“Before I met Nate, I’d never even heard of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Little did I know the impact that it would have on my young queer life, and for everyone else in the group. There was no greater influence on me and my friends. The movie played every Saturday night in a theatre about 50 miles away from our town, and was the second of a double feature.”
(Quote from Chapter 2, page 27 of Across the Bridge)
I have written Across the Bridge and Across the Bridge 2 specifically for queer youth and young adults today, in the hope that they choose to thrive above queer phobia and not give in to oppression and negative messaging–to include permanently abandoning thoughts of suicide as I did in my youth. With that, I have always been concerned that the spirit of pride that The Rocky Horror Picture Show provided to previous generations would be lost with time. It has been the total opposite!
Attending the 50th Anniversary of Rocky Horror was such an honor for me. My main takeaway: look at all the various generations at this event! As a queer writer of LGBTQIA+ graphic novels, I was so happy to see that Rocky Horror was still relevant and showed no sign of ever being anything but. When I met Nell Campbell (Columbia) that night, one of the things that we discussed was the hope that Rocky Horror will resonate with the new coming-of-age crowd now and in the future. It looks like that may happen. Throughout the event, my thoughts never left Nate, the one who introduced me to this 70s movie.
If you have read either Across the Bridge or Across the Bridge 2, you know that the core of my queer pride began with Nate and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I, along with countless others around the world (for generations now), recognize the 70s film as the gateway that allows us to be who we are.
I saw an announcement that Nell Campbell (Columbia) from The Rocky Horror Picture Show was coming to San Francisco for a meet-and-greet to coincide with a showing of the movie to celebrate its 50th anniversary. I immediately bought my ticket. I decided to dedicate the special event to Nate in my heart.
I was actually so nervous to meet her. She and her fellow cast members are such a massive part of my coming of age and my pride.
Nell Campbell is full of energy and hugs, and it was immediately clear that she genuinely cared about her fans and their individual stories about Rocky Horror. You can see her personality in the pictures that I have posted. She is now in her early 70s, and I am in my mid 60s.
If I look a little sad in the pictures, it’s because I was. We spoke for quite a while (so much so that I was concerned about the people who came after me). She asked me, “How did Rocky Horror affect my life?” When she asked this, a wave of emotions washed over me. I told her that I was introduced to the movie by Nate and quickly shared how it affected my pride of being queer. I told her that if it weren’t for Nate, I might never have known about the movie. She then asked if Nate was there with me. I then shared that Nate has passed on, but I hope he was in spirit.
I did something bold. I gifted her my book Across the Bridge, inscribed. I told her that she didn’t have to accept it, but she was thrilled to have it—especially since she was in it.
After we took pictures, said goodbye, hugged, and I left the platform.
I have a new goal now. I want to meet as many cast members as possible and thank them, just as I was able to do with Nell Campbell—Columbia.
Over the years, it has been important to me to keep The Rocky Horror Picture Show experience a part of my life for two reasons. First, to honor the movie that shaped my queer pride. Second, to honor and keep the memory of Nate alive in my heart. There are many ways to do so, such as watching the movie at home from time to time. Major cities usually have theatre performances by shadow actors while the movie plays on the screen. This usually happens around Halloween. These cities also host meet-and-greets with cast members. That’s how I met Nell Campbell (Columbia). There might be local Drag Queen performances, which I highly recommend. So funny!
With the 50th Anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2025, new content also hit the market. The first is Rocky Horror: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Cult Classic — Featuring Unseen Photographs and Exclusive Interviews Commemorating 50 Years of B-Movie Camp and Queer Cinema by Mick Rock. Yes, that is the title. I use this one to collect autographs from the cast.
The second is The Official Rocky Horror Late Night Double Feature: The 5oth Anniversary Two-Volume Collector’s Edition by Linus O’Brien and Richard O’Brien (Riff Raff).
I bought both books and WOW! They bring everything back to life! It is how I keep the spirit of Rocky Horror alive in me. It also keeps Nate’s memory alive.
What an honor for me to share inscriptions with Nell Campbell!
The Rocky Horror Show is now on Broadway in New York City at the iconic 70s Studio 54. I will be there in October to see the show!
