The first time I heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" I was a senior in high school, and I was at a frat party on the campus of Centenary College in Lousiana (I was there for an incoming freshmen weekend). Having been raised as a "good" Christian boy, I was not used to being around lots of drinking or partying or rock music. So when I heard this amazing, jolting, anthemic song playing full blast at the frat party, I was scared at first, but then I saw how it seemed to transform the room, almost elevating everyone into a state of euphoria (surely the alcohol helped). It was truly magical, and it put me on the road to realizing that I was done being a "good" Christian boy and caving in to the pressures of my overbearing father and strict religion. I was ready to have fun, be myself, live for myself. I will never forget that moment.

Then Kurt died 2 years later. I was devastated. I was a sophomore at the University of MN. I heard the news on the radio and thought it was an April Fools' joke, but then I realized it was real. I slept for what seemed like 2 days, very depressed.

I do think that in a way, Kurt was a very strong voice of my generation, however limited that voice was. I identified with his general disillusionment and pain. I appreciated his willingness to forego assumptions about gender and sexuality and just be himself. He and his bandmates thought nothing of doing drag in their videos. They weren't doing it for the sake of making fun of gays or anything like that. They were just having fun. And as a gay man, I appreciated that. There will never be another band like Nirvana.