The LGBTQ community is done with moments of silence. It’s time for action

To the editor: I can’t stop thinking about all the lives that were tragically cut short in Orlando Sunday morning. I can’t stop thinking about how it could have been you or me, but it wasn’t. It was them, simply because the killer chose to carry out this violent act in Orlando instead of West Hollywood, or San Francisco, or New York, or Austin.

That morning I left the bars covered in glitter, while our members and allies of the LGBTQ community in Orlando left covered in blood — or not at all. I can’t imagine going out to dance and never coming back or having to leave my friends behind. I can’t imagine the confusion and terror they experienced as the shots rang out. I can’t imagine the anguish their families felt as they waited for updates or the pain they’ll feel for the rest of their lives. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for the first responders to hear the constant ringing of cellphones in the pockets of those lifeless bodies. I can’t even begin to imagine what it feels like to be full of so much hate like the killer was.

What I do feel is sadness, anger, frustration, helplessness and fear. I also feel a strong sense of hope and pride for a community that has shown strength and solidarity. This needs to be sustained so we can continue making progress in the fight for acceptance and equality.

It’s time to do something. Moments of silence are important, but moments of action are what we need. Love will always win.

Jacob Alvarez, West Hollywood

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To the editor: Without question, many people share Pastor Roger Jimenez’s satisfaction over the killings in Orlando. They probably applaud the Sacramento Baptist minister’s honesty. (“Sacramento Baptist church pastor praises massacre of 49 people at gay nightclub,” June 14)

It shows how far we still have to go, how toxic the environment is for some gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people just trying to go about their lives. Don’t doubt it.

The number of reported hate crimes against gays is up in L.A. County of all places. Across the country, politicians, religious leaders and commentators have a new excuse for segregating gays — it’s called “deeply held religious beliefs.” I’m sure Jimenez can tell you more about that.

Jimenez’s tirade against gays sounds a lot like presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s rant against Muslims. Both expose a huge crack in our democracy.

Thomas Bailey, Long Beach

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To the editor: As I read the article about YouTube pulling the video of Jimenez’s anti-gay sermon, I was struck by how easy it would be to dismiss the pastor as simply another “radical Christian hater.”

I suspect, however, that many of my Christian friends would find that label to be offensive to them personally and not consistent with their religious beliefs or practices.

Perhaps this might shed light on why President Obama chooses not to use the term “radical Islam” when discussing the perpetrators of the recent San Bernardino and Orlando attacks.

Dick Granoff, Rancho Palos Verdes

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