By Jessi Mitchell
PUEBLO – More than 150 people in Pueblo came together Monday evening to reflect on the lives lost in the Orlando shooting over the weekend. The Southern Colorado Equality Alliance organized a candlelight vigil for the victims.
Pueblo’s LGBT community came out in full force to show that they are not backing down in the face of hate. They joined forces with religious leaders and elected officials to show just how strong the power of love can be.
Their venue, the Pirates Cove Lounge, is known as a safe haven for gays in Pueblo, much like Pulse Night Club was for those in Orlando. The crowd prayed, sang and showed support for each other and the rights and freedom of every individual. The area’s first openly gay state representative, Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), says now that mission is more important than ever. “You remember that there are still people out there that hate you for who you love, and you start to worry and you start to wonder if you’re safe,” she says, “and the only way that we can combat that is coming together and looking out for each other and taking back and having the courage to take back our community and stand up.”
Many at the event say being gay means living in a constant state of fear, only heightened when tragedy strikes. “It just happened to be the worst nightmare come true,” says event organizer and SCEA member Jerry Carter.
SCEA treasurer Megan Pakenham adds, “When something like this happens, it intensifies that worry by a lot. We rally against it by having Pride Fest.”
They say the road to equality and acceptance can be a long and hard one, but having the local religious community rally behind the cause has been a big help. Pastors urge people to ask the question, “Would God discriminate?”
“I just wonder how long it’s going to take for people to wake up and realize that hate isn’t the answer,” says Rev. John Mark Hild, pastor at Metropolitan Community Church.
Esgar adds, “We love people. That’s our crime. We love people and to judge us for who we love isn’t going to do much to us. It’s only going to bring you pain and it’s only going to bring you struggle.”
“It really starts at home,” says Carter of change. “That’s about teaching about love and hate, and we all stand here…at this vigil to say start loving each other a little bit more.”
Source: KOAA News 5
