Earlier this week the world was brutally reminded about the persecution and hatred members of the LGBT community still face in their struggle for acceptance in 2016.
In the early morning hours of June 12, a gunman stormed into a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., killing 49 people and wounding at least 50 others. It was the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
The senseless act of violence was not only an attack against the LGBT community it was also an attack against our common values as a society and as a community.
In Jasper the grief was immediate. Within hours of the tragedy the LGBT community organized a vigil to remember those who lost their lives and to stand in solidarity against violence and hatred.
The vigil was also an opportunity for the larger Jasper community to show their unwavering support for the LGBT community.
Over the past few years Jasper has made massive strides to create a community that is open and inclusive, regardless of someone鈥檚 sexual orientation, gender or identity.
That message was reinforced in May when the town proudly hoisted the transgender flag for the first time in Jasper鈥檚 history to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
At the time it felt like raising the flag was a no-brainer, the right thing to do鈥揳nd it was鈥揵ut in light of the tragedy in Florida, it鈥檚 an important reminder about how fortunate we are to live in a community that celebrates and embraces our differences.
It is also a strong reminder about how much work still needs to be done to help those who face discrimination, hatred and persecution both at home and abroad.
The fight for LGBT rights began with the Stonewall riots in 1969 in New York City and despite the enormous amount of progress that has been made over the past 45 years it is clear that the fight is not over.
Until the day comes that people within the LGBT community can live, work and play without fear of persecution, violence or discrimination we'll keep writing about it.
