I write this to you as a constituent and fellow Michigander.
Gun reform is on every citizen and politician’s mind right now. It is the only tangible course of action we are able to grasp onto, that is able to make us feel like we are doing something, in light of the aftermath of the Orlando Shooting.
Absolutely it could help diminish the raising frequency of mass shootings. Yes, it could help lower deaths by a firearm.
However, it will not stop hate crimes and terror attacks.
Let’s look at the Orlando Shooting. Let’s strip away the AR15. Let’s strip away the handgun. What’s left in the Orlando Shooting is a hatred of difference and the inability to see the beautiful humanity of another individual.
These radical individuals are energized by hatred. Energized by racist, homophobic, sexist, and transphobic ideologies. Individuals such as this are going to kill, regardless the weapon of choice. If we take away the guns, they’ll start using knives. If we start regulating knives they’ll utilize fertilizer and begin making bombs.
Situations like this will not be stopped solely by gun reform and wherever else this path may take us down. There may never be a way to ever completely stop these events from happening because there will always be hatred in the world. Just as there will always be day and night.
But we don’t have to perpetuate the culture and give it an environment where the hatred can thrive and persist.
All leaders, whether local, state or federal must start acknowledging the LGTBQ community when they are impacted by events. Statements which do not clearly identify hate crimes against the LGBTQ community such as the horrific Orlando Shooting, you erase our existence and exacerbate the invisibility of the population.
When Legislators do not continually work to change anti-LGBTQ language in laws and state constitutions, such as Article1, Section 25 in the Michigan Constitution, defining marriage as an act solely between a man and woman, only reinforces that the community is not seen as a priority or equal.
Proposed legislation, such as the frequently proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act, continually creates environments of anxiety, fear and encourages discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
State legislation such as the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which does not name the LGBTQ identities as protected identities, harshly perpetuates anti-LGBTQ practices and provides a “safe house” for those who wish to discriminate. House Bill 4188 in 2015, also known as the Religious Freedom Adoption Law, encourages anti-LGBTQ practices with appropriated funds. Legislation, including the Michigan Penal Code, which cite “crimes against nature”, continue to be interpreted as anti-LGBTQ within its definition, which breeds hate and fear.
Federal guidelines such as the blood donor requirements, are wholly homophobic and creates not only anti-LGBTQ sentiments and fears, but as a community, it is heartbreaking to not be able to do even the simplest gesture of support such as donating blood in times of crises.
Measures taken to block LGBTQ focused legislation, such as the recent rules change in the House of Representatives to submit amendments to the House Rules Committee, is homophobic and confirms the anti-LGBTQ sentiment in our legislative body.
The refusal to enact ceremonial acts such as Michigan House Resolutions 101 of 2015 and 301 of 2016 to declare June as Pride Month continue to ignore the LGBTQ identities of Michiganders.
Giving condolences, if any at all, and saying you’re a friend is not enough. It is time for the representatives of the people, to begin standing up and taking action. The LGBTQ Community does not want special treatment. We simply want to live our lives with the same rights, benefits and protections as our fellow Americans and Michiganders.
There are natural fears that come with the LGBTQ identity due to the hate that will always be in the world. However, the government should not enable that fear further nor build a culture where it can thrive.
Therefore I implore you to take the following actions:
(Actions Sent to my State Legislators:)
1) Openly acknowledge the LGBTQ Community when they are involved or impacted by actions or events such as the Orland Shooting, which was a targeted attack on the LGBTQ Community.
2) Utilize appropriate terminology, including but not limited to sexual orientation identities and gender pronouns, when addressing the LGBTQ Community in written or verbal communications.
3) Take pro-active measures to change anti-LGBTQ language in existing legislation, including but not limited to, Article 1, Section 25 of the Michigan Constitution.
4) Take pro-active measures to stop anti-LGBTQ proposed legislation such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
5) Take pro-active measures to reverse anti-LGBTQ legislation already in existence, including but not limited to the religious Freedom Adoption Act.
6) Take pro-active measures to include the LGBTQ identities in the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act.
7) Take pro-active measures to positively acknowledge the LGBTQ Community and pass through appropriate resolutions such as House Resolutions 101 (2015) and 301 (2016).
(Actions Sent to my US Congressional Legislators:)
1) Openly acknowledge the LGBTQ Community when they are involved or impacted by actions or events such as the Orland Shooting, which was a targeted attack on the LGBTQ Community.
2) Utilize appropriate terminology, including but not limited to sexual orientation identities and gender pronouns, when addressing the LGBTQ Community in written or verbal communications.
3) Take pro-active measures to work with state legislators to change anti-LGBTQ language in existing legislation, including but not limited to, Article 1, Section 25 of the Michigan Constitution.
4) Take pro-active measures to work with state legislators to stop anti-LGBTQ proposed legislation such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
5) Take pro-active measures to work with state legislators to reverse anti-LGBTQ legislation already in existence, including but not limited to the religious Freedom Adoption Act.
6) Take pro-active measures to work with state legislators to include the LGBTQ identities in the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act.
7) Take pro-active measures to change existing federal anti-LGBTQ guidelines, legislation, etc. such as the Food and Drug Administration policy on gay male blood-donation.
8) Take pro-active measures to openly address homophobia in legislative actions such as the recent amendments rules change in the U.S. House of Representatives, blocking LGBTQ supported amendments.
These actions are only the start to the work to be done, but they are a start, and I ask that you consider them.
Thank you for your time;
Brian D. Proffer
I sent versions of these letters to my legislators this morning. They may not be perfectly written, but these are my views and beliefs based on my life journey and perspectives thus far; and what I feel is needed and what needs to be said.
I encourage you to write to your legislators on whatever you believe is right, whether it is more or less gun reform, education, legislative changes, advocacy for an identity, etc. If they don’t hear from us then they won’t know what we want and will continue to ignore our voices and continue to make decisions based on what will get them elected not what we want or what is right.
Until next time
Peace, Love and Pandas!
Hello World, Its Me, Brian 