It started last summer. A thick blanket of humidity covered New York City. The war in Iraq carried on. President Bush was nearing the end of his eight-year reign. America was ready for its next chapter. With all of the elements aligned, a raucous musical sprouted up in the middle of Central Park. It aimed to celebrate life and provide a rallying cry for change. A free production, presented by the Public Theater, played to anyone willing to wait in line. The show was Hair. Everyone was welcome.

Equality is a key message running throughout Hair, the 1967 musical that originally forced people to look at so-called “hippies,” not with disdain or fear but with understanding. While the days of the original Haight-Ashbury culture is gone, Hair remains culturally relevant. And now it’s another alternative lifestyle that has found meaning in the period piece.

Hair has become a champion for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. LGBT people are demanding equality. California is currently under pressure to overturn Proposition 8, a measure banning gays from marrying in the state. Meanwhile, this year has seen some gay rights progress in New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut and Maine. Former President Bill Clinton has now voiced support for same-sex marriage. And now Hair is doing the same.

… More