Evidence of this moral pandemic can be seen in increased hate crimes against LGBTQ and other minority communities.
Censorship is spreading like a disease and has led to attacking innocuous forms of entertainment and expression, including books and drag shows.
Extremist politicians are having a field day passing restrictive laws and policies that erase LGBTQ people from school curricula and library shelves. Transgender people are denied access to public facilities, sports teams, and even potentially life-saving health care.
The contagion has left millions in jeopardy and a state of emergency. The LGBTQ community faces real, tangible threats every day.
The Human Right Campaign recently issued a national state of emergency for the first time in the organization's history. It's proof that a nightmare is growing among us.
Pride flags have become targets for the far-right as evidenced by a recent murder in a little town (Cedar Glen) not far from the big city of Los Angeles.
Laura Ann Carleton was shot down by an extremist in the front of her boutique because she flew a pride flag outside the store. Despite not identifying as LGBTQ Laura was a strong advocate and committed ally. She was married for 28 years and shared a "blended family."
The man who shot her, Travis Ikeguchi, confronted her outside her store (where her pride flag waved) with homophobic slurs that ended up in shooting Laura to death. He was later shot and killed by police.
Laura paid the ultimate price for her acceptance of others. The pride flag is not a frivolous adornment; it is a concrete and powerful marker that the LGBTQ community won't bow down to bullies.
The pride flag is a symbol of hope and promise that all are welcome here, even if they aren't welcome everywhere.
As it stands, sadly, this pandemic doesn't have a vaccine to combat it like the last one.
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