Originally posted 16th June 2016
I think it’s safe to say I’m late with this post, but I wanted to say something and I want to ensure I get my message across as clearly as possible.
The problem I’ve been having is that there are no words to describe what happened in Orlando that night. I could use heinous, monstrous or horrific however, none of those words even come close to expressing the anger and sadness I feel about what took place.
It’s an overused phrase, but we live in 2016.
2016 and there is still discrimination and hate against so many people, in this case the LGBTQ+ community and my question is: Why?
Why must we live in a world of hate? Why must that hate manifest and escalate into ending the lives of 49 people and the injury of so many more? It’s something I cannot comprehend. Heterosexual; Homosexual; Bisexual; Transgender; Queer; Asexual; Intersex – Does it matter? First and foremost we are all human beings.
I’ve seen a lot of people comment on gun laws and politics and how they can’t change their laws surrounding them, or they just don’t want to because it’s their apparent right to own one.
I don’t know whether it makes them feel powerful or protected but that just sounds like excuses. It’s not powerful, it’s weak. It doesn’t protect you, it kills you.
Is it wrong to one day hope that we can live in a world without hate or discrimination? When will a persons right to live means more than a persons right to own a gun?
This shouldn’t be about politics, this should be about coming together and trying to make a change, make a difference to try and stop something like this happening again. Because a change is seriously needed.
We all have dreams, goals and desires. We all want love or success, or family or friends. We are all very different and unique but instead of hating each other because you perceive it as wrong, why not love each other? Because truly there’s nothing ‘wrong’ at all.
It’s part of life that unfortunately people die every day, what shouldn’t be part of life is that a person’s life is cut short too early in an act that wasn’t at all necessary. The fact is that 49 people will not live the rest of their lives. Their hopes and ambitions all stopped cold because of one person’s intolerance.
I am aware that this probably sounds like the ramblings of a naive 22 year old girl, and maybe you’re right. However, these are my opinions and, I’ve said it once but I’ll say it again, Love is Love and that is that. It shouldn’t have to be explained or justified. Love is a beautiful thing and it’s for everyone.
Since what happened there seems to have been so much support from around the world. So much love. It doesn’t change what happened however, I hope it shows people within the LGBTQ+ community that they do not have to stand alone. Thousands of people, regardless of their sexual orientation, stand with you. I stand with you.
