Heartbeat

So, we've had a little more time to process the Pulse shooting. Not that any amount of processing is going to make this easier, better, or make any more sense.

"Everyone get out of pulse and keep running." That's what the club posted to it's Facebook page to help the patrons escape.  They may have saved lives. I use Facebook to crush candy.

33 of the 50 victims have been identified at the time I'm writing this.  Maybe more will be when it's actually posted. 'They' say the only sounds in the club are now the shuffling of the police and the phones of the dead. People trying to reach through a barrier no one may cross.

Thanks, Mr. Takei

There are plenty of reactions besides my stunned ramblings.  Trump wants to ban Muslim immigration, even though the shooter was born in America. Just in case this wasn't horrible enough. More are tweeting their congrats to death and murder. I'm not even shocked. Just sad.

Support happens, though. Go fund mes and blood donations.  If I can use a new take on an old phrase: We are here, Straight and Queer. There isn't any difference.

My best friend has summed things up better than I ever could:

"The first Pride was the Stonewall Riot. We remember a history of violence, conversion, rape, murder and the struggle to be seen simply a variation on a theme of love. A different way of walking through the world. 

We remember the kind of strength it takes to live authentically.

Be louder this Pride. Be bolder. Celebrate. Don't stay home.

As the lesbian feminists say "we are the daughters of the witches you failed to burn" "