Following the 2012 LGBT History Month Gala and awards presentations, this was posted on Facebook by a Cimarron Alliance friend:
Love
by Melissa Brumfield
Friday night I had the privilege to sing at the Annual Cimarron Alliance LGBT History Month Awards Gala. The Cimarron Alliance is a group I support. Yes, in part because one of my best friends is on the board but also because I support their mission. That being to create “a fair and just Oklahoma.” It was a wonderful evening; great setting, great people, great mission.
The singing thing has been on the back burner for a while so I was never quite sure throughout the evening if the rock in my stomach was excitement or nerves but I was definitely happy for the opportunity. My boyfriend, Brian, had played some mood music during the cocktail hour and was accompanying me as I sang later during the dinner. This was our first endeavor into performing together and I think we’re both pretty pleased to FINALLY be working on this project.
So the time came, we did our thing (A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke) and for a first attempt we were both pleased. One song, that’s a good start. Tackling a whole set would probably have given me hives.
We returned to our seats to enjoy the rest of the evening, me feeling a bit of a high. Partly because I felt good about the song, a little bit because it was over and I could eat dinner and have a glass of wine, I had my favorite purple shoes on, but mostly because I was in a room with a lot of dear friends, sitting next to the love of my life.
A few friends and several strangers stopped by our table occasionally to offer some very kind compliments and words of appreciation, all of which meant so much to me. At one point one of my sweet friends came bouncing over to hug me and ask, “If I ever get married, will you sing at my wedding?!” Now, being in a sorority I have heard this before. Usually I laugh and say, “Yes, of course.” Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, but I always take it as a compliment. So as I have done before I looked at her grinning face, laughed and said, “Yes, of course!” She hugged me again and went bouncing away, she was having the best time…you could just tell by her glowing face.
I watched her for a second, smiling, appreciating her kind words and then Brian touched my hand, I turned to him and he was smiling at me and in that second a pang of sadness hit me. Here I sat, holding my love’s hand. I could marry Brian tomorrow, I could marry him next week or next month….l could have married him last week if I wanted. Nothing would stand in our way
I turned to look at my friend again, her whole family was there supporting her. Her question hit me again….”If I ever get married….” My friend can’t marry the love of her life because she loves a woman. And then the tears came as I looked from their table to other tables full of my friends and their respective significant others, all unable to marry because of who they love. Why is it so easy for Brian and I? We’re no different than them. All we want is to make a life together and be happy as I’m sure most people do. Who would bar anyone from this, if it is what they desire?
Let’s just call it what it is, I have a LOT of gay and lesbian friends. This issue is not new to me; I don’t mean to sound as though I learned of the gay marriage debate last week. It just affected me on a whole new level and stirred more anger and sadness than I had felt previously.
To my sweet friend, I will be there on your wedding day. I don’t care if I sing and I honestly don’t care if I’m invited. I will be there to celebrate you and the love of your life and your very LEGAL marriage that WILL happen.
xo
We found this note quite touching and just had to share it with you all!