2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. It is also the 25th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death. Aaron Hamburger’s NIRVANA IS HERE (which comes out on May 14th) couldn’t be more timely. His essay in the Washington Post is about an important part of Cobain’s legacy: “his consistent and vocal support of gay rights.”

In this beautiful essay, Aaron discusses how Cobain’s “attitude about sexual identity expressed in lyrics and interviews” majorly impacted his life:

“By the time Cobain killed himself at the end of my junior year of college, I was coming out to my friends and family. Having found my own confidence in his unapologetic approach to life, I didn’t fully appreciate just how insecure Cobain was until more than 20 years later, while researching a novel that pays tribute to his influence. The rock star I idolized was just one aspect of a real human being who created great art but also suffered great pain, both physical and emotional. And yet, during his relatively short life and career, he spoke with a clarity that inspired me to do the same, creating a kind of role model for me to follow.”

Read the entire essay here.

Preorder NIRVANA IS HERE through the Three Rooms Press site.