When I go to a club
I have to worry about some asshole putting shit in my drink,
conflict from guys being too sexually aggressive,
or even the worst case,
being a bystander when some cocksure dude flies bullets to prove the value of his masculinity.
However, these worries are universal, these are not targeted incidents because of the nature of the club I am in or who I am, they can happen anywhere.
The club is also not my safe space, I am free to live as myself openly without fear of societal recourse (too often fatal recourse). I go to the club for LOVE of community, not for NEED of community.
This is what is truly horrifying to me about Orlando. The community knows that by virtue of being at a gay club they are putting their lives in danger, placing a target on themselves and their space, but since this is truly the only place they can still live free – even with the slow march toward equality – they brave this worry and go.
This is absolutely horrifying to me. This fucker and his cheerleader ilk (that include bathroom lawmakers, religious tyrants, and passive moderates) destroyed the only real refuge of safety from a targeted minority. They are cultural refugees now and I can’t even imagine how they will begin to recover from this massive diaspora.
—natalie michelle
Flommist Natalie Michelle doesn’t have a bio. She just rants. Copyright © 2016 Natalie Michelle.
To support the victims of the Pulse shooting, please donate here. Also, jetBLue is extending an offer of free travel to/from Orlando for immediate family members/domestic partners of those impacted by the shooting, details here.
PLEASE SUPPORT FLOMM
TIPS + DONATIONS DISCREETLY ACCEPTED