Jada Walker, who currently serves as president of a political group in Arkansas, has served the gay community well over the years. She's also a good example that, yes, some gay people can be in relationships for more than a few years.

Jada is from Birmingham, Ala. She was born there and lived there most of her life.

“I went to college for many years, finally obtaining a masters degree in counseling at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jada said. I ‘came out' to myself and others when I was 30 years old. Like many of my generation, it took me a while to figure out that I was gay. I moved to Arkansas three years ago to work for the new College of Public Health at UAMS.

“ I manage health-related research projects. For example, my last job in Alabama was as Clinic Manager for the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) which was part of a national, multi-year study on women's diet, exercise, and health. See http://www.whi.org/ .  
“My job before that was to create a housing facility with support services, for persons with multiple diagnoses of HIV/AIDS, mental illness and/or substance addiction, who could not live independently. I worked for AIDS Alabama for three years to create this home, which has had hundreds of residents so far.

“My current projects are 1) childhood obesity (the effects of Arkansas legislative Act 1220, passed in 2003) in the school environment, ( http://www.uams.edu/coph/reports/ ) and 2) a statewide research-based tobacco cessation program that gives participants intensive treatment sessions to help them stop tobacco use ( http://www.uams.edu/coph/Tobacco/Clinics.asp ). I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do this kind of work that can help to improve the quality of life for other people.”

As mentioned above, Jada is an active member of the community.
“Before moving here, I was an active member of the Birmingham progressive communities for decades,” she said. “I am currently the president of the Arkansas chapter of the Stonewall Democratic Club (SDC) and I am chair of the UAMS Diversity Committee.

“The SDC meets every third Sunday at 3 p.m. at Democratic Headquarters in Little Rock. We are focusing activities on educational awareness, political action, and positive legislation for the GLBT community. See http://www.sdcar.org/ for more information and to join us.

“I'm also a member of a medical professionals group working to improve healthcare for the gay and lesbian community (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ArkHCPA/ ).”
We asked Jada if she had any advice for those who are trying to come out.

“Sure, lots. But handling coming out issues depends in large part on age and other factors. It is best to be prepared for the variety of reactions you may get from friends, family, co-workers, etc, and to have a support system in place as you widen the circle of ‘those who know'.

"Read, read, read because there are great resources available for every situation. One of my favorites is a book: ‘Coming Out : An Act of Love' by Rob Eichberg , PhD. And this organization, the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), is a leading advocate and educational site for transgender and gender identity resources. See http://www.ifge.org/ or phone: (781) 899-2212 or email: info@ifge.org .”

What do think will happen in the next few years as far as gay rights, gay marriage etc., are concerned, we asked?

“I think the social conservatives will try to distort ‘gay' anything to use as a political wedge issue, as they have in the recent past. We need to counteract that by being pro-active, better prepared and offering a clear positive message about our community. Are we ready to do that in the 2006 congressional election season? – No I don't think so.

“In the long view, I believe that recognition of the rights of gay persons is inevitable in this country. The US lags behind some other parts of the world in this regard, but we have made progress in my lifetime. I expect to see that continue, despite the shrill wailing of insecure theocrats who want to make the whole world be/look/act just like them.

“This country will continue with our “two steps forward, one step back” equality dance for some years to come. I believe that the struggle will be difficult but it will continue on. I prefer to live in a place (like a conservative state) where I feel that what I do personally matters in this struggle. By living my open, out and happy life, I can communicate to people the positive contributions that GLBT folks make. I guess I believe that I can change the world one person at a time; as each person I meet gets to know me, they can see that gay is not a bad thing.”

And then we asked about an ongoing problem in our community in regards to the in-fighting between groups.

“Of course, progressive groups often make our struggle for equality harder on ourselves because we don't always practice the tolerance that we promote,” Jada said. “Gay rights groups often seem to have ‘one-note' agendas and quickly fall apart due to unwillingness to stretch beyond that. When organizations and individuals fighting for equality, human rights, civil rights, workplace equity, gender equity, peace and justice find a way to respect one another, support one another and work together for the common good – we are that much closer to achieving all our goals.

“This country has allowed itself to become too divided; we need to recognize that nothing is simply ‘black or white', ‘good or evil'. If we can embrace the imperfections of others and recognize our commonalities, in the GLBT community as well as outside of it, then we can all grow.”

Profiles in Pride Questions:

Date and place of birth?
March 27, Birmingham, Ala.. I'm an Aries.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate & shrimp, but not at the same time

What food will you not eat?
Mushrooms!

What is the best job you've ever had?
My current job -Project manager at the COPH

What is your dream job?
To be ‘therapist on the beach' somewhere: massage therapy combined with counseling therapy, all in one!
“Become whole – rejuvenate mind, body and spirit, on the beach!”
If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time?
Volunteer

Who do you admire most (living or dead)?
My partner (of 14 years, so far…)

Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)?
Harlan Ellison, Caitlin Kiernan, Neil Gaiman & Maya Angelou (all writers)

Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
My grandmother, my partner and my former partner

What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time?
Hurt people that I love

What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time?
Taken better care of myself

What is your favorite word?
Sleep

Least favorite word?
Insulting slang for women (bitches, etc) and female body parts (you know what I mean)

Favorite curse word?
Hell, as in ‘what the hell were they thinking!?' I say that a lot.

What turns you on?
Intelligence and compassion

What turns you off?
Willful ignorance

What word would others use to describe you?
Bossy

What word sums you up?
Organized