Mildred Loving and the Triumph of Love

The long struggle of gay people to have their rights and their love recognized, is just part of humanity's Long March out of the darkness and into the light of a better more loving world.

So it's only fitting to pay tribute here to Mildred Loving, who followed her heart and made history.

What a great story. Mildred and Richard had to fight for nine years to have their love recognized. They knocked down the barriers between lovers and helped make the world a more beautiful place.

But all they wanted was to be left alone. She never bragged about how she made history. All she did she used to say...... was fall in love with a boy.

And that everyone should have the chance to marry.

"I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights. I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all.

Sadly her love story ended tragically. She lived in desperate poverty most of her life. Alone in the house that Richard built.

So I'm kinda hoping for this happy ending...

So maybe somewhere there is a love song left, something in a minor but romantic key, and Mildred and Richard Loving can have the floor to themselves in the half-light of memory. It would be merciful if, in the quiet of their passing, two people who changed so much and asked for so little were able to find one another once more.

Do you think people will one day wonder why so much hate and vileness was directed at gay people and gay love ?

You bet they will. They'll shake their heads and wonder how people could have been so cruel and ignorant.

The good news?

What Mildred Loving showed the world was that senseless inhuman bigotry may make a lot of ugly noise. And cause a lot of pain and suffering.

But that love....even the quietest and most humble.

Sooner or later conquers all...