Mom to Scott: Honor Pulse victims with action.
On June 12, 2016, my son Christopher Leinonen was murdered because of who he was. Christopher and his boyfriend, Juan Ramon Guerrero, were at an LGBTQ nightclub, a safe space for their community — a place that, until that horrific night, was free from the fear and discrimination found in so many other aspects of their lives. But a deranged gunman fueled by hatred and armed with an assault rifle killed Christopher, Juan and 47 other innocent, loving people.
One year has passed since I lost my son to this heinous hate crime — one year, and we have seen zero action from Gov. Rick Scott or the Florida Legislature to address the undeniable homophobia and transphobia in our state. With an executive order, the governor could set a new standard of inclusivity and protect LGBTQ state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This executive order would send a clear signal to Floridians, the nation and the world that hate and bigotry have no place in the Sunshine State.
My son loved so fully, and always brought people together. In high school, he won the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award for starting the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. In almost every photo of him, he is embracing a friend. His paternal grandparents met and fell in love in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, so it was embedded in his DNA that love always conquers hate.
Christopher’s commitment to helping others led to his career as a licensed mental-health counselor, and he chose Aetna as his employer, a corporation committed to LGBTQ equality. Aetna received a perfect score on the 2017 Corporate Equality Index for the 15th year in a row. That’s how you attract dynamic, passionate talent like my son Christopher — by creating an inclusive space for all to thrive.
I carry the grief from the loss of Christopher in my heart every single day, along with a determination to honor his life through advocacy. This is so important, as we have seen hate crimes on the rise throughout our state and nation, and should remind lawmakers that they have an obligation to protect all residents.
By issuing an executive order, the governor can help uproot hate and protect LGBTQ state employees and government contractors from discrimination. With a stroke of a pen, he can signal that hate has no place in our state. Yet the governor continues to do nothing and allows bigotry to go unchecked. Laws set the tone to serve as the moral compass of our society. Yet, the state of Florida fails to give its own citizens protection against being fired for being LGBTQ.
Christopher had his voice stolen from him. So now, I have no choice but to be his voice.
Gov. Rick Scott, it’s time to lead. Please honor my son and the other 48 angels who were taken by hate with action.