While New York state is progressing in the gay rights movement, it seems Arkansas has fallen behind.

Terence James was devastated after his life partner of 10 years, John Millican, passed away -- but he hasn't even had a chance to mourn yet because when his local Arkansas newspaper purposely omitted his name from Millican's obituary, it left him heartbroken all over again.

“Losing John alone was devastating and unexpected and sort of brought me to a different realm of existence," James told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview.