Blog: Democratic candidate Dana Black issues the following statement in response to the tragic shooting that took place in Orlando, Florida at a nightclub early this morning

Statement

"Your hate for who I am led you to believe you had the right to deny me life. This is not an uncommon theme in America; in fact it is as American as apple pie. The same rhetoric that led to the events at Orlando's Pulse Club, although the extreme, are being echoed in many state houses around the country. Other than the massacre at Wounded Knee, this is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of our country.

"Your disapproval of my existence makes you believe you can deny me my civil rights, deny me life. Just this week, State Rep Brian Bosma released a statement suggesting they will study adding the LGBT community to protected class status in our civil rights statutes. And this weekend, Indy Pride Weekend, the Indiana Republicans at their convention are discussing whether they should change their marriage language from only one man and one woman to appear more open and accepting. The idea alone suggests their idea of a family is the only type of family that matters, and all other demographic configurations are not worthy of support or protection.

"See, here is the thing, you don't have to like me or what I stand for or how I live my life, but you don't have the right to deny me life. You don't have the right to suggest that I am somehow less than you because I don't believe the way you do. Please understand when you make these types of assertions you cannot control how they are received. Omar Mateen thought as you do about citizens who identify as LGBT, and there are many others who think the exact same way. They will use your words to justify their destructive actions against the LGBT community.

"I went to bed last night elated that I spent the day celebrating openness we now experience and how our society is moving forward with my wife, my granddaughter and my closest of friends I call family. I woke up this morning to read and see a tragedy that stopped my heart. Republican leaders of Indiana, you have the opportunity to do what is right and protect the citizens of our great state. You have the opportunity to stop any potential violence against my community by proclaiming that all Hoosier have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness regardless of whom they love. Will you take the necessary steps or will you continue to be a huge part of the problem? It really is up to you.

"Indiana voters, you have a choice in 2016 to elect an individual who believes every citizen of this state has a right to life."

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