Advocates and allies of LGBTQ+ rights have been heartbroken since Friday when Laura “Lauri” Ann Carleton was fatally shot by a man who made derogatory comments about a Pride flag on display at Mag.Pi, her California clothing store and expressed their outrage.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that officers found Carleton “suffering from a gunshot wound” at her Cedar Glen store on Friday night and emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene. According to her information, the 66-year-old leaves behind a husband and a blended family with nine children website.
After fleeing the scene on foot, an unnamed male suspect who was “armed with a handgun” died in a “fatal encounter” with police forces, the sheriff's department said. “Through further investigation, investigators learned that the suspect had made several derogatory remarks about a rainbow flag that was outside the store before shooting Carleton.”
As The New York Times reported Sunday:
Ms Carleton's daughter Ari Carleton, 28, said her mother was “fearless” and put the needs of others ahead of her own. Ms Carleton has been a mainstay of the community, she added.
When A rare snowstorm hit the area This year Mrs Carleton and her husband Bort Carleton converted their business into a relief centre.
“She started a free store where she and my dad were just giving out supplies to those in need who were affected by the storms,” Ari Carleton said in a phone interview on Sunday, adding, “It really sums up who she was.” a person.”
Ms. Carleton preached “love, acceptance and equality,” said her daughter, and those values were reflected in her business. Mag Piwhere she maintained a collection of personally curated, high quality and ethically sourced clothing and sometimes her own designs.
“I just want the world to remember her for who she was,” added Ari Carleton. “And that she died in a place she cherished, doing what she loved and defending something that was so important to her.”
Carleton's daughter also noted that several people had removed the Pride flag outside her mother's shop over the past two years.
Film and television director Paul Feig, whose works include bridesmaids And freaks and geeks, was a friend of Carleton. He explained on Instagram that she was killed by a “man who didn't like the fact that there was a big Pride flag outside her shop. He ripped her off and when she confronted him about it, he shot her.”
“We are all devastated for her husband Bort, her family and the LGBTQ+ community for which Lauri has been a true ally,” Feig said. “Her alleged killer was later shot by San Bernardino police and as such no longer poses a threat to the community. But this intolerance must end. Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community needs to realize their words matter, their words matter.” can lead to violence against innocent, loving people. Let's all continue to move forward with tolerance and love. Let's not let Lauri's tragic death go to waste.”
The shooting sparked several other tributes from local and national organizations and human rights activists across the country.
“Lauri did not identify as LGBTQ+ but spent her time helping and advocating for everyone in the community,” said Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ wrote on Facebook and describes Carleton as a friend and supporter. “We will really miss her.”
We share photos of Pride flags and flowers left outside their store, Mountain Provisions Cooperative said part:
In loving memory of our dear friend, mother of many, ally, organiser, entrepreneur, founding member and soul of our cooperative, Lauri Carleton.
Lauri has been a pillar of our community, an unwavering force in her values of equality, love and justice. If you knew Lauri, you knew that she loved a lot, laughed often and cared for and protected those she cared about. She was a force, she loved to joke and wanted to live as joyfully as possible. We will continue to stand up for the values she so selflessly championed. Her death will not be in vain.
“The tragic targeted killing of Lauri over the Pride flag at her Lake Arrowhead store was senseless and, sadly, part of a growing body of attacks on LGBTQ people and our allies.” written down Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, who has worked with the Anti-Defamation League to track over 350 anti-LGBTQ+ threats and attacks this year.
“No one should feel insecure or be attacked for who they are or just supporting the LGBTQ community,” Ellis said. “Lauri's murder is the latest example of how hatred against LGBTQ hurts everyone, whether they're LGBTQ or not. We know that a large majority of Americans support LGBTQ people, and this horrific act of violence is not indicative of American values.”
Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality said Monday that “the rainbow flag is a symbol of freedom, love and hope in the LGBTQ community.” At a time when our people across the country are being attacked with anti-LGBTQ laws, rhetoric and violence, allies of our non- LGBTQ “neighbors” is a powerful declaration of love. It should not be dangerous to love your neighbors.”
“Unfortunately, that's what we mean when we say anti-LGBTQ extremism hurts us all, whether we're LGBTQ or not. Schools are losing their teachers. Cities and communities are losing their doctors. Families lose loved ones. Churches are losing their friends and neighbors. We are all being harmed whether we are aware of it or not,” the activist continued. “Our hearts go out to Laura's family and friends and the San Bernardino County LGBTQ community.”
Many mourners linked the escalating attacks on the LGBTQ+ community to right-wing media and MAGA Republicans — referring to members of the GOP, who backed former President Donald Trump's slogan and policies of “Make America Great Again.” have.
“As attacks on LGBTQ+ rights by right-wing media and MAGA Republicans have increased, hate crimes have also increased,” according to gun violence prevention group Giffords said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Laura should still be here.”
Education historian Diane Ravitch aimed at Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — one of Trump's contenders for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination — and Moms for Liberty, a group that contradicts LGBTQ+ and racially inclusive school curriculum.
“Homophobic rhetoric from DeSantis and Moms 4 Liberty has deadly consequences. Hatred kills,” Ravitch wrote on X.
Chairman of the Congressional Equality Caucus Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), who is also gay weighed in: “Hey GOP lawmakers. Want to know why all your rhetoric about dope is dangerous? A woman has been killed for displaying a pride flag while you stoke the flames of hate to get extremists' votes. You should be ashamed. Blood is on you.” Lips. Anti woke is hate.
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom said: “This is absolutely horrible. A shopkeeper was shot dead by a man after he criticized the Pride flag hanging outside her shop. Lauri leaves behind her husband and nine children. This vile hate has no end. Place in CA.”
