I’m still reeling from the news in Orlando that a devastating decision led to the worst tragedy since 9-11. Someone, fueled by justification and hatred, deemed that the lives of over 100 people no longer mattered. The victims were people out on the town, enjoying music and friendship, when this stranger burst in and brutally murdered 49, wounded 53, and altered the lives of the survivors and loved ones forever.
Sadly, the LGBTQIA community is no stranger to violence. Paul Brussard (killed by 10 men in Houston), Matthew Shepard (tricked, beaten, and left to die in Laramie, W), Harvey Milk (shot in California) are just a few of a long list of hate crimes. And the transgender community has so many murders each year that they have created “The Day of Remembrance” to annually honor their deceased brothers and sisters. As we come up on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to allow same sex marriage in all fifty states, this recent atrocity is just one more reminder that we still have so far to go before the community can ever feel safe, let alone accepted.
I hope that one day, diversity does not mean different or dangerous. Where unfamiliar is no longer frightening but is approached with openness and warmth. For no matter our uniqueness, we are all part of one race- the human race. We are all part of the same family. We should celebrate those who are bravely trying to live authentically, and cease turning the one you love into an issue.
We now must make a choice- do we now use recent events to fuel our hatred for the Muslim community? Do we allow ourselves dangerous permission to dehumanize other people so it is gets easier to be cruel and inhumane? Do we support institutions or doctrines that teach us that one group of people is better than another? We must stop the contagious hate that is like a cancer. We must stop waiting for others to take the lead and instead practice each day to work against bigotry and prejudice. Finally, we must show solidarity with those who have been brutalized. Please, consider making a financial contribution to a place dedicated to being a loving force to our traumatized brethren or to those organizations working to eradicate hate.
Meanwhile, may this tragedy offer us the opportunity to change. May it bring us together, instead of apart. May we take the challenge to make this world a safer and kinder place for all to live in.
Donation Suggestions:
- https://www.donationplanet.org/fundraising/donate-to-orlando-shooting-victims-families/
- Donate blood at your local blood center since there is a significant drop in donations during summer months. http://bonfils.org/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw-YO7BRDwi6Stp7T296ABEiQAD6iWMeHXUpxfSA9XKay9Gmm_Jjz8KZw5xKaPfr9-EVGJq64aAqOA8P8HAQ
- Equality Florida Instituteis raising money for the victims. The charity says that it is “working with a team of attorneys and experts, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, which deployed funds in both Chattanooga and Aurora, to ensure funds are distributed correctly.”
- There are also highly rated charities listed on their website: charitynavigator.org
Resources: