For Orlando

My friend Chaz just got home from an internship at Disney World.

When I saw him this Saturday, my instinct was to protect him; to hold him like a mother whose child just nearly missed being hit by a car.

Chaz said he had just applied to extend his stay a few weeks ago, but Disney didn't get the memo.

Said he cried all day when he had to leave, the same way he did when he got home, and heard about the Pulse shooting.

The same way I did when I realized I didn't know where he was.

He told me he used to go to that bar; said he had friends he hadn't heard from yet.

Chaz, I am so glad you are here.

Thank God they hit the breaks in time.

Thank God the car missed you,

Because if it didn't- we would have.

Isn't it strange to feel so close to something that happened so far away?

Isn't it scary, that we felt the gun shots on the other side of the world,

Isn't it crazy, how this affects every single one of us?

How one man, has managed to shake an entire community to its core, with the hate in his heart, and a weapon made for war?

The war waged on love started long ago, but maybe this is the shot that will finally be heard round the world.

We can not, will not let the loss of these 49 lives, be in vain.

We must let Orlando change us.

We must not let hate keep us from love.

We must begin to love more fiercely.

We must fight the lie of homophobia.

We must not let shame force us to hide our pride.

We must prove to this world - to those who will come after us, and those who are coming now, that there is everything right with being exactly who you are;
loving exactly who you love.

That love is love is love is love is love is love.

We must believe that love wins,
even when it doesn't feel true.
Especially, when it doesn't feel true.

Chaz, I am so glad you are here. Home.

Please do not be afraid.