On Facebook under Prime Timers and Friends Around the World, I saw a great quote that sums up how the Orlando horror occurred. And despite efforts of the far right in particular, to rush to blame Islam, the quotes underscores that the hate that motivated the shooter, whether a case of internalized homophobia or not - was nurtured right here in America. Here's the relevant language:
"Just let this sink in... You say, "How could this tragedy happen?" It happened because Omar Mateen's hate was born and bred in America, not overseas. Just 2 weeks ago you were calling trans women child predators. 1 year ago you were saying that our marriages shouldn't be recognized. 6 years ago you were saying that gay men and women couldn't die for their country. 10 years ago you told us we didn't deserve job protections. 13 years ago it took Lawrence v. Texas to decriminalize our sex lives. 18 years ago you took Matthew Sheppard. 23 years ago you took Brandon Teena. 36 years the American Government began their 5 years of silence as 10,000 gay men were massacred by AIDS. 43 years ago we were still considered mentally ill. And 47 years ago the riots of Stonewall began. For centuries this country has bred homophobia into our history, into our schools, and into the very fabric of society. Omar Mateen was the product" of American hate...America, you taught him this and even sold him the gun to do it."
Until anti-LGBT churches, temples and mosques across America recognize their complicity in this tragedy, the hate will continue to be a cancer in this country. Likewise, as long as alleged religious belief is given undeserved deference and respect, the hate will continue to metastasize.
1 comment:
"Ten years ago you told us we didn't deserve job protection"? They are STILL telling us that. Today, House Rethugs once again voted down the amendment that required Federal contractors to abide by anti-discrimination guidelens protecting LGBT in hiring and firing. They also continue, state after state to deny LGBT people with employment protections. Finally, it is not only the religions that are culpable in society, it is also Republicans.
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