If only the killing of 49 innocent people and the injuring of 53 others were unimaginable in our country. But it is heartbreaking and frightening to realize that acts of violence and hatred are again and again inflicted on men, women and children who deserve nothing but our love and respect and care.

The current tenor of our politics seems to fan the flames of fear and encourage us to go beyond holding the guilty accountable and to demonize whole groups of people. As if this would make us safer.

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that there is more power in love, now and always, than fear and hate. We stand beside our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer brothers and sisters and their right to love whom they wish. We stand beside the innocent Muslims who abhor violence as much as we. We stand on the side of love.

To the LGBTQ community in Durango, know that you will always have a welcoming, supportive and safe place in our fellowship.

Bonnie Miller

Durango

Editor’s note: This letter was also signed by Anna Royer, Don Spangler, Jim Brooke, Susan Koonce, Jackie Lee, Teresa Jordan and Rev. Katie Kandarian-Morris of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango.