Nearly one year ago, this country finally allowed same-sex couples to legally get married in all states. That was a very important event in US history and a major progression toward equality for all. The LGBTQ community rejoiced as many people could finally have their same-sex relationships validated by the government. The country looked like it was moving in a great direction, recognizing that love is love no matter the gender. Now, only a few days ago, there was a massacre in Orlando. 49 people were killed on a night where they were just going out to have a good time. However, these 49 people were all going to the same gay nightclub this evening. Whether it was a terrorist attack or hate crime, this shooting targeted LGBTQ people and that needs to be recognized. This event terrified to our country, the LGBTQ community, and a threatened our work toward equality. Another news report from the LA Times hours after the Orlando attack unveiled that an Indiana man was found with assault weapons and chemicals that could be used for explosives in his car which was on the way to the Los Angeles Pride Festival. There was no evidence reported to say that the man was going to use these weapons at the festival, or that this was in any way related to the Orlando attack, but nonetheless it continues to instill fear on the people of this great nation.
As a member of the LGBTQ community, it is challenging to write this article with fear of what may happen going forward. I am lucky to have family that is supportive. I am lucky to live in a town and go to a school where people do not harbor hate for me in their hearts simply because of who I love. However, this does not mean that I am not still scared. There are pride festivals happening across the country this month in nearly every major city and people will choose not to go for fear of their safety. That is not the way that people should live. We live in the greatest country in the world. This is the land of the free. When we wake up in the morning we should be free to live our lives authentically to who we are. We should not fear that something bad will happen to us because others know who we truly are. We made great strides when we allowed same-sex couples to get married and we must continue to make great strides now when it seems as though we may be moving backward.
So, how do we recover from this? How do we stand together as a nation and support ALL of its people? First, I urge you to educate yourself on the LGBTQ community and what it means to be a part of it. For those who think it's a choice, I promise you that people do not choose to be bullied, threatened, harassed and even killed. I urge you to keep those families who lost loved ones in that Orlando shooting and those victims still recovering in your thoughts and prayers. I urge you to keep those people attending pride festivals in your cities in your thoughts and prayers. Most importantly, I urge you to recognize that love is love. You may not understand what loving someone the same-sex as you is like but most can understand what love is and everyone deserves the chance to feel that in their lives. One day you may have a son or daughter, brother or sister, grandson or granddaughter who is going to introduce you to their same-sex partner because they trust that you will love them for who they are. They trust that you will be happy that they are happy and they will need your support as they face misunderstanding people in their lives. One day your gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender family member is going to go out to a nightclub with their friends and you will pray that they are safe. You will pray that they have a good time. You will pray that they are not harmed because of who they are. Love is love.
