Around one in the morning Sunday, June 12, my phone started ringing off the hook. Soon I was in a conversation with Stuart Milk, (founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation), who lives in Florida, and Russell Roybal (Acting national director of the National LGBTQ Task Force in Washington, D.C.) and other national and Florida LGBT leaders and activists. Of course all of our eyes were on the T.V. news stations. Soon the world knew that a gay nightclub had been attacked by a radical Muslim terrorist. Early that morning, texts and phone call conversations began with Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Councilman Todd Gloria and Dr. Delores Jacobs (CEO of our LGBT Center). That went on endlessly for 48 hours or more.
Police Chief Zimmerman, to her credit, had immediately ordered more police patrols around Rich’s and other nightclubs as LGBT San Diegans were still dancing and having a good time. Soon it became clear that about 49 LGBT people, friends and family had been killed, and then 50 more injured. Almost all of them were Latino as it was a “Latino Night” at the popular club. LGBT people around the world were shocked, and like other cities, San Diego LGBT leaders and activists started mobilizing and reacting. The local San Diego TV news stations started endless coverage and I, like other LGBT activists started getting endless calls from the media for interviews on how “WE” felt?
Matt Ramon of Urban Mo’s reached out to me about a community vigil, and soon Dr. Jacobs and I were discussing a San Diego vigil for Monday night. But, other activists wanted one immediately and soon Paul Rhodes and his friends organized one at the Rainbow Flag pole for Sunday night. Hundreds of people showed up, including Mayor Faulconer, his wife and their children. Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman spoke, as well as Councilman Todd Gloria, and School Board member Kevin Beiser. It was an immediate vigil that was badly needed for many to gather to be followed by the one Monday night, which thousands attended. Thank you Paul Rhodes for organizing the Sunday vigil.
Soon word came out about the man arrested blocks away from Los Angeles Pride, with an arsenal of guns and materials that could make bombs. My phone was ringing off the hook from gay bar owners and concerned LGBT San Diegans, many in complete fear and very afraid. I asked Mayor Faulconer for a meeting with him, Police Chief Zimmerman and Councilman Gloria with bar owners and community leaders, and the mayor immediately set up the meeting at his office in City Hall. Matt Ramon and Dr. Jacobs helped me organize the meeting which resulted in about 50 LGBT leaders and bar owners in attendance. In between all of this, endless calls from all over the United States continued. Yes, many of us did not sleep much those first 48 hours.
Monday night’s vigil at The Center, then the Rainbow Flag pole, ending at Rich’s was absolutely wonderful as our city became “One San Diego.” Personally, I wish to thank the many of you who reached out to me about my speech. All of your responses truly overwhelmed me, and yes, humbled me.
San Diego civic and community leaders from all over the area called our Center and fellow LGBT activists to give their support, including religious leaders, including the Iman Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego, and Hanif Mohebi of the Council on American Islamic Relations. I must thank Rabbi Laurie Coskey for her leadership role during those 48 hours, and for organizing the San Diego religious community.
Another standout was St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral and the very Reverend Penny Bridges. A big shout out and thank you to all the San Diego drag queen shows and impersonators and entertainers who came together at Rich’s and did an unbelievable show to end all shows and raised over $8,000 for Orlando! This old queen is so proud of you. I was in Reno, Nevada, but got full reports on all of you fabulous divas!
We are organizing a community town hall meeting at our LGBT Center with local Muslim leaders to continue dialogue between our two communities. More information will be forthcoming later.
Yes, for 48 hours we were indeed “One San Diego!”
1) Orlando is not about you.
2) Orlando really isn’t about you.
3) If you called on LGBTQ people to rise up and confront the NRA, then it might be about you, but just a little.
4) Orlando really really really isn’t about you.
Always sad to see the trolls come out, even at such a tragic time. But San Diego has always had one of the most divided gay communities.