Laura Ann Carleton, a 66-year-old shopkeeper who owned a clothing store in Cedar Glen, California, was shot and killed after confronting a man who pulled down the rainbow Pride flag displayed outside her store. Carleton reportedly made disparaging remarks before opening fire with a handgun. He fled but was later shot dead by police. Carleton was regarded as an ally of the local LGBTQ+ community, even though she did not identify as such herself. Her death has sparked tributes from friends and activists who note rising incidents of violence and harassment targeting the LGBTQ+ community across the U.S. in recent months. Notably, over 350 such attacks have occurred from June 2022 to April 2023 alone according to recent reports.
As a lesbian of the much maligned Boomer generation (same as Laura Ann Carleton), I want to express my profound gratitude to her and to all our proud allies who have stood up for us, stood with us, marched with us, and sometimes taken a bullet for us. Without allies like her I would not have been able to marry my partner of 38 years, in many places would not have been able to buy a car with her or rent/buy a home with her. While I do not want to diminish the fact that life is far from perfect for LGBTQ+, and American society has been sliding backwards in many areas, today I want to honor courageous heroes like Laura Ann Carleton. Always remember her name and deeds, for she was a blessing among us.