It was 1:17 p.m. on Monday, the 13th of June. I had just walked out of the Liberty Bell National Park in Philadelphia, and one of my college soccer teammates from Orlando texted me saying "MEGGG One of our night clubs in Orlando, got shot up." I read it, processed it, and replied within a matter of seconds, immediately praying she was OK, and none of her family members or friends were harmed. After learning more about the shooting, that it was considered an act of terror and that it targeted the LGBT community, I was overwhelmed, but only for those few minutes while I replied to my teammate's texts and read the details on my iPhone. However, the minute I put my phone down, my life went back to being a tourist in Philadelphia with my family.
It wasn't until I logged onto Facebook later that evening that my news feed overflowed with videos, articles, and comments. I spent most of my time reading the comments. Many were loving and sending prayers and well wishes to the victims and their families. Those weren't the comments that stuck out to me though, the comments that caught my eye were the hateful ones. Those were the comments that struck me. Some were indifferent to the situation and some seemed to believe that it was a "blessing" that the shooting took place. The worst part was, people that called themselves Christians were saying these things.
As a Christian, I want to make one thing straight: We don't hate gays. Crazy, huh? The media may tell you otherwise, but we don't -- or we shouldn't. We aren't called to judge, hate, and discriminate, we are strictly and simply called to love. That's it. So Christians, listen up, let's live the life we are called to. The one we spend Sunday mornings learning about and growing in. The one that demands us to be selfless, charitable, kind, and loving.
To the LGBT community, I'm sorry. I'm sorry the group of people that are called to be the most comforting and loving in a situation like this are turning their backs or showing hate. I'm sorry this happened to you and that you were a target. I'm sorry some even consider you as less than human. As if "gay" is some inadequate species. Please know you are human, you are important, and you are loved. Not just by friends and family, but by your Creator Himself.
Lastly, to society and the media as a whole; who cares if the victims were white, black, gay, straight, men or women? They were all humans regardless. They were all a sister, brother, cousin, mom, dad, or friend. They all were irreplaceable and now their gifts and talents are lost to the world. So, put aside your beliefs and opinions for a few seconds and imagine walking into a room filled with 100 friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members -- and then 50 of them dying. That's exactly what happened in Orlando on June 12, 2016 and that, in itself, is worth our love and prayers.
