‘We exist. Remember that’
Re “The victims killed in gay nightclub shooting,” Nov. 22
I exist. I exist along with millions of other LGBTQ+ people in the United States.
You cannot ignore us. You cannot simply say we are not to be mentioned in “polite company.” You cannot hide us, like dirty laundry, from your children.
We exist. We have existed from the beginning of time and will exist until the end. We exist in every society. We exist in your own families.
We say gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer. We proudly say
LGBTQ+. Some of your siblings are LGBTQ+, as are some of your children.
Our battle is their battle. Our fight is their fight. We will not stop. We will not give up. We are fighting for our very existence. We are fighting for our rights.
We are not freaks. We exist. Remember that. Robyn Angelique
Harvey Madera, Calif.
I once again awakened to news of a horrific mass shooting at a gay club — a club to which my daughter or yours might have gone to find a safe space.
Don’t you tell me not to “politicize” this “tragic” event. You, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, the scene of the Pulse nightclub massacre. You, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, the scene of this slaughter.
You, lawmakers nationwide who have introduced more than 300 antiLGBTQ+ bills in 2022.
You, people who have denied my grandchild a safe space at school by the simple display of a flag of welcome; banned books that allow my child to see herself in the world; and “protected” your grandchildren from knowing that my grandchildren have two loving mothers, much less from being taught to include them.
You, people who have championed your children’s right to buy a gun, some who might kill mine.
Allow me my grief and rage at the murder of those who had a right to a night’s fun — a right forever taken away by someone armed with a weapon and a hateful heart that you gave him.
Karen Ward Laguna Niguel
Since 2015, haters have come out of the shadows to spew their invective in GOP primaries, Congress and state legislatures.
And speaking of GOP politicians who have practiced this dark art of campaign bombast, one needs to look no further than the state Assembly district in Santee, near San Diego.
MAGA Republican Assemblyman Randy Voepel holds that seat. This extreme right-winger happens to be the grandfather of the alleged shooter.
Vile, despicable speech sometimes contributes to this kind of carnage.
Bob Teigan Santa Susana