Hillary Clinton said today that “Hate has absolutely no place in America.” I appreciate the sentiment, but sadly, she’s demonstrably wrong about that.
I woke up this morning to news of the shooting in Florida. At that point, they were reporting 20 dead, and 40 or more injured, and saying it was among the worst mass shootings in US history. I didn’t even register that it was a gay club right away.
I made coffee and cooked apple-cinnamon pancakes for my daughter. She asked for them last night, and I am so thankful that on Saturday night, she was home requesting apple-cinnamon pancakes for breakfast.
After breakfast, we went to the local farmer’s market. Around the corner, there was some low-key Pride-related stuff happening. There were a few vendors, some information booths, a bouncy castle. It was early – it may have become less low-key as the day progressed.
At one booth, they were registering people to vote – Democrat of course. Another had some information on LGBT safe spaces. I’ve seen a handful of safe space stickers in shop windows around town. It’s kinda cool to see that out in the country.
Leaving the farmer’s market, I saw two young men walking casually down the street holding hands. No one seemed to notice them. It’s nice to live in a safe space.
Back home, I heard the death toll was at 50, making this the worst mass shooting in US history. The shooter’s father said it’s not about religion – his son was upset about seeing 2 men kissing a few months ago. So upset by two men kissing that he stewed on it for months and planned a mass murder of gay people.
Then I heard that the killer had been investigated twice by the FBI for possible ties to ISIS. Donald Trump crowed about being right about terrorist attacks. Some asshat in Texas tweeted a bible verse about reaping what you sow.
I am Pulse and I am Orlando started showing up as Facebook profiles to show solidarity with and support for the victims and the community. I vented my spleen about how a terror suspect can obtain assault weapons, but gay men can’t give blood.
Gay men can’t give blood. Like I’m talking about someone else. Old habits die hard.
I took my daughter out to lunch. We went to an antique store. Ran a few errands.
In LA, police arrested a man with assault weapons, and possibly explosives, on his way to the Pride parade.
We made dinner together and watched kids cooking competitions on the Food Network. And I tried to pretend that I’m not seething with anger and fear.
Unfortunately, hate is all too common in America today. Today ISIS claimed responsibility for a mass killing of gay people. American Christians, some of them elected officials, have been calling for gay people to be put to death for years – 51 that I’ve been around for.
But today, I saw two young men walking down the street hand-in-hand and no one cared. And I’m going to try to stay focused on that.
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