This has honestly been a very difficult post to write, it has in all seriousness taken me days to figure out what I wanted to say. All because, nothing really seems quite adequate. Few events have ever hit as close to home as this one. Sunday, the nation and the world woke to the devastating and heartbreaking news of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. The attack took place at PULSE, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. PULSE was a gay nightclub in an ordinary American city and it was a regular Saturday night. That is until a coward entered the club and unleashed three hours of terror on the patrons turned victims of this senseless act of violence. 49 people lost their lives on this tragic night. 49 loved ones. 49 brothers and sisters. 49 boyfriends, girlfriends, partners, spouses. 49 individuals.

It is extremely difficult to put into words what a tragedy like this means to me. I ran the gamut of emotions on Sunday. From shock, to sadness, grieving to anger. I saw interviews with the mothers and relatives of the victims, desperately searching for answers and hope. Praying that somehow, the person they loved was safe. Many didn’t find that, and my heart inevitably broke each and every time, for each and every one of them. I thought of my own mother, my own family, how this would affect them if it were for some reason me. I thought how I would feel if my own partner was in a similar situation. I connected so much with people I never knew, and I had never met. Yet somehow, I loved them and prayed for them and their families.

The sorrow turned to anguish and anger at the situation. The entire range of emotions continued for days as more information, and more stories came out of the harrowing ordeal. I thought of how senseless this act was and is. The story that touched me the most was of Brenda McCool who was at the club with her son. She shielded him with her body, and saved his life while sacrificing hers. It was absolutely, devastatingly heartbreaking for me. I couldn’t imagine what her son must be going through. But I was inspired by her act of love to save his life. But then so upset that she was put in that situation.

This isn’t even a full recap of what I have wanted to say. The debate on gun control will rage on soon. But that is for another day. I wanted to at least get something down, because I haven’t really been able to talk about it much. I want to remember the victims of this tragedy. I want this event to mean something for this country. Far too long, people and politicians have framed the debate about LGBT people as being about pedophiles and molesters in restrooms and around children. Hopefully, as horrible as this is – this will make people see and understand that LGBT people are just that… PEOPLE. Their families are no different than any other. The amount of support has been amazing to see. I hope it lasts. Hopefully, everyone finally learns that Love is love. Love conquers hate.

More tomorrow…hopefully…on Everyday BRAND.