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Sharing my thoughts on the recent events in Orlando is no small task... The era we live in is exponentially dynamic thanks to social media; however, there are unavoidable negative repercussions with posting every thought and idea that crosses one's consciousness. This is such a delicate topic, but it has been on my mind (and everyone's, no doubt), and I wish to write what I often cannot speak.
I am not a member of the LGBTQIA community, therefore I cannot speak as eloquently as someone who identifies as a member. I am a human, though, with real emotions, feeling real pain, and drowning in very real confusion. Some of the people which I hold nearest to my heart are under the beautiful LGBTQIA umbrella, and it breaks me to see such a loving community retreat to a state of terror. This is not to say every homosexual or transgender person is living in fear, of course; nevertheless, as a whole I see the inability of thousands of people to live a normal life. I see a community that is constantly threatened. I see an utter digression of human evolution, in a sense. A year ago, almost to-date, the country was painted rainbow in celebration of marriage legalization. Now we are mourning the loss of far too many brothers and sisters because evil has shown its face again.
Turning my thoughts into a political debate will benefit no one - there is enough of that out there if you should be so inclined to check it out. What I want to remind everyone of (myself included), is that living in fear is no longer an option. To live in fear is to admit defeat. The divisive idea of "us" and "them" is what is causing the deep-rooted fear so prevalent around the world. Instead, we must focus on what is lacking: darkness is not an entity in itself, but rather the result of an absence of light. Similarly, hatred is the absence of love and evil is the absence of a good heart. You cannot fight fire with fire, so why combat these brutalities with more negativity? Fill the void. Mourn, feel the emptiness, and allow yourself to wallow in pain - but get up, get going, and allow the sorrow to motivate yourself in spreading compassion. Be the love in a world surrounded with hate. Be the good heart so desperately sought after when evil is headlining the news. Be the light.
The LGBTQIA community is one rooted in love. I want to say I understand how angry everyone must be, but I do not. To say I comprehend the suffering would be ignorant - I have never been the minority, nor have I been the target of hatred based on any external factors. So why does my opinion hold any value? Well, maybe it doesn't. That's up to you. Let me ask you this, though... Where does this end?
The notion of a one-sided victory, or ANY victory, is outdated and unrealistic. Not only for LGBTQIA, but for every victimized group in the last century or two. Muslims, Christians, Civil Rights activists, women's suffrage advocates, the list goes on. For centuries the human race has channeled confusion into violence. For WHATEVER reason, there is a disconnect where there should be an acceptance. We may not understand this disconnect, but we sure as hell can not combat it with physical force.
It is encouraging to see so many ordinary people across the world taking action in these crisis situations. You do not need to be a politician, actor, or tv personality to make a difference. I had friends lining up in Orlando to donate blood for victims of the Pulse tragedy - the pictures posted made me cry. There IS compassion in the world. We belong to one human family. Regardless of who or what you think created the universe and the human spirit, we all come from the same place. I believe in an era of optimism - a future where people can feel safe stepping into their favorite nightclub. A future where there is no fear upon entering a place of worship. A future where the pigmentation of your skin does not lead others to think hateful thoughts. A future where news headlines display the work of good rather than evil. We have come a long way - but we have so very far to go.
Orlando is a *magical* place, to say the least. It is a city of diversity, acceptance, and passion. I have made the most genuine friendships of my life there because the environment is so open and progressive. Orlando, as a community, has been knocked down. There is an outpouring of sorrow and grief, as there should be... The difference lies in the strength of the residents - this is not a city that will stay down. I am proud to be moving to such an enchanting city. In the last 5 days, #WhyWeLoveOrlando, #OrlandoUnited, and #OrlandoStrong have made it into the most trended topics on Twitter. $4.7 million has been raised through a GoFundMe page supporting the victims and their families (check it out here). This city will not be oppressed. The LGBTQIA community will not be oppressed. The lovers of this world will never be oppressed because hatred is always inferior to love. With unapologetic tears in my eyes, I hope you find the deepest source of love in your heart, and share it with the world.
"Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away." -John Lennon
I am not a member of the LGBTQIA community, therefore I cannot speak as eloquently as someone who identifies as a member. I am a human, though, with real emotions, feeling real pain, and drowning in very real confusion. Some of the people which I hold nearest to my heart are under the beautiful LGBTQIA umbrella, and it breaks me to see such a loving community retreat to a state of terror. This is not to say every homosexual or transgender person is living in fear, of course; nevertheless, as a whole I see the inability of thousands of people to live a normal life. I see a community that is constantly threatened. I see an utter digression of human evolution, in a sense. A year ago, almost to-date, the country was painted rainbow in celebration of marriage legalization. Now we are mourning the loss of far too many brothers and sisters because evil has shown its face again.
Turning my thoughts into a political debate will benefit no one - there is enough of that out there if you should be so inclined to check it out. What I want to remind everyone of (myself included), is that living in fear is no longer an option. To live in fear is to admit defeat. The divisive idea of "us" and "them" is what is causing the deep-rooted fear so prevalent around the world. Instead, we must focus on what is lacking: darkness is not an entity in itself, but rather the result of an absence of light. Similarly, hatred is the absence of love and evil is the absence of a good heart. You cannot fight fire with fire, so why combat these brutalities with more negativity? Fill the void. Mourn, feel the emptiness, and allow yourself to wallow in pain - but get up, get going, and allow the sorrow to motivate yourself in spreading compassion. Be the love in a world surrounded with hate. Be the good heart so desperately sought after when evil is headlining the news. Be the light.
The LGBTQIA community is one rooted in love. I want to say I understand how angry everyone must be, but I do not. To say I comprehend the suffering would be ignorant - I have never been the minority, nor have I been the target of hatred based on any external factors. So why does my opinion hold any value? Well, maybe it doesn't. That's up to you. Let me ask you this, though... Where does this end?
The notion of a one-sided victory, or ANY victory, is outdated and unrealistic. Not only for LGBTQIA, but for every victimized group in the last century or two. Muslims, Christians, Civil Rights activists, women's suffrage advocates, the list goes on. For centuries the human race has channeled confusion into violence. For WHATEVER reason, there is a disconnect where there should be an acceptance. We may not understand this disconnect, but we sure as hell can not combat it with physical force.
It is encouraging to see so many ordinary people across the world taking action in these crisis situations. You do not need to be a politician, actor, or tv personality to make a difference. I had friends lining up in Orlando to donate blood for victims of the Pulse tragedy - the pictures posted made me cry. There IS compassion in the world. We belong to one human family. Regardless of who or what you think created the universe and the human spirit, we all come from the same place. I believe in an era of optimism - a future where people can feel safe stepping into their favorite nightclub. A future where there is no fear upon entering a place of worship. A future where the pigmentation of your skin does not lead others to think hateful thoughts. A future where news headlines display the work of good rather than evil. We have come a long way - but we have so very far to go.
Orlando is a *magical* place, to say the least. It is a city of diversity, acceptance, and passion. I have made the most genuine friendships of my life there because the environment is so open and progressive. Orlando, as a community, has been knocked down. There is an outpouring of sorrow and grief, as there should be... The difference lies in the strength of the residents - this is not a city that will stay down. I am proud to be moving to such an enchanting city. In the last 5 days, #WhyWeLoveOrlando, #OrlandoUnited, and #OrlandoStrong have made it into the most trended topics on Twitter. $4.7 million has been raised through a GoFundMe page supporting the victims and their families (check it out here). This city will not be oppressed. The LGBTQIA community will not be oppressed. The lovers of this world will never be oppressed because hatred is always inferior to love. With unapologetic tears in my eyes, I hope you find the deepest source of love in your heart, and share it with the world.
"Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away." -John Lennon