Hero of Flight 93: Mark Bingham (An Advocate Books Life Story)

Bravery in the face of unimaginable terror prevented greater tragedy on September 11, 2001, when a group of passengers overpowered the hijackers of American Airlines Flight 93. Their heroism and sacrifice inspired us all. One of these passengers was Mark Bingham, a living-out-loud, gregarious, gay man. But who was Mark Bingham really? What was it about this man that caused his friends to unanimously say that he must have been one of the men who rushed the hijackers? The Advocate’s senior news editor Jon Barrett interviewed those who knew him best, starting with the mother who instilled in him the belief that he could be anything, to the friends, lovers, business associates, and rugby teammates who complete the picture of a man determined to never take second place. This is his story, told to remind all Americans that heroism knows no sexuality.

Jon Barrett is the senior news editor for The Advocate magazine, and the author of the cover story on Mark Bingham in The Advocate upon which this book is based. He lives in Los Angeles.