This has been an extraordinarily painful week for the LGBTQ community, in the wake of last Sunday’s massacre. If it is possible for something good to come from all of this hate, homophobia, and fear, I hope part of the healing will come from gun control reform.
Kudos to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn), for leading the filibuster on the senate floor to expand gun control policies with two specific measures. Yes, this is the very least the senate can do in response to the massacre in Orlando. As a side note, I need to point out that this is also very tied into race, gender, homophobia, and misogyny. The Pulse was — and will be again — a safe space for LGBTQ people, mostly queer people of color. The United States seems to feel it is acceptable to regulate women’s bodies, why can we not regulate guns? Finally the NRA’s bedfellow, Mitch McConnell, has acquiesced and agreed to hold votes for the proposed amendment.
It grows ever wearisome to hear the call for prayers every time we have people murdered by guns. We do not need the prayers, we need gun control! Sadly, I have to offer a dishonorable mention to Florida Governor, Rick Scott, a.k.a Lord Voldemort. When reporters asked Scott if there was anything that could be done on a policy level to prevent future shootings like this, Scott (who has put forth enormous energy to relax gun control laws (there is no waiting period currently to buy the AR-15) replied: “We can pray for the victims, pray for the families and pray this never happens again.” How’s that working so far?
There are at least 27 reported gun deaths EVERY DAY in the United States. The AR-15 was used in the following massacres: Orlando, Florida–49 killed, 53 wounded; Aurora, Colorado, 12 killed, 70 wounded; Sandy Hook, Connecticut, 26 killed; Santa Monica, California, 5 killed, 4 wounded; Roseburg, Oregon, 9 killed; San Bernadino, California, 14 killed, 22 wounded. Maybe its just me, but prayers don’t seem to be doing much to change things. Maybe we need action, such as adopting expansive gun control measures? Want that to happen? Get out and vote!
In addition to Murphy, I want to acknowledge and give an honorable mention to the following Democratic Senators for finally creating significant resistance against the NRA and pushing for greater gun control policies: Richard Blumenthal, and Cory Booker (NJ), Dick Durbin (IL), Bill Nelson (FL), Chuck Schumer (NY), Joe Manchin (WV), Ben Cardin (MD), Ed Markey (MA), Patrick Leahy (VT), Al Franken (MN), Patty Murray (WA), Gary Peters (MI), Bob Casey (PA), Ron Wyden (OR), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Bob Menendez (NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Claire McCaskill (MO), Mark Warner (VA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Sherrod Brown (OH), and counting. Yes, I’m very glad to see that both of Oregon’s senators were on this list!
The constitution is a living document and the flaws of the second amendment seem glaringly obvious. Given that no women and no people of color had any representation or voice in drafting the original document, it would stand to reason that this document needs further tweaking to represent more voices.
If you do not see your senator on this list, please contact them and let your voice be heard. I wish everyone a Happy Pride Month and let us not give into fear but share our love and solidarity!
Social Justice For All 
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
At last … something may be on the verge of happening. A long journey starts … Here’s hoping!!
Dr. Rex, thank you for reblogging this! I’m so glad you and your wife are safe. Sending you lots and lots of love, Michael.
Thanks so very much, Michael … we are as good as we can be. Pulse is less than 30 mins from our home … we could’ve been there!!
Lova you back!!! ❤
Y’all have been in my mind and I’m so grateful for you! Been a very difficult week for so many and so many tears.
Thanks, Michael. This means a lot to me … hugs … PEace!! __/l\__
Y’all need to come visit us! Love and Peace, Michael.
TY … where are you? I’m not sure …. 🙂
Portland, Oregon. Lots of lovely things to see here and you can stay with us!
Glad to see the Democrats standing up! Of course, the GOP is as two-faced as ever on this one. Where won’t you find guns? At the Republican Convention!
When a petition was started in March to allow guns at the Convention, the Secret Service stepped in and said, “No way.” That makes practical sense of course. But since when did making sense apply to Republican behavior?
Let’s get this straight: an agency of the Obama administration stepped in and prohbited guns at a public event. And the GOP said…NOTHING. Hypocrisy much?
Penguinlad, thank you for commenting on my blog. Thank you for exposing the awful hypocrisy of the GOP here! Sadly, this is not a surprise, but I wish I had included this hypocrisy in the original story. Thank you and peace, Michael.
I can’t imagine how NRA thinks background check, waiting period and even finger printing threatens gun “rights”. Seems those things protect all citizens even gun owners.
Carl, you seem to be introducing common sense here, which I’m not sure the NRA speaks that language. 🙂 Thank you for your comment on the blog! Peace, Michael.
Reblogged this on Central Oregon Coast NOW.
Nancy, thank you for reblogging this. Love and peace, Michael.