Friday, June 17, 2016

FIVE: Frank Hernandez

Frank Hernandez

Pride


Frank Hernandez, Franky, was only 27 years old when he lost his life in Sunday's terrorist attack. A fan of Beyonce and fashion, the Calvin Klein store manager proudly bore a "Love knows no gender" tattoo on the underside of his arm - one of the most sensitive and painful spots to be inked. He was known as a funny, lively and endlessly compassionate young man. He'd just celebrated his third anniversary with his boyfriend and the pair were ripped apart forever after that terrible night out at the Pulse. His family is now struggling to find the funds to bring him back to Texas for his final resting place.

It's unshakably chilling that this massacre took place during the culmination of Pride Week. I've seen it described the same as "a church shooting during Christmas" for the LGBT community.  Today, in honor of Franky and all the victims,  I'm focusing on being proud of myself for my own accomplishments. I am proud that I have gotten to day five of this project even though the emotional toll of facing each individual loss of life is nearly debilitating. I'm proud that I'm using my voice to keep speaking out about this horrific tragedy with the popular news media trying to force me to move on. I'm proud to live in a country where marriage is defined by love and not genitals. I'm proud that no matter who my kids love, their mama will always love them more. 

Be a good person, and be proud of that, we have so much potential for peace.



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