Last weekend, America lost some beautiful souls because of hate. In a gay club in Orlando, a gunman, Omar Mateen, opened fire on club patrons and held some hostage early Sunday morning. There were many casualties of patrons, policeman and bystanders. Being gay myself, this massacre really hit close to home. So, I want to express my sorrows for a fellow LGBT community who has experienced a hate crime. When one community is struck by this kind of horror, it affects all of us.

When I heard about the Orlando shooting, my heart sank, and I got scared. I haven't been out for very long, so this fight for equality is all new to me, still. It's hard enough to be considered part of a minority, but when people hate you for something you can't control, that's scary. It doesn't matter if you're nice or good, someone can hurt you. It's extremely hurtful when people hate you for loving someone. That just doesn't make sense to me. I believe that it really shouldn't matter to anyone else who I love, whose hand I hold, who I kiss. It has nothing to do with anyone else. I just don't see why people care what others and myself choose to do, but I guess they do.

Because of this massacre, I've been brought back down to earth and have realized that legalizing gay marriage and living in an area where being gay is pretty widely accepted are great, but we still have a long way to go. I am very happy with how accepting people have been of me since I've come out, but this is a reminder that not everywhere is like that.

The Equality symbol, an equal sign, means the world to me. Not only is it a symbol of support and acceptance, but it's an acknowledgment of being equal with your peers, not just gay, but anyone. The idea of worldly equality is that everyone has human rights. It's not just gay rights, it's African American, female, Asian American, religious groups' —, anyone's rights. The equality symbol is primarily used to acknowledge support of gay rights, but it's really acknowledging that everyone has rights, and that everyone should be accepted for who they are. It shouldn't matter your skin color, religion, gender, loving the same gender as yourself or changing your gender to the one you feel is right, etc.

I just want to thank the people who fought and gave their lives in the Orlando shooting, including patrons, police men and women, and any others. Because of you, my girlfriend and I are one step closer to living in a safer world. Your lives weren't lost for nothing, you have become part of the movement. Because of you, I am one step closer to not being afraid to hold her hand in public. Thank you for everything you've done — you are our heroes, rest in peace.