Jackson Free Press

Telling people that I'm gay isn't a big deal for me anymore. I mention it when it's relevant, and if someone's shocked or offended, the most I usually tell him is to get over it and welcome to the human race. But when the news broke last week that two Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officers were sentenced to mere house arrest for brutally assaulting two gay men, I was reminded that coming out publicly is still a profoundly important act—especially in Mississippi.

Coming out means becoming visible. It announces that you exist, and that you're part of society. Simple enough. But in America, this is actually a radical announcement, for to be part of society in America means that you are entitled to full political equality.

Coming out in this way has always been part of America's identity. Catholics, Jews, Native Americans have all had to come out. The very Civil Rights Movement was built on persons of color stepping forward to announce, "I exist and I demand the equality to which I am entitled as a human being and a citizen of the United States". The Constitution is merely a promise. Coming out is the demand that the promise be kept.

So, for what it's worth: I, Brent Cox, am gay. Enlightened as you are, J.F.P. Reader, this probably doesn't shock you. Those of you who are shocked—well, get over it and welcome to the human race. My real hope is that someone reading this who's in the closet will come out of the closet. And those already out? Keep coming out, every day telling one more person. It may no longer be a big deal to you, but doing this makes us visible. Visibility demands equality. We're here, we're queer. We're good old fashioned American radicals.

Previous Commentsshow

Great post, chief. The MBN business is immensely depressing. I don't know what to say about it, to be honest. On the one hand, the uniformed thugs who beat Rodney King got off just as easy. On the other hand, knowing what we know about what happens to black folks at the hands of law enforcement, that's not exactly a comforting prospect. I would like to think that this situation can be used to push some kind of relevant state or municipal code, but damned if I know how it should read or what have you. Sometime let's sit down and hash this out. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Feb 1 2007

I remember when a friend came out to me. It was the most odd moment becuase he came out and I said "so?" He kept trying to explain that he was gay and finally he realized... I didn't care. He was so relieved (he later admitted he was also a little annoyed because he had a big speech planned about that was the way he was made). As for the admissions I say"So?" not because I did not care, it just did not matter to me. I hope this doesn't detract from the BOLD and scary stages of admitting to yourself and others who you are. But you should know there are people in Jackson that care nothing about your origin, just what kind of person you are.

AGamm627

Feb 1 2007

Now we read that he is hiring Armstrong. Yet another ex con is hired by Melton and crime skyrockets under his watch.

Kingfish

Feb 1 2007

AGamm627 that's a great response. People who don't care and don't get in a snit about this should also be vocal...that will tell the bigots that they aren't the only ones with a voice.

Izzy

Feb 1 2007

I agree completely. I'm amazed by the casual ease with which Mississippi politicians condemn gays and lesbians, but it's because they think they have nothing to lose--and votes to gain--by using us as political fodder. If you're opposed to such bigotry, speak out against it! Our own governor was chairman of the RNC's so-called "Protecting Our Families" subcommittee whose goal was to articulate why his party thinks equality shouldn't extend to gays and lesbians. The next time he speaks publicly, I hope you're either the guy, or beside the guy, who says, "You know, Gov., your political opposition to gay and lesbian Mississippians is offensive to the highest ideals of American democracy. Let me tell you why..."

Brent Cox

Feb 1 2007

". The Constitution is merely a promise. Coming out is the demand that the promise be kept. " I also thought this a great line. This truth is true in so many ways..the constitution is only as great as our dedication to enacting its principles in OUR times

Izzy

Feb 1 2007

Just a note: If it concerns you that the MBN officers will be eligible to become Mississippi law enforcement officers again in 18 months, you can write the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to urge that they never be reinstated. Would you want them patrolling your community? The address is: MSDPS Commissioner George Phillips P.O. Box 958 Jackson, MS 39205 You can send email to: commissioner(at)mdps.state.ms.us

Brent Cox

Feb 1 2007

Brent, knowing that this happened just blocks from my house and that the MBN officers were harassing others at a neighborhood bar, I'll be sending an email and will be pushing this to our list. It sickens me that this was a hate crime and that offensive language was used (if I remember history correctly) while harassing and assaulting these men. Unfortunately, the representatives our neighbors, friends, co-workers and families have elected don't feel that sexual minorities deserve to be protected against hate, violation, and assault. If I remember correctly, Fleming has attempted to push a hate crimes bill several times to the floor without success. As someone that's had numerous "gay bash" attempts, I am sickened that those paid to "serve and protect" and/or paid by our state government would abuse citizens (regardless of their orientation). It's nauseating. These men do not deserve the right to act as law enforcement... AT ALL. It's very simple though things may seem muddy in Melton's "Soiled New City." Brent, let's talk one-on-one about how we can bring this issue to our community and the community at large.

kaust

Feb 1 2007

Brent writes: If it concerns you that the MBN officers will be eligible to become Mississippi law enforcement officers again in 18 months, you can write the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to urge that they never be reinstated. Here's an idea: Is there a way to revise the Jackson municipal code so that no police officer convicted under federal civil rights violation statutes may serve in the Jackson Police Department? I think that would be step one, and it should be a no-brainer in a 73% African-American city. We should be able to get a similar statute passed regulating the Hinds County Sheriff's Office. It's too early to get this agenda item on the 2007 calendar, but for 2008, let's see if we might even be able to make this a statewide bill. I will be contacting the commissioner--and blogging about this on my civil liberties site--but it's possible there might have been similar events that the media never found out about. I'd love to resolve this with a permanent policy change, if possible, in addition to activism specific to these two particular violent criminals. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Feb 1 2007

(And by activism specific to these two violent criminals, I mean following Brent's advice and emailing the commissioner. Come on, folks--nobody wants abusive lunatics running around the neighborhood with nightsticks. Everybody wants to talk about fighting crime. Well, here's an opportunity to see to it that the State of Mississippi does not give two violent criminals the opportunity to repeat their offense.)

Tom Head

Feb 1 2007

Let's do talk, Knol: brentcox(at)gmail.com

Brent Cox

Feb 2 2007

Kudos for your courage, Brent. It's a real shame that coming out is still such a trying experience on many levels - sometimes to the detrement of the person's life. Even though today's social climate is a lot more accommodating and even sympathetic to GLBT than even 10 yrs ago, let alone 20 years, the very fact that one can feel nervous on some level about coming out speaks volumes about how far this society has to go - why can't people accept people merely on the basis of nitpicky, non-character aspects of who a person is (what does orientation have to do with one's ethics, compassion, honesty, integrity, etc?). Here's hoping that one day really soon, looking down on non-heterosexuals will be considered as bizarre as looking down on a person because of their "race" alone.

Philip

Feb 3 2007

Thanks, Philip. Honestly, though, coming out for me doesn't require courage anymore. As with most gays and lesbians, the scary part is only the first time you come out. Imagine: You've built a life around everyone else's misconception that you--the son, daughter, friend, brother, sister--are straight. Everyone's invested in that identity. Then you come out, people are surprised, and the fear is actually that people will be upset or angry. My own mom, the college educated Unitarian, cried. For some, they lose their families and friends. I've heard horror stories about kids whose parents kick them out of the house or who lose all of their friends. And their great sin? Being honest. Upsetting the lie that everyone else was counting on. The first time takes courage. From then on, the scariest thought is ever again living a lie.

Brent Cox

Feb 3 2007