Printed Letter (2016.037.0106)

Printed letter dated July 3rd, 2016 that says, “It’s been two weeks since 49 innocent people lost their lives and another 53 were shot and dozens of other left with horrific memories that no one should ever know. I didn’t personally know any of them. And, yet, now I could probably tell you the story of each one. My guess is that most, if not all, of these individuals never expected to be the catalyst to change. And, yet they are. Prior to June 12th, I sense that most people in central Florida were like me. Heterosexuals who had family members and/or friends, neighbors and co-workers who are gay. We love them. We accept them. We want them to be happy and safe. And not just the physical being of safe — but safe from judgement, humiliation and rejection. But, we did not carry a rainbow flag in a PRIDE parade. We did not stand up and talk about the need for equality and cultural tolerance. The majority of us were more like invisible supporters. And, now, thousands of us have said that invisible moral support is not enough. And, we’ve grown a voice that says intolerance is not an LGBT fight – it is a human fight. I have seen with my own eyes that love is stronger than hate. Before the tragedy, I had never walked into a Chic Filet [sic] restaurant and bought a rainbow t-shirt that supported humanitarian efforts for the gay community. Now, I have. More than 30,000 of us signed up to stand at the funerals to ensure that families could mourn privately. More than 5,000 people donated blood on the very first day – a single day record. More than 17 million dollars has been donated to help the victims, their families, and the first responders. I am Roman Catholic and Pope Francis said this week that Christians should apologize to the person who is gay whom they have offended (among many others). It seems his words are in reflection of the shocking event here in Orlando. The religious leader of 1.2 billion people is calling for change. Only two weeks have passed and yet there is so much change. These 49 innocent lives were not lost in vain.” The letter is signed, “Barbara Devine.”

Barbara Devine, Letters, Local Response, Public Reaction, Pulse Nightclub, Pulse Nightclub Memorial

• Object ID: 2016.037.0106
• Collection Site: Pulse Nightclub
• Collection Date: 07/25/2016
• Size: 11H X 8.375W