Last night, in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in United States’ history, at least 50 people were killed & another 53 injured in an Orlando gay night club.
Throughout the world, LGBTQI people & their allies celebrate June as Pride Month. It is a time to reflect on how far society has come towards accepting gay, lesbian, & transgender people – but even more importantly – an opportunity for each one of us to take a moment to be proud of who we are. We were born this way & we need to take the time to celebrate that fact without any shame.
Pride Month is also a time to consider how much farther we still have to go in educating the public about LGBTQI people.
Please take a moment today to think of those who were lost last night & for the families they left behind. Then, consider what you can do to help enlighten others about LGBTQI civil rights. Perhaps, you could stand up for a student you’ve seen picked on at school. Maybe, you could write a letter or make a phone call to an elected official about important legislation that affects the LGBTQI community at large. Or, simply give your son or daughter a big hug and tell them how proud you are of who they have become.
We are confident that the massacre in Orlando won’t send us back into our closets in fear; rather, it will rally & unify our community to continue our efforts for full LGBTQI equality. We hope that you’ll join us.
#onepulse