On June 12, 2016, a terrorist attack in the form of a mass shooting occurred at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine people were murdered and fifty-three others were wounded inside the nightclub by a gunman before he was killed after a three-hour siege. The attach is the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history, the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history, and the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since the 9/11 attacks.
We don't have to agree on everything. You are free to do, say, think whatever you want. This is the beauty of our country. This is what people have given their lives for. This is what people fight for every day. We want you to live in a world where you feel free to be, do, say, feel, think whatever you want without the fear of someone targeting you for your differences.
Unfortunately, you probably, won't. You will always find people who are so closed minded that they can't see beyond their narrow minds and who will try to spread hate because they can't see the beauty in diversity. Should you avoid diversity? Should you stick to the status quo? Of course not! Don't let them win. Meet new, different people. Leave a little piece of yourself wherever you go, and take a little piece with you. Spread love, kiddos.
Love is love.
I don't know what type of women you will grow up to be. I don't know if you'll end up having one kid, five kids, or no kids. I don't know if you'll get married to a man, a woman, or to no one at all. I don't know if your life choices will make you a target for such a horrific act of violence. How do I protect you? Can I protect you? I don't know. But I do know, that no matter what, you will belong. You will belong because you are worthy. You deserve to live in a world where you feel free to be whoever you want to be. You deserve to love whoever you want and live your life as you see fit without fear.
Embrace diversity. It's what makes us great.
Keep an open mind. There's so much more than what's in front of you.
Respect differences.
Speak up. Have a voice.
Practice empathy.
Spread love.