Obamanation.

Sometime in late January or early February, our President will give his State of the Union Address. In it, we’ll hear about deficits and healthcare reform, job creation, and quite possibly the war on terror. But will he speak about gay rights?

It is painfully doubtful.

In the last year or so, we’ve seen gay rights mauled by the passage of Proposition 8 in California as well as in similar rulings in other states. For gays, the right to marry has been stalled. It seems the whole nation is conflicted with the word “marriage." Too many believe that marriage should only occur between a man and a woman. And then there are those who feel the sex of the two individuals should not matter at all.

Now, I do not know the exact specifics of each law or bill that has gone against the possibility of homosexual marriages but what I do know is this: we, the gay community, have been given limited rights as a people. We are, dare I say, the new black. Slaves to the great land of the U.S. That is to say, we are forced to work hard for food, water, and shelter. To follow every rule, live respectful and law-abiding lives, and to pay our taxes like every other “normal” dutiful citizen. All this while receiving very little representation and equality. We are forced to endure constant judging and ridicule. Lynched by words that cut deep inside our very core. Dehumanized, rejected, infected, blatantly ignored. Obama, my friend, you beautiful black and powerful man, what has happened to equality?

Don’t get me wrong -- I’m not here to bash the President. Why do that if I know exactly how it feels to be attacked, you know? I can’t lie; the man has given our citizens hope. He has strengthened America to a point. He has given Americans pride, boosted morale, and reinforced faith in a land that was pretty much grey during Bush’s final years. I’m just here to challenge him.

I don’t expect him to come out and say, “Hey, leave the gays alone!” I mean, it would be totally awesome if he did but I don’t have that much faith in him. All I ask for is this – acknowledge us. Tell us we are going to be okay. Tell us to stay strong, that we matter. We count. If not marriage, that we will get an equivalant and have equal protection and rights under the law in every state and US territory. Tell us that you’re on our side. I want to hear it. Tell us something! We need you, like all the other groups you're helping. Like the poor, the jobless, the uninsured, and the homeless we are waiting. Look into that camera and let me feel your love too, Mr. President. I'm so tired of this and I really need you.