James Peron writes, "When American Airlines Flight 587 crashed into a Queens neighborhood, it took away the breath of the nation; it was one month after the 9/11 attacks. For William Valentine, it took away more than that -- it took his partner of 20 years, Joe Lopes."

"An Associated Press article on the anniversary of the crash begins with reference to Valentine and Lopes. Not that long ago it would have been unheard of to acknowledge that someone could love another person of the same sex, let alone do so for 20 years, or that they would actually grieve over their loss."

Please read the rest of Unequal, Even in Death at the Huffington Post. Fan James' column!