Sponsored link
Friday, February 20, 2026

Sponsored link

More being as queer as possible

Thoughts on Orlando: "Our freedom comes at a high price almost unbearable."

We are, like all thinking and feeling Americans, horrified by the events of last night. The vigil tonight starts at 7:30 pm, at 18th and Castro. We are posting here the two best things we have read so far, both from Facebook.

Hundreds line up to give blood in Orlando
Family members and police outside the Orlando nightclub

From Tom Ammiano:

The hardest thing to do right now is take a step back, to grieve, to plan. Everything is so raw, I want to lash out, but know violence can’t begat violence. There are those who will over politicize, but we need a community response free of rhetoric. Let’s mourn, and then fight back against the hate speech and the opportunism the laissez faire homophobia that enables. I was struck by the wonderful response for blood, and then troubled by the gratuitous restriction on gay men donating. I understand there will be a gathering at 18th and Castro for later today, although I am sure there will be spontaneous actions as well.

Take heart my friends, our freedom comes at a high price almost unbearable but Harvey Milk who paid that price knew that we could weather this, pay homage, and move forward.

From Marke B:

More being as queer as possible. More kissing in public. More drag in the streets. More dancing in nightclubs. More organizing to demand accountability and change. More wearing whatever you want, loving whoever you love, being whoever you are, wherever you are. More always being there for each other. More love everywhere right now.

Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond has been a political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He spent much of that time as executive editor of the Bay Guardian. He is the founder of 48hills.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link

Sponsored link

Latest

Screen Grabs: End of days at Fear and Faith Horror Festival—plus other new flicks to help scream it out

Also: "Films of Remembrance" explores forced WWII Japanese American incarceration, a glockenspiel-equipped tribute to Georges Melies.

With Gov Gav missing, will Democrats have a strategy to win in November?

The state's weird primary system could put two Republicans in the general election for governor. What is a party with too many weak candidates going to do?

Party Radar: The Night’s Watch takes on sexual violence in SF nightlife

New org demonstrates how to open more lines of safe communication and plans of action to face down enduring problem.

Under the Stars: Miles Davis centennial celebrations blow into the Bay

Plus: Drum and bass contemporaries can't catch Calibre, The Necessaries anthology pays homage to prescient indie rock, more.

You might also likeRELATED