You’re not the gunman, but you can’t stand to see a gay couple kissing on the street.

You’re not the gunman, but you change the channel when you see a gay couple on TV.

You’re not the gunman, but you’re under the impression gay people are sinful and they need to be saved.

You’re not the gunman, but you were mad when all 50 states legalized gay marriage.

You’re not the gunman, but you use gay slur words.

You’re not the gunman, but you don’t approve of gays and their relationships.

You’re not the gunman, but you’re the one that encouraged him. You’re the one that proved to him that they’re as bad as he thought they were. You’re the fire to his hatred.

If that didn’t open your eyes, I don’t know what to tell you. The shooting in Orlando happened because we let it. We let the gunman think it’s okay to shoot people because they have a different sexual orientation. I’m not talking about gun control or arguing that more people should conceal carry to protect themselves—forget that. I’m talking about acceptance. If we all accepted people for who they were, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Maybe the gunman wouldn’t have felt that way, maybe it could’ve been different.

But it wasn’t. It happened. It’s our fault. As Americans, it is our fault. Now I’m not saying that everyone has to absolutely accept other people’s views—I’m saying that we shouldn’t be so public with ours. If you don’t believe in it, that’s fine for you. But please, don’t riot against them. Don’t let them know you don’t like who they are. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all. You don’t have to accept everything in this world, but you also don’t have to make it known you don’t accept it.

If you can, for America’s sake, you can accept people for who they are. Being so hateful towards others shows that it’s okay to hate, that it’s okay to kill people for being different. We must prove to the world that we can change.

Don't forget, you were the bullets in the gunman's gun. You were his fire.

This article was written in memory of those lost at the Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub. May you rest in the sweetest peace. My deepest condolences go out to the family members of those lost on that horrifying night.