'Eat Pray Love' author comes out on Facebook after partner's cancer diagnosis
In an incredibly moving Facebook post, Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert has described being in a relationship with a woman -- her best friend, Rayya Elias.
Tragically, the bestselling writer also told readers about Elias's cancer diagnosis, making the status, written Tuesday, heartbreaking as well as uplifting.
Gilbert admitted that Elias was the reason she broke up with her husband José Nunes (Felipe in Eat, Pray Love) and detailed that the realisation of her love for Elias only dawned on her once Elias's diagnosis of pancreatic and liver cancer was revealed.
You May Also Like
She writes, "Death — or the prospect of death — has a way of clearing away everything that is not real, and in that space of stark and utter realness, I was faced with this truth: I do not merely love Rayya; I am in love with Rayya.
"And I have no more time for denying that truth. The thought of someday sitting in a hospital room with her, holding her hand and watching her slide away, without ever having let her (or myself!) know the extent of my true feelings for her...well, that thought was unthinkable."
Just TRY to not cry reading the full passage. It's sobering, beautifully sincere stuff.
Stand in your truth, Elizabeth Gilbert. This is your moment and you both clearly deserve it. Welcome to the queer club, we're stoked to have you.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Jerico Mandybur is the editor of Mashable Australia. Previously, she worked as a digital editor at SBS, Oyster Mag, MTV and ASOS. Tweet her at @jerico_m.
