Dear GSBA members and friends:
We offer our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives have
been forever changed in the wake of the horrific murders at the Emanuel African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
We grieve deeply for Cynthia
Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Clementa
Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Singleton and
Myra Thompson. We keep them and their families in our hearts, as well as all
those across the country who are also victimized by this, only the latest
heartbreak in a long history of systematic violence against the black
community.
As one of the largest LGBT
organizations in the Northwest, many of us have experienced no shortage of hate
and violence, and we know all too well how an attack against even one person
because of who they are can reverberate throughout an entire community. We all
must stand up against those who are so infected with hatred and spite that they
lose sight of our common humanity.
Our hearts ache for the mothers,
fathers, sons, daughters, friends, colleagues and community leaders who were
lost in Charleston this morning. Their lives mattered, and it is our
responsibility to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated. For almost 35
years GSBA's mission has been to build equality for all. We remain committed to
supporting all of our friends and neighbors, not solely the LGBT community. We
encourage all our members to continually and consciously work to overcome the
pervasive layers of discrimination that are faced every day by many in our
society. Equality does not just arrive, it takes dedication and drive.
Louise Chernin
President & CEO
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