Jackson Free Press Article: "Created Equal"

Here's a great article from Eddie Outlaw that was published this month in the Jackson Free Press. He discusses the pain of being gay in a place like Mississippi, the hope embodied by the youth, and the meaningfulness of hearing the President of the United States declare "our gay brothers and sisters" are all equal when President Obama said, "We, the people, declare today that the most of evident of truths–that all of us are created equal–is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forbearers through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall." Chilling, if you think about it.

From Eddie's article:

Eddie Outlaw

Watching the inauguration of President Barack H. Obama was bittersweet. I was proud to have advocated for my president, and I feel validated by his inclusion of the LGBT community and the diversity on display.

Looking back to last fall, though, my heart sinks at the thought of a relationship that has changed forever. I tried to influence one friend's vote, and in doing so, discovered that she has never condoned my "gay lifestyle." Rather, she had decided to love me and hate the sin. Not only had I unwittingly agreed to disagree for the past 20 years, but I had foolishly assumed she wanted equality for me and my partner of 10 years.

We haven't spoken since the end of October, and I've slowly worked through the five stages of grief.

On this past Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the fruits of the civil-rights struggle were on display for all to celebrate. Obama, sworn in on Abraham Lincoln's and King's Bibles, spoke eloquently about equality for all, mentioning "gay brothers and sisters" and Stonewall in his speech. And, as the nation listened with heads bowed, Rev. Luis Leon included gays in the benediction.

Read the rest of Eddie's article here.

Eddie has his own blog at EddieOutlaw.com.