The tragedy that occurred in Orlando hurts me in so many ways, Martin wrote.
Martin came out as gayin a letter that he posted on his official website in 2010.
I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man, he said in that note.
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
I am very blessed to be who I am.
Yet, I ask that we stand strong and not give in to fear.
We must be unified and bonded by these horrific, cowardly acts designed to silence and suppress us.
We cannot allow for hate to win, and we cannot stay quiet and hide.
He goes on to call for stricter gun laws and requests readers to step in.
And most importantly LOVE.
Love with all your heart …
I have faith in humanity.
I refuse to accept that this is the world my children will inherit.
I will never cease to fight for love.
Read both the English and Spanish versions of Martins essay below.
English:
Although I am out of the country my heart is in Orlando.
People that unlike him were celebrating love, freedom and life.
The tragedy that occurred in Orlando hurts me in so many ways.
I am in pain, I am sad, I am angry.
Many sources say this individual visited the club frequently in the last year.
It has also proven that gun laws MUST change in this country.
However, my faith in humanity is greater than all of this.
So why were these 102 people shot?
Because of who they love?
Because they were celebrating their equality and civil rights?
Waves of fear have been spread throughout the LGBT community and our society as a whole.
Yet, I ask that we stand strong and not give in to fear.
We must be unified and bonded by these horrific, cowardly acts designed to silence and suppress us.
We cannot allow for hate to win, and we cannot stay quiet and hide.
It seems recent headlines are increasingly filled with hatred and intolerance.
These are ideals we strive for in the never-ending pursuit to build a better world.
We often struggle in this pursuit, but we should never be deterred from the ongoing mission.
Its time to change the conversation.
We need to speak a language of love and openly reject hate no matter where it comes from.
Today, too many people continue to defend the indefensible.
How many more lives need to be lost before we do something about lax gun laws?
You know what else was permitted in 1791?
Today, we know better as a society.
We are more civilized.
As President Obama stated, To actively do nothing is a decision as well.
People continue to say it is their right to bear arms.
What about our right to feel safe?
Set a timer if it helps, but make the calls.
And most importantly LOVE.
Love with all your heart.
Love those close to you, and those you dont even know.
Be kind, be empathetic, be compassionate, be generous.
Fill your life and words with nothing but love.
I have faith in humanity.
I refuse to accept that this is the world my children will inherit.
I will never cease to fight for love.
Spanish:
Aunque estoy fuera del pais, mi corazon esta en Orlando.
Personas que, a diferencia de el, celebraban el amor, la libertad y la vida.
La tragedia ocurrida en Orlando me duele de tantas formas.
Esto provoca en mi dolor, tristeza e indignacion.
Varias fuentes indican que este individuo visito esta discoteca con frecuencia el ultimo ano.
Este hecho tambien ha demostrado que en este pais las leyes de armas de fuego TIENEN que cambiar.
Sin embargo, mi fe en la humanidad es mayor que todo esto.
Entonces por que recibieron disparos estas 102 personas?
A causa de a quien eligieron amar?
Porque estaban celebrando su igualdad y sus derechos civiles?
Se ha extendido una oleada de miedo por toda la comunidad LGBT y en nuestra sociedad en general.
Aun asi, les pido que seamos fuertes y no nos rindamos ante el miedo.
Estos actos horribles y cobardes, disenados para silenciarnos y reprimirnos, nos deben unir aun mas.
Estos son ideales por los que luchamos en el interminable empeno de construir un mundo mejor.
A menudo enfrentamos dificultades en nuestro empeno, pero nunca debemos desistir de completar esta mision.
Es hora de reorientar la conversacion.
Tenemos que hablar un lenguaje de amor y rechazar abiertamente el odio, venga de donde venga.
Actualmente, demasiada gente sigue defendiendo lo indefendible.
Saben que mas estaba permitido en el ano 1791?
Actualmente, somos mas sensatos como sociedad.
Como senalo Presidente Obama: No hacer nada a sabiendas tambien es una decision.
La gente sigue diciendo que portar armas es su derecho.
Y que pasa con nuestro derecho a sentirnos seguros?
Pongan una alarma en su reloj para no olvidarse, si es necesario, pero llamenlos.
Por ultimo, no dejen de AMAR.
Amen con todo su corazon.
Amen a aquellos que estan cerca de ustedes y a aquellos que ni siquiera conocen.
Sean amables, comprensivos, compasivos, generosos.
Llenen sus vidas y sus palabras unicamente con amor.
Tengo fe en la humanidad.
Me niego a aceptar que este es el mundo que mis hijos heredaran.
Nunca dejare de luchar por el amor.
