To the people of Orlando,
Firstly, I would like to start this piece by offering my deepest condolences to Christina Grimmie and her family, the families of those that we lost, the people who were injured and the families of those injured, along with the community of Orlando, FL.
The weekend ending on Sunday, June 12, 2016 was a horrible weekend for the city of Orlando. Season six of "The Voice" star Christine Grimmie was shot and killed on Friday by what is believed to be a deranged fan. Grimmie, part of the team belonging to Maroon 5's Adam Levine, was outside signing autographs and selling merchandise after her show. On Friday, June 10th Christina Grimmie was shot by 27-year-old Kevin James Loibl. She passed away on Saturday, June 11th. Her funeral, which was paid for by Christina's former coach and close friend Adam Levine, was held on June 16th.
To Christina, her family, friends, Adam Levine, "The Voice" cast and crew and Christina's fans, I give you all my hand and hugs in this horrible time. Your loss is tragic and Christina's smile, love, personality, voice and legacy will be remembered forever. Christina, fly high and sing loud baby girl. We love and miss you!
Around 2:00 in the morning on Sunday, Pulse Night Club, a gay night club in Orlando, FL was under attack. Omar Mateen entered Pulse Night Club with a Sig Saur MCX to brutally murder 49 people and injure over 50 others. Why? Because of who they were.
This isn't being written to be a news report, or put blame on anyone. It's for the victims and their families.
To the people that were injured and their families, I offer you a speedy recovery, my deepest sympathy and all of the good thoughts and vibes I can offer. What happened to you was a senseless crime, because of who you are. Guess what. What he did to you, while I'm sure it has instilled fear and it may or may not have made you wary of public places, you should never, ever, ever stop being who you are. While you sit in a hospital room, or your house, or a friend or a family member's house, I beg you don't forget who you are and don't forget that no matter what ANYONE says: you belong.
Niall Horan from One Direction wrote their song "Don't Forget Where You Belong." That song stands out to me in this sense. You all, as members of the LGBT community DO belong. You have a home, you always will. You have people that love you and they always will. You belong, you ALWAYS will, and nothing will ever change that. The proof, is not only in my words, in the song, but in the words of the people who love you so much, love your bravery so much, and love everything about you, whether they know you or not.
"Don't forget where you belong, don't. If you ever feel alone, don't. You are never on your own and the proof is in this song."
To the families of the ones who are injured, I'm sure you are all just as strong as the victims. You had that horrible moment of the unknown waiting to hear from the ones you love. Now, after the fact, you have to put the broken pieces back together. First it was having to see your loved ones in that state, now it is the recovery process, still the unknown. Tomorrow, or the day after that, or the next day, or infinite days after that, the PTSD may or may not set in. After this, it could be a struggle for your loved ones to get back on their feet and continue on with their day-to-day lives. It could take a day, a week, a month, a year or numerous years. But you, the families who had to sit there wondering and now have to watch your loved ones and heal not only physically and mentally heal themselves, are a special kind of brave. You also, all of you, those wounded and their loved ones, have my kind thoughts, good vibes and my deepest sympathy in this terrifying time.
I'll flat out say it, I'm not a religious person. Not at all. I believe in God and that the Lord is our higher power. While I believe in God, I'm not one to pray. But to those 49 people who were taken from us way too soon, I ask God every night that you are all taken care of. What happened to you was unimaginable. You did NOT deserve what happened to you. Your senseless murders were a hate crime and that, that is what breaks my heart. Just because you love someone of the same gender, or are transgender or support LBGT rights does NOT mean you deserve to have your life taken away from you. It was not fair, it just wasn't.
You were someone's mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife. You were something to someone. So many people loved you and a violent act of hate took that away. You didn't deserve to have your life taken from you in such a violent and horrifying manner. You did not deserve to have your life taken from you because some jerk didn't like how you found happiness.
I don't know your names. I'm not sure I want to know your names. I don't know if I could handle knowing your names, thinking of them and crying even more because I know your names. I know you were people, people that I didn't know but loved all the same. Love is love and you should have never had this happen to you. I'm thinking of all 49 of you as you lay rested, free from this cruel, cruel world. Rest easy and fly high you beautiful souls. I love you all so much.
To the loved ones of those lost in Orlando. I cannot imagine the pain, horror and questions in your life right now. You had your loved ones taken away from you in the most brutal manner. Some crazy man, with hate in his life, took the life from one of your loved ones. I can't fathom how you are doing right now. I just hope that you know that the killer of your children, parents, significant other, friends, loved ones, is not here to torture anyone else.
Having to bury your loved ones is one of the most horrible experiences there is. Especially when it was an act of hate and violence like your family and friends had to leave us. They were people, just like me as I type my heart into this, just like Dylan McIlrath from the New York Rangers sits at home with his girlfriend preparing for next season, just like the girl at the aquarium who taught me about the penguins. People are people no matter who they are, what their sexuality is, who they date. You loved your loved ones for who they were, no matter what.
I'm deeply, deeply sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you all as funerals are held for your loved ones. If I could attend, I would, just to tell you that I'm here for you, I love you and that while it doesn't seem like it, it will be okay. May peace re-enter your lives after this troubled time and may the souls of your loved ones rest in peace. My love, heart, good vibes and thoughts go to you in this time of need.
I would like to say a quick thank you to the rescuers of the Orlando shooting, whether you were on the streets when it happened, in the club and helped people escape, EMT/EMS workers, police officers, firemen and women, FBI workers, along with anyone else involved in the rescue of these innocent people. Thank you, for doing your best to make sure that these people who were injured got the help they needed, and help those that were fallen transition into a life where they no longer have to worry anymore. Thank you for keeping them safe after tragedy.
To the city of Orlando, FL, I offer you all my condolences. You live in a beautiful city despite tragedy. These events struck your city in the most terrifying manner, one after the other. You live in a strong city, closely knit and always friendly. You are not alone in this time. We stand with Orlando. I stand with Orlando.
Love Always,
Someone Who Will Always Be With You
