Changed Forever

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Sunday, June 12, 2016 was not like any other Sunday. When I went to sleep around midnight Saturday, I expected to sleep late that next morning, eat breakfast and then head out for a bit of shopping. Little did I know that at the same time as I was getting comfy in bed, one of the worst tragedies in the LGBTQ community was unfolding across the nation in one of my favorite vacation destinations.

When I woke around 8 a.m., I was promptly informed by my husband about the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, which sent me immediately to social media for more information. I didn’t know what to think or feel, except for Oh My God. Minutes later, my boss reached out to request that I promote a vigil set to happen Monday night at a local church. Straight to Twitter and Facebook I went, and as soon as local reporters began retweeting my post, I received updated news that a prayer vigil was being arranged for that very evening at The Center. As director of marketing for the organization, I knew my day would be a busy one, one that I would not soon forget.

In almost no time, I had a graphic prepared for social media and created a Facebook event to announce the vigil, largely organized by Senator (and Pastor) Pat Spearman. What impressed me is the speed at which word spread throughout our community. Local media were a huge help through their social media and web posts early in the day. As it drew closer to vigil time, I knew this would be no small gathering. This was certainly a night when we needed to be with our LGBTQ family — yet was it “safe” to be assembled in such a manner? Some were not so certain.

That Sunday evening, familiar and new faces came together in droves. The last time such a crowd gathered at The Center, it was to celebrate nationwide marriage equality nearly a year earlier; people were ecstatic, and any tears shed were tears of joy. On June 12, most tears shed were tears of sorrow, yet it didn’t seem to be as somber of an occasion as I had expected. It was less of a vigil and more of a rally, with clergy and the politically minded taking to the stage to issue messages of hope and the need for change. Pastor Charlotte Morgan of Indigo Valley Church rallied the crowd to exclaim, “Act up! Show up! Participate! End Hate!”

Nationwide — worldwide, actually — the LGBTQ community and allies have come together in the most amazing ways since 49 people lost their lives in Orlando. Countless thousands have assembled in cities everywhere. Crowdfunding efforts have reached astronomical numbers well over $10 million collectively. Locally, thousands participated in marches, vigils and fundraisers as the week went on. The widespread effect of one person’s overt hatred is simply unbelievable. I’m glad the son-of-a-bitch who caused all this pain will never know the impact he had. 

Sunday, June 12, 2016 was not like any other Sunday, and I’m not sure any Sunday — or any other day of the week, for that matter — will ever be the same as those that came before it. We have been forever changed, together. And together we will act up, show up, participate and end hate.

Cory Burgess is the Director of Marketing for The Center and a former editor and creative director of QVegas Magazine.