Orlando Shooting Proves Fight For LGBTQ+ Rights Is Far, Far From Over

This morning, I was beyond disheartened to hear about the tragedy that took place in Orlando, Florida at Pulse Orlando last night, less than a year since the historic ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26th, 2015.

Fifty casualties and fifty-three more hospitalized. The deadliest mass shooting in American history. At a gay club. During Pride weekend. This is no coincidence, ladies and gentlemen. We are still targets.

The deadliest mass shooting in American history, as of this morning, is a targeted attack on the LGBTQ community.

This country needs to get a grip on reality and understand that we have not progressed for LGBTQ men, women, and non-binary folks nearly as much as we would like to believe. Trans people (especially trans women and trans women of color) are being murdered at an unfathomable rate, between 20% and 40% of the 1.6 million homeless youth in this country identify as LGBTQ, and LGBTQ men are still unable to donate blood when our own brothers and sisters need it most.

Between the mass shooting that transpired last night and the unfortunate tragedy of Joey LaBute in Columbus recently, I’m sick to my stomach and scared for my people. At this point, I’m not sure if I want to know how many more bodies there needs to be for our country to make swift, sustainable change to curb gun violence as well as the disproportionate gun violence towards marginalized people. For too long has our country turned a blind eye to the relentless attacks on members of the LGBTQ community for centuries, and we cannot afford to waste another minute brushing it off of our shoulders.

At the very fucking least, I want to be able to go to a gay bar, one of the few spaces we have left for us, without the worry that I might not make it back home alive.

Stop killing us.