#pulseorlando

At first I felt wrong about posting this picture. Lane looks *too* happy. 49 people were killed, and countless others wounded both physically and emotionally right here at this place. We should be somber, I thought. It’s too soon. I don’t want to seem disrespectful. But then it dawned on me. Lane was experiencing Pulse when this picture was taken this morning. She was dancing and being herself. She was happy to be there and she felt comfortable to smile and play and twirl. That’s what Pulse was built for. That’s what it continues to stand for. It’s a place where it’s safe to be who you are. To dance and feel free. To show love and spread love and BE Loved. The spirit of those beautiful souls that left us one year ago were embracing her today. Introducing her to their beloved club where a piece of them will forever dwell. Inviting her to dance with them and feel the love all around all of us. That sign in the background now represents so much. It represents love and strength and resilience. It represents pride in who you are-just as you are. As we were leaving, Lane bounced down the sidewalk smiling and said “Mom! I’ve had the best day today!” I feel like that’s how Pulse nightclub used to make its patrons feel. That’s what it was built for and that’s how I hope it continues to live in people’s hearts.

On this one year anniversary of the Pulse Orlando tragedy where 49 innocent people (primarily queer people of color) were murdered, honor their lives by continuing to fight like hell for the millions of LGBTQ people that are still not safe in this world & are murdered for simply existing. Don’t allow Orlando to ever be forgotten. Don’t allow any queer or transgender life to ever be forgotten.

Straight allies, stfu and listen to queer & trans people. Don’t just pray, take action! Don’t be afraid to call people out - showing solidarity is not supposed to be easy or comfortable but is necessary under a homophobic, transphobic, white supremacist police state.

And don’t fucking believe for one second that the people in power give two shits about queer and trans lives. The majority of them are responsible for fueling anti- LGBT sentiment. Also don’t think we forgot about the fact that the piece of shit scumbag president Trump used the Orlando tragedy to promote islamaphobia and gain votes.

It is easier for Trump & other republicans to blame Muslims than to face America’s indifference to violence. Their homophobia encourages hate crimes as these every single day. They didn’t pull the trigger but the blood is still on their hands.

Our silence is complacency and we must recognize that our silence is a matter of life and death.

We should mourn the dead but also not forget to fight like hell for the living.

Our actual tribute in the pages of the #Pride2021 issue of #TheRainbowTimes — and a special mention to a former team member: KJ Morris, who was one of the 49 taken too soon on that dreadful night/morning.

#kjmorris #pulseorlando #pulse #pulsenightclub #prideseason #lgbtqally #lgbtqiaplus #lgbtqpride #lgbtqpride #lgbt #lgbtqplus #instapride #pridegram #forthe49 #pulse49tribute #pulsefiveyearslater #pulselatinx #BIPOC (at Boston, Massachusetts)
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