In this time of profound grief following the devastating attack in Orlando it’s time for action and legislation.
We cannot allow the lives of those lost in Orlando to perish from our memories in vain. Now is the time act before we read another headline of senseless mass-killing.
I am a transgender woman and proud member of the LGBTQ community. The Orlando massacre was our greatest fear made real, --that hatred of the LGBTQ community would move from rhetoric to mass violence. If there’s a ray of light in these dark days, it’s been the strength of the LGBTQ community and global outpouring of support and solidarity. It proves that love and unity will always conquer hate and fear. We’ve marched together, prayed together, and mourned together. Let’s work together to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.
I am also a proud, law-abiding and responsible gun owner, I am fully in favor of enacting common-sense gun violence measures. Gun safety, as I see it, is entirely consistent with our Second Amendment right, and further I believe supporting common sense gun safety legislation allows me to be a good Ambassador for my Second Amendment right, --even as a member of the LGBTQ community. However, the Orlando massacre highlights how vulnerable we are to hate-fueled violence, especially toward LGBTQ communities of color.
Let’s start by improving gun safety. We all have a part to play. Contact your legislators to demand passage of both LGBTQ protections with robust hate-crime laws AND common-sense gun violence prevention measures.
It is up to us to keep the names and memories of those lost to gun violence alive. We cannot sit on the sidelines and let tragedies like Orlando, San Bernardino, Newton, or Virginia Tech keep happening. We must take action.
Meghan Stabler is a member of the DNC LGBT Advisory Board and Member of HRC National Board of Directors.
