TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY: WE ARE STRONGER THAN EVER.

CW/TW: Mention of violence against the LGBTQIA+ community, hate crimes and mental health.

I woke up this morning after a night of dancing at our local gay bar here in Dallas, TX. We don’t go out often anymore but we got a big group of my friends together to celebrate recent engagements, weddings & all things good in life. We have a lot to be thankful for!

This morning we woke up to the tragedy in Orlando. My newsfeed was filled with headlines calling it the worst mass shooting in US history. This tragedy happened because the gunman got angry because two gay people were kissing. 50 people in my community are dead because of hatred. This is unacceptable. 

I sat in silence reflecting back on last night’s festivities and how happy everyone was in that building. I thought how easily it could have been one of my friends, my clients or me. I have dedicated my life and my career to supporting the LGBT community. I want to meet them right where they are in life. I want them to feel loved and accepted for being exactly who they are. Most of all I want them to know they have a voice and that their story matters.

This shatters my heart. Parents lost their children in that attack. Some of them maybe weren’t on speaking terms. Maybe weren’t as close as they’d like to be and now they are gone from us too soon. Let’s not let religion or anything else for that matter stand between our hearts coming together. We are better than that. WE ARE FAMILY. Let’s not wait for another devastating tragedy to bring us closer. Let’s make a change now. NOW is the time. Get in touch with your kids. Call your parents. Find that friend or family member, heck, find a stranger that might be feeling lonely or unloved and remind them that THEY ARE WORTHY OF LOVE. No matter what. Show love everywhere you go, to everyone you meet.

I am saddened, upset and speechless. This is pride month. We are celebrating one year of marriage equality and the progress we have made after countless years of standing up for what we believe in – LOVE. 

The city of Orlando is strong and beautiful.

The LGBTQ community is strong and beautiful. Let’s not forget that we are stronger than ever. There is power in numbers, and there is power in love.

LOVE WILL ALWAYS WIN. #PromoteLove

Let’s do what we can during this tragedy to show love and support for one another. God knows we need it. Please join me TONIGHT in Dallas to honor our family that we lost during this horrible attack. If you can donate please click here.