“When I discovered the music of Romanovsky and Phillips, I was listening to a lot of gay music, most of it performed by women artists. I had become a huge fan of Holly Near, and had seen her in concert a few times. When I finally had the chance to see Romanovsky and Phillips perform live, it was in South Carolina following a Pride march. They were amazing. It was moving and empowering to see two gay men on stage; they were funny, caring, witty, and they sang proudly about their journeys out of the closet and their lives as out gay men.
This was the 1990s, and Pride parades—especially in places like South Carolina—were not just celebrations. They were huge political statements, often with protesters lined up alongside the marchers.
I don’t have one particular Romanovsky and Phillips song that resonated more than any other one with me, but their catalog was rich, and their voices were full of confidence—which most of us needed to hear then and still do.”
Steve Willis
Okay, I do not have a camera, so this has to be in writing. (Paul had asked for video responses.)
Positive influence: if not for listening to your music, I would not have been able to be more open. It was your celebratory music that said to me “if they can sing about it, I can live it” The softer ones were romantic, and ones I could share with my ‘love of the moment.’
Now married to an amazing man, I can tell him the stories of standing in line to see you in concert, of your amazing performance, your humor:
“Okay, I think we deserve some special rights, you know, parking? Just some little pink triangles by the handicap spaces.”
But it was the music that uplifted me and activated bravery cells I didn’t know I had.
Troy Haliwell
Alix Dobkin called me and told me I MUST come to Woodstock to see this Gay duo called Romansky(sic) and Phillips! I was hesitant but since she insisted, I went to the concert. I was totally blown away by them. They were funny and delightful, so talented and their music was inspirational. I had NEVER heard Gay men who were so politically right on and dare I say feminist! After the show Alix took me back stage to meet them. She introduced me as a producer from LI. I think Ron said ‘oh cool I don’t believe we were ever on LI.’ To which I quickly responded, ‘I don’t produce men, only Lesbians.’ I think Paul then said ‘we were just commenting on the fact we had never been to LI.’ I was a little embarrassed by my rude response.
Afterwards I went with Alix to her home and she told me R and P were coming over tomorrow to hang out. She also asked me if I would produce them and her in a double bill. I was so surprised, but it made perfect sense to me. They were so much like Alix, really charming and political and community minded. I remember at the show they sang a song together, “The times they are a changing” and made up their own lyrics.
But the other part is Lesbians in my community were outraged and confronted me on producing men. I defended them as 2 gay men I saw perform who were worthy of a lesbian audience because I was educated and changed by their performance and who they were. I felt like they GOT IT.
Paul was the only gay man I had met who dressed in drag and it was not offensive to women. I learned so much from them.
Retts Scauzillo
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Here’s the previous page, and the first page of heartfelt letters!