Paul Trittin’s “Jacobus” teaches people the art of sympathy, caring, and compassion for others

Author Paul Trittin had hidden his identity as a gay man for more than six decades before he finally realized it was time to come out at the age of 65. The revelation brought disappointment to his family and friends, and he felt he was abandoned after making that bold step. But he thought it was the right thing to do and afterward went on a mission as a teacher and servant of various religious organizations.

In an interview with Kate Delaney, Trittin discusses the inspiration for his book Jacobus, and how it reflects his own life as a closeted gay in the past. After his family and friends turned their backs on him for a brief period, Trittin managed to weather through the challenges with God’s grace. He said he felt a renewed sense of vigor and excitement after his pain vanished, all thanks to his partner in life.

This real-life story was what spurred Trittin to write his novel about gay romance and acceptance that crisscross with the Judeo-Christian faith systems Roman maritime world and beyond into India during the first century.

In the interview with Delaney, Trittin revealed that his writing is a reflection on a lot of his experiences and those of his gay friends alike who went through pain from rejection. The book is meant to be a lesson on the art of sympathy and caring and compassion for others. And so he took a few bits of scenarios from his own life and put them on the life of a young man named Jacobus who lived during the Roman Empire two thousand years ago.