Inside and Out

Millions of young men and women all over the country dream of one day walking the corridors of power in the nation's capital. Bob Kabel was one who got to live the dream when he worked on the staff of two Senators and President Ronald Reagan. Some of the obstacles he faced were typical: gaining knowledge and maturity, thriving in hyper competitive arenas, and earning the favor of key mentors. But some obstacles were less common. These days, being gay or lesbian is not widely considered a hindrance to a successful career, but in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, being gay was at the very least awkward and could at times be quite dangerous.