It seems a lot of us (myself included) have talked a lot about guns and terrorism and mass shootings since Orlando.
None of us really seem to be talking about the fact that this is a hate crime perpetrated against a group – the LGBTQ community – at a time when hating them seems to be a national pastime.
People who want nothing more than to be who they were born to be, love whomever they want to love, and to just be allowed to have all of the same rights anyone of us take for granted were chosen as targets. It hurts my heart in a way I cannot express.
Being gay is not a sin. Being transgender is not a crime. Being bisexual is not weird. Being human is the same no matter who you are. Love is love.
I want to honor those who lost their lives in Orlando, and all of my friends in the LGBTQ community but, I can’t think of anything affect any kind of change.
The best I could come up with is silly and miniscule but, whenever I go out on a charter I want to wear an LGBTQ friendly shirt. Problem is, I only own one: Santa Cruz Pride from a couple of years ago. You would think I had one from Monterey Pride since I hosted that one in 2007 but, I do not.
Now, I have no problem washing and wearing the same shirt every single day but, I don’t want to do that. I want you to help me honor those lost in Orlando and those who are still being harassed and oppressed for no other reason than simply being who they are.
I’m going to do some online shopping and buy a couple more LGBTQ friendly shirts. I want you to shop for me, too. Nothing expensive. Just a simple tee that, I dunno, let’s the world know that love is love and it’s not okay to hate someone, let alone hurt someone, just because they love differently than you or I. Make one for all I care. I promise I will wear it proudly.
Maybe I’ll get one or two shirts. Maybe none. Maybe a million. Either way, I am wearing one every day this charter season. And if anyone asks, I’ll tell them I am doing it because I want people to know that it’s never okay to hate or hurt someone just because of who they are and who they love.
Thanks.
And if you know people who might want to send me a shirt, share this with them.
UPDATE: Large shirt please
Send shirts here:
PO Box 14117
Mexico Beach, FL 32410
Titty sprinkles!
