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Politics and Activism

This Is What Your Homophobia Spawns

The worst mass shooting in United States history was the result of hatred

Jack Hoda

Jun 13, 2016

University of Southern Mississippi

http://kvil.cbslocal.com/

June 26, 2015. The day love won. We celebrated the right to be married in our own country.

June 12, 2016. Almost a year later, we are reminded that our fight is far from over.

I spent most of my day yesterday searching the Internet for pictures and videos from all the Pride Parades happening this weekend. I wanted so badly to be there, celebrating. If you didn't know or didn't care to know, June is Gay Pride Month, but someone tried to take that away from us this weekend.

I woke up this morning to see my Twitter feed flooding with the news: 50 dead at Orlando Gay Club.

While I was sleeping, the LGBTQ Community became the victim of the worst shooting in United States history.

This attack was not the fault of gun ownership or Islam. This was the spawn of homophobia. Homophobia that has been taught by our families, our schools, our places of worship, and our politics. When your political party enforces anti-gay legislation and your churches preach that an entire community of people are abominations, the phrase, "Hate the sin, love the sinner," quickly becomes an anthem for hate speech. Hatred will not go away unless we teach our children acceptance. It's time we stop hiding behind fake acceptance and fake kindness and learn what it truly means to love unconditionally.

Soon, this heartbreaking attack will become a debate. It will be one of the many talking points on presidential campaigns. It will become a statistic for gun control fighters everywhere. It will become a shield for Islamophobia. This shooting will become a tool, but for now, today and tomorrow maybe, this shooting will be a driving force for love.

The world is watching the LGBTQ Community. The world will watch and learn as the community becomes a shield for its own. We will not rave about gun control or call for the death of Muslims. Our community was built on love, and that's all we know. Love will always win.

The LGBTQ community has come a very long way from life in the shadows of American culture, but our enemy will always be hatred. Today, our tears and our blood join that of the thousands that have gone before us to make the world a more accepting place, and as we remember those that are gone as a result of today's attack, we also thank them:

Thank you to all those that are gone as a result of living boldly and fighting for equality. You are truly saints. Our hearts go out to you and your families, and we celebrate the lives you lived.

Happy Pride.

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This Is What Your Homophobia Spawns

The worst mass shooting in United States history was the result of hatred

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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