ALLY

I don't watch the news. It's too depressing. Sure, I keep up enough with that's happening in the world, but I don't need the constant reminder that things are not how they should be.

The past couple of days though, I can't stop. And I can't stop crying. What happened in Orlando is beyond sad. Anderson Cooper gave an emotional tribute to the victims. They were so young.

When I came out of the Jehovah's Witnesses, got shunned and ostracized, where my sins where broadcasted to everyone I ever knew, with no hope of redemption until I fell back into line, it was the LGBT community that embraced me.

They understood what it was like to be punished for just being who you really are. Some of them had understanding friends and family when they came out. Others were shunned like I was.

The first friend I ever had here on the outside was a lesbian. She picked me up and loved me even in my imperfect, damaged state. Some of the people I love the most now and consider to be my "family" are gay. I don't care about their sexual orientation. They don't care about mine.

True love transcends all of those things that divide people: race, religion, sexual orientation, social status. Love is love. And I feel sorry for the people who don't see it that way. Who choose to hate, who choose to love conditionally, who choose to hurt good people for the sake of their own prejudices.

One of the victims of the shooting was a mom, who chose to go out that night to support her gay son. He survived, she didn't. It's tragic. But at least he will always know that he was loved, accepted and supported by the woman who loved him so much.

I'm not sure if humanity is going to survive. But if we are, we need to change. Right now.

Once I got myself reinstated with the JWs my mother kept asking me to come back. I said to her, What about Liz? I had never had a real friend before. How could I go back to the false friends and leave her behind just because she's gay.

I am proud to be an ally. I go to all the Pride events. The charity events. I dance in gay nightclubs. I love them all as much as I love anyone else. I don't see color or politics or religious denomination or sexual orientation. I just see good and bad.

What happened in Florida was very, very bad. And I don't pray but I will today. My thoughts, love and prayers go out to all the victims, their families and their loved ones.

Life is short. Be kind.

Sullivan out.