I wrote this poem when I heard about the horrific massacre of fifty people at an LGBT venue (Pulse) in Orlando Florida. The murderer was “disgusted when he saw two men kissing”
I attended the Vigil held on Old Compton St, later that day and was humbled by the intensity of love, support and solidarity shown by not only members of our community, but by our friends and allies.
I also performed this at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the launch of National Hate Crime Awareness Week on 8th October 2016, in collaboration with Stop Hate UK and 17-24-30.
Bullets or bombs may destroy the lives,
Of friends, lovers husbands or wives
But it doesn’t destroy the love that we
Nourish and share in our Community.
We’re near, we’re far, We are LGBT
Standing here together proud & free
Our love is wider than the ocean
Our love is deeper than the sea
Homophobia is a hateful word
Borne of ignorance and fear
Our love is older than the hills
It was then, there and here
We will not be diminished
By hatred, ignorance and fear
We send our love around the world
We are LGBT Queer
