Jamal Watson's article Strange Bedfellows Against Gay Marriage was written in 2004, some eight years ago. I find it interesting that in that time there has not been more of a shift forward in the uncanny partnership between African Americans and white conservatives. Instead, in my research on this topic, I find several articles that have been written in the past fews days on this very subject. With this being an election years, I can't help but wonder what effect (if any) this partnership with have on the traditional voting patterns of African Americans. The Huffington Post article referred to in the link below speaks to the subject of this "unholy alliance" as Watson's calls it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/gay-marriage-black-churches_n_1313824.html

As our speakers from Thursday's class discussed, alliances such as the one mentioned in Strange Bedfellows Against Gay Marriage are the types of things that keep a stigma attached to the queer community and oppression ongoing. As a result of living in multiple intersections, a person in the queer community must often compartmentalize their lives making it difficult, if not impossible, to be their "whole self." Being forced to adjust their lifestyle this way can be very isolating.

I marvel at the vulnerability and complete honesty with which each speaker shared their unique journey and was touched by their courage to step out into the light be their whole self. This is not an easy thing to do!