The Orlando mass shooting happened yesterday. A devastating event that will forever be remembered. It's turned into a political debate. It's turned into a conversation about the gunman. I am choosing not to do that. I'm choosing not to make this a post of hate. I'm choosing not to make this a post of judgement. I want to go a different route.
I also don't want to focus on the LGBT aspect of this. I am devastated that this crime was committed in hatred of who someone chooses to love. The fact remains, though, that these individuals were so much more than sexual orientation. They had families and friends. Some of them had children. They had careers. They had accomplishments. They weren't just one small piece of the puzzle. They were people. During their lives, they didn't want to be judged by who they loved. Their lives matter not just because of one aspect but because of every aspect of who they were.
I don't want to place the focus on the firearm. Politicians are attacking from every angle on this but, in the end, it's not the gun that took these precious lives. It's not about gun control or gun laws or anything else. It's about something bigger....respect for human life. It's not whether or not he could access a gun; it's whether or not he chose to use that gun for the purpose that he did. He had no regard for their lives and it nauseates me to my core.
I don't want to focus on the ideology. This individual pledged allegiance to a terrorist group. For me, it's not about his religion. It never has been for me. Again, for me, this comes down to respect for human life. This man was born in our country, where we are blessed with the freedom to choose whatever religion we desire. We are blessed with the freedom to speak freely. We are blessed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I'm just devastated that this man chose to end others' lives when exercising his freedom (in the most illegal way possible).
My desire, in all of this, is to remember the victims and to honor them. To each of the friends and families of those lives taken, I send my thoughts and prayers. To the LGBT community and the community around the venue, I am so sorry for your losses. To our country and those that fight for he freedom of choice, this is a terrible loss but we must keep up this fight.
Do not let your hearts be hardened by this. Do not allow this individual to spread his hatred. Do not allow his cause to shine through in this. Remember these individuals and honor them. Honor them with your own good deeds. Honor them as you pay it forward. Honor them as you fight for the freedom of every citizen of our country. Honor them as you walk about your daily life and debate but accept other's different opinions. Honor them as you do what this individual didn't do....respect life and celebrate individuality.
My condolences go out to these families. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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