Joe V.: My one hope, as a gay man, for the Orlando aftermath

It's easier to be gay in America in 2016 than at any point in history. Slowly but surely, homophobia and bigotry against the LGBTQ community are being silenced by pride, love and support. That being said, it's still not enough.

Sunday was a very difficult day. Before the death count in the Orlando massacre was final, it was being politicized from both sides of the aisle. This is how these tragedies get forgotten.

When it finally hit me that not only were 49 of my fellow Americans gunned down in an act of terror, but were also targeted for being members or allies of the LGBTQ community, all I could do for most of the day was sit and reflect in silence. I spent most of that windy day on my back deck thinking about how it it could have been Georgies or Paradise in Asbury Park, or the Stonewall Inn in New York City.

Word was going around about several vigils taking place at various gay bars in New Jersey that night, so I made my way down to Georgies in Asbury Park to pay my respects. There were so many tears and prayers, and it is truly an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

Since Monday, new developments have come out about the shooter, alluding to him allegedly being a closeted gay man. This doesn't change the fact that this is a hate crime, an act of terrorism and the worst mass shooting in American history. Religious extremism creates an atmosphere of self-loathing. All you have to do is look at the child sex cases within the Catholic Church, or politicians vetoing bills that would allow rights for the LGBTQ community, only to be caught on Grindr days later.

Do our gun laws need to be fixed in this country? Yes. Do we need to increase background checks for immigrants coming into this country? Yes. Are we at war with radical Islam? Yes. I hope that if any good can come of this tragedy, it's the people of our country getting on the same page and coming together to make the United States of America a safer place to live for our children.

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