Never before have I been affected at all by the horrible act of mankind. I was young when the planes hit the twin towers. Sandy Hook, while only 1 state away, just wasn’t on my mind. Paris was so far away, and Belgium happened after I lost my job at the airport. Now there is Orlando, a deranged gunman walked into a gay nightclub with a legally purchased AR-15 and high capacity magazines and opened fire, killing or injuring over 100 people. I don’t live near Orlando, or even Florida. I live in Massachusetts, a state that has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBT rights, and has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation. I am lucky to live in a northern liberal state.
You might be wondering, well if you are so far away from the violence, and in a state like yours, what has it affecting you where nothing else has yet? The answer is that I am gay and I use social media. I know it isn’t really a surprise to anyone, but that is why it is affecting me.
On Facebook I have a diverse group of friends, at least one from just about every point on the political and ideological spectrum. I am lucky to not have seen any posts praising the horrible act, but arguably I have seen just as bad. I have seen people demonizing every group and opposition group somehow related (however loosely) to this horrible act. Democrats, Republicans, Muslims, Christians, gun control advocates, and gun rights advocates.
I realize that everything that happens on this planet has some sort of political significance, but lets be civil about addressing the issues around these issues.Homophobia, gun control, and religious extremism are all real and valid issues, but lets not demonize whole groups of people based on the actions of one man.
This is the first time a national atrocity has legitimately left me with a heavy heart. Something not helped by those in the public and in media using it to their benefit, or to push an agenda. I guess cause I am a recently married gay man, the issue of homophobia, the need and purpose of this month (pride month), and the issue of my own LGBT rights are all the more real, and tangible.
I don’t pray, as I am not religious, but the families and victims of this horrible act are in my thoughts. I sincerely hope they have the strength to get through this terrible time.
