Alan Lowenthal: “49 dead Americans: sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends. Whatever his ideology, whatever gun he used, this killer…”

“49 dead Americans: sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends. Whatever his ideology, whatever gun he used, this killer was driven by hate toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Just as hate struck the LGBT community at the UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans or at Uncle Charlie's in New York City or the BeBar nightclub here in Washington or the hundreds and hundreds other attacks that occur each year, it is because of the inaction of bodies like this, the Congress of the United States, to address discrimination, to ignore cries for equality, that this hate continues to fester. The LGBT community deals with this fear and hate every single day, all for wanting to live and love and be who they are. And who they are, just like every member of the LGBT community, are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and friends. ____________________”