'Neil Rogers: The Gay Activist Who Wasn't,' writes attorney Norm Kent of South Florida Gay News

Fort Lauderdale attorney Norm Kent, publisher of South Florida Gay News, wrote this column for his newspaper and gave permission for me to publish it on my Gay South Florida blog:

My friend Neil Rogers is still alive. But I cannot lie to you. He is dying. Sadly, at only the age of 68, Neil is losing his battle for life to a combination of irreversible heart attacks and strokes. The matter is complicated by multiple arterial blockages making his situation inoperable, worsened by the diabetes that has plagued him for years.

It hurts. I have been Neil’s attorney and friend for years, negotiating his contracts and representing him in numerous legal battles that have been on the front pages of the news. Together, we have challenged homophobes and the FCC, employers and interlopers, all of whom had a hard time dealing with a gay man that dominated the local airwaves.

No one and nothing was sacred when Neil Rogers had a microphone in his hands, not me, ‘Norma Cant’ – the lawyer with the “fag” newspaper who negotiated a million dollar contract which made him rich, or the Pope, whose heralded visit to South Florida ‘worthlessly blocked traffic.’ Whether it was a pompous mayor in Hallandale or a cop on the road, Neil simply had no mercy for those who infringed on individual rights or free expression.

Click here to read the complete column.

Comments

[Buckwheat]

Ya fairy!

[Reid]

Neil? Norm is a great friend to us all, not only to you: his article is so well written.

We all wish you would stay on for years and years longer. If you've decided that's not prudent, well, we will cry, and bear the loss of a great man.

Thank you Neil.

Here, sir, a parable I made, I hope you smile:
http://poetrycritical.net/read/62588/

Reid Welch

[Reid]

Here, Neil,
realizing you may not enjoy reading,
I read for you so you can relax,
The Electric Airplane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ_TCBftYNw
(a memoir to forget)

Thank you for every day you gave to us.

[RANDRAND]

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED-ON THIS DAY OF THE PASSING OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA KING OF JESTERS-THAT AT THIS GREAT MAN'S FUNERAL, A MAN WILL TURN TO ANOTHER MAN AND SAY,"HE MADE ME LAUGH UNTIL TEARS FLOWED FROM MY EYES-AT A TIME WHEN DEPRESSION AND GRIEF SHOULD HAVE MADE ME CRY!" NEIL, GLENN HILL (THE BIRD) AND THE ZETA DAYS OF FM RADIO TALK-ARE ICONIC DAYS OF HUMOR-I CAN STILL RECALL NEIL CASTIGATING THE ENGINEERS FOR FAULTY ELECTRONICS INSTALLATION AND THE PHONE COMPANY FOR FAULTY PHONE LINES- I WAS IN STITCHES FOR WEEKS!

[Wwinds]

One of the great radio personalities ever. Neil had such a sense of humor and intelligent wit while mixing the two together that made you die laughing. He took the events of the day and diagnosed them In such an entertaining way. He truly was amazing and will be missed. I am a happier and more informed person for having listened to Neil. "the Pope Smokes Dope"!

[Wayne Arnold]

He was the best!!!

[Michael Beemiller]

He had more of an impact on my life than any other entertainer of any kind. Rest in peace my friend, just glad you don't have to suffer anymore. You'll be missed and remembered forever...

[Plantation Dad]

i grew up a few houses down from this guy in plantation acres. you guys loved him on the radio...but man was he a jerk to live by. we won't miss him at all...he was a grade a tool. he might have been great on radio...but he was a prick in the neighborhood

[Sad day in Miami]

Well I hope you and your neighbors are happier now. I bet your kids are a grade a tool also.

[: (]

Neil was best radio personality ever. It was a sad day when he left the radio airwaves and now the world has lost a great person. RIP