June 12th, 2016. It has been nine years since the Pulse massacre, and while I was not there, and didn’t lose any friends, I did have friends who lost people, and I witnessed our community react to an act of hate against the LGBTQ community. I never can let this day pass without acknowledging that 49 people were lost, and all they wanted to do was have fun and dance. They were killed for who they were. Our country still isn’t doing enough to push back against homophobia, and under this current administration seems apt to run right into it. As we demonize the transgender community, simply for existing, it isn’t that far removed from widely demonizing the gay and lesbian communities as well, and making hatred mainstream. So, today, be kind. Maybe dance, for the 49 people who no longer can, but be kind. This is the primary post for the day, and I want this to be the main message. I have so many other days of the year to break down shows and be catty, and praise tracks. None of these shows I watched yesterday aired their final episode, so i will be able to talk about all of them again. But nine years is not that much time. Nine years ago, I watched my friends grieve, helped put together groups of singers for various memorials, blissfully unaware of my own future. My dad passed in 2016, just 16 days later. it is the oddest birthday gift he’s ever given me. 2016 I saw our community full of nothing but love and support, with businesses opening to raise money to donate to the victims and survivors. Breaking trend, Chik-Fil-A, a chain not known for necessarily pro-LGBTQ causes, had its local franchise owner open the kitchen on a Sunday, not to sell food, but to bring food and drink to the long lines of people waiting to donate blood. I volunteered and saw a slew of stars from Broadway come down to raise money at a gala event, from Broadway With Love. 2016 was also the year before I found out I was losing my vision, so I was still unaware of my future, and focused on the present. I’m happy I was able to show up, and I hope others continue to do the work that I often feel like I’m not doing. The city opened the doors to Pulse Nightclub one last time before demolition only to survivors, and family members of those lost, with hopes to offer closure. Our city has had a terrible time figuring out what to do at that location to properly honor the lives lost in what was (at the time) the deadliest mass shooting. There is a film coming soon to video on demand services that follows a survivor of Pulse, “Janette”, which admittedly follows a fairly average person through their life. In true cinema verite style, the film captures her as she is with as little direct engagement as possible. But, she doesn’t need to be remarkable to warrant a film, because what she represents is the complete and total normalcy of so many of those who were there that night, who had stories and lives really not far removed from you, or your friends and neighbors. And that is likely true of so many tragedies, where the lives lost are regular people who were just living their lives when tragedy hit. Our country seems unable and obstinate when asked to address mass shootings and gun violence. The message is clear, that guns are more valuable than people, be they adults or children.

Nine years ago, 49 people were targeted because of who they were, and because I’m like them, this never escapes me. I’ve lived in Orlando for over 20 years, and I often find pride in this community. today, I hope that pride somehow comes through, and that kindness wins. After all, love is love is love is love…

Shows that Were Watched: Nine Perfect Strangers: S2E4 (Hulu) with audio description, The Survivors: S1E2 (Netflix) with audio description, ginnny and Georgia: S1E3 (Netflix) with audio description, America’s Got Talent: Most Recent (Peacock) with audio description, Futurama: S5E8 (Hulu) no audio description, The better Sister: S1E3 (Amazon) with audio description, No Man’s Land: S1E6 (Hulu) with audio description, the Daily show: Tuesday (Paramount Plus) no audio description, and Poker Face: S2E5 (Peacock) with audio description.

I’ll be back tomorrow as normal. today, be intentionally kind. Our world needs that right now.