When I get emotional, I tend to shut down and get this stone faced sort of look with little visible emotion. But right now, every time I see a monument lit up from somewhere in the world, or vigils being held in lands so far away, I tear up. I don't know why. I am happy to see all the love and support for the currently crippled city of Orlando.
There was a big vigil today downtown Orlando. The feeling I got from it was that this city is going to come back stronger and even more united. As Floridians, we tend to be from all over. Even the recent growth has been fueled in large by first generation Floridians from Jacksonville, Tampa/St. Pete, and South Florida. The sense of being a Floridian is a weak bond, but I feel as though Orlando and Central Florida have helped change that. I came here 6 years ago, and have watched this city grow. The spirits here might be low right now, but I think the rebound is going to make bonds even stronger. The response has been overwhelming. People from all over. Not just LGBT people. Everyone in Orlando is giving a hand in response to this tragedy.