Hi, I'm Jonathan Cape Art, and welcome to Cape Up.

Broadway and television producer Richie Jackson is an out loud and proud gay married man and when his teenage son came out to him he was thrilled

But when his son said daddy being gay is no big deal

Richie knew he had to act said, Daddy, being gay is no big deal.

Ritchie knew he had to act.

His new book, Gay Like Me, a father writes to his son, is Ritchie's response.

Being gay is a gift, he says, but it also demands knowledge of your history and how you fit in in America.

Our conversation runs the gamut, including the historic candidacy of Pete Budigic.

Some are actually asking if Mayor Pete is gay enough. Hear what

Ritchie has to say about that right now.

Ritchie Jackson, thank you very much for being on the podcast.

Thank you so much for having me.

So your book, Gay Like Me, a father writes to his son.

I've read it, full disclosure, I wrote a blurb for it because I thought it was beautiful

and powerful. But for those who haven't read it yet, talk about what inspired you to write this book.

Well, thank you for your beautiful blurb and for having me.

I wrote the book because my husband and I have two children. when our older son was 15 he told us he was gay and I was

elated I had wanted him to be gay I had hoped he be gay why it was well being gay is a gift.

It is the best part about me.

It's the most important part about me.

It's been the blessing of my life.

I wanted that blessing for him.

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