Since Sunday’s terrorist mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the OutCenter in Benton Harbor has been offering access to counselors for those who feel they need to talk to someone. Board Chair Todd Dockerty says the outpouring since the attack that left 49 dead has been strong.
“We have a lot of allies calling and asking what they can do, how they can help, community members just basically stating, ‘I don’t know how to react. I’m shocked. It’s scary,'” Dockerty told WSJM. “So, it’s a lot of reassuring to a lot of people, and also it kind of directly goes to asking how they can help, to the correct places.”
Dockerty says Sunday’s attack brings to light the fact that there needs to be more open dialogue about the dangers of bigotry.
“I think we need to somehow be able to come together and have conversations about everything surrounding this, about the hate speech, the bigotry that’s kind of existed in this country to the LGBT community,” Dockerty said. “A lack of acceptance motivates those on the fringes to do crazy things.”
Dockerty says they’ve been burning 49 candles all week in honor of the victims, adding anyone who wants to talk to someone just needs to call the OutCenter. The number is 925-8330. He says an open house was held Thursday night to give people a safe space, and it will be held again Friday from 6-9 p.m. during the weekly Arts District Art Hop.
