With everything going on with my Dad, I haven't had too much time to process this. When I read about it or saw it one the news, I had to back off because my emotions were already so high. Now that I have a chance to read some of this, its deeply shocking.

It's so angering seeing pro-gun and anti-gay people and organizations giving their "heart felt sympathies and condolences" when they've done absolutely nothing to prevent this from happening and helped stoke the flames of anti-lgbt violence. Even worse are the groups, like the GOP, who want to straight-wash this and act like this wasn't an attack against the gay community.


It so important that we don't allow bigots to turn the glbt community against the Islamic community. Some lgbt people are Muslim and some Muslims are lgbt. We are not separate. There is so much work to be done in the Muslism community and Arabic countries, but don't let fear and anger turn our hearts. We need to remember that extremists like ISIS (or ISIL) aren't Muslim. That might be how they market their particular brand of hate, but it's important to know that many of the attackers aren't devout Muslims. They didn't attend Mosque regularly or follow many of the religions tenants.

Having the tblg community as an advocate for reasonable gun control laws is a game changer here in the US. No community knows more recently what its like to be deprived of our basic freedoms and how important our civil rights truly are. We can be a voice of reason when debating gun control laws between ideological hardliners. We must help dispel the myth advanced by the NRA that the government is coming to take your guns away and advocate for reasonable controls like mandatory background checks, wait periods and limits on what kinds of guns are available for civilians to purchase. The Second Amendment is just as important to gay community as the other 9.

It has been amazingly wonderful reading about how police across the country and even the world have stepped up patrols and increased forces to protect pride marches and events. To think that just 47 years ago, it would've been those same police trying to shut down the celebrations. It helps show how truly far we've come.

Oh yes, I had lots of fun yesterday together with T'Lara on Risa.

It works also very well on the dance floor. We got lots of "rainbows" shot at us. The only way I like a shooting (except a camera one - that,too!)


[attachment=3562]rainbowstonewallcostumes.png[/attachment]

Welcome! :cheer:

Glad you are ok and WELCOME! :woohoo:

Welcome Back! :cheer:

Welcome to the fleet! Hope to game with you soon!

Sadly, hate is a powerful thing, one that can trigger knee jerk emotions or fuel a long slow burn of plotting, planning and malicious intent. Each day when I read the news I am saddened by the strong worded arguments and hate mongering that we have become accustomed to. Honestly, it needs to stop.

I remember being taught early on that people who looked different than me and believed in different things than me were still people. I also remember wondering why I was being taught that, anything otherwise had never crossed my mind before. Maybe, I was lucky. Growing up I had friends of all races, classes, creeds and beliefs. Hence why, if you haven't heard it from me yet, you are going to now, my motto is "you be you."

I fail see to see the positive side of the argument where building a wall, keeping borders tighter, and shunning those that are different from ourselves. Because ultimately that rhetoric was already written during WW2 Nazi Germany. It causes panic. Panic where people feel the need to protect themselves and their beliefs.

With all this said, the one thing that keeps resonating with me is how quickly people can express their emotions. May that be with words, flags, or weapons. What we need is the freedom to feel safe in our homes and on the streets. I am unsure about the rest of you, but personally I do not feel safer when I see a shotgun rack on the back of a pick up truck or a fire arm attached to a holster on a belt loop. I do not feel safer knowing that one of my civil right is to bare arms and is protected by men and women in uniform. I personally would find it more reassuring that someone who does not share my belief of being "you be you" would never have the opportunity to carry a weapon EVER.

And maybe this is what all that confusion is about. Maybe that is why I have a hard time comprehending loss at this level. And most likely why I am not a lawyer or judge. I simply cannot understand it.

Welcome to the Stonewall Gaming Network and to STO. I have been a gaymer for as long as I can remember. I play STO, SWTOR and occasionally GW2. I hope to see you around the universe. You joined at a great time as well as we have our annual Pride event happening next weekend.

Hello,

Welcome to the Stonewall Gaming Network, it's good to have you with us.  Please make sure to read our Welcome Center for critical information that will help you with commonly asked questions, assist you with troubleshooting, connect you with important contacts, and provide you with instructional guides for some of our technology.  

In addition, please reserve some time to become familiar with the Code of Conduct, our definitive guide on Fleet Interactions, and Fleet Bank Rules.

After 14 days from the date that you created your introduction post, you will be promoted to the level of “Member”.  As a “Member” you will be able to purchase items from our fleet stores.  If you have questions or concerns about the Code of Conduct or any anything else please contact me or anyone else in leadership.

Have fun!

What else I can say, newbie to Stonewall and newbie to STO - though I do have quite a history with many games and among them mmo's - so yes, I am a 'gamer' so to say, also RPG (pen & paper) enthusiast.

Gork on forums - Kuttner in game.

Hope we'll get along nicely.

And last but not least, special thanks to Miranda McCoy aka Finka, who showed STO to me, as well as Stonewall Fleet.

Cheers.

P.S.

If it's not enough to satisfy curiously of some people, feel free to ask questions whenever you see me around. I just don't like to produce big chunk of text that should be 'me in a pill'.

A minor quibble...apparently the weapon wasn't actually an AR, it was a similar model but not exactly the same. Banning this particular gun model wouldn't ban the one that was actually used.

Sort of not a great idea. Government petitions are for citizens as they're the ones affected. When the petition hits X figure they'll go through and verify the signatures and if they have to cut out a large chunk of the number because they're not valid then it looks rather bad for the organisers of said petition.

This is great guys.. sounds like you should take part in the Fashion show competition on Sunday 26th!!

http://fleet.stonewallgaming.net/pride

Quote by Pride Fashion Pageant: SUN 26th JUNE

Colourful Creations segment - Bring your pretty ship entries from yesterday's event down to the ground, and Glitterize your Toon! Catch the eyes of the judges, Deck yourselves out in an over the top explosion of colour and sparkle, let your imagination run wild with accessories from pets to headpieces.

Glad to know you are Ok!

Sleg looks super rainbow to me!

Glad you are safe and sound. If you need me I'm an email away.

Glad to hear that you're okay! Sounds like it was way too close for comfort... thinking of you all down there. Stay safe!

Welcome to Stonewall Gaming Network! (officially) :)

Hello,

I am relieved that you are well. I want to formally welcome you to the Stonewall Gaming Network. Please make sure to read our Welcome Center for critical information that will help you with commonly asked questions, assist you with troubleshooting, connect you with important contacts, and provide you with instructional guides for some of our technology.

In addition, please reserve some time to become familiar with the Code of Conduct, our definitive guide on Fleet Interactions, and Fleet Bank Rules.

After 14 days from the date that you created your introduction post, you will be promoted to the level of “Member”. As a Member you will be able to purchase items from our fleet stores. If you have questions or concerns about the Code of Conduct or any anything else please contact me or anyone else in leadership.

Have fun!

Thanks everybody for checking on me, I'm okay. Me and some of my friends were going to celebrate my birthday at Pulse in Orlando that weekend but we changed plans and went somewhere else, so I am ok thank you guys so much for checking in with me and others that are down here right now.