Remembering Edward Sotomayor
[Note: The following was a eulogy presented at Orlando shooting victim Edward Sotomayor’s funeral on June 25.]
I would first like to express my deepest condolences to the family. He is your son, your brother, your cousin, your partner. To those that have come here today from around the country, he is our friend … and he is our family, too.
We have been brought here together to not only pay our respects to the senseless passing of Edward Sotomayor, who was known to everyone as “Top Hat Eddie,” but to remember and celebrate, as he would want us to, his life, his love and his compassion of others. As you can see here today, and as you have read in the stories from around the world, whether it be from London to Australia, from Canada to Brazil, Eddie touch so many more lives than anyone could ever imagine with his charismatic and captivating smile, hypotonic green eyes and affection of others.
Over the past several weeks, the LGBT community, their family, their friends and their allies—in fact, it’s humanity as a whole, without any labels—have been gathering around the world sharing in your pain and mourning in your loss. Do we have to continue to use labels such as gay or straight, lesbian or transgender? After all, the first three words of our Constitution—the very first three words that our founding fathers came up with, who were immigrants themselves—are the most powerful words ever written: “We The People.” They at least had the foresight to create one of the most influential documents on the face of our planet without the use of labels.
Through the love of music, it’s music that connects us all. Pulse Nightclub, as many others like it, are prime examples of when we work together, we can create miracles of selflessness hope for others. Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our heart, after all that is what our community has always been about. Tearing down walls and barriers, not building them. Extending our hands, building bridges and bringing communities together. This is not the time for us to create division or point fingers at each other, but this is the time for us to join hands and unite. So I ask that you reach out to the person next to you, hold their hand, let them know you love them, let Eddie know that we love him. Let us all say together out loud “Eddie, we love you.”
When hate attacks love, the voices of love will always become louder, stronger and more unified to over power hate. Whether you are young or old, Black or white, straight or gay, we—as civilized humans—will always unify to be come better, taller and more resilient. After all, we are all God’s children. Bette Midler recently tweeted, “If you love God, you cannot love some of his children.” I have faith—we all should have faith—that tomorrow is going to be a better day.
The past two weeks have been the most painful and difficult time for all of us. But our communities, our nation, has received an unbelievable amount of love and support from around the world, as complete strangers have gathered together in vigils and remembrances to those whom we lost.
I would like to thank Mayor Willie Shaw, who is here with us today. It’s members of our community like you that will truly change our great nation. I would also like to acknowledge the first responders from the Orlando police, fire and paramedic departments, along with the Orlando Regional Medical Center for responding and helping those that were in harms way.
In closing, I would like to read from the New American bible, Psalm 37 Hymns 9-11: “For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble will inherit the land and will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”
I now say to you all, take the spirit of Eddie, take the spirit of all those that we have lost, take the spirit of love in this room, take it with you, let it nourish and let it sustain your soul and your spirit. Hold the ones you love a little stronger and remember to tell and show them how much you love them. As Eddie would say, “Do all the good you can, to as many people as you can, as often as you can.” I have been so blessed to call you my friend, Eddie, and I will see you again! May God bless you, Eddie, as you fly in peace with the birds, high in the sky above. May God bless this great nation. May God bless America.
Respectfully,
Jason Mendes-McAllister
[Note: Jason added, “This is dedicated to Eddie and his entire family.”]
A call for inclusion
Dear Editor:
United Methodist Congregations, WE DISSENT!
As United Methodist congregations at the forefront of LGBTQ inclusion within the greater Chicago area, we ABHOR and DISSENT from the continuing stance of exclusion as represented in the recent meeting of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church as held in Portland, Oregon.
As a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, 750 congregations and communities and more than 32,000 individual United Methodists across the country who are working to end the discriminatory policies and practices of The United Methodist Church, we continue to believe and affirm that LGBTQ persons are beloved of God, blessed in the fullness of humankind and remain full members of our United Methodist Church.
As we lament the continued discriminatory policies of our global denomination, we also recommit to a position of active and prophetic resistance. As congregations rooted in the ageless protestant movement, we vow to continue the work of reforming the church. Our ministries and mission will not be defined nor confined by our denominational affiliation.
Aldersgate UMC – Wheaton
Berry Memorial UMC – Chicago
Bethany Methodist Communities
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC – Aurora
Broadway UMC – Chicago
Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services
Christ UMC — Deerfield
Church of the Incarnation UMC – Arlington Heights
Church of the Three Crosses
Edison Park UMC – Chicago
Epworth UMC – Chicago
Euclid Avenue UMC – Oak Park
Faith UMC – Dolton
Faith UMC – Genoa
First UMC – Arlington Heights
First UMC – Chicago Temple
First UMC – Downers Grove
First UMC – Elmhurst
First UMC – Evanston
First UMC – La Grange
First UMC – Park Ridge
First UMC – Western Springs
Glenview UMC – Glenview
Grace UMC – Chicago (Logan Square)
Grace UMC – Lake Bluff
Hazel Crest Community UMC – Hazel Crest
Hemenway UMC – Evanston
Holy Covenant UMC – Chicago
Irving Park UMC – Chicago
Morgan Park UMC – Chicago
New Hope UMC – Chicago
Northbrook UMC – Northbrook
North Shore UMC – Glencoe
Prince of Peace UMC – Elk Grove Village
Ravenswood Fellowship – Chicago
St. Andrew UMC – Carol Stream
St. Andrew UMC – Homewood
Trinity UMC — Wilmette
United Campus Ministries – Dekalb
United Church of Rogers Park – Chicago
University Christian Ministry
Urban Village Church – Chicago
Wesley UMC – Aurora
Wesley UMC – Cicero
Wesley UMC – Naperville
Winfield UMC – Winfield
Winthrop Harbor UMC
GETS Sacred Worth
UMSO at North Central College
Community UMC – Naperville
A call for unity
The tragedy on the early morning of June 12 at Pulse Nightclub’s “Latin Night” in Orlando, Florida—where 49 LGBTQA people were killed and more than 50 wounded, with the majority being Puerto Rican, Mexican, Salvadorean, undocumented—has left us with heavy hearts.
We started Vives Q in La Villita (Little Village) four years ago because we saw a need for Latinx LGBTQ youth and adults to come together in an all-ages venue that was in the heart of a Latinx community.
We created a space where our history could come alive by inviting movement trailblazers to tell their personal stories of politicization, resilience, and love and set a stage where we could celebrate our Latinidad through spoken word, music, drag, and art. It was groundbreaking. It still is.
We offer you this space to celebrate our queer Latinidad by honoring the voices of two trans leaders and the lives lost in Orlando, Florida, through words, dance, music and performance.
Now more than ever, we believe Vives Q could be a community catalyst for healing. We invite you to join us for an evening of Latinx LGBTQ storytelling and performance.
If you would like to read (a poem) or perform (drag, music, sing), contact at the email below.
If you are a part of a community group, program, and or organization and would like to be listed as Community Partner email us: VivesQ.Chicago@gmail.com
With Pride,
The Vives Q Team
Eric Amaya
Christopher Avalos
Viv Delgadillo
Antonio Elizondo (co-founder)
Emmanuel Garcia (co-founder)
Jessica
Katia
Daniel David Mendez
Ilene Palacios
Jose “Cheche” Turrubiartez