Howard Bess, the progressive American Baptist pastor has passed away today.  He was the author of Pastor, I'm Gay, one of the first books about accepting LBGT people into the church as equals.  He was also the founder and served on the board of a great many charities in the Mat Su Valley, and an institution, being the sand in the shell of a great many Alaskan politicians over the past 50 or more years....  a Great Man. a personal friend, and the guy who steered me onto a path away from Suicide...  I feel the loss keenly.