana, mandarin oranges and chocolate-covered donuts.

Coffee? Three cups

Cream or no? No

How do you spend your commute? I don’t!

What do you nerd out for (gaming, music, history, etc.)? I enjoy bar Texas Hold ’em tournaments. I quit drinking 4 1/2 years ago, so bar tournaments give me an excuse to go to bars. 

What music have you been digging lately? Shaboozey, Jelly Roll

Is your workspace tidy or a hot mess? Tidy

What’s been your favorite job? I ran the taco bar at the Gay ‘90s in ’94 and ’95. If I didn’t get a tip, I’d threaten to give them less meat, lol. 

Favorite weeknight meal: Go out, takeout or cook in? Tacos, made by me, with all the fixings.

On a usual weeknight, you are doing what? I hate to admit it, Texas Hold ’em, four nights a week. 

Bedtime? 9 p.m.

Favorite weekend activity? Sunday Funday! I visit my 86-year-old mother and my 1 1/2-year-old great-nephew, Kace. I also go for a walk with Ekko, my niece’s lab.

What are you most proud of, and why? My days of activism! I helped organize the March on Mora 35 years ago for ACT UP Minnesota. I also helped organize the March on City Hall during the Minneapolis gay serial killings. Besides my street activism, I was involved in DFL politics. I was a precinct chairman in Loring Park, and I was on the CLPC board. In 1990, I got the DFL State Convention to support a resolution for marijuana for medical use by prescription. It passed and was placed in the party platform, with over 70% support. 

Words of wisdom to share: I was involved in so many groups. I spread myself too thin and got burnt out. I should have spent more time working on myself, but I have no regrets.