I first wrote this in 2016, shortly after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 mostly Latine, LGBTQ young people. Seven years later, I am reposting it as a reminder to remember, to teach, and to act.
I wrote this last year for my newspaper column, shortly after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that killed 49 mostly LatinX, LGBTQ young people. One year later, to #HonorThemWithAction, I thought I should post it here.
When I learned of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, my own son was in elementary school, and I was shaken to the core. He is in middle school now, and the Orlando massacre has shaken me again. The victims this time were not young children—but they were all someone’s children.
I spent the weekend with other journalists at the LGBT Media Journalists Convening in Orlando, Florida. While the entire time was filled with learning and networking (and a dose of fun), the most moving part was visiting the Pulse nightclub, site of last year’s tragic shooting. It reminded me of why I write.
Today’s post is a guest piece by Nadine Smith, co-founder and CEO of Equality Florida, the state’s largest organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. She is also a mother—and while she doesn’t speak explicitly about parenthood here, she speaks to a topic that many of us parents (among others) are thinking about these days.
Here are a few stories I haven’t covered on my blog yet. Pull up a cup of coffee (or an icy beverage, if the weather’s like it is near me) and enjoy.
On Tuesday, I wrote of talking with my son and other children about the Orlando massacre. Here are a few similar pieces by others. Would that we never had to write them.
At least six of the people killed in the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando were parents, most of whom left behind young children.
My 13-year-old son said all the kids on his bus today were talking about the shooting in Orlando. At some point, we cannot shelter our children from news such as this. But how do we talk about it with them?
My heart is heavy today with news of the shooting in Orlando. Thoughts and prayers seem inadequate. Here are ways we can help the victims and their families and express our support.
