I will never forget the morning of June 12, 2016.
I was in Denver, several hours behind East Coast news.
Thirteen painstaking hours later, it was confirmed.
The author (left), with her friend Drew and his boyfriend, Juan (right). Drew and Juan were killed in the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016. Courtesy of Sara Grossman
Drew danced like a maniac, with something I call loving force.
That we were authentically and unabashedly ourselves, refusing to feel shame for being gay.
But those messages were enough for me to know I had to do something.
Sara and Drew in their college days. Courtesy of the author
When I came out, it was pretty much a nonevent.
I wasnt one of them.
When I lost Drew, I realized none of this was enough.
Drew’s photo at the Pulse Nightclub memorial. Courtesy of Albert Harris
A month went by before I decided it was time to get back into advocacy.
I had to remind people that were still fighting against hate crimes andviolenceagainst LGBTQ people.
I had to remind people why common sense gun laws are so important.
He truly was ahead of his time on this fronthe seemed to justgetit.
Drews kindness and desire for inclusion and unity were all the encouragement we needed to continue his work.
This deep-rooted sense of purpose helped me find a meaningful day job, too.
The organization was founded after Shepard was attacked and murdered in a horrific antigay hate crime in October 1998.
There was nothing more important to me than being able to do this work full time.
I wanted to do this for Drew.
I am proud to say that I am typing this from my desk at the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
I am also proud to say that I have never felt more connected to my work.
In a way, its not just mine.
Its Drews, too.
I have a picture of him on my desk, right next to Shepards.
They serve as a reminder that this work is bigger than me.
This work is for the transgender boy in Ocala, Florida, who feels misunderstood.
Its for the bisexual girl in Peoria, Illinois, who facesbiphobia.
This work is for everyone everywhere who didnt grow up accepted by their families.
The month of June has taken on a deeper meaning for me than before.
I will be marching in Denver for Drew.
I will be speaking at San Francisco Pride for Drew.
Every step I take in his honor is one I will take with pride.
We have so much to live and fight for, and I know this is only the beginning.
