Living Out Loud with Darian

As those who were close to Michael Sandy mourn the loss of such a beautiful individual, those who were never privileged to know him personally are also feeling the loss of another brother as a result of a horrendous hate crime.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Michael's tragic death, it was unwarranted and his killers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Michael, although you're gone I promise your death will not be in vain. We will use this as a lesson to teach tolerance, understanding, and respect for SGL people everywhere.

It is my prayer that your death will teach us to love and value ourselves a little bit more in a world that would rather see two men at war than holding hands.

A comment left by Kenneth Winfrey sums it all up:

Will his attackers know that they took the life of a human being? Will they really ever realize that their hatred and brutality will send ripples through an entire community? Perhaps they know (or will know). Perhaps they don't care, but will care.

For now, all I can do is imagine a world where we don't have to fear for our lives just because we love other men.

In my imagination is a place where we are not (as) limited to meeting each other in chatrooms and hook-up Web sites. In my imagination, we meet each other (more) over produce at the local market. We meet each other with passing glances at family gatherings. We meet each other at weddings, Christmas parties, and all those places where everybody else meets.

I am praying for a world where we can meet each other in safer places, in safer ways and with safer consequences.
Meet me in my imagination. Meet Micheal in Heaven

Michael may you rest in peace.