RIP Tina Turner

I'm truly heartbroken. I'm not someone who cares much for celebrities but there are three who imprinted on me when I was a kid: Buffy Sainte-Marie (on Sesame Street), Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman!) and Tina Turner, who I first saw on The Sonny & Cher Show. I thought the three of them were the most beautiful women in the world. Something about them connected with my little closeted queer soul.

Years later, when I was 15, Tina released Private Dancer. I wore that cassette tape out till I had to buy a second one, which eventually was replaced with a CD.

School for me—especially from grade 7 to 10—was utterly miserable (suicidal at 13), but when I heard Tina on this album (and every subsequent one), I stopped feeling alone. Her music was forever something I could go to when feeling low.

Her passing has really hit me in a way I didn't expect. Thank you Tina, rest in peace.