Page 28 - Seattle Gay News

Orlando through my eyes

A Gay SPD of cer re ects on the Pulse massacre

by Jim Ritter
crimes and the organizations that encourage there are still those who claim hate crimes skeptics I say there are 49 more bodies that
special to the SGN
and applaud their actions hope to accomplish.
against LGBTQ citizens is a fantasy. To those
prove you wrong.
In 2016 I am nearly 55 years old and a very
different person who has replaced my pes- Play safe!
Irony is a strange thing that often presents
simism with an optimistic vision that is far itself in unimaginable ways. I was in Cali-
healthier for me. I see Orlando as an act that fornia last week preparing to speak to sever-
is propelling LGBTQ issues to the forefront al San Francisco Police of cials, their Police
on a global scale never before seen in history. Seattle Police urge Pride attendees Commission, and various leaders of LGBTQ
This tragedy has triggered worldwide conver- to have fun but stay alert community groups in the Bay area about
sations that are now compelling many Amer- adopting the Seattle Police Department’s Safe
icans, who have previously remained politely Courtesy of Seattle Police
Place concept when I received news of the
silent on these issues, to really examine where Orlando tragedy. After shaking off the initial
they stand with the LGBTQ community, Con- Your Seattle Police Department wants you to horror, I had to look at this massacre directed
stitutional rights and fundamental fairness. at LGBTQ victims from two different per-
The victims of Orlando were not just Gay or be safe, be aware, and have fun during Pride. To spectives: as a Gay man and as a Seattle police
Lesbian, Transgender or Bisexual, they were ensure your own safety and those of your fellow of cer.
someone’s parent, child, co-worker, employee, As a Gay man I looked at this as an abom-
fellow student, friend, or acquaintance who Pride attendees:
inable act, carried out by an angry, sel sh in-
deserved the right to walk down the streets of dividual with a variety of motives that are still
this nation holding hands or kissing without • Report suspicious persons and/or activities to 911 being revealed. This event instantly brought
the fear of ridicule, assault, death, or triggering (be able to clearly articulate your suspicions)
me back to the 1970s and ’80s, when killing
a psychopath to exterminate 49 lives in retalia- • Travel in groups of TWO or MORE Gay men for sport seemed to be a national pas-
tion.
time for those individuals and organizations
As a police of cer and the LGBTQ Liai- • If you are the victim of a crime, that are lled with resentment and hatred to-
son for the Seattle Police Department I look at call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
ward a group of people they could not relate
Orlando through a different set of eyes. I see to and would not take the time to understand.
this monstrous act as a galvanizing event that The Seattle Police Department’s LGBTQ Liaison (Of cer Jim Now, as then, many of these hostilities were
will make the LGBTQ community even stron- Ritter) will be available all weekend during Pride at (206) 437- learned from childhood resulting in attitudes
ger. This suspect underestimated our commu- 3860 or james.ritter@seattle.gov.
towards the Gay community that were based
nity. He did not stop to think that what he did on perceptions through propaganda instead of
was to instantly martyr 49 innocent LGBTQ facts and reality.
victims, an act so abhorrent that even the most Thirty years ago I would have reacted to
conservative of Americans are now having to this event very differently. My response back
take notice and potentially change their histor- then to Orlando and the foiled Los Ange-
ic viewpoints. The Orlando killer did more to les-area attack would have been fear, paranoia,
propel LGBTQ awareness in this nation that grief, and depression. Back then I would have
the past four generations of activism com- allowed these murders as further justi cation
bined, and the progression has only begun.
to stay silent and remain yet another closeted
member of the Gay community whose voice would never be heard. These emotions are Even though the Seattle Police Depart- ment’s Safe Place Initiative was born out of
exactly what the people who commit these
concern for the victims of these heinous acts,

Congress let it happen. Let’s change Congress.

struction. If only we had a better Congress. protected Americans from domestic terrorists.
As a Gay man, I have been an activist all Votes that would have protected Americans
my adult life. I was the founder in the early from domestic violence abusers. Votes that
’90s of the Clark County Chapter of Hands would have saved scores of children. Votes
Off Washington, the predecessor to Equal that would have saved hundreds of innocent
Rights Washington. I was Vancouver, Wash- lives. Votes that would have saved 100 vic-
ington’s rst openly Gay city councilmem- tims, our family, in Orlando.
ber, and I was the one of the earliest openly Earlier this year, I introduced a bill – HB
Gay state legislators. My peers elected me 2354 – to ban assault weapons and large-ca-
House speaker pro tem. I get things done. pacity magazines. I will introduce a similar
Great things. Equality. Civil rights. Access to bill in Congress when you help me defeat the
health care. Mental health. Long-term care for incumbent.
seniors. Transit, bicycle, and pedestrian im- We can’t just look to the people running
provements. Transportation. Early education. in our own districts to get Congress working
Funding local projects. Working to ban assault
again. YOU have to help get Congress work-
weapons.
ing again. YOU have to help defeat people
My district is represented by someone who
who are not doing good work in Congress.
YOU have to help elect people who will make doesn’t get things done. Unless you count de-
Congress work again. YOU have to help elect positing checks from gun advocates. Unless
ME to Congress, to defeat someone who is you count voting against reasonable gun leg-
working against you. YOU have to make this islation. Unless you count bragging about her
happen. Or we will see another Seattle Pacif- 93% lifetime NRA voting record.
The incumbent, Republican Jaime Herrera ic University. Another Marysville-Pilchuck
Butler, voted against LGBT rights. She vot- High School. Another Virginia Tech. Another
Jim Moeller – Courtesy of Jim Moeller
ed against domestic partnerships. She voted Sandy Hook. Another Orlando.
against marriage equality. She voted against We are all suffering. And we will suffer
by Rep. Jim Moeller
of the other 136 mass shootings that have affordable health care. She voted against chil- again. Unless you act, we will see another
WA Speaker Pro Tem
occurred in the rst 172 days of 2016. If only dren’s health programs. She voted against the Congress do nothing, again. And people will
Congress would do what Americans demand, Family and Medical Leave Act. She voted die, another place, another time. Again. Unless
it might not happen so often or so ef ciently. against mental health parity. She voted against WE make a difference. Together. Today.
The Orlando Massacre. I took it personal-
If only Congress would ban assault weapons. sexual health parity. She voted against the Af- ly. Everyone in our community took it person- Washington State Rep. Jim Moeller has
If only Congress would prevent suspected fordable Care Act. She voted against you. She ally. Immediately, viscerally, physically, men- been a mental-health professional and chem-
terrorists from being able to buy guns. If only voted against your children. She voted against tally, emotionally. The slaughter of 49 and the ical-dependency counselor for 30 years. He
Congress would prevent people who can’t your grandchildren. She voted against Ameri- wounding of another 53 innocent people was is running for Congress in Washington’s 3rd
y from being able to buy. If only Congress ca.
a hate crime of massive proportions, affecting Congressional District. Jim is seeking en-
would prevent those convicted of domestic multiple cultures and defying rational expla- That’s when she does vote. Because my dorsements and donations to defeat the an-
violence from buying guns. If only Congress nation.
opponent has the sixth worst attendance re- ti-LGBT and pro-gun Republican incumbent.
would enact vigorous and thorough back- cord in Congress. Sixth out of 435 Members of Learn more and donate at www.jimmoeller. Except one: Congress allowed this to
ground checks. If only members of Congress Congress. My opponent has missed 63 percent com.
happen.
wanted to stop the real weapons of mass de-
of all votes this year. Votes that would have
It didn’t have to happen. Neither did any

28 Seattle Gay News
June 24, 2016
Celebrating 41 Years!