“When do we next go to a Pride?” Asked my daughter Stevie last night, just before bedtime.
I told her that we would be going to Newcastle for Northern Pride on the 16th July.
“I’m scared Mama” she replied.
I have been performing at Prides since 1983, here in the UK, all over Europe, South Africa and all over the USA, including Florida. I have seen many changes over the years, but sadly there is still intolerance and hatred, as so brutally acted out last night in Orlando.
My prayers go to those murdered, injured and who’s lives have been changed forever at “Pulse”. I pray for their loved ones, family & friends, and for the emergency services at the scene and who are continuing their work to save lives and care for the injured.
Make no mistake, this is an act of homophobia. It is an act of hatred. As human beings, gay or straight this is an attack against us all.
The perpetrators father has said religion had nothing to do with the attack. The father of this individual said his son saw two men kissing in downtown Miami some months ago and became very angry. He said: “We are apologising for the whole incident. We are in shock, like the whole country.”
I hope his family are shown compassion not targeted in revenge.
This was the act of an individual consumed by hatred of other human beings, who has been enable in his actions because of “the right to bear arms” in a country where it is still possible to be denied equality by those elected to protect and defend.
Let’s not turn this horrible, vile attack on our brothers and sisters into further acts of hatred and violence.
Let us raise the rainbow flag even higher.
“I’m scared Mama” said my child.
I am scared too. I am scared of what hate and intolerance breeds.
I am scared that the acts of extremists can force us into a world of fear.
I am scared that there are individuals who believe that some people are more “equal” than others.
When my child says she is scared, I tell her that there are more good people than bad, and that we must always remember this.
I tell her that a persons race, colour, gender, sexuality and religion is not a factor. I tell her that people are inherently good or they are bad.
I tell her not to be scared in a world where there is much to be feared.
I hope that LOVE will always conquer hate.
“When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind.
When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.
Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Always Hazell xxx
