I Am Pulse/We Are Orlando

Families of Victims: 
Central spot for information and help:
Hampton Inn 43 Columbia St. (right across from ORMC) 
Official Help line number: 407-246-4357.
Counseling for the families at the Hamptons 
and going forward at Orlando UU Church.
(Information posted via seminary classmate 6/12/16)

Photo Credit: Melissa Etheridge Mentors America

I had a different idea for my first official blog post on this website. It was not supposed to be this kind of post. It never is. However, that isn't what happened. The massacre in Orlando is on my mind and heart--along with my whole community. 

I'm still in shock so the words aren't going to come out smoothly. My emotions are raw and spilling out all over the place. What I realize is that it could've been me in that bar that night. Everyone in the queer community is aware of this. Everyone.  

---

---

I attended three vigils in Lansing on Sunday, June 12th.
​I felt compelled to be at each venue.
I'm sharing my reflections from each one with a slideshow of lanterns at the bottom.
Not sure what I hope to gain from this--maybe just a place to share my thoughts.
​There is also a call to action below the slideshow.

---

State Capitol Building: Lansing, Michigan

The Rock at Michigan State University

50 Lanterns in memory of the lost lives: Spiral Dance Bar

 The Lansing Association of Human Rights (LAHR) hosted the candlelight vigil at the State Capitol Building. It was a moving event beginning with the cast of "Rent" (from local theater production) to come sing, "Seasons of Love" which brought everyone to tears if--we weren't already crying. We heard from Mayor Virg Bernero, the director of LAHR, and then Rev. Nicolette Siragusa led the spiritual portion ending in prayer and silence. There was hugging, checking in with each other, and making sure people were getting the care they needed. This is the heart of the community which can't be destroyed--as fragile as it is. 

Photo Credit: LAHR

The haters want us to be divided but we won't be. We refuse to be. They don't understand what family of choice means: togetherness. The opposition would like to see us at odds with one another. What they probably weren't expecting were representatives from the local Islamic community to be at the vigil--but they were. The opposition doesn't understand what it takes to build community, only how to destroy.

I headed over to the campus of Michigan State University where folks were gathering at The Rock. It's a place on campus where a whole host of organizations have painted the famous symbol for a wide variety of causes and events. Student leaders from the Academic Orientation Program (AOP), beginning on June 13th, typically paint The Rock the night before orientation begins. This meant that The Rock was already "reserved." However, staff from the LBGT Resource Center worked with these student leaders to create the memorial pictured above. It was a beautiful collaboration of organizations with a common goal: to mark this time in history. I'm sure it looked different from what they imagined they would be painting and they will be different due to this experience. There is beauty in that.

For the vigil, the leadership team of the LBGT Resource Center, school administrators, and students shared their voices in speaking truth to what creates such horrific and violent events, their experiences, and the exhaustion from having to continue to gather due to crises and chaos.

Photo Credit: Sarah Hoyt Courtney/Spiral

The final vigil I attended was at Spiral Dance Bar in the Old Town section of Lansing. The event planned at this venue was to release 50 lanterns in memory of the lives lost in Orlando. It was more emotional than I anticipated, given that I was walking into a gay bar--the venue where lives were lost during the tragedy. However, I knew that many people could not do this for a variety of reasons and so I strengthened my resolve to continue. I ran into familiar faces and that was comforting. 

​We all stood silent watching the lights go up in the sky. I stayed a while to watch the drag show as I knew one of the queens personally. When all was said and done--I was wrung out! Maybe there is more to say but I just can't find the words right now. In the mean time, I will be focusing on gathering people together and working on this thing called love--which is a work in progress for me...

---

What can we do?

 Sign the petition to ban assault rifles here.
Find your Senator here.
Find your Representative here.
Tips for talking to legislators here.