South Florida gay activist David Wylie, 44, dies

Previous coverage:

• David Wylie hosts 2007 toy drive for children
• Latino Boys magazine editor David L. Wylie resigns to lead online venture
• Photos from Geo Bustamante's 21st birthday party at Discotekka
• Photo gallery | Tim Hardaway, other celebs host fundraiser for Trevor Project, a gay-youth suicide prevention group
• Gallery | David Wylie: March 22, 1966-Oct. 19, 2010

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com

Friends on Nov. 13 will celebrate the generous, hard-luck life of South Florida gay activist David Wylie, who died of cancer in October. He was 44.

Among the mourners: Geo Bustamante, who became a surrogate son to Wylie after his parents kicked him out because he is gay.

The two met online four years ago.

``I started writing on MySpace how I was depressed. He told me to hang in there,'' said Bustamante, now 24. ``We connected from the day we met. He told me everything happens for a reason and that God sent him as an angel to help me out. He was an angel to me.''

Wylie related to Bustamante on a painfully personal level.

When he was 3, Wylie's parents abandoned him after his baby sister died of sudden infant death syndrome.

Years later, his foster parents cut him off when he came out of the closet, according to Deborah MacLean, a close friend and former co-worker.

Wylie had been married to a woman. After she learned he was gay, the now ex-wife severed all ties between him and his teenage son, MacLean said.

``He was extremely heartbroken. Devastated. He had a passion for caring and giving back to children,'' MacLean said.

A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church, 1480 SW Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

Click here to read the complete obituary.

Comments

[Michael Diaz]

The service is scheduled for next Saturday Nov. 13 at 4pm. Sunshine Cathedral MCC, 1480 SW 9th Ave, Fort Lauderdale

[Steve Rothaus]

Thanks Michael.

[Danielle J.]

Thank you for a wonderful, touching article. He is an example for everyone to aspire to.

[Steve Rothaus]

Danielle, thank you.