LGBTQI+ Solidarity with Orlando (Safe Space Thread)

When I was in college I ran the Pride Centre and resource office for students. I wanted to create a safe place for some of the LGBTQI+ members of this board to come together to talk about our feelings and thoughts surrounding the tragic deaths in Orlando. This has greatly impacted our community and will for a long time afterwards. I think it is important for us to have support during this and to know that we are not alone in our mourning and grieving.

Please, try to be respectful of the thread. Don't engage members that are insincere or attempting to bait us in their posts.

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Yesterday, I didn't overtly react much to the news. I'm pretty sure I was in shock. I streamed CNN and scrubbed my place clean 'cause I couldn't stand to be idle.

Today, I feel like I'm not coping at all. I started to read through the released names and short bios of the victims and started to cry. I didn't realize how young so many were. The one that got me the hardest was Eddie Justice and his text "Mommy I love you". No parent should have to go through that.

My heart goes out to these people and their families. So tragic, so very heartbreaking.

I think making this tragedy about being gay or feeling because of your sexual orientation you need any extra support compared to other Americans is exclusionary and wrong.

Gay people are just people and a good way for you to highlight that to all the haters out there is by standing united with your countrymen and not feeding into the "were seperate and special" thought mode that everyone seems to do these days.

Its time for unity

a reply to: IkNOwSTuff

Allies are welcome to join the conversation/express their grief.

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
I think making this tragedy about being gay or feeling because of your sexual orientation you need any extra support compared to other Americans is exclusionary and wrong.

Gay people are just people and a good way for you to highlight that to all the haters out there is by standing united with your countrymen and not feeding into the "were seperate and special" thought mode that everyone seems to do these days.

Its time for unity

Nobody asked for your support.

In fact, the only thing asked of you was to not crap on this thread. You couldn't even give him that.

a reply to: IkNOwSTuff

Well, when I find the quote, I'll post but...LGBT face a lot of bull#. These clubs are one of the few places they can go for total acceptance and understanding.

As an example, look at how you have already tried to jack this thread.

edit to add:

www.huffingtonpost.com...

I feel heartbreak and anger.

Heartbreak because it was a senseless loss.

Heartbreak because straight people died too. A mother of 11 who took her son there for his first time to make sure he stayed safe died, a father of three was there too. And these are just two of the over 50 slain.

Heartbreak because of all the gay deaths, including someone who was becoming very special to me.

Anger because some Christians are rejoicing in what was a Muslim terrorist attack.

Anger because bigotry is still considered freedom of speech and some people view us as problems, not people.

a reply to: MonkeyFishFrog

monkeyfishfrog,,thanks for making this thread...I am so sorry and so sad this happened....a terrorist attack...on AMERICANS...as Americans we need to stand together united and show support....(((((((((((hugs)))))))))) ......who in America will be the next target

a reply to: markosity1973

I am so so sorry for your loss. I have no words to express how much I feel for you right now.

originally posted by: Abysha

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
I think making this tragedy about being gay or feeling because of your sexual orientation you need any extra support compared to other Americans is exclusionary and wrong.

Gay people are just people and a good way for you to highlight that to all the haters out there is by standing united with your countrymen and not feeding into the "were seperate and special" thought mode that everyone seems to do these days.

Its time for unity

Nobody asked for your support.

In fact, the only thing asked of you was to not crap on this thread. You couldn't even give him that.

Sincere apologies

I actually thought it was a positive message.

a reply to: HoldMyBeer

apparently not,

this is why choose not to pack my self into a building elbow to elbow in a den a squaller and despair. I tend to find the dive bars of squaller and despair( were i can be free of constant touching and trying to get by people), and make sure i stay safe. people call this a sactuary for lgbq, this a a club just like any other club, shady # goes down and people get hurt.

drugs and alcohol and larger amounts of people will end in violence eventually no matter what orientation.

i just wish there were less gun laws some could of ended him fairly quickly and saved some lives, # even if knifes were allowd in clubs some one could have at least tried to kill the dude

i

originally posted by: research100
a reply to: MonkeyFishFrog
......who in America will be the next target

Exactly.

The Christians celebrating the event are both nasty, nasty people and complete fools.

They obviously do not realize that ISIS crucifies Christians in Syria and Iraq.

Nobody who loves and believes in freedom and equality is off the list of ISIS targets. It is only unity and love for one another that can overcome their evil.

a reply to: MonkeyFishFrog

Yeah, I'm pretty upset.

We had even talked of marriage and bringing him down under to live at the end of the year.

originally posted by: Abysha

originally posted by: IkNOwSTuff
I think making this tragedy about being gay or feeling because of your sexual orientation you need any extra support compared to other Americans is exclusionary and wrong.

Gay people are just people and a good way for you to highlight that to all the haters out there is by standing united with your countrymen and not feeding into the "were seperate and special" thought mode that everyone seems to do these days.

Its time for unity

Nobody asked for your support.

In fact, the only thing asked of you was to not crap on this thread. You couldn't even give him that.

That's funny, I see nothing that equates to "crapping all over this thread"....

A "safe space", here, on ATS?

You know....for all the reasons I come here....a "safe space" ? Is not one of them.

Why is one so sorely needed? Why not simply say that you stand against the violence and hatred?

Makes me wonder if disney forums have had "safe space" threads started there as well.

a reply to: IkNOwSTuff
From a 50+ caucasian straight Georgia redneck hillbilly
Best post I have read so far (one among lots of good posts here)
I hope you get an applause for your post
It is time to lay everything aside , and stop this madness

My heart and blessings go out to everyone touched by this -- from near or afar. This is a tragedy that most of us just cannot wrap our heads around... and most of us can only imagine in horror the fear and terror of those in the club... but we all know the fear and pain of seeing someone we love hurt... and the profound grief of losing someone we love.

I hope this thread can be a comfort -- even a catharsis of sorts -- for those hurting.

a reply to: MonkeyFishFrog

Jesus Christ, some of you guys are just insane.

If the largest mass shooting in America just happened tonight and the victims were, say... Jews, don't you think it would be okay for there to be a thread for Jewish members to participate in and expect some modicum of respect and feel free from scrutiny?

I would proudly jump into that thread and give my condolences and leave. I would NOT tell them that they don't need solidarity with one another or the benefit of group healing.

Good lord, show some respect, people.

a reply to: nullafides

I know this seems odd. Especially on a website like this. But some of us on the board need a place to just simply grieve without judgement.

a reply to: markosity1973

I'm so very sorry for your personal loss and grief. Big warm hugs for you.