Partner Alex Hirsch
Queer Places:
Lewis
“Sonny” Turner (July 11, 1919 – March 11, 2011) lived a life that most only dream of living. Those who knew him best
describe him as “handsome,” “elegant,” “interesting,” and “charming.” He and his partner,
Alex Hirsch,
shared homes in Manhattan, East Hampton, and Fort Lauderdale. Sonny was a wonderful cook,
and he and Alex often entertained their close circle of friends. By all accounts, Sonny was adored
by his friends and his family. But Sonny had a secret, which he kept from even his closest family
members—Sonny was gay and his “friend” Alex was his partner.
When Sonny passed away in March 2011, he
left a very generous bequest to Lambda Legal of
over $1 million. “Sonny knew this (his bequest
to Lambda Legal) was his coming out story,” said
Lisa Padilla, Sonny’s lawyer and friend. “The gift
speaks for Sonny in a way he could not speak
for himself.” He had grown up in an era that
made him fearful of living his life as an out gay
man, and it was important to him to support an
organization that works to change society so that
young gay men and lesbians won’t have to live in
fear of being who they are. He wanted his legacy to
be a gift that would be used to end discrimination
and that would also honor Alex, who had been
an attorney.
Sonny loved dance and dreamed of becoming
a professional dancer. Having studied dance under
Mikhail Mordkin, his dream became a reality
when he was cast in the chorus of DuBarry Was
a Lady, starring Ethel Merman, Bert Lahr, and a
young Betty Grable.
During World War II, Sonny served his
country by joining the army. When asked what
he did during the war, Sonny would reply, “I
cleared the way for Patton.” Wounded in the
Battle of the Bulge and transferred to Walter
Reed Army Hospital, Sonny would later be
awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery.
Because of his injuries, Sonny would never
dance professionally again.
For a short time, Sonny
and Alex lived in Los
Angeles with their black
standard poodle, Joe. When
they returned to the East,
they felt Joe would not enjoy
New York City life, so Joe went to live with their
good friend Liberace.
In 1967 Sonny and Alex hired legendary
architect Paul Rudolph to design a home for them
on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. They lived in
this starkly modern home until 1974, when it was
purchased by Halston and became “party central”
for Halston’s Studio 54 crowd.
Sonny loved to have a good time and could
often be seen driving around East Hampton in
his Thunderbird convertible. One of Sonny’s
fondest passions was cooking, and he was a
wonderful cook. Having studied with well known Chinese cook Virginia Lee, Sonny would
often prepare elegant dinners for his friends, all
of whom remember his masterful culinary skills.
Toward the end of his life, Sonny turned to his niece, Thai Jason, who had
long known that Sonny was gay. When she told him she knew and that it was
nothing for him to be ashamed of, he was incredulous that she had always
known. Thai speaks so lovingly of “Uncle” and remembers him as a kind and
generous man. Thai is thankful that Sonny could do in death what he could not
do in life—come out.
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