Houston Newsmakers June 19: Islam & LGBT: The CONVERSATION

The Orlando Tragedy Impact on Muslim & Gay Communities

HOUSTON – A Muslim in Orlando killed at least 49 people and injured many more as he opened fire in a crowded Gay night club. While he was killing, he paused long enough to call 911 to proclaim he was doing it in the name of ISIS. The shockwaves triggered by the biggest loss of life in a single terrorist shooting in America, also increased angst in the Muslim and LGBT communities. Rev, Lura Groen is Gay and a pastor in Grace Lutheran Church and the Montrose Center in Houston. She is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says this incident highlights the fears felt by the LGBT community every day. “The fear is in us every single time we’re in public and we hold our loved one’s hand or dare to give our loved one a kiss and it has always been true,” she said.  The first pride parade was a response to violence against us and it has always been true that our response to violence against us is to dance.”

Rev. Groen went on to say that LOVE is the one important thing that Gays and Muslims have in common. 

Mustafaa Carroll is the Executive Director of the Houston office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and says his second thought after the Orlando shooting was, “please don’t let it be a Muslim.” His first was one of sorrow and prayerful support for the victims. He said this incident creates more challenges for Muslims, who because of the climate of fear tends to put all Muslims in the same terroristic category. “Talk really is cheap. People have to see you. You have to keep building relationships,” he said about the responsibility of all Muslims. “You have to be out here helping folks and there’s nothing that you can say that’s going to be more beneficial than what you do. Hopefully people will see that.” Much more in-depth conversation between the Reverend and the Executive Director of CAIR on this week’s Houston Newsmakers.

ALSO

Career and Recovery Resources Inc is celebrating its 20th annual Barrier Breakers Awards on June 20th, honoring James and Marla Davis. James is a board member and President of Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler & Jeep. Also being honored is Darryl Montgomery, President of Wells Fargo, Greater Houston. Vernus Swisher, D.Min is the CEO of Career & Recovery Resources and talks about what the 71 year old agency does to help people identify and overcome barriers to employment. More about the agency and how you can help on this week’s Houston Newsmakers.

Contact information for this week’s guests: