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Sunday we awoke yet again to violence and hate. When I learned about the events in Orlando my heart ached. It ached for the victims of the shootings; it ached for the families and loved ones of the victims; it ached for the children who may have lost one or more parents; it ached for us as a country facing the reality of mass shootings that just seems to creep ever higher. My heart also aches for Muslim Americans who may be targeted as a result of this heinous crime even though they are as shocked and saddened at the news.

It appears that this is a crime of not only terrorism but of hate as well. The target group at Pulse Nightclub was the LGBTQ community. They were targeted for no reason other than their sexual orientation or sexual identity. This is not the first time the LGBTQ community has been the targeted group.

The mission of the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force is to promote and secure mutual understanding and respect among all people. BCHRTF recognizes that it is the racial, social, and cultural diversity of our people that makes Bonner County a rich and worthwhile place to live. We support the LGBTQ community not only in Bonner County but also across the nation. We stand with you in support and prayer for your grief and loss. We stand with you as voices that say no more.

As a community we can no longer choose non-action. We must stand together and embrace our humanity. This is not to say we don’t have differences but that we come to the table and have civil discourse. As community members we need to attend public meetings and speak about our convictions, without fear of harassing comments. It is only through our acceptance of differences that we will find our common ground.

LYNN BRIDGES

Sandpoint

BCHRTF

President